A Question For the Hopefuls...

Most of my life growing up in a blue collar town in Western PA.... I just never let that bother me.... owning a Ferrari was more to me than just the cost, or speed... etc... it was being part and owner of a piece of history.... like owning an actual Monet.... not everybody can or wants to.

I would say the best way of answering those folks is to live a happy and good life and buy a Ferrari when it fits..... your actions say much more than talk.

 

I like your attitude, with one exception. When you say you "really get pissed off" at the people who tell you that you will never own a Ferrari, that doesn't get you anywhere. Who cares what they think? It's YOUR goal. Have fun with it!

 

Your first Ferrari does not have to be a very expensive car. For example, a 1988 or 1989 328 GTS is a great car. About 270 hp, it revs up around 7500 rpm, has a targa top, decent trunk space, and is a fantastic driving experience (I know, I sold my 1988 328 about 3 years ago). A nice one of these with about 30k miles on it is only $45k - $55k in price. About the same price as a nice Acura or high-end Toyota! You'll likely be able to afford one of these while you are still in your 20's.

But, of course, don't stop dreaming there. Set your sights on owning at least 2 at a time. An 8-cylinder and a 12-cylinder would make a great pair to own. One a classic, the other, a new or relatively new one.

In the mean time, ask people for rides as often as possible and go to as many local car shows as you can.

Enjoy.

 

I copped a little of that also. "Yeah right Pap, you are dreaming!" Ect.....ect..... It was always my dream to own a Ferrari since I was a kid. Its every kids dream right?
I would just smile at the negative folk and I told them "we will see wont we?" A few years later, the time was right so I bought my 1st Ferrari at 25yrs old. My 348.
Just keep smiling and dont let them discourage you in any way. And dont get pissed off, thats just wasted energy.

 

For the people that say they could never own one , they have pre-determined their own destiny .
I always wanted a ferrari since I was old enough to know what they were , the style & speed was the attraction . I made mention of it to a few people & most laughed . I bought a 348 after long waiting .Hopefully it is the 1st of many to come . I had a particular neighbor that would ask me with great sarcasm "Where's your ferrari ? " , so with great pride I showed it to him after It came off of the truck, never another word , not a complement , nothing .Some people are idiots . What can you do !?
Its your dream , how you make it a reality is up to you ! It IS worth it !
Good luck!

 

Redirect that anger into study - a solid education and a great work ethic will allow you the resources to buy all the toys you want.

If your peers give you grief, just smile back at them - there is almost nothing quite as satisfying as driving up in the car that they said you'd never attain with a big "I told you so" ****-eating grin on your face

 

I couldnt agree more , the look on their face is priceless !
Sometimes what makes you happy may make others ill .

 

It would be safe to say that EVERY ONE of us who owns a Ferrari have heard that more than once.

When my former sister-in-law heard we were getting our TR 12 years ago, she remarked "What are they going to do - sleep in the back seat?"

Ignorance knows no bounds......

 

As a kid, Bill Clinton lived in a trailer park. He grew up to be President of the United States...

Don't get angry when naysayers try to give you the mental shaft. Brush off their words and keep moving. Only the self-doubting feeble-minded ever put down other peoples' goals and aspirations. I wish you good luck and look forward to one day reading about your first Ferrari purchase on this forum.

 

I heard the EXACT same thing from too many people , people that THOUGHT they knew me , next thing you know they are asking me for money , loans .......ignorance

 

But does he own a Ferrari.............

 

I was exactly like you when I was 14 (in 1982). EVERYBODY associated me with Ferraris. Back then Magnum was big and the 308 was the hot model. I wanted one so bad I couldn't stand it. I wanted it really really bad. I had every magazine I could find and would empty a roll of film when I saw one (rare where I live) and I still have the pictures. My high school yearbooks are full of classmates comments about my obsession. You get the picture...No one ever told me I wouldn't have one, though. I guess I was that intense.

I started a savings account for a 1984 308 GTSi in my early 20's. This was about 1992 I believe. I was broke and in school but I always put a little in it when I could. I actually rolled pennies - I am not kidding. I finally had enough for a very good down payment on an 84 model by Sept 97. It is sitting in my garage right now, 9 years and 41,000 miles later. I LOVE it and I will keep it forever. I could care less how slow it is, how old it is, or what it's worth with 98,000 on it. It was my dream car as a kid and that's all that matters. I could have a new one if I wanted to, I just don't. I want the one I have because I always wanted it. I obviously didn't grow up drawing pictures in my algebra books of a 360 or a 430. I drew the 308 so that's what I set my sight on 25 years ago.

You'll understand what I mean in 25 years when you have a 430 in your driveway instead of whatever new model is out then.

You can do it if you want to bad enough. Believe me.

 

I am on the same road as you man. I myself am hoping to purchase an exotic, preferably a Ferrari or Lamborghini in the future. Don't let anything stop you and keep your hopes high. Like they say...If you want something bad, you are bound to get it! Work hard and everything will pay off in the end.

