Why did you choose Ferrari over other exotics?

Just curious as to folks who bought a Ferrari- did you drive other exotics like Lamborghini and Aston Martin? If so, what were your experiences compared to Ferrari? I drove a Lamborghini Gallardo and Murcielago and while the looks and cool factor are huge, these cars felt massive and big kinda like driving a truck. I heard the Aventador and LP560 are major improvements but not sure how they compare to the 458 and older 430 Ferraris.

 

Saw and heard a Ferrari when I was 12 (1957). A Ferrari is all I ever wanted.

 

Damn, you're old. I was only 5 in 1957.

Dale

 

Damn you're young. But still time to learn some things.

Geezers rule.

 

I'm even older, I was 13 in 1957.

Bought my first Fcar 8 years later and have never been without one since!

 

It has been a Ferrari since I was 8 years old. Nothing else will suffice.
I did drive an Aston V8 Vantage, Maserati Granturismo S, Porsche Turbo, Lambo Superleggera and even a Ford GT. When all was said and done, it was still Ferrari.

Just look at it: it was sculpted out of wind and nature-the Lambo looks like it was chiseled out of a rock. The Lambo is an amazing car and I mean no disrespect to Lamborghini owners; however, it was a very easy decision for me. To each their own...

 

I was -35 in 1957



To me, Ferrari was a love at first sight.
When I was 12 I saw a Ford GT in person and it was THE car that got me into exotics. The looks of it was just something you couldn't describe.
but just recently (in 06-07) I saw a red Ferrari F430 Coupe by a red light next to Barnes & Noble in Cool Springs, TN (near Nashville). The man driving it had his windows down and our car was diagonally parked by it so I couldn't see his face. I could only see his jaw dropping golden watch and his blonde hairy arms (no homo lol). That's when I fell in love with Ferrari.
I later on did more research, watched documentaries, youtube videos on Ferrari and I fell in love even more then. On thanksgiving break of 08 I got to sit and ride in a Ferrari 360 Spider. That experience was life changing, that's when I started setting goals to myself of miscellaneous things such as losing weight and becoming successful in whatever field I decide to go in. The goal of losing weight has been accomplished. But not the Ferrari goal just yet, but I promise I will

Oh and one of my most emotional time with Ferrari was when I saw my first Ferrari F40. That car means a ton to me. I had tears in my eyes and I was frozen for a good 2-3 minutes haha. When you see a Ferrari F40 on youtube or google images it's a very nice and pleasant view. But in person......... nothing comes even close.

 

I was born in 1957,lol...........

My parents were of Italian decent so I grew up loving Italian food and CARS...I followed Ferrari F1 for as long as I can remember and vowed someday I would own one...I have to admit I came pretty close to owning another Italian(Lambo Murci) but changed my mind when I found out the closest dealer was 7 hours away....Kevin

 

For me, the same could be said for a Donzi.

A Donzi was the first seriously quick boat I saw when I was a kid: I vowed to get one.

I did, eventually, and it was a hoot: but I got rid of it, and now have moved onto the Donzi of the automotive world: Ferrari.

 

I have always been fascinated by the beauty of the Ferrari design, the rarity, the exclusivity, and its tradition.

 

It's just a different feeling driving a Ferrari. The history, the beautiful shapes. I regularly detail a friends 2006 911 Turbo Cabriolet with the RUF package. Scary fast car, fantastic engineering, etc. But I don't get the same feeling as when I used to drive my 308! People hardly look at the 911. With my 308, it was like an event every time I took her out. People asking questions, taking picture, etc., and this is in Miami where we're used to exotics all over the place.

 

I don't love Ferrari, but I sure don't hate them. I have no interest in modern cars, so vintage is where its at. I'll take any mulitude of vintage cars over Ferrari any day of the week. The Ferrari cars I do own were convenient for me to purchase. Last weekend I spent a couple hours in my garage helping a very sweet young lady with her car who I met at NAPA. She was driving a pristine original Corvair. The car was fabulous.

 

Here are some of the reasons, not in any particular order.

1. Yes, I drove Lamborghinis and Astons as well. Also, before choosing Ferrari, I had owned a number of different cars, including a number of BMWs (M3s and an M5) so I was rather spoiled by cars that perform well.

2. In terms of stats, the cars are relatively close in performance, but the numbers do not tell all. I think driving feel of Ferraris is superior to the other cars. Ferraris have a better connection with driver and road. My Ferrari is a willing dance partner. Lamborghinis feel heavy; more like dancing with a truck driver. Driving a Ferrari is more like dancing with a ballerina.

3. History. All three have interesting histories, but there's no denying the influence of Enzo and Ferrari's racing heritage.

