Opinions about letting Strangers Drive F-355 for a fee | FerrariChat

Opinions about letting Strangers Drive F-355 for a fee

Discussion in 'Texas' started by fantasycars, Jun 14, 2006.

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  1. fantasycars

    fantasycars Rookie

    Jun 10, 2006
    4
    Mesquite TX
    Full Name:
    WARRENG
    I am new to the scene and would like comments about something I said I would do if I ever owned a Ferrari. Well, a 30,000 mile, well maintained car presented itself. The business idea is to let people 21 and above with a valid license and insurance drive my F-car for 2 hours with myself as an escort ; also I would chaffeur them for 1 hour for a fee as well. There would be no deposit required as I will be on the passenger side providing any guidance needed. It would not be a driving school but for individuals with the cash and manual experience who would like the once in a life-time experience to drive a F-car briefly with in-car video included in the price. Any comments?
     
  2. The Godmother

    The Godmother Formula Junior

    Nov 5, 2003
    679
    Plano, TX
    Full Name:
    Marci H.
    And your insurance company is....???
     
  3. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,782
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    ...canceling his policy!
     
  4. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

    Dec 31, 2003
    11,792
    western hemisphere
    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  5. future328driver

    future328driver Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2001
    1,838
    Dallas, Texas
    Full Name:
    Ken Thomas
    If your for-fee driver crashed the car, your insurance would not cover you and neither would their insurance. Sounds like a bad idea.
     
  6. fantasycars

    fantasycars Rookie

    Jun 10, 2006
    4
    Mesquite TX
    Full Name:
    WARRENG
    Ok, I will drop that fee based idea. However, I will give anyone a ride. Just buy the gas. Look for me to hit Dallas around July.

    Thanks for the replies.
     
  7. Speed Racerette

    Speed Racerette Formula 3

    May 24, 2004
    1,354
    Dallas, TX
    Full Name:
    She wants Revenge
    Why would you do that?

    I thought you mentioned this was a business idea. Where does this being a business come into play?

    Paying for gas isn't a big deal...paying for maintenance will be. You might want to do a bit more research about the costs associated with ownership - not just gas, insurance and the initial price. There are many threads on this board that confirm that it will cost you an avg of $1 per mile for maintenance.
     
  8. fantasycars

    fantasycars Rookie

    Jun 10, 2006
    4
    Mesquite TX
    Full Name:
    WARRENG
    I was mentioning about a business to give serious people a chance to drive the car. However, insurance and liability issues made me rethink that idea. Now, i will give anyone a chaffeured ride for free. You may ask why he is this crazy to do this. I tell you why.

    I just returned from 2 years overseas in a warzone. I've seen and done things that ordinary people could never imagine. I've witnessed things that will never make the news. I realize now that material things mean absolutely nothing. A family is more important. Money is only a means to keep score. Maintenance; you say; Oh well! If it breaks. It breaks. Fix it and drive on. Therefore, If someone sees a person driving a 355 spyder with personalized tags and looks as though he has no cares in the world. Ask him if he would not mind a quick spin or drive (for free). It might be me and I will let you experience the thrill of a lifetime.
     
  9. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto

    I think that ratio goes out the window when you start putting johnny clutch grind and 20 of his ham handed shifting buddies behind the wheel.

    This is like leaving your car with the Valet's tellem to have at it


    Foolish
     
  10. Speed Racerette

    Speed Racerette Formula 3

    May 24, 2004
    1,354
    Dallas, TX
    Full Name:
    She wants Revenge

    So why even charge someone gas? Or need to chauffeur them? If material things mean absolutely nothing and money is only a means to keep score, then why the original business idea? and the personalized plates? If you turn out to be a person who truly has the intentions of buying a ferrari to help others experience a "thrill of a lifetime" then good luck to you - who cares if anyone thinks your crazy or not. No one on this board is going to argue that a family isn't more important than material things but I don't think many people on this board are going to say that material things mean absolutely nothing. That is just silly.
     
  11. TexasMike

    TexasMike F1 World Champ

    Feb 17, 2005
    10,485
    Austin, Texas
    Full Name:
    Michael C
    I just wanted to jump in here and say that a fellow FChatter let me drive his beautiful Rosso Barchetta F355 last month and it was the greatest experience I have ever had so far. It was definitely a dream come true for me. I didn't pay him, I didn't ask him and I didn't hold him hostage at gun point. We were just out on a cruise and after making a quick stop he just asked if I wanted to drive.
    I will own a Ferrari one day but a F355 is way out of my price range right now. I'm amazed that he trusted me but all the guys know that I am a true enthusiast and have tons of respect for the cars.

    I would encourage others to share their good fortune with others. You too can make someones dream come true.
     
  12. fantasycars

    fantasycars Rookie

    Jun 10, 2006
    4
    Mesquite TX
    Full Name:
    WARRENG
    The last post hit the nail on the head. I've just been fortunate and want to share the F-car experience with others. The business idea was just to try to get the serious drivers the F-car experience. Now, I would give anyone a ride. The personlized plates are to just differentiate my car from other F-cars of the same color. No garish wheels or excessive shields or wings. I always said if I ever owned a F-car that I would share the experience with others. Now, I get a chance to keep that promise. The comment about material things is that they don't mean as much to me anymore. They might mean more to others. That's fine.
     
  13. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto
    There are many many members here who are quite selfless with their cars and willingly hand the keys to Friends they know from the board. There are acouple of folks who have been great about it.

