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New member, saying hello

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Dirty Evo, Mar 20, 2008.

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  1. Dirty Evo

    Dirty Evo Rookie

    Mar 20, 2008
    46
    Auburn, CA
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #1 Dirty Evo, Mar 20, 2008
    Hey, I just registered, just wanted to say hi. Since I don't own a Ferrari and I am not much of a computer guy, probably won't post much.

    I am here to learn and try to decide if an F-car is in my future. I am not rich. Not too classy. Not very refined. But since childhood, I have liked sports cars... I guess I got it from my mom (her first car as a teenager was a TR3).

    I like cars that handle... handling is far far more important to me than speed and power. First car I owned as a teenager was a 914... then later got a 944 cabriolet... had a lancer Evo 8 for a while (most fun I have ever had) and currently drive a mini cooper S convertible. I just like the feeling of a good canyon run (or in my case, mountain run) and that is my main think I like out of a car.

    Last couple years have been very good to me financially, and my wife and I are kind of cheap and lead a pretty frugal life, so seriously have toyed with the idea of picking up a 360 sometime in the next year or so as soon as I finish the remodel / addition to the house. Why? Because, they look great, and they handle great, and hell, its a Ferrari. why not.

    but, I have a lot reasons why I should NOT get one also. I have actually always been a Porsche fan, so really, most likely will get 4S or new turbo...

    My hesitation with the Ferrari is first about the cost, secondly about the maintenance and finally about the fact that I don't have a garage... it will be parked OUTSIDE. Covered, but outside, and I feel that is almost a crime for a car as beautiful as a 360. And while I can afford to drop some cash on car and can afford to spend $5-$10K per year on maintenance, not sure if its the smartest thing... kind of like if you have to ask how much it costs, then you can't afford it... that is kind of how I feel, so maybe I can't afford it?

    But, I will spend some time here reading and learning and maybe that will help me make a decision.

    So, hi guys.... !
     
  2. dbaker89

    dbaker89 Formula 3

    Sep 29, 2007
    1,230
    Reno, Nevada
    Full Name:
    Daniel
    #2 dbaker89, Mar 20, 2008
    Depending on how old you are, it really shouldn't matter if purchasing a Ferrari is a liability (assuming you have the financial means to obligate that sum of money to one).

    It's like the guy saying "well, if I would have just ate Top Raman more I could have possibly been worth 18 million instead of 16". To me, life is more about the journey than the destination.

    From what I have heard (i'm not an owner), nothing will be able to makeup for the experience of owning a Ferrari at a relatively young age.
     
  3. Tarek K.

    Tarek K. F1 World Champ
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    Sep 7, 2006
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    Tarek K.
    #3 Tarek K., Mar 20, 2008
    Welcome to F-Chat Steve.
     
  4. 2000YELLOW360

    2000YELLOW360 F1 World Champ

    Jun 5, 2001
    19,800
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    Art
    #4 2000YELLOW360, Mar 20, 2008
    Steve:

    You sound like a lot of the people on this site. Not every one here is rich, and most of us earned our money. I used to own a Porsche, and ended up upgrading. I'm in the Bay Area, with a vacation home in Truckee, both near you. I've got a Mondial t Cab, that I keep at Truckee, and a F430 in the Bay Area. If you'd like to see what they do, and don't do, drop me a PM, and we'll see if we can arrange a ride.

    Art
     
  5. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
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    Barry Wolinsky
    #5 308 GTB, Mar 20, 2008
    Welcome to FerrariChat, Steve. Great candid and honest first post.

    Barry


    .....and nice offer, Art!
     
  6. Dirty Evo

    Dirty Evo Rookie

    Mar 20, 2008
    46
    Auburn, CA
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #6 Dirty Evo, Mar 20, 2008


    yeah, that was my thought... really nice welcome from you guys and a really nice offer from Art. wow.
     
  7. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
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    #7 Texas Forever, Mar 20, 2008
    A couple of pointers:

    1. You should budget a $1 a mile for repairs and whatnot. (Don't ask me how I know this.)

    2. If you can't afford a good Ferrari, you sure as hell can't afford a cheap one.

    Is it worth it? That is up to you. In my five years of owning a Maranello, I have driven the car 20,000 miles and spent $20,000. I have also suffered about $40,000 in depreciation. So my total cost of ownership is $3 a mile.

    I just brought a brand-new Miata hardtop for $25k.

    Is it as much fun to drive as the Ferrari? No, of course not.

    But in its own right, the Miata is actually more fun because I can drive it (hard) without worrying about getting arrested for littering as my dollars go flowing out the window.

    However, would I have as much maturity about owning the Miata if I had never owned a Ferrari? Probably not.

    So, again, it is up to you. Just remember that there is no way to figure the smiles per mile as you go around once.

