Getting cold feet about using a Ferrari as a daily driver in Atl

Living in downtown Atlanta was your problem. I both lived and worked near Sandy Springs for years while daily driving a Testarossa and had zero problems from people.

 

The closest I have been to "daily driving an exotic" was when I had a Maserati Quattroporte for several years. It's not at the Ferrari level so it didn't draw much attention. Back when we lived in Michigan, during the summer months I would semi-daily drive a Testarossa, and I did have some issues. Some that come to mind are finding cigarette ashes all over the car, a packet of ketchup squirted onto the trunk, etc. But the worst issue was while sitting at a stoplight, a couple with small children was crossing the street, the guy was angrily staring at me like he was trying to bore a hole in my head, and as they are going by....he spits on the front of the TR. I just gave him a "are you kidding me" look, but kept under control, as I didn't want to provoke him...as he may kick the car or something.

Alas my exotic car days are behind me now (sadly). I now live in the area of Columbus, GA, which is like a mini-Atlanta. I know a guy who has a Lambo Aventador...and he quickly learned that he cannot EVER leave that car anywhere. He said he's going to sell it and get a 911 Turbo as that will not attract so much attention. I think the Ferrari FF is a beautiful and classy machine, and would likely be okay in most suburb areas of Atlanta. But downtown Atlanta is another world.

 

i work in buckhead. see exotics everyday. personally, i don't think a FF or the like would get a second look.

fwiw

 

I work from home, so don't have to worry about daily driving a Ferrari... I don't have too much worry about parking the 599 in Buckhead during the day. at night... i think twice. Several reasons:

1. POT HOLES - Atlanta has some horrific potholes and avoiding hitting them is full time - slightly easier during the day... at night horrible - mostly because of #2
2. Crazy other drivers - I have noticed a wild increase in the crazy driving - hate to note it - but Afro-American males - driving like its Mario karts... example - West Paces Ferry Road, about 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon- mild traffic ( this was between the holidays ) and a guy comes screaming past a long line of cars - driving about 60 mph in the middle turning lane... blew through the stop light ... I first thought - wonder if he's being chased? - nope ... I'm assuming he drove right past the governor's mansion...
3. I'm more selective of taking the car due to increased gun violence - no need to place a full-on target on my back. I would never go to any of the malls, in the car... and I try to stay off the major highways - lots of people wanting to "race you" - and again the horrible state of the roads.... it's mostly the roads that drive me crazy.

Daily Driving a Ferrari - especially a newer one - would not be a problem per se, but the environment is more aggressive than in the past. or maybe I'm just getting older.

 

They get a second look, but just be smart about it. I’d avoid Lenox…

 

Peaceful protesters…

 

I've had my 328 for almost 19 years now, living in Marietta. I drive the car fairly regularly, nearly everywhere except downtown, and I've never had a problem. Yeah, someone might pull alongside and try to goad you to race, but I ignore them and they go away. I get a lot of positive talk and thumbs ups. Maybe because it's an older model and they appreciate that fact that it's a classic. I expect to eventually get rid of the car, not because of the environment, but because I figure I'll get too old to get in and out of the car!

 

I think the crazy drivers is due to the influx of people moving here from other parts of the country. Not home grown. Mostly NE and have seen a lot of license plates from FL. Maybe the FL drivers are just passing through. Have you ever driven in FL? It’s a different style/level of driving all together, especially South FL.

 

Atlanta drivers are terrible. I drive a lot for my job and a lot in Atlanta. I don't think you'd have too much of an issue just tooling around SS, but get a beater for anywhere south of there.

 

Never a problem for me in good ole Cherokee county. Just very pleasant people who appreciate the cars and most people completely ignore my cars.

 

Have driven a variety of high end cars as daily drivers and as nice weather cars. Never had an issue. I live in West Midtown, so would imagine if I haven't had any issues here, doubtful you'd have negative interactions OTP north.

But who knows, maybe folks up there are wilder than here, despite common perceptions to the contrary.

 

We lived off of Defoors Ferry for years, but moved last year... the street racing and crime driving us out to Cobb.... I only had one incident in West Midtown in my older Ferrari some guy started getting aggressive to me at a gas station on howell mill 5+ years ago. I was just ready to douse him with gas until he left...

 

Tom, you should know better than to cut someone off in Midtown .

 

Ha! yes. I was just pumping gas... and he kept on about the white man taking all the money for fancy cars... "you gimme some money!".... that's when I just kept the hose ready!