How things changed when you bought your first Ferrari?

FORGET this often spoken misinformation......

You pay to buy one, you pay to tune one, you'll REALLY pay, if you crash one...and you'll most likely sell at a loss upon liquidation (it's only the very rare race cars and maybe 2% of the total model range that appreciates.......) and you have paid to insure/house/clean it the whole time...

Make the Ferrari a weekend only car....my advisor races bikes and 'vettes, and he drives something sensible to the Office.
We share this love of performance machinery, but I'm sure it's a very rare thing in his overall client list....

It's okay that 'they know' but it needs to be background to their impression of you...

My favorite Uncle once warned me "That charity racing and all that, will turn on you very quickly when someone wants an easy target to aim at..." and I believe he was correct....

 

As much as it shouldn't matter, it does matter.

If I decide to get a 360, it will never be seen by clients nor brought to the office. I catch too my grief with my 2001 BMW 330 convertible as it is.

My clients would think their prices are too high if I pulled up in a Ferrari for sure!

 

I attribute people's negative attitudes toward Ferrari owners to a mixture of envy and misinformation.

There is a commonly held belief that exotic car owners use their cars as a phallic substitute: this misconception is not rooted in reality, except as to Lambo and Porsche owners.

People look for humor where they can find it, and I can certainly understand how some would laugh at the sight of a grown man driving what most perceive as the Ultimate Toy.

Again, envy.

In the end, it really doesn't matter ... we dance a bit then exit the stage.

 

Agree.

 

Buy it, as long as your fees are fair, protecting their money from losses, even when the market takes a **** and treat them with the respect they deserve. I wouldn't have minded seeing my former advisor driving a $$$$ car if he had made me money instead of losing it.
Charge high fees, poor customer service and lose their money and you'll be sorry the second they see you in the $$$$ car.

 

When I bought my first Ferrari the first thing I thought was I need to get another one of these only older.

 

After I got my Ferrari, whenever I got together with friends for lunch or dinner, everybody else would also hand me the check for te entire group saying, " Wy don't you pick this one up, moneybags. You can obviously afford it." I replied that no way I could afford to buy theirs lunches/diners, coud barely afford my own, because sitting outside was tangible proof positive that I had spent ALL of my saved money, and any money I would make for some time to come.

 

I became taller and better looking.....

 

People give me far more grief over owning a late model BMW than over owning a 23 year old Ferrari.

It seems around here that owning a Ferrari makes me more of an eccentric than a show off... Not to mention that anyone who knows me knows that I live, sleep, eat, and breathe cars cars cars cars. If you meet me, probably even at a funeral, within 5 minutes you will know that I have cars on the brain.

Another thing I've found is that if you don't act like an asshat people don't treat you like one.

 

I didn't think this was what he was asking, but noticed the same happened to me.

 

And did your...Never mind.

 

good one

 

If you worry that purchasing a Ferrari will negatively impact your career to the extent you shouldn’t buy one, you need to grow some testicles before you think about it. You obviously don’t have the passion expected of a Ferrari driver or deserve the car. Go home in your Volvo.

 

Between mi profession and ethnic background, I get plenty of grief over having a Ferrari mostly negative.

This has been amplified since buying mi second Ferrari. I have just learn to deal with it.

The price one pays to buy a dream

 

We await to see pictures of your new toy. Enjoy

 

What I noticed after I bought a Ferrari(used 308GTB way back when; 328GTB now) was that I became more handsome, more engaging, the $bucks$ flowed in and the chicks just drooled over me...

Then I woke up from my nap

Actually, what was the most difficult thing for me to adjust to was pulling up to a stop light, looking left and staring at hubcaps, cuz the car sits so low...really...

In your case, I'd say go for it. If -I- were looking for a financial adviser, I'd much rather have someone show up in a nifty car and offer to help me realize -my- dreams, too. After all, do you really want advice from a guy who hasn't made it yet? I wanna know what -to- do vs. what -not- to do.

You'll find that some notice, some don't, some care about your ride, and some don't. What's most surprising is that often others will have reactions opposite of what you'd think they would.

 

I'm on the losing side of money management (bk ), but those I know in T&E and such that manage funds and estates tend to drive low key luxury cars like Infiniti, Lexus or dark MBs with stock wheels. Reliable, sensible, plush, but not flashy at all. The very last things you want to look is risky and spendthrift.

That said, as a weekend car get what you want.

 

Pretty good thread as I'm hoping to get my first Ferrari in a few months and have thought about what my clients will think IF they find out. I started my own janitorial service 19 years ago when I was in school. My employees don't make anywhere near the money talked about, BUT they are treated with great respect and paid well for the work that we do.

When I bought our Range Rover in 06' I only had a few akward moments, but nothing that lost us business. I really think that some of my clients looked at it as a good thing. As for a Ferrari I think there would be more negitive then positive when it comes to clients, workers, and even some "friends". If and when I get a Scud I don't really plan on telling anyone about it. My parents have already pissed on it and told me not to bring by the house. ( I do have a really GREAT relationship with my family and spend tons of time with them, but they see it in a very negitive way) I understand where they are coming from, but the fact is I have always wanted a ferrari and have put getting one off for many years to make sure that the time felt right. I also feel that I'm getting one for me and not "look at me" reasons.

One other thing that I think plays into clients / employees finding out is that I'm a hands on owner and still get my hands dirty. Think of it this way..I may have a Ferrari, but I'm also the guy that my clients see cleaning their toilets and that get's his hands dirty cleaning along side his employees.

So, hopfully I can get one in a few months and enjoy it in good health and little negitivity.

Later

 

I agree 100%

 

Oh my god, that's a terrible reaction from parents, I came from a normal working class family and my parents reaction was that of pride when their son had done well enough in life to fulfil a dream to own a Ferrari.

John.

 

They won't be disappointed. They just think it's WAY to much to spend on a car. To some degree I understand where they are coming from, BUT I have always wanted a Ferrari and as I said I have put it off for many years to get other things in life in order.

My dad is a car guy. He has my old 94' ZR-1 in his garage now. FWIW I sold it to him to pay off our house like 6 years ago and have been without a "fun" car since. If I was "smart" I would just buy it back and be $175K ahead of the game. I still love the ZR-1, but I want to step up to the Scud (God willing).

Later

 

Hi guys, I'm a tad late to the thread.. but it is interesting..

When I bought mine late last year.. I bought her as a weekend toy. I know that I can't bring her to work for the "negativity" it will engender. I get remarks already for my Boxster. It is a "Porsche". If I get another Daily Driver it's going to be a Volkswagen Rabbit or GTI just to step it down a notch, besides I have a fun weekend toy.

I think that people respect a low key luxury car like a low end Mercedes, Lexus or Infinity as well as a good fitting suit. "Low-key, conservative professional" vibe I think works in many professions to establish credibility. A ferrari is a tad too showboat for a new client in my eyes. If you have a "Vintage" theme the 308 magnum PI look might work well (re: Ralph Lauren). In general I think driving a car that is on par or lower than your clients in luxury works. I think I read a while back a Ford supplier said "If your client drives a Lincoln, you drive a Buick. If they drive a Buick, you arrive driving a Ford."

By the way what is it with "New Porsche" drivers.. all the guys in town with brand new 911's have the biggest attitudes?...

 

A GT Group: 2+2 in a conservative, darker color would be easier for coworkers and clients to comfortably accept than would a flashy red or yellow sports model.

Just my two cents.