Valet Gives Keys to a 458 Spider to the Wrong Guy.

Interesting. Reminds me of the local law here that says if you have your car running in the driveway (as is often the case in winter so as to warm up the car) and someone takes it, it's not grand theft auto but rather joy riding, a much lesser charge.

 

...The officer summed up her attitude that night:
"I’m in a Ferrari, this is nice."

Best line from the story!
T

 

The guy who pulled this stunt should get 5 to 10 for car theft.

Maybe the girl he was trying to impress wouldn't mind waiting for him.

 

I love the comments the idiots make about the owner. These are all haters that most likely don't own a high priced car let alone an exotic or a Ferrari.
All the sudden the owner is some shady attorney that apparently doesn't deserve a Ferrari because he is 70 yrs old.
Have some class Haters.

 

Lets see....

If the bank gives me a $1000 bill instead of a $1 bill and I know it, it's not stealing?

I don't think that will work out too well in court.

 

My friend had a suit against a casino here that accidentally gave away a 650s spider from the valet. They settled fairly quickly.

 

Exactly they this clown needs to be in jail for 5 years. People need to know this kind of thing isn't funny -- it's theft.

 

Yes but the jealous peanut gallery thinks its funny or "retribution for being wealthy".

 

Fortunately that peanut gallery hasn't been on F-Chat. Owner's son has been here, years ago. His dad is well-respected locally as a business attorney and has been a long-time 365GTC/4 owner (black with wire-wheels).

 

One more reason to hold on to your keys instead of trusting a valet.

 

I applied to be a valet driver in my youth. If some guy had turned up in a Ferrari all I would be thinking is Ferris Bullers day off, and so what if I got sacked at the end!!!

Fortunately or not we don't have a valet "culture" here in the uk, at least where I go anyway.

There is no way I'm giving the keys to some guy I don't know!!!

 

Generous tip and I keep the keys.
Actually, I don't see it as a "tip", more like a high fee to park in most desirable and safe spot.

 

Without excusing the miscreant who stole the car, I still have to question the victim's statement.

The lawsuit said he "spent significant sums" on car inspections, repairs and legal fees after his Ferrari was stolen and that the value has been "diminished."

Legal fees, for what, he doesn't have to pay for criminal prosecution? Isn't he a lawyer? Did he hire a different firm? I'd like to see the cost of an "inspection", and apparently the taillights were already out before the car was stolen. If the value is diminished it's because he is making a federal case out of it.

 

the value is diminished because it will be reported on Carfax as stolen. The next buyer will want significant amount reduction on the transaction.

 

Yes, I guess if it does show up on Carfax it will diminish the value. How significantly will depend on the extent of the repairs. I guess you could do a lot of damage in 30 minutes, but there is no indication of damage in the news story.

 

I guess the thief did do a lot of damage to the tune of $10,000. The local Boston TV station just did a story on it, including an interview with the owner (I noticed he also had an Aston Martin in the garage).

I don't know Florida insurance laws, but if that happened in Massachusetts his insurance would pay the whole thing with no deductible. He would subrogate his rights and then his insurance company would sue to recoup their payout.

 

I never understood how people with high end (exotics) can trust a valet.

 

It's just a car at the end of the day. Some places I park it, some places I let others park it. I find, at least at the few places I valet my cars, they just leave them out front where the manager can keep an eye on them (and attract the attention of passers-by).

 

I have seen a case, fairly recent where the valet was sitting on the car taking photos that she posted on her FB page. The guys car had scratches from the pants, spider cracks in the paint. He paid extra to have it parked out front and took the keys with him. It still wasn't safe.

 

I understand your perspective, but no it's not "just a car". If it was, then everyone would own one.

 

I recall that Cheech and Chong pulled that off with a 246GTS decades ago (Next Movie) and who can forget Ferris Bueller? .. life imitating art.