4. People. It may sound strange to pick a car based on others who own them, but to me (and I hope I'm not insulting anyone) Ferrari people tend more to be nice, likable people. People who own Lamborghinis and Astons tend to do so because they can. People who own Ferraris tend to do so because they want to. I have probably wanted one since seeing my first '60s era 250 GTC. I was talking with people during Monterey car week and many said the same thing. One guy even characterized Lambo owners as guys who probably wore heavy gold chains and drove Corvettes in the '80s. I think that's a bit harsh. He said at a recent meeting between the two marques, it was clear who owned which cars. Ferrari people tend to know more about their cars and cars in general. Try talking about down draft carburetors, synchros or clutch replacement procedures with owners of each and see what happens.

5. Looks. I just like the rounded, fluid designs of Ferraris better than the angular look of Lambos. I like how Astons look, and I think it would be cool to have one, but if I had to choose only one, it's clearly Ferrari.

 

Well, you can't really answer this without in some way putting down the other brands. And, that's unfortunate because someone will certainly disagree.

To me, there is a kind of interesting "Italian-ese" of Ferrari. Lamborghini has become too Audi and Aston lost it for me with Ford's involvement. Ferrari continues to press on with new things -- some work, some don't -- but they don't just follow the same formula over and over. They surprise us.

I like those other brands also -- don't get me wrong. But Ferrari seems to understand better what I expect in an exotic.

Now, I will say that the new Avendator really gets my blood boiling like no other Lambo since the Countach. So, Ferrari have to be on their toes all the time. The competition is stiff in the super car market. That's why I'm so impressed with the 458 spider. This is a clear home run.

 

Deep down every Lamborghini wants to be a Ferrari. Ferrari is the pinnacle of automotive design without question. There is no comparison, period.

 

Because it was more practical !
The Countach that I always dreamed about is a back breaker and the Stratos cant be found.
My 512BB fits in nicely in between; looks like a mega Stratos with 12 cylinder oomph.
Last of the hand formed Ferraris. Awesome car.

I do want an exotic "driver" and am patiently waiting for the proper conditions to get a 996GT2.
Many say its not an exotic. I'm OK with that. Shhhh.

 

I drove a Ferrari California and it was easier to drive than Lamborghinis. However, too bland so I want to drive the F430/360/458 for comparison. I like the looks more on the Lambo but Ferrari has the racing heritage that cannot be beat. And as others mentioned, Lamborghini has become too Audi like. Next step is for me to drive the other F-cars and attend a Ferrari club event to meet Ferrari owners and see how they compare to Porsche/Lambo owners.

 

The CA is a GT -- one of the best in the world but still a GT designed to be a daily driver. It's not intended to be a hell raiser. You need to drive a more pure sportscar before making a final decision.

 

Which other exotics? Never knew there were more

Seriously, Ferrari is a league of there own. Surely, a nice lambo or Aston would look great but still it's simply no Ferrari.

 

Ferrari has a special something that has a lot to do with the history and purpose of the Scuderia from days gone by and they do a good job of communicating this position towards todays road car line up and prospective buyers.

I totally disagree - not "every" Lamborghini wants to be a Ferrari. Lamborghini has made some epic exotic cars that have changed the face of exotic design and engineering that has put pressure on Ferrari. The Miura was the first.
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Some day I may end up buying a non-Ferrari exotic. Maybe a Dino 246 GTS.
.

 

Clever... and correct!

 

I wanted a convertible and there were no Lambo verts in my price range to compare to. So I really had no other exotic options than a F355 Spider.

So Ferrari made the choice for me.

 

+1

I remember seeing my first 308 GTS QV when I was in high school. I thought then, and still do, that it's the best looking modern sports car ever made. And it (308/328 GTS) has gotten better every year. My enthusiasm fell off sharply after the 355 when things started to get bloated, but the Daytona/Boxer/246/308/328 run is kind of like the Rolling Stones when they were great -- it's enough to establish the Ferrari marque as the top of the heap in sports cars, so you can forgive some of the later stuff.

I lived in Ohio, so you couldn't count on seeing more than one or two Ferraris a year, which made them seem even more exclusive, as Ace said. Lambos were even rarer, but Ferrari always felt like the real deal, whereas Lambos were just exotic because they tried to be exotic. Astons have always been too conservative for me, though the DB9/DBS are beautiful to look at. But, I somehow don't really want one.

The sweet spot, IMHO, would be something like a Daytona or Dino 246 -- borderline vintage Ferraris.

But I agree with you, I'm more in love with the "mechanical immediacy" of the cars, and I haven't found it in the newer ones.

 

I think you have to put the Boxer in there also -- but the modern cars are just awesome machines. Different: yes. But no less awesome.