Are you cautious telling people you own a Ferrari.?

Well.. yes and no. If you really think about it... you're referencing NEW Corvettes, NEW trucks, etc. etc. When you compare the cars year for year, the picture changes doesn't it? Corvettes are as "valuable" as a clutch change, Trucks are so beaten and worn they're the price of a rim... It's all relative as you know. FYI back when the 1999's came out I know mine was bought and imported for ALOT more than sticker.

But that's the key isn't it. You know. The average person on the street giving you grief about driving a "FERRARI" doesn't.

And we haven't met in person... but when I have my Enzo or LaFerrari.. I'm going to be just as cautious and modest when people find out what I drive.

 

Heh,have been at more than one informal car meets where, without fail, new Vette owners made a beeline to me to remind me that their rides are faster and more expensive to which they get my standard,honest response of,”yeah,but it’s still a vette tho.” The ensuing look of confusion when their brand new baby goes largely ignored by the small crowd that gathers round my 15 yo pony for photo ops...priceless.

Poster reminds me of this snide guy that approached me at the marina with his girlfriend. Chuckled “ which is faster,this or the new vette?” “Not really sure, I’m just partial to Ferraris. Which one you drive?” Crickets followed by quick retreat.

If you don’t understand Ferrari love,don’t be a hater.

 

I stopped worrying (or caring), what anyone else thinks a long time ago. I'm just me. People who know me, know I have loved exotics since I was a kid. They also know I bust my ass and am unapologetic for doing so and making a few good decisions.

I'm always open to sharing the experience and the cars to those who are obviously interested. At the end of the day, they are cars. If you make a big deal about it, that's where the problems arise.

 

Agree. Sometimes I think my car brings more joy to others than me. Whether it is,letting some ten year old sit in it for a picture, or letting a good friends teenage son take it a spin around the neighborhood, I like sharing my love for these cars. If people ask what I drive - I tell them. They are always excited for me and ask tons of questions.

 

I don't think that's necessarily the case. However I understand to a point it's almost a conceited topic/thread I suppose. However you look at it a valid thread. Well done to the OP.

There are a group of kids hanging around outside my house at times, normally minding their own but I heard one say "The rich guy's Ferrari,,," which is bollocks, there's far more wealthier neighbours here than me.

To answer the question I have a foot in each. I happily tell friends that ask me about cars or acquaintances that know I like cars. I won't lie if asked but do not normally volunteer it.
I have owned three Ferraris (only one at a time) over 14 years. The first I took into work I owned over three different jobs. I took it in once to each company and the response was similar over the latter two companies, where I was mostly unknown. Basically it came down to the dept/me was paid too much. My current company I was asked if it was an MR2. Bare in mind it was a Mondial and as such my interpretation was simply that none car folk have heard about Toyotrarris and as such they could not comprehend that I might be able to afford a Ferrari and work at the same company. I think most [none car] folk think Ferraris are all six figure sums.

I have never since took my previous F355 of 360 into work. The directors probably own cars worth more (well one might) or rather they lease more expensive cars. I'd guess (unless like me they keep them at home) my Ferrari is probably the most expensive car owned.
My colleagues in my dept know I have one but none have ever seen it and never saw my F355 either. Some in the business know of it because occasionally on FB there is a picture though not often.
I love the cars but I am a tad embarrassed at what owners are perceived as. Fortunately I also have a much cheaper Alfa Spider and can easily turn the interest to that!

 

It's a car.

 

Very observant!

And Diamonds are carbon, and gold is a metal, and currency is just ink on paper.

 

Admittedly a very nice car.

 

I'm just saying, it's not like you're hiding the holy grail in your garage. Road-worthy Ferrari's can be bought and maintained by someone making less than $100k a year all the way to the richest of the rich. People will automatically associate the name with the far end of the price spectrum but, who really cares? I can't even think of a conversation with someone I don't know where the subject would even come up. But maybe I'm just not dense enough.

 

There are 2 issues with people knowing you have a Ferrari:
1) they charge you more for stuff
2) potential for vandalism

Granted, the above will happen from people you don't know (well), but I take the OP topic as general. When I go to the parts store and ask for a tool or part for either of my exotics, I never tell them the make, even if they ask - I'm not going to chance Lambo or Ferrari Tax.

I must confess that I have experience of the feelings of resentment others may feel - I wasn't born rich and it took a long time to get here. The resentment comes from not having the opportunity to make the money, not just raw jealousy - why couldn't I be in a job that paid fantastically well? I remember working all the hours of the day for a pitiful wage, just because my vocation didn't pay as much as others - it wasn't due to lack of graft on my part. How was I to know at 16 that I should go for a career in finance, rather than engineering? So, I stuck with it and made it successful eventually, but yes there are smarter and more talented people in the world - it can sometimes be difficult to accept.

So when people are negative toward exotic cars, or success in general, I understand what they are feeling. I was once there.

 

I agree, it really depends on the situation, i grew up in a little town where everyone knew our famoly, my mum had a little barber shop etc..and people talk...i just had a little Lotus Elise when i still lived there and even this was "too much" for some so i never take a Ferrari home when i visit..there are two people now who own Ferraris, one has a 360 Spider and the other has a 599 and they say exactly the same thing...in Switzerland where we live now its completely different, at least in our Area, nobody cares about flashy cars, you see them every day...there are people going grocery shopping in their McLarens etc...i never heard anyone mentioning my cars except other Petrolheads at the gas station or something...

 

Switzerland is a bit of an anomaly. I saw more Ferrari's on the roads being driven this last July in 48 hours than I've seen being driven on the roads in the US in 10 years!
Zurich was a filled to the brim with expensive German cars and exotics. Every 5th car was a Porsche 911. My relatives that live in CH could care less about cars and status. They rolled their eyes at the Lambo that drove by us Ascona but interestingly were very interested in the Multi-million dollar homes on the shore...

