Tex, I can tell in that pic that you'll give 'till it hurts, suffering your way through making that girl smile. Good man.
For the most part, my neighbors are cool with the Ferrari, though they all talk...especially the wives. It really got heated up here a few weeks ago when my wife and I bought a MB GL450. "A Mercedes AND a FERRARI....." The looks of disgust from 2 of the housewives (my wife works FT in a high profile position) was priceless! I will say that my Wife is not a fan of driving around in the Ferrari. She would much prefer to be low key, as would I but that ain't gonna stop me from driving my little GT4 EVERY chance I get!!!!! My personal philosophy is....."If they don't like it, F*ck 'em and feed 'em fish heads!" JIM
LMAO...that's hilarious, dude. Everyone's comments here are right on the mark...these are incredibly polarizing machines. Interestingly enough, I have the same thing going on with the people across the street from me - and I'm sure many others on this board have a similar story. The wife is nice enough still, but ever since I brought the TR home, her husband (who incidentally is in the same profession as I am) no longer will even wave, look at me, say hi back, nothing, nada, when we're both out on our driveways, shovelling snow (I don't want to hear it, SoCal-ers...lol!), mowing the lawn, or just going to and fro. Just a scowl and an "I have somewhere else to be" look and that's it...at first, I guess I just figured he was "shooting pool with a rope" and was a little frustrated with himself or something...ahem... Anyways, the funny bit is that another guy a couple of doors down is the same age as I am, a car freak too (is on his second or third E55 AMG, among many other various heavily modified sports cars) and one day just came over and introduced himself while I was washing the TR in the driveway. We got talking about cars, business, etc. and have since become great friends...his wife is about the nicest lady I've ever met, and even supports his car-freak habit and friends, too! Now THAT is a good programme to be on! I guess the moral of my intensely boring story is that it's living proof that when one door closes, several others of the right kind open, and as much as the car is a statement about yourself, it also instigates even bigger statements and revelations about the people you meet in it, for better and for worse! Cheers...I think I'll go for a drive...
My neighbors have been great about the fcar and I have never sensed any resentment, but maybe I am just being naive. However, it does not matter, when I see them, I wave and chat whenever I see them and believe it or not, the fcar is never discussed. With respect to your neighbor, I have an idea, invite her out for a drive and maybe she will appreciate your kindness and the passion that fcars bring out in people. However, based on your story, a ride in the fcar would probably just make her more resentful, now that's a great idea, no? PS: one neighbor's wife was trying to keep count on how many cars we have and of course, I have never told them the truth, what's the point? We all have that one neighbor who thinks they are above all others, so her concern was not the fcar, but is the number of cars. LOL, I love those people because I always play games with them just to see them get fired up for the stupidest things.
Ya know what? I'm surprised at what I'm reading from south of the border...I tought everybody there would be happy if his neighbor gets behind the wheel of a nice car. But reading about jealousy like that makes me think that human nature is profoundly the same everywhere you go no matter your upbringing, class, country of origin, etc...So hey everybody, enjoy your car to the fullest, be respectful, enjoy people that are happy seeing your car, and the h*ll with the rest of the others.
It's a shame. I personally find it hard sometimes to really enjoy something when I know there's negative vibes because of it. Back when I used to smoke cigars, sometimes I'd get a surprise, like the time I remember a real cougar coming to our table and saying "excuse me, I just have to say I'm really enjoying the smell of the smoke. Is that a Cuban?". Those were real surprises. Because most of the time it was complaints and dirty looks, from the minute I'd light one up, even though I went out of my way to sit at the edge of the place's balcony or patio. made it a little hard to truly enjoy. And I wasn't messing around, these were hard to get/smuggle in Cubans, so it wasn't an everyday treat. now, i don't even bother unless i'm overseas, or at home. and, outside. I got a Superformance Cobra replica just about two years ago, and have been very surprised by the overwhelming positive vibes I get. black on black, ford racing 460 with 550 hp, the works. amazing. crazy fun. Thumbs up, smiles, lots and lots of questions ("Is that a real Cobra?," "Is that a 427 in there?"). I've never heard or felt anything negative, and I have some hunches why (it's historic, it's sort of a hot rod, who knows). But with the used car market continuing in its direction, especially for the non-collector cars, it's looking more and more likely that a 550 is in our future. I've been an F-fan since birth, like most of you guys. Driven a few along the way too, and been obsessed to put it mildly. and i'm sorry, but 75 or 80k for a nice 550 is stupid. i know of no other bargain that rich. The only thing I'm just a little bit weird about is how some short-sighted, jealous, ignorant, sour-puss *****-asses will spoil the fun. I'll just have to distract myself with the sweet scream of 12 cylinders being jabbed, on my way to borderline reckless speeds, inside a mouth watering, skin-tight body dripping with sex appeal, history and pride. I'll probably manage.
