My struggles with (possible) Ferrari ownership

That would be my choice (and was my choice). If your friends can't understand it or
alienate you - you need new friends.

Welcome to F-Chat!

Jedi

 

Is it not possible that your peer group might be happy for you for your success ?

 

I have kind of the same friend scenario as you describe. I'll be 32 in May and the notion of me having this car around my friend circle is a little nutty and get people spun up in ways it's not worth chatting about. But in the end I pulled the trigger and keep her quiet in the garage. I fire her up and I've been trying to drive the paint off of her ever since albeit only a couple of weeks now If I have to go to a wine dinner of sorts I just take the less pointed car over and all is good.

The depreciation aspect is a whole different story. I don't think you should look at is as such but rather an investment in your life especially if this car is your dream machine. You don't want to be the richest man in the grave! pull the trigger!

 

chicago_c

does not sound like you are ready for the Ferrari by the questions that you ask

 

Stop worrying about what others may think. Ultimitely, it's your life. Are you going to let your dream escape you because you're worried how others may perceive you?

 

If you are that worried about perception, get something less flashy. A 911 turbo would be a lot of car for you, but are common enough that no one else would think twice. There are plenty of awesome cars out there that you could get, while remaining low key.

My opinion is, if a car purchase is enough to upset your friends, they aren't really your friends in the first place..

 

You need to get a life and think for yourself

 

I say spend less time worrying about what other people think and more time driving your new Ferrari.

Ask yourself this: when you are old and feeble and living in a wheelchair in the nursing home and eating pudding for supper, will you be wishing you had spent more time making sure the neighbors and in-laws had a good opinion of you, or wishing you had just bought the damn car you love and spent that time taking long drives in the country with your wife? I also agree with the other posters, if people suddenly start to treat you badly because you bought a certain kind of car, they were not anyone you want to be associated with in the first place.

I also think the car will have less of a "social impact" than you might imagine. It has certainly been that way for me and several others I know.

 

I think your making this a bit to heavy. My neighbors are very conservative salt of the earth good people. I love them all. Believe me, as the youngest guy in my neighborhood, tooling around in a Ferrari irked people. However, I try to be a nice guy, help out anyone with anything from shoveling the walk to legal issues and I don't make a big thing about anything I own. If people ask, I tell them this has been a life long passion of mine and I decided to make the lifestyle adjustments to make it happen.


If you want a Ferrari...if it brings a burning passion to you and sets your world on fire, then you don't need reassurance...you know what you have to do. However, if you are on the fence, are worried about what the neighbors will think, the bug probably hasn't bit you hard enough, and it won't be long before maintenance costs, depreciation, jealousy etc spoil the experience for you. We've all been nervous about pulling the trigger, and concocted every sort of reason why not. However, if I have learned anything, it is that a Ferrari is not a decision that should be subject to rational thought or a pros and cons list...that's what Porsches are for


Just remember, as I often say, in the pantheon of great automobiles, there is Ferrari, and then there is everything else...if you have the means, what category do you want to be in The clock is ticking...

 

I'm angry.

Life is too short to give a rats A$$ about what your neighbors/friends "think" of you for spekding money on something that YOU deserve because you save/live frugally/or just plain work your tail off.

Besides...it doesn't matter if you buy a 308 versus a 430...those people you are so concerned about are going to see the pretty little prancing pony and automatically think whatever they want. These cars don't have a numerical value to those not in the know. You'd be surprised at how many strangers ask if my 1999 355 is brand new.

Buy the car that makes you feel like your a schoolboy who got his first G.I. Joe action figure and can't wait to take it outside and play "war."

 

For ME a Ferrari sells itself.

1. The fact that you do not want to show your success to your friends rules out the Ferrari. I do not understand why anyone would do this but that is your choice & I respect that. Like other have said you only live once & if you really want something & can afford it F*** what everyone else may think. (I am curious though on your reasoning for the coverup--sounds like you are passing up on things you & your wife like to do).

2. The depreciation factor should be a non issue in my mind. It is is what it is & the cost is not cheap. If that is a big issue with you shop around to find a GOOD used car that has already depreciated. If you really want to play it safe you may want to consider 308/328/348/355 or a Testa Rossa. Or buy a new 458 & flip it before it depreciates--I have seen guys make money being the first to get a car & sell it when demand is at it's highest.