 

If I could offer anything more than whats been said, it would be to never get discouraged. I wanted a Ferrari when I was young, but before I turned 18 they had started to climb in price until for all practical sense they were untouchable. First the V-12 cars climbed from $20k or less in the mid 70's, to over $100K, then several 100's. By 1980 some had crossed the mil mark. And through the 80's they just kept going ever higher until I lost all interest. I shot myself in my own foot. I stopped reading magazines, Hemmings, etc., thinking my dream was over.

Then I got on the internet in 96, and it wasnt long until I started doing searches and reaquainting myself with the market. By not staying informed I had no idea the market crashed after 1990. Had I been paying attention, I would very likely have a Lusso, or some 250 SWB car sitting in my garage. I did get a Ferrari, actually I have two 77 308 GTB, but had I stayed on target I would be several years further ahead.

Your 14 now, and if your state is like mine, you cant legally own a car until your 18. A lot can happen in four years, and I would not hold my breath a 308 will be a mid $20K car forever. If interest rates climb, or inflation takes off your dream could fly away from you for a while. But if you persevere, and stay on target, you can still make it happen. Start saving now, stay in school and learn, and set some goals like many of these guys tell you. I wish I had heard a lot of this advice when I was young, it may have set me on a different course.

But if I were you, I would show your parents these responses your getting from us, and see if there would be someway they would allow you to own a car like this before your 18. There are cars out there you could have for under $20K, that over the next few years you could work into a real nice car by the time your old enough to drive it. If the market takes off, you could have the sweetest sweat equity your peers could ever imagine.

 

There are plenty of losers out there ready to jump on those with extra-ordinary dreams...and in your case the possibility of owning a Ferrari over the next decade or so isn't extra-ordinary. Plan well, and be wary and careful in matters involving the opposite sex.

I could have been driving a GTB or Lusso at 27 or 28 but had other priorities and a very rough late-1970's economy to deal with...finally getting my 330 2+2 at age 52 was just fine, though.

I need to add...take this Ferrari thing in a bigger sense, as an early life-lesson...the losers will always be there to try and pull down the potential winners...ignore them.

 

i have to disagree here. most ferraris are purchased as a second or third car. in my case a fifth car. a 45-55k used toy car would be considered by about 96% of americans as very expensive. don't forget the operating expenses. i don't recommend a 55k toy car (or a 45k primary,new car) a good idea for all but the highest net worth 20 somethings. truth is, even though i'm in a position to pay cash for and easily afford my 328, it's still a pretty stupid decision from a practical standpoint. continue to keep your toy dreams in your head as the candy you'll get for being good. but a life goal? i can think of a dozen more important goals you should be focusing on at 14. i just don't want to make light of spending what for most is a huge chunk of change on an impractical toy. it can be done, but at what cost? that is the question.

 

ignoring people's remarks and focusing on your plan is best way to go. the important thing is that you know the score, everyone else is clueless, so who cares what they think?

john

 

And that is just the kind of talk he (and I, who share his goal) doesn't need to hear. He already understands the practical side of it because he knows that "one day" he will own one. I know plenty of people who are my age who want a 328 or an old 911 as a daily driver when they're 25 or so, and I think that's great. That's not my personal goal right now, but don't look at his enthusiasm as misplaced ambition. His goals are his goals, not yours, and I for one admire him that he is seemingly willing to sacrifice a great deal of lesser things (to him) to have what he truly wants. Keep dreaming.

 

i was responding to the poster i quoted, not the kid. my point was that 45-55k + expenses for a toy car IS expensive and impractical. i thought this was being made light of. i recommend you follow your dreams. as long as they don't lead you off a cliff.

 

i disagree. i think you should hear all of it. Plus, he came here for advice. that's mine. I doubt a 14 year old really understands the practical side of owning a ferrari. i stand by my statement that for 98% of 25 year olds, owning a 328 as a daily driver is out of the question if they are thinking straight. financing an expensive car when you are young is one of the worst traps you can enter. again, just my advice. take it or leave it. but i think its sober advice for a 14 year old.

 

you're only 14, you can do anything you put your mind to. a ferrari is not out of reach, dont listen to the haters. they'll be talking smack up until the day you show up to your high school reunion in a ferrari and their jaws drop because they're driving a civic. owning a ferrari is the dream of everyone in the entire world. everyone from saddam hussain to CEOs of major corporations in this country own ferraris. it's a universal language to show others that "you made it". it is definitely possible, and you can shape your future so easily at 14.

 

An early Mondial or GT4 is well under 20K, which is Scion territory. Very attainable, HOWEVER maintenance will be much more extensive and expensive than a Korean or Japanese import. If you want to drive a Ferrari at 18 or 20, go for it, but pick up a $1000 pickup to keep around as a backup driver and parts hauler.

 

if this is your reason for owning or wanting a ferrari(or any other object), you need to sit down and sort out your priorities.

 

oh, by the way. i never answered the op's original question. no, nobody ever made fun of me for saying i was gonna own a ferrari. i didn't tell anybody i was seriously thinking about it until it was clear i could and would be able to do it.