If I go out in the 67 mustang we get people of all ages waving at us, thumbs up you name it. I could be driving a $250K GT 500 and I would get the same positive reactions (wish I had one). I drive a $40K 308 and Im a **** head to most on the street. It goes with the marque and I have learned to accept it and it never spoils my time with the car whether its sitting in the garage and Im having a cigar looking at it or blasting through a tunnel. Doesnt matter and after learning why this knob across the road was being cold to us, it actually made me laugh because she's the problem not me and I feel sorry for her. It would suck to concern myself with what others have and let it eat at me and determine who my friends are in life. Now that I know this tidbit of info ill see if I can irritate her by actually trying.
Cool story about the non-jealous types...one evening last summer a bunch of us (mostly Fcars and Lambos, 25 or 30 cars in total) got together downtown to hang out when among the gathering crowd, a couple of kids maybe 14 or 15 came along with their mother and were checking out the cars. You could tell they were a bit sheepish and shy to talk to us, but were just vibrating with excitement at the spectacle. Finally one of them told one of the owners he dug his car (a Novitec F430) and the owner (a guy named Leo, really good dude) just flung open the door and said "Yeah? Well hop in!"...the one kid just about shat his pants and was in the driver's seat in a nanosecond...was just completely awestruck...he knew about the car and it's specs, etc. and was just soaking in every moment like it was his last. It was a lot of fun watching him and his brother checking out the F1 paddles, the leather, woo-hooing at how high the speedometer went...and I remembered back to when the same thing happened to me 20 years earlier in a TR...and as I was watching these two kids, I thought to myself, "I remember when this happened to me...and guys, you have no idea what you're about to put yourself through over the next several years to get one of these things...and no doubt you will". Something strange gets installed in you in those moments, and it just never goes away...and to me, that's what this whole game is about. Cheers.
Great idea.. You should invite her for a drive then as soon as you roll off unzip your pants and pull it out.... I got 3 to 1 odds that she goes for it.. It is terrible how people judge you just because you have a F-Car.. My neighbors are pretty cool but you never know.. How do I know if they are talking sh*t behind closed doors.. R
I try not to appear pretentious in my neighborhood (out in the sticks) so I keep the TR under wraps. I even wash it indoors most of the time. The neighbors know about it and I have given rides in it for some. They also know I am a "Carguy", (the TR makes #38) and that is what I live for. They are used to seeing all kinds out front and know that I am not trying to prove anything. Most importantly, when they ask how I can afford it and I tell them, "I don't own a boat". That usually puts things in perspective for them and I get a smile out of them sometimes. There are haters out there, everywhere you go. I had a guy in a "Big Bad Dodge Dually" smoke me out with his diesel exhaust one day, just to "put me down" I guess. I was hoping to catch up with him after that so I could ask him, "Did that make your penis bigger?"
LMAO Ill take it into consideration only because im a pig If she had big boobs then its a no-brainer but she doesnt my other neighbour that waves to me does though.....hmmmmm
Wow, I double agree. And she probably has the inability to see herself when she utters, "I bet that Ferrari guy is SO shallow." We still love you Newman.
