Why do you drive/own Ferrari(s)?

[The Ape]

Originally Posted by bdelp

I sort of have a different take on this question than most. The closest I got to seeing one as a kid was the movie grand prix and other movies of the 60's and 70's.

But, aside from that exposure, I own them because they are totally unique. I've driven a lot of cars and I could close my eyes and know I'm in a Ferrari of any era.

I like the way they drive. I like the way they look. I like that they are not perfect and you can see someone's actual hand in making them. I like that they have some connection to racing and race technology. And, I confess, I like that others ooh and aah when they see it. I like that friends and family ask if they can go for a ride because it's something they always wanted to do.

People say the new cars have little to do with the cars of the past. I totally disagree. The first time I drove my F430 I was instantly thrown back to my old Dino. The look out the front over the bulges and creases seemed familiar. I saw the purposefully designed dashboard with the big clean gauges right in front of me. And, the magnificent motor behind my head was making the right noises. The rear view mirror still vibrated from the engine at take off. The car seems alive as it communicates with you through your backside.

And I drive them because they make me smile. I'm not joking... they make me smile. I feel happy driving them. I feel sad when they are in for some kind of repair -- like a pet who's visiting the vet. I want it well again.

Ferrari's are Ferrari's. No imitation will do for me. I feel special driving one. Yes, that's an ego thing. But, what's the point of living if you can't enjoy yourself doing it?

Another great post!

All I know is that I saw my first 458 on the road today....I was driving with my family in the Panamera when I saw it.........I LOST MY MIND! My wife, daughter and her boyfriend thought I was having a stroke......I went friggin crazy......It was so stunning in person and so much sexier in motion.....I need one

In 1971 when I was 5 years old I was eating with my grandfather at a cafe on a corner when a Dino drove by.....I had the exact same reaction then as I did today.

[mspelt]

Originally Posted by bdelp

I sort of have a different take on this question than most. The closest I got to seeing one as a kid was the movie grand prix and other movies of the 60's and 70's.

But, aside from that exposure, I own them because they are totally unique. I've driven a lot of cars and I could close my eyes and know I'm in a Ferrari of any era.

I like the way they drive. I like the way they look. I like that they are not perfect and you can see someone's actual hand in making them. I like that they have some connection to racing and race technology. And, I confess, I like that others ooh and aah when they see it. I like that friends and family ask if they can go for a ride because it's something they always wanted to do.

People say the new cars have little to do with the cars of the past. I totally disagree. The first time I drove my F430 I was instantly thrown back to my old Dino. The look out the front over the bulges and creases seemed familiar. I saw the purposefully designed dashboard with the big clean gauges right in front of me. And, the magnificent motor behind my head was making the right noises. The rear view mirror still vibrated from the engine at take off. The car seems alive as it communicates with you through your backside.

And I drive them because they make me smile. I'm not joking... they make me smile. I feel happy driving them. I feel sad when they are in for some kind of repair -- like a pet who's visiting the vet. I want it well again.

Ferrari's are Ferrari's. No imitation will do for me. I feel special driving one. Yes, that's an ego thing. But, what's the point of living if you can't enjoy yourself doing it?

Well said!
I have always been a Formula 1 fan and went to Zandfort many times while going to school in Den Haag. My first car was a 1971 Fiat 124 Coupe that I loved and still miss. I got used to driving an Italian car and had many others including 124 Spyders, Lancia Beta Coupe and Lancia Scorpion (also Pininfarina designs). Strange cars for a guy from Florida. When driving these cars I always dreamed of Ferraris.

The first Ferrari I fell in love with was the 275GTB/4. I was lucky enough to see 2 of these back in the late 60's - the sound they made was absolutely beautiful and the styling exuded power and grace.

Getting to ownership was a long trip for me after 3 businesses – paying off a large business debt and fighting the IRS (BTW I won – and received a settlement from them). Last month my first Ferrari was delivered and my life has not been the same.

As with the Fiats and Lancia I’ve been the mechanic and love to see the inside of the car and how she is put together and what makes her special. I have purchased new injectors, plug wires, fuel lines , timing belts, tensioner bearings, etc, etc, etc and looking forward to doing a major service on her soon, then I’ll really feel like I know the car.

When I am home my wife and I go out for a drive early in the morning and listen to the beautiful music she makes as we take the turns hard and accelerate onto the straights. We return home with a smile and are ready for the day. One word - Exhilarating!

[330Guy]

Sincere thanks to all members whom shared reasons and memories of the many notions which have led us to covet or own our automotive mistresses.

