Someone explain Ferraris to me...

[Y2Kvert4me]

Originally Posted by Neutron

Still by many people Lamborghini is a more exotic and better car.

I'm one of them.

Maybe Ferrari needs to get bought out to improve their cars.

I'm no DCV...but I guess you should drive both and buy what you feel is best for you.

Comparing the service costs of of a 1980's Ferrari to a modern Gallardo is not really an apple-apple comparison.

[Neutron]

Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me

I'm no DCV...but I guess you should drive both and buy what you feel is best for you.

Comparing the service costs of of a 1980's Ferrari to a modern Gallardo is not really an apple-apple comparison.

My dream car is a Koenigsegg CCXR so who the heck am I kidding.

[Y2Kvert4me]

Originally Posted by Neutron

My dream car is a Koenigsegg CCXR so who the heck am I kidding.

You and me both my friend.

Now THAT is an exotic car.

[jeff w]

Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me

Sounds like they haven't been bought by a mass-production car company.

Ferrari is owned by Fiat

[Y2Kvert4me]

Originally Posted by jeff w

Ferrari is owned by Fiat

Financially, they have a large stake in Ferrari's assets, correct.

But FIAT is basically a silent partner, acting as a bank so to speak. Ferrari still has free will do go about business as they always have. They really aren't "owned" by that.


Saying they own Ferrari would be akin to saying the mortgage co owns your house....Technically true, but they aren't telling you what color to paint the dining room walls, and they aren't helping you do it either.

[jeff w]

Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me

Financially, they have a large stake in Ferrari's assets, correct.

But FIAT is basically a silent partner, acting as a bank so to speak. Ferrari still has free will do go about business as they always have. They really aren't "owned" by that.


Saying they own Ferrari would be akin to saying the mortgage co owns your house....Technically true, but they aren't telling you what color to paint the dining room walls, and they aren't helping you do it either.

Thanks for the clarification

[Neutron]

Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me

Financially, they have a large stake in Ferrari's assets, correct.

But FIAT is basically a silent partner, acting as a bank so to speak. Ferrari still has free will do go about business as they always have. They really aren't "owned" by that.


Saying they own Ferrari would be akin to saying the mortgage co owns your house....Technically true, but they aren't telling you what color to paint the dining room walls, and they aren't helping you do it either.

[CBonsall]

Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me

Financially, they have a large stake in Ferrari's assets, correct.

But FIAT is basically a silent partner, acting as a bank so to speak. Ferrari still has free will do go about business as they always have. They really aren't "owned" by that.


Saying they own Ferrari would be akin to saying the mortgage co owns your house....Technically true, but they aren't telling you what color to paint the dining room walls, and they aren't helping you do it either.

didnt know that fact.

[The Dingo]

Originally Posted by Neutron

Needs a new timing belt every 3 years? WHY??

So does my Honda every 40,000 miles. Difference with my Honda is that the engine doesn't have to be dropped to do this (rubber timing belt vs the chain in many other cars).

Also remember that many owners are in a position to write many of their vehicle costs off as tax deductions by calling it business vehicle for tax purposes, etc. For some it becomes easier to deal with the costs than a wage earner.

[ApexOversteer]

Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me

The Gallardo is just an a rebodied Audi...

Oversimplification. To call the LP560 a "rebodied Audi" is a bit unfair. Audi used the Gallardo as a way to explore the rarified atmosphere of the supercar world without damaging the Audi name, so they could eventually bring out the R8, which uses Gallardo parts. The R8 V10 uses even more.

They also lifted Lamborghini out of financial troubles for the first time in the company's entire history. Audi is the best thing that has ever happened to Lamborghini.

If the Gallardo isn't "exotic" enough for you, buy a Murcielago, its a hell of a lot more "exotic" than anything from across town.

In fact, if you want an example of a parent company diluting a supercar brand, go ahead and visit Maranello.

Fiat has whored the Prancing Horse out on everything from socks to panties to temporary tattoos. Now they have begun to phase out the traditional manual transmission and are selling a gussied up Maserati as a "Ferrari" aimed at women and posers and then, adding insult to injury, invoking the name of one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made to call it "California".

The F70 better be one hell of a car... ONE HELL OF A CAR.

[ApexOversteer]

One must also remember, when discussing service costs of Ferraris and other supercars, that these cars do not take long periods of non-usage very well. Couple that with the Ferrari community being obsessed with "low mileage" and resale values and the situation is created where the cost-per-mile skyrockets because the cars aren't driven, but still require service.

I would sooner buy a MY1999/25,000 mile car with full service records than a MY1999/2,500 mile car with the same. The 25,000 mile car is going to be cheaper to buy, and cheaper to drive and maintain.

[ApexOversteer]

Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me

Financially, they have a large stake in Ferrari's assets, correct.

But FIAT is basically a silent partner, acting as a bank so to speak. Ferrari still has free will do go about business as they always have. They really aren't "owned" by that.


Saying they own Ferrari would be akin to saying the mortgage co owns your house....Technically true, but they aren't telling you what color to paint the dining room walls, and they aren't helping you do it either.

That is all fine and good, until you also tell them Luca di Montezemelo's job titles.

He chairs two boards of directors relevant to this discussion. Fiat and Ferrari. He rules both chicken coops.

[ApexOversteer]

Originally Posted by Neutron

My dream car is a Koenigsegg CCXR so who the heck am I kidding.

Wait until you see Pagani's new car... and the replacement for the Murcielago.... and the F70...

[Garb55]

Originally Posted by ApexOversteer

One must also remember, when discussing service costs of Ferraris and other supercars, that these cars do not take long periods of non-usage very well. Couple that with the Ferrari community being obsessed with "low mileage" and resale values and the situation is created where the cost-per-mile skyrockets because the cars aren't driven, but still require service.

I would sooner buy a MY1999/25,000 mile car with full service records than a MY1999/2,500 mile car with the same. The 25,000 mile car is going to be cheaper to buy, and cheaper to drive and maintain.