3. The amount of driving should not be a factor & if you have a low milege car it will be a benefit when you decide to sell it.

My advice to you is to take as many types of Ferraris as you can for a test drive. You should also consider renting one for a weekend. This should answer your question of weather you are ready to buy a Ferrari. If you can't get the smile off your face --YOU ARE READY.

Don't forget Ferraris sell themselves & the hell with everyone else.

PS you may find that you have more friends once you have the Ferrari.

Hope this helps. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

When I got my 308 about 30 years ago, I kept a very low profile with it. I didn't hide it from my friends, they knew my passion and were excited for me. If you have the passion for this automobile, then you have a sense of what many of the people on this site already know. This is the finest combination of art and engineering that has ever graced the road. If you can afford it, desire it, and still deny yourself this experience, you are either a fool or you have other issues to deal with.

Two things to keep in mind, reward your success you deserve it, and never bring a Ferrari to divorce court.

 

I know a number of people that are much like the person you describe yourself as. The few of them that have bought the car were very unhappy. Everyone is different, no big deal but I think you need to find a car that fits your needs. A Ferrari ain't it.

 

Nobody on their death beds would say ..."I am happy I made all those low key compromises to keep my neighbors happy."

 

Listen to da man.

There are only two reasons for buying a Ferrari: (1) You want to, and (2) You can.

Trust me, it is not a rational decision.

You didn't say, or I didn't see, how you plan on using the car. Are you a Sunday morning back roads kind of guy, or do you want to cruise the strip on your way to a titty bar, or do you plan on attending FCA rallies, or do you plan on parking the car in your garage and looking at it while sipping an adult beverage and smoking a cigar?

The point is to have fun. If you're going to be worried about the cost, I'd suggest a Porsche or a Lotus.

For me personally, the funny thing is I found Ferrari people to be a lot more interesting than the cars. Imagine that.

Dale

PS Don't worry about your neighbors. Sooner or later, they will figure out that you are crazier than bat**** anyway.

PPS If you do buy, F430s are one hell of a deal.

 

I have to compare the money I've spent on Ferraris against what other guys of some extra means do with their money.

Some play golf....big bucks club memberships, etc.

Some hunt and fish...you that's cheap, check again

Some fly small airplanes. Not cheap.

One friend has an acoustic guitar collection worth what my 308 is, and adds to it periodically.

Point is that I know guys who do the above things. When one of them tells me that I must be a millionaire "because" I have a Ferrari, I point out the expense involved in his particular hobby. That shuts them up.

As far as people with kids in college laying on the guilt trip, I tell them that nobody held a gun to their heads when it came to the actions necessary for conception. That is also an effective silencer of self-righteous criticism.

Every owner here had to pull that same trigger at some point. It's harder for some. I'd say buy the car and enjoy it. You'll regret not doing it and also find out who your real friends are.

 

boom... hit the nail on the head! My closest friends now know that I have a Ferrari tucked in the garage for a nice weather drive...

Someone mentioned that you shouldn't get one based on your questions, total nonsense. I think the reality is that subtle people don't need to advertise what they wear, what kind of wine they drink, what kind of watch the have on or what kind of car they drive. It's about making a comfortable conversation with everyone in the room. I get that some people live to flash but I think the majority of people like to enjoy something that they deserve without pushing it down someone else's throat.

If someone notices that you have that nice watch on or are rocking that Ferrari it's because they discovered it not that you jammed it in their face and parked it on their front lawn.

I think that at the end of the day your closest friends will get the passion that you have behind your ride. I enjoy showing it to the people that know me best versus the passer bys that may form a disjointed opinion on my situation.

Drive her hard and have fun!

 

TRUST ME...YOU ARE OVERANALYZING THIS!!!! Don't force yourself into a false choice. You are a young guy, who knows what the future holds. Hopefully, there will be a future time to revisit this when owning a Ferrari is more consistent with your other priorities. It doesn't mean you are a bad person or not a true car nut, it just means you have decided to take a more reasonable, practical route. There are tons of cars out there that will fit your niche (think Corvette/Porsche/BMW). When you get a real case of the red mist, make flat crank engine sounds in the shower and dream about looking down at the prancing horse on the steering wheel, you will be ready.

Buying a Ferrari requires the same mental commitment as putting all your chips on seven. You are either all in, damn the consequences, or you buy something else.

Good luck!