    Dale
     
  8. Jackmb1

    Jackmb1 F1 Rookie

    Dec 27, 2005
    3,329
    #8 Jackmb1, Mar 20, 2008
    Welcome to Fchat. IMO I would get a garage before buying a Ferrari. I would not want to leave the car outside.
     
  9. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 Bullfighter, Mar 20, 2008
    I was thinking the same. Get a secure garage lined up, hang out here, learn about the models, and have fun.
     
  10. dbaker89

    dbaker89 Formula 3

    Sep 29, 2007
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    Reno, Nevada
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    Daniel
    #10 dbaker89, Mar 21, 2008
    Stand up guy.

    I head through Auburn when I go to ferrariworld aka Los Gatos.

    Auburn would be a nice place to live. Very quiet town, lots of trees, and probably some great backroads for a fcar!
     
  11. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
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    Pap
    #11 PAP 348, Mar 21, 2008
    Welcome to Fchat Steve. :):)
     
  12. Night life

    Night life F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2007
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    The city that rhymes with fun in Canada
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    Roberto
    #12 Night life, Mar 21, 2008
    You are probably one of the best suited for an F car

    you definitely have the right attitude..:)
     
  13. TOOLFAN

    TOOLFAN F1 Rookie
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    Mar 23, 2005
    2,807
    California
    #13 TOOLFAN, Mar 21, 2008


    Hey Steve, I see your from Auburn I'm in Grass Valley. You should try to come out to some local shows and events you can learn a lot here, (ferrarichat) but I think some local Ferrari owners could help as well. You have a PM by the way.


    Michael
     
  14. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Sep 11, 2004
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    #14 285ferrari, Mar 21, 2008
    Welcome!
     
  15. Tony K

    Tony K Formula 3

    Jun 7, 2006
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    Tony K.
    #15 Tony K, Mar 21, 2008
    I agree with the 'get a garage' statement. Also, consider what you will lose to depreciation by buying a newer model and ask yourself if it is worth it, or if you would be better off buying an older one. :)
     
  16. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
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    #16 Texas Forever, Mar 21, 2008
    I used to live in Sacra-tomato. Maybe you guys don't realize that it doesn't rain from May to Nov. When I moved there from Houston, where we get more rain than Seattle, I was stunned when the weather report started talking about rain in the hundreds of an inch.

    Dale
     
  17. Dirty Evo

    Dirty Evo Rookie

    Mar 20, 2008
    46
    Auburn, CA
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #17 Dirty Evo, Mar 21, 2008
    the deal with the garage is, I can't. I live on steep hillside, (downslope) and nowhere possible to add one and have a level entrance. its just not an option. Does not have to park on the street, but even if in the driveway, no garage.

    It definitely factors in to my decision. in my mind, I have no problem parking my other cheap cars or a porsche out there... there is $75K in cars parked outside at my house at any given moment now. but I just have issue with a ferrari being exposed to the sun / rain / debris / whatever. then again, everytime I drive it, its outside anyway, so.....

    I went and looked at one today at a dealer. My wife said it just looked too nice for me... too "exotic" looking, she thought it would be weird to have it parked outside and I would look weird getting out of it in with baggy shorts and t shirt and vans like an old, fat, over the hill skater that stole the car. My 18 month old daughter, who has a real thing about driving and cars thought she had died and gone to heaven when she sat in the drivers seat!!
     
  18. jorge.rios

    jorge.rios F1 World Champ
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    Mar 2, 2006
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    #18 jorge.rios, Mar 21, 2008
    Welcome to Fchat...
     
  19. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #19 PAP 348, Mar 21, 2008


    WHAT!! :):)

    NEVER!! :D:D
     
  20. Tony K

    Tony K Formula 3

    Jun 7, 2006
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    Tony K.
    #20 Tony K, Mar 21, 2008
    I was thinking more about sun and dust (and possibly vandalism). :)
     
  21. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
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    Feb 27, 2004
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    Jim Pernikoff
    #21 Gatorrari, Mar 22, 2008
    One other reason to need a garage: "collector car" insurance policies are much less expensive than getting regular coverage, and if you don't plan to use the car as a daily driver, that's the way to go with insurance. And they invariably require you to park the car in a garage, going so far as to require you to send them a photo of the garage before they'll cover you.
     
  22. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
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    #22 Texas Forever, Mar 22, 2008
    Well, there is nothing wrong with keeping the car in a storage facility. I kept the Maranello in one for a couple of years. After all, it is just a car.

    Dale
     
  23. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    Dec 1, 2000
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    Rob Lay
    #23 rob lay, Mar 22, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  24. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    #24 Texas Forever, Mar 22, 2008
    Rob, please. Don't tell em what was in the shed.

    Dale
     
  25. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
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    Rob Lay
    #25 rob lay, Mar 22, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
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