Quote:
Originally Posted by billh1963
So much hate for Ferrari's ...is it over perceived value, real engineering issues, or just jealousy?
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Hate's probably too strong a word but it's not my thread and I didn't title it.
Jealousy? Nahhh. More of a been there, done that, wasn't all that much fun sort of feeling. I understand the good side of a Ferrari. I also understand what it's like to put up with one for 10 or 20 years and it's just not worth the hassle, for me at least. I enjoyed my Ferraris, more or less, but I got tired of their shortcomings and I got tired of the hassle. It's not just that they are expensive to repair and maintain (they are) but I can do without having to do a worldwide Easter egg hunt every time I need a part that Ferrari doesn't feel like supplying. They don't give a **** about the old cars (unless they can bleed you dry for one) and I'm not a fan of that attitude. Remember the certification process they offered for the old cars? What a joke.
Then there's the underdeveloped "kit car" feel to some of the driving characteristics of the cars. You can drive a Porsche as hard as you want and it will never care but you do the same thing to a Ferrari and you won't like the result. They are fine up to about 8/10ths, on a smooth dry road, but push one hard, or drive it on the typical ****ty roads that most people in the US have now and you won't enjoy the experience. There are just some characteristics that they should have engineered out of the cars during the prototype stage. There are also plenty of things that were underengineered and when you have to fix those things on your dime, it makes you mad. Yeah, Porsche has had their moments, too. It's just that fixing a Porsche and fixing a Ferrari cost different amounts and it ain't the Ferrari that's the bargain.
The newer cars are undoubtably better but I'm not a fan of the styling, or the fact that they are now sized to fit NBA players, or the fact that the prices would buy a decent house in the midwest. The first time I saw a 360 in the flesh, next to an older Ferrari, I figured they'd moved in a direction I didn't want them to go. Personal preference, I suppose. I've had a few cars that appreciated in value to the "more than I paid for my house" sorts of numbers and I sold those, too. I don't want to be driving a car that's worth that sort of money, in amongst the idiots I see out on the roads.
I've owned a lot of cars and I have decided I don't need to own two dozen of the things to be happy. I'll keep an Audi around for daily driving, one 911 for the weekends, a couple cars to fill the wife's garage and call it a day.
Here's hoping you still like your Mondial in 20 years. I'll still be enjoying my 911, I can assure you.
JR