    THe thing you posted earlier that this was a Business idea is the part that is NOT a workable idea. (There have been DOZENS of Exotic Rental companies that have come and gone in this market, there was a bad BAD accident about a year ago in a 360 from one of them in dallas) The insurance not just for your car but the simple fact that in this litigious world (ESPECIALLY IN TEXAS) given how the courts go just handing the keys to a total stranger... well hell you might as well douse it with lighter fluid and toss matches at it. AND any money you or your children's children will ever have. Liability my boy

    The notion that "Money means nothing" really only works if you have money.. Now if you are not just sitting on the side of 635 with the keys to your car offering it Hoping it comes back, let alone in one piece, that is foolish

    If you offer a ride (while you maintain contol of the tiller) that is another thing all together. for some people i have seen their faces when they get into a ferrari for the first time. Anyone who has done the Sunday at Starbucks will attest to the dumbstruck look on the the 10 year old's face when David let him behind the wheel of the Murci roadster and then hopped into the 430 and down the line, with his dad gleefully taking pictures of him... Or The Italian Car Fest when Tillman had his "Please Touch and sit in my car" sign on His Ferrari It is one of the amazing things about this group.

    My gut tells me there is something wonky going on here... I don't know what it is but there is something.....
     
  14. Supercarlover

    Supercarlover Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2004
    1,760
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Joshua B.
    Shoot, I know the look on this 22-year old's face just when I have the chance to see some of these cars, let alone sit in or drive them. :D

    I guess I'm just a little different, though. If I wasn't moving to Houston tomorrow, I'd be quite inclined to take "fantasycars" up on his offer. Writerguy is right about the amount of rental companies going belly-up. Tough business to get into.

    *addenedum* With thanks to the "Spotters" thread....I'm now at 1200 posts. :D Now back to the regularly scheduled thread.
     
  15. hplug

    hplug Karting

    Sep 23, 2005
    210
    Dallas
    Full Name:
    Hayes
    I got to opportunity to drive a spider unsupervised down 75 a few weeks back, it was a high point, I rank it with a trip to Boston (my team) to see the Sox beat the Yankee in extra innings. I was almost overly cautious; the owner even said he was hoping I would have gone faster. I understood that I can not afford a window switch much less a clutch or something major so I drove conservative. All that being said it was truly great I have dreamed of that day since I was 10 years old. It just makes me want to try harder, work harder, do more and do it better so I may one day do the same for someone else with stars in their eyes. To the F chatter who gave me this thrill, one day I will be able to repay you but until then I am in debt.
     
  16. drunkenmaster16x1

    drunkenmaster16x1 Formula Junior

    Oct 30, 2005
    298
    D/FW, Texas
    Full Name:
    Mikey
    It's a DEAL.

    I'll be back in Fort Worth in July, so I'll contact you then.

    Do you have any pics?

    -M
     
  17. B.Ratcliff

    B.Ratcliff Formula 3
    Owner

    Sep 23, 2004
    1,023
    Dallas, TX
    Full Name:
    B. Ratcliff
    #17 B.Ratcliff, Jun 16, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  18. WDR328

    WDR328 Formula 3

    Dec 11, 2003
    1,476
    The Bugscuffle Inn
    Full Name:
    D. Rose
    BRIAN, I hope you took all that stuff off before you shipped the car to it's new owner!!!
     
  19. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,782
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    I'm diggin the hood scoop on the front of the 355. :)
     
  20. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto

    Dave this guy sounds like he might have an address in turtle creek...
     
  21. mgtr1990

    mgtr1990 Formula 3

    Mar 30, 2005
    1,580
    Naples Florida
    Full Name:
    Martin Graham
    The whole idea sounds like it comes from someone that will never own a car and does not understand that having a Ferrari does not immediately mean you start a business with it or give every clown in the area a ride people who buy them do so for the most part because they love the cars and news flash they are not cheap to own if you want cheap get a Honda Civic
     
  22. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Jul 26, 2004
    15,782
    Full Name:
    IgnoranteWest
    Great minds think alike.
     
  23. writerguy

    writerguy F1 Veteran

    Sep 30, 2003
    6,786
    NewRotic
    Full Name:
    Otto
    Then we share greatness with Francess
     
  24. 308geo

    308geo F1 Rookie

    Nov 13, 2002
    2,751
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    George Benton LaFleur
    I think that the intent is very generous. I too felt the same way and would always let a person that asked in a polite way the opportunity to drive my ex-308 because that is what I had wishes owners would have done for me when I was a younger guy with visions of Prancing Horse dancing in my head. I always openly invited anyone to sit in my car & check it out to thier hearts content at car shows.

    If you REALLY want to brighten someone's day, register yourself & the opportunity to ride or drive your car with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. I know if I was suffering from an incurable illness and was given a "make-a-wish", I would want to have the chance to drive (or at least ride in) an Enzo. Yes, I know, most (if not all) of those that benefit from this charitable organization are young kids, but hey, take them for a ride! I remember the post of one young man who had some members of this board show up to show him a good time with Ferraris at a Hooters. He is now no longer with us, but it seemed that the event really made his day.

    Don't worry about going out of your way to offer every "Tom, Dick, & Harry" a ride or drive, you will have PLENTY of oppotunities to apease that future owners out there......

    Enjoy YOUR car any way you see fit!
     
  25. B.Ratcliff

    B.Ratcliff Formula 3
    Owner

    Sep 23, 2004
    1,023
    Dallas, TX
    Full Name:
    B. Ratcliff
    Do Ferrari's have tail numbers?
     

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