 

I get what you're saying.. I'm just being sarcastic. Ferrari is a very recognizable brand. And it's association is with one thing alone.. wealth. There are people that will talk and say something like "that guy must be dooshe because he drives a Ferrari". What's worse are people that don't say anything. You don't know what they're thinking, but it registers what car you're driving.
OTOH, some people wouldn't notice what car a person drives, wouldn't notice what shoes they're wearing, wouldn't notice the watch on their wrist. Some people just don't pay attention.... and then they're all surprised when they find out the guy with that "red car" and leather shoes and gold thing on their wrist lives in an amazing house on the beach.

 

I think an embarrassment of riches is an odd thing.

Why would anyone strive to buy (and maintain!) an aspirational car, only to later take any measures to hide the fact?

Matt

 

psb1013 - 3 day temp ban, 1 day for each P&R post in this thread.

Just a reminder fellas, keep the P&R in P&R.

D

 

I just rather peeps not know I own a Ferrari ..... and it doesn’t matter which model I have ...... unless they are gearheads. There are many many cars out there that cost more..... I do not believe having a Ferrari makes me better or worse than anyone else.... I like being status quo. I do not want to be treated better or worse because of what cars I own. I have shown up at the dealership in sandals and shorts and T shirt.... and I am pleased to say that the Ferrari dealers treated me very well despite not knowing I was planning to do business with them.

Conversely I have shown up at Benz dealerships looking the same way and I might as well have been invisible...... ok on to the next place.

IMO - and everyone can be different here, there is no right or wrong, the Ferrari brand name is so powerful, that it can change the way people think/perceive things if they know you have a Ferrari.... and I just want to be treated the same way if they did not know. So yes, I try to keep quiet about it and don’t volunteer to others that I own one. I am not embarrassed that I own one.... just like to keep quiet.

 

I don't go around telling people I have a Ferrari; especially the people who work for me. Now, I could run into someone I know when I have the car out and that's fine. But some people change the way they interact with you when they do find out. When I bought my 430, my next door neighbor thought it was nice and would compliment me on the looks or ask where I drove it that day. When I bought my 458 (just over a year later after trading in the 430), they basically ignored me. Not a big deal but you could tell their attitude changed. My wife has been going to the same hair stylist for 25+ years. When the receptionist found out we had a Ferrari, her attitude changed toward my wife. Now, I have met a number of other people around the area who are car people. Some drive Porsche, MB, Ferrari, Ford GT's. These people have become good friends. Likewise, I have met people that are truly interested in the car and I have had no issue talking with them about it and some have also become good friends. In the end, certain people react differently when they know you have a car such as this, hence why I don't go around telling people.

 

338Lapua - what you said sir... agree, and experienced in only 2 mo's of ownership.

leaving late today, our small priv co cfo spotted me leaving stopped me and said 'nice car' very enthusiastically. I'm not going to hide my sweet ride, or lie about it.

 

True story! That’s what is amazing about it. A 10 year old Ferrari gets more attention then pretty much any other brand. People have no clue if its new or 10 years old.

 

The funny thing is that most of my friends own Ferrari’s. At least everyone I hang with currently... this solves the whole issue. As far as work I stay away from the subject but probably all my managers know I own one. Their teams do not as we are in the service industry and I’m just not comfortable with that. Lots of jealousy out there..

 

..indeed I don't earn anything near $100/year. However folk probably suspect I do. I will admit that running a Ferrari in the UK (probably Europe) is far cheaper than it appears in the USA, like for like model DIY/Dealer/Specialist.

Could not have said it better. I've also just been in an MB dealership this past weekend and bought myself a new Mercedes!

I've made some great friends. A few in the US when I've visited (The Godmother on here is one). I think 2020 we're coming to the USA. My Fiancee wants to go to New Orleans. I feel a Dallas/New Orleans trip coming on.

 

I live down at the end of a gated cul de sac. About a year ago I was washing a car or two, and my new neighbor from the far end stopped by. Nice guy, out for a walk with his young son. We had a nice chat.

He said the realtor told him that “the guy down the end has some pretty cool cars” and that he wished he could afford them too.

I pointed out that his brand new Cadillac Escalade and his two BMW sedans (I think one is a 7 series, not sure about the other) easily cost more than the cars I had in my driveway.

He replied that “I have five kids. I need the space.” So I countered that it wasn’t an affordability issue. He probably spent more on cars than I did, but having kids meant his priorities were different, and he bought different cars than I would.

He thought for a second, laughed, and agreed. I’m betting as soon as that last kid humps off to college, I’ll be seeing another Ferrari on our tiny little cul de sac.

 

I keep it extremely secretive where I work. I'm a young blue collar guy so most people cant wrap their head around it. Most people don't care or won't pose an issue, but that small percentage of entitled, jealous people concern me. At work I go out of my way to keep it secret. Outside of work I just don't go out of my way to tell anyone. I did unknowingly move right next to a boss where I work and he surprisingly hasn't told anyone.

 

I find most luxury car owners lease their cars around where I live. Some write it off for their business, others just don't like the upkeep of car ownership.

 

Did you buy the Ferrari for yourself to enjoy or to hide it for everybody? Why should you be ashamed to drive a Ferrari?
You only live once and what a pleasure it is to own and enjoy such a car. I really do not care what people think of me or my car.
Its just a nice car branded Ferrari. Its made for driving en enjoying. Life is too short !
If it is a Mondial or a LaFerrari, you have your dream on wheels,go out and make a roadtrip and enjoy every minute.