How Do People React to Your Ferrari...?

Well let's see if old thread can get some recent traction. I purchased a 2004 Ferrari 360 Spider a few months ago. I live in a small town with few exotics. My bet there are maybe 6 in a vicinity of 160,000 people. Lower gross incomes than other places in California. I say small town for less obvious reasons.

I had a women follow me for a mile or two in her Late Model 5 series BMW and ask if her son could approach the car in my garage. She stated her young son was nuts over Ferraris. I said sure, even asked if he wanted to sit in it. Are you sure she said, I said no problem. She thanked me and apologized for stalking me with her car and left.

 

I'd noticed a fellow following me home, and as I pulled into the garage he pulled over at the end of the driveway, got out, and excitedly asked me all about the car.

This was before I got the Ferrari: it was my (still current) daily driver: a 244 Turbo.

Gonna get a bumper sticker for my F-car:"My other car is a Volvo."

 

I have people ask to take pictures with the car when I'm places. A lady pulled into the gas station last week because her son insisted. He got a picture sitting in the car and was thrilled. In my neighborhood though, I have a weird reaction. If we're in any other car or on a motorcycle, people walking wave. If we're in the Ferrari, at least half don't wave. I don't know whether they're busy checking out the car or jealous.

 

Second this, except the soccer Moms give me the Awww I wish my husband was like that face when I pull up and my 7 year old daughter hops out the passenger side and grabs my hand. They totally eat that up. I'm shameless, I know.

 

Whether people are walking by or riding in another car...the cell phone comes out and pictures are taken.

Last summer i was doing 120+ mph on a straight road with no traffic. A large SUV caught up to me and the driver was taking pictures with his cell phone...while driving one handed.

 

Ditto for me.

 

Or intimidated.

 

LOL - The Darwin theory in play, just hope they don't take you with them.

 

Most folks just don't know what my car is but the conversations with the ones who do can be real interesting. Walking into the beach mart for a 6 pack this older guy tells me how he had one that caught fire in Miami in the early 80's. 'What happened to it (totaled), what did you get next, ect'...the dude was cool as hell. He's got a 458 and a bunch of other cars now but man he had a lot to say about 308 Dinos. You could tell the guy would give anything to be back in Miami in a 'almost new' 308 Dino in 1982. That's the best

 

So far, only positive gestures. Thumbs up, smiles.
I just wish I had it when I was young and single.........

 

For some reason the number 1 question by FAR is "what year is it?"

I get this question 9 out of 10 times at the gas pump

 

I get this question a lot as well.

 

One reaction I don't understand is where people choose to park. I know this topic has come up a lot on F-chat and various motives are proposed. Today I went to Costco and parked at the very far end of the parking lot with only one car remotely close. I come out to find I have two new friends. Costco parking spots are huge, so I don't really worry about doors, but I do about carts. So far away from the action is best. Parking off on your own makes it obvious you are trying to avoid others. So why crowd the car that wants to be alone?
I could list the previous theories, but the fact is probably all of them apply at one time or the other.
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With the Ford it almost looks like the guy parked it there to pretect yours.

 

You know you wanted to hang out just to see what the giant truck guy looked like-maybe even tell him you're sorry you parked so close to the line!

Both these trucks look like 5 yr olds playing soccer-it's called 'herding' around the ball

 

Exceptional Americanism?

 

Never had a negative experience. Don't tend to make a lot of eye contact but I'm always friendly if folks go out of their way to comment or ask a question. Tend to be quite self-deprecating (make jokes about the age of the car or the monthly payments etc.) High/mid-end performance car drivers seem to be quite deferential (as I am to them), but I've seen anything from M3's to Camry's speed up to whiz by on the freeway. And Saturn drivers, don't get me started about them...

 

you might wish to look at the TR current values thread. We are having this discussion also. These things (Ferrari's) draw people and cars like a magnet. The only thing that draws more is fly's to horse****. You won't escape it and yours like mine is red (rossa corsa) and that alone brings them to the car.

 

Me too! I love the GT4 and miss the '80s.

 

I'm used to the attention as I have had the car for 5 seasons. As a life long car lover I can understand the allure of an unusual car. Im happy to discuss the car with people who approach me in parking lots and let them take pics and sit in it. What I'm trying to understand is why someone deliberately parks beside the car when they almost have to go out of their way to do so. I think the reasons range from fan boyz who want to be near the car to the other extreme that wants to say "F you and your f'n special car"

 

Today stopped at a light in traffic I had a guy in a BMW yelling to me that "he loves the sound of my 328" and that it is "perfect".

Two guys in a beat up Toyota 2000 beater car yelling back and forth to me about the car. I yelled back that theirs is newer than mine that mine was only a 89'.

<insert "trade cars" joke here>


99% positive Thumbs up, Arms raised etc... No animosity as long as you react to their initial verbal or sign language salutation.





HERE IS THE CRUX

Human nature, if you IGNORE the guy making the attempt to interact with you about your car then you are a "Self Entitled Rich *******"

 

I had the Ford Mustang question (a new one?) and couple times: a real Ferrari is Red (mine is Grigio Silverstone).
99% of the time they just ignore it or don't even see it or pretend not to see it.
....but then, it's a 10 year old car so I don't expect any interest......

 

Lol...you are correct, one of the reasons will apply at some point.

 

Guessing you were not at Costco to pick up paper towels and toilet paper. Lol

And...some guys are just as protective and proud of their trucks as Fcar owners.

 

99 out of 100 here.

I've never had a negative comment.