Stay classy, Ferrari owner

TomR,

And THENwhat happened?

I'm in Italy now. On Saturday the village where my husband grew up had an event in the piazza and there was a "Ferrari Display". People drove their cars in to be parked in a special location where townspeople could gawk at the cars. My kids were enthralled. So was my husband - who is Italian and wants a Ferrari more than anything in this world. To an Italian, owning a Ferrari is akin to getting the "big house" for an American. One can dream.

Now, I wish I took pictures.

Tom_R said:

sarahzm said:
Hmmm. Men should be aware that most women believe that when a man drives a very expensive sports car, he is subconsciously compensating for inadequacies in other areas. The more expensive and souped up the car, the greater the inadequacy.
This guy with his fancy car and obnoxious license plate might as well be a eunuch.

Just for kicks and giggles.

Back when I was a Collegiate, I had a professor who was of the same age. and was willingly engaging outside the classroom.

One afternoon, as we were walking to her car continuing our discussion, she pointed out a motorcycle; and launched into a diatribe about men, toys, speed yada yada yada.

So I unlocked the helmets on the bike, held one out to her, and asked if she wanted to go for a ride. She giggled, she actually giggled; ran to her car, put her handbag and briefcase in the trunk, ran back, put the proffered hamlet on, and said LET'S GO.

Moral of the story: not every male one sees with a vehicle that other persons finds absurd, is looking to compensate for some inadequacy. Some people just like to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

As aside, how many SUVs do you see being driven by people, in poor conditions, who have no idea what they're doing? What is the point of 20" wheels on an Escalade? What is the point of 20" wheels on any street vehicle.

What statement are people with SUVs, who have no intention of ever leaving asphalt, making?

Stereotypes present a tough issue.

I wonder how they get started?

TomR

I didn't pay attention to cars or motorcycles much until I married my husband. He's from the region where the Ferrari and Ducati are made. One of the great race tracks in Italy is 10 minutes from his house. He saw Senna drive. Tour D'Italia went right in front of his house this year. FI, superbiking and cycling is in their blood.

Now that I'm part of this family, I too, have started watching the races, reading up on cars and it's fascinating. I visited the Ferrari Museum a few years ago and it was an education. The craftsmanship, technology and design that goes into making these vehicles is mind-boggling. Not to mention the skill required to drive and race them.

So, I have a new appreciation for these luxury "fast" cars. I no longer see the old guy in a Ferrari as a stereotypical mid-life crisis. What I see is a guy who probably worked/saved a long time to