[DGS]

Simple: The most direct interface between driver and road.

[Mike Law]

After a stressfull day, there's nothing better (for me) than go for a 50-100 km ride in the Ferrari. The sound, the feeling, the speed makes me totally relaxed during the drive and I can take my mind off the not-so-fun stuff in life.

Also just walking around in my garage with a beer is one of the best feelings ever. Cleaning a wheel, polishing an exhaust, relaxing is just that simple. Sometimes just a quick glimpse at the cars and I'm happy lol

[gt1nick]

When I was 6 I saw a TR in Rome and asked my mother what kind of car that was. Her response was a very enthusiastic "that's a Ferrari!" Once I heard the noise I was hooked.

In a recent Car and Driver article they said "Somewhere in every Italian’s brain, tucked away between “secret to cooking perfectly firm pasta” and “how to wear pastel-colored pants without looking like a complete jerk” is the “love Ferrari” file". I think the quote sums it up perfectly for me.

[Monteman]

I've owned lots of cars including some very cool cars and NOTHING sounds, smells or drives like a Ferrari. Enough said.

BTW, my 1,000th Post!!!

[ZINGARA 250GTL]

For the pure pleasure of it all. Just as the sun rises, we ride.

[NeuroBeaker]

Originally Posted by bdelp

I sort of have a different take on this question than most. The closest I got to seeing one as a kid was the movie grand prix and other movies of the 60's and 70's.

But, aside from that exposure, I own them because they are totally unique. I've driven a lot of cars and I could close my eyes and know I'm in a Ferrari of any era.

I like the way they drive. I like the way they look. I like that they are not perfect and you can see someone's actual hand in making them. I like that they have some connection to racing and race technology. And, I confess, I like that others ooh and aah when they see it. I like that friends and family ask if they can go for a ride because it's something they always wanted to do.

People say the new cars have little to do with the cars of the past. I totally disagree. The first time I drove my F430 I was instantly thrown back to my old Dino. The look out the front over the bulges and creases seemed familiar. I saw the purposefully designed dashboard with the big clean gauges right in front of me. And, the magnificent motor behind my head was making the right noises. The rear view mirror still vibrated from the engine at take off. The car seems alive as it communicates with you through your backside.

And I drive them because they make me smile. I'm not joking... they make me smile. I feel happy driving them. I feel sad when they are in for some kind of repair -- like a pet who's visiting the vet. I want it well again.

Ferrari's are Ferrari's. No imitation will do for me. I feel special driving one. Yes, that's an ego thing. But, what's the point of living if you can't enjoy yourself doing it?

Wait... you drive around with your eyes closed?!

Just kidding - great post.

All the best,
Andrew.

[SoftwareDrone]

Ever since I watched "Magnum, P.I." as a kid, the Ferrari 328 GTS was my dream car. When I got out of graduate school and started my first "real" job, I tried to buy a $40K 308 but could not qualify for the loan. So I bought a Honda Civic instead (way smarter move at the time). Eventually, I bought an Acura CL, a house, another house, an NSX, another NSX. By this time, the 360 was my dream car, but I never thought I would be able to afford one. But the economy was good ('04) and I was raking in the money. I thought about buying a Ferrari, but the 80 grand I had in the bank was giving me a sense of security. After a few months of thinking about it, I realized that having a sense of security wasn't necessarily making me happy. So I borrowed 10K on credit cards and put 90K down on a Red/Tan 2000 360 6-speed and financed the other 50K over 10 years ($606/month payments). I ended up paying off the car in two years.
Having said all of that, owning a Ferrari was a life changing experience for me. None of my other cars (and I have owned quite a few) have ever done that. Sure the tuned NSX had as much horsepower as the 360, but there was no neck snapping, hair trigger throttle response like the Ferrari has. The NSX handled great with aftermarket suspension components, but handles nothing like the 360, even when in non-sport mode. And THE SOUND. OH MY. I could never go back. Owning this car turned me into a local celebrity. People I have never met come up to me weekly and ask me how my Ferrari is doing, or will just wave and say, "Hey Ferrari Mike!" when I'm not even driving it.
The look. The sound. The performance. The status.
This is why I drive/own a Ferrari.
:-)

[Ffinally]

In the 80's and 90's I played around with 2 X1/9's and became addicted to the size, handling, and targa experience. That was when an X1/9 was all I could afford.

Fast forward 15 years when I have a few more dollars and something like a fourth of the Ferraris in this country are for sale. I can relive the earlier experience in my 328 GTS, only this time with a real engine (and yes, a heftier maintenance bill). Eureka!