Dear Ferraristi, Newman, I'm glad you enjoy your cars as I do but it's a shame the problems they do cause sometimes. Your neighbor really has some personal issues (self-esteme)..nothing to do with you. I find the Ferrari and more so the Lamborghini bring out either the best or worst in people. I'll be at a gas station and showing people the Lambo and you'll always get one guy with something stupid to say. Since I really care less, I just shrug my shoulders and go "oh well" ....( only cause I'm drivin off in the Lambo ) What I mostly get is guys in pickup trucks pull up next to me then floor it. Ohhh.....I really need to prove myself. I tell ya, psychologists should really do human interaction studies by driving a F or L car. My neighbors don't seem to have a problem with the cars....well at least to my face. Well, to be honest I know all their kids and have let everyone of them sit in the Ferrari and Lamborghini and even take pix. Sometimes it's really a pain and takes me away from what I'm doing. But I find kids so impressionable, I would rather they walk away with a positive experience than someone shooing them away. Every Halloween, it seems my house is on the family tour. I'm not married, no kids yet I go through bags and bags of candy. It's worth it since I come back home from a club at 2:30am every Fri and Sat. ( If I go to Tampa 4am )with the full Quicksilver exhaust on the Lambo. My closest neighbor ( who's 11 year old daughter uses my pool) mentioned that she hears me leave and come back....no scowl on her face.....yep, parents will put up with anything for their kids. Shamile Freeze....Miami Vice !
You hide your cars. You survey the neighbors for reaction: good or bad. You now have and MB and a Ferrari! Oh my, thanks for the sharing. She's a *****. What? I wash it indoors............................how pathetic! Your all so....................self important. I have a car that looks different, I don't judge my "neighbors" or the public that see's the car as good, bad or indifferent................................I drive my car. These "type" of self indulgent and all important discussions are what make the non-Ferrari owning public loath you all. I own an F car and I find your all to introspective and arrogant......... I rather drive it, than interpet how it affects the community and my self-esteem........talk about a *****!?!? If the tech wasn't so great here ........I'd have to run away just to keep the Jade East from infecting my brain and how I would display the collar on my Polo shirt!!
I make no attempt to hide it. I don't try to seek attention nor do I try to be humble, I just drive the car and peoples perception will not change regardless of what I do. If they think I am a humble Ferrari owner so be it, if they think I am an ******, so be it. I really could care less. Daily driving this car I get mixed responses. Mainly positive, but some negative. I just act like I would if I was driving a Corolla. The only exception I could think of is hiding the Ferrari from employees.
What you have here are adults who share a common passion simply comparing notes and talking. We're not bashing anybody, we're just comparing notes and stories. why you feel the need to call us all out, call us names, tell us how disgusted you are, is a mystery to me. lay off, man. go piss on somebody else's board. we're not doing anything wrong but shoot'n the ****.
...this from the guy who is so 'above' all of our self-indulgent, introspective, arrogant interaction... Signed, Mr. Kettle and Mr. Pot
Paul she will probably be a little happier when you sell the 308 & you will only have ONE Ferrari. Hey you should ask her if she want's to buy it--since both you guys are techs money should not be an object.
Newman, I think we met once 5 years ago at Rocco's shop in Toronto. Think of it this way, at least she hasn't reported you for having a grow-op yet. Some days I think about moving from Dubai back to Canada, but the cars in the driveway would either get me a) audited or b) a warrent to look for an indoor garden. Here I just blend.
Sadly there are people like that that suffer envy syndrome, well thats what I call it. In all probabilty you have worked hard to own those Ferrari's so I cannot understand why some people have this jealous attitude. Nevertheless an amusing story.
Hi Adam, here in NL I got the contrary effect: my neighbours like the red 512TR a lot and find it a welcome attraction in our street; boosting the "quality" of the street ! (I am lucky if I read this all...) Greetz from Mel in NL (Europe).
I've got one that beats your's; I live in a 5 unit condo in the Boston area for which I've served as President for the last four years and this Doctor moves in and he and the B---h next door hire a lawyer and request the association's financial's and tax record's because "how the f--k could a guy who sells insurance own three Ferrari's" ? Needless to say I give them 4 years of audited and certified financials from CPA firm who does the books and told them to "stick it where the sun don't shine"
