Interesting idea crossed my mind the other day... I'm a pretty outgoing guy and with respect to my car. I have never been shy about opening the door and allow others the opportunity to sit in the drivers seat or observe my car in close proximity and in accoradance with RULE #3, "Where feasible, I will encourage inspection and observation of my cars. If someone is clean and courteous, I will encourage them to sit in my cars. I will actively encourage photographs. In particular, I will encourage this among younger children...." THAT BEING SAID... Does anyone ever wonder how many people, particularly kids, will one day become Ferrari owners after affording the opportunity to experience our cars up close? My first in car experience occured when I was 14 and I bought my first Ferrari 13 years later.
probably a "not statistically insignificant" correlation Sat in my first Ferrari (a 550, parked) at the age of 33, then bought one 2 years later.
Sat in and drove (about 2 miles, rest stop to rest stop) my first Ferrari at 18 or 19. Planned to get one my ENTIRE adult life. At 46 yrs, I owned one.
saw a white Countach up close back in 93 when I was 10yo. From that day, I KNEW that I would own an exotic car. Never actually sat in a Ferrari until I started shopping for one a couple years ago. Lifelong Ferrari fan though; watched F1 since a child. My parents have a home video of me playing with a 328gts model back in 88 when I was 5yo. "Mom, I want a Fewawi" HAHA!
Rode in a 275 Spider in 1967 when I was 15. Drove that same Spider in 1969 when I was 17. Bought a 355 Spider in 2003 when I was 51. Had a lot of cars in between, but owning a Ferrari was always in the back of my mind. It was worth the wait !
Sat in one (uninvited) at an F-car dealership in Houston, and, being a 308 , couldn't find the door handle for egress, heh. Despite this trauma, I STILL want one someday.
I had a similar first experience. I was invited by a Ferrari sales man to go and sit in a Testarossa. But he didn't tell me how to open the door! Took a while to find the button...
Never sat in one till I was actively shopping, but I grew up in Cleveland where exotics cars are basically non-existent. In my case, I'd say the mystique was heightened by never getting much more than a passing glance at a Ferrari until I moved to California. But, who knows, if a Ferrari owner had shown me around a bit I might have made it more of a priority.
One of my goals as an owner is to let as many kids ride in or at least sit in my car as possible. I would have pissed myself had I had that opportunity as a kid. We are so blessed share it whenever we can. Surely it will have an affect on some of these kids!
The father of a girl I was dating in college owned a 308 and when he took me for the first ride in the car I knew I would own one someday. Now I am on number 4.
The first Ferrari I ever saw up close, sat in, rode in, or drove is the 328 I now own. Poor kids in Milwaukee don't get a lot of Ferrari exposure.
I got a ride in a 308 when I was 6 or so, been wanting one ever since. It has been 20 years, btu I am still dreaming of the day I own a Ferrari. Sadly that ride when I was 6, was the only time I have even sat in an Fcar.
As it should be, they are meant to be driven and shared, that's part of the enjoyment of the experience and ownership...
I grew up in Mayfield Hts., Ohio. When I was seven or eight I got to sit in my neighbor's 308. I was instantly addicted and spent all of my time in Cleveland chasing down and following any Ferrari I saw just to get a glimpse. I suppose that's what started my whole life's drive towards car design and art. If it wasn't for my two young kids and trying to get my art biz off the ground I'd finally have one. I'm still a HUGE 308 fan and but I'm happy to see where 355 and TR prices are at! Decisions, decisions. If I could find a mint 308 GTB I probably wouldn't resist the urge and would get it today. Lucky for me I avoid the classifieds!
I am not an owner, YET, but remember vividly the first Ferrari I got to ride in. I would say I was probably around 10-12 and my dad's buddy bought a new 308 because his Rolls Royce was in the shop so often. Nice problem to have, right? I remember him saying that he just had it "tuned up" and it was $1500. And that was back when my parents house cost $125,000. I was one of the kids with a different Lambo, Ferrari, or other exotic poster hanging in my bedroom all through childhood. I would go to car shows and stare in amazement, wondering if I would ever be able to own such a machine. Now I am getting close.
I saw the same 308 drive by everyday when I rode my bike to school in 1980. Got my first ride in a 328 in 1989, bought my 328 in 2004 and have not really "had" to have any other car. The memory is so strong that I would have no problem driving a new 430 anywhere but would be much more careful in my 328.
had a very fast ride in a 330 coupe at woody creek track near aspen in the early 80's my 575 arrived in february
Up until I bought the 360 I had never seen a Ferrari other than a mondial and a 512 for the first 35 years of my life. I remember both like it was 5 minutes ago.
Never sat in a Ferrari (currently 15) but I know I'll own one some day I think its got a lot to do with the first f-car you see.
You are wise beyond your years. The first Ferrari I remember seeing was a Dino that my grandpa pointed out to me when I was about 4 years old. I fell in love that day and it only got worse when my best friend's HOT single Mom bought a 308GTS when I was 12. I didn't realize until recently that I was always more attracted to the mid engined platform. My first Ferrari ended up being an F430. By the way I just visited Montreal and fell in love with your city! I hope you not only get to sit in a Ferrari soon, but drive one. Disclaimer: I know that the Dino is not considered by many as a real Ferrari......All I know was my grand dad said "Look at that Dino Ferrari"
as a kid, someone let me sit inside (and even rev the engine) of a testarossa. Since that day, I promised myself that I would buy myself a Ferrari -- and I did, a 360 spider exactly 20 years later in 2007. Now I keep the trunk of my car full of the large mattel 360 spider models (I bought 50 of them from an ebay seller) and I give them away to each kid who shows an interest in Ferraris.
well I've so far in the last three years (basically since learning to drive) have sat in a couple (430, maranello) and went for a ride in one (308GT4) was even offered the chance to drive the 308GT4 but was worried about messing somthing up-good thing to cause a few things did go wrong while we were out (minor things easily fixed but still) I dont see myself owning one for a while (10+ years?) but I'd say being able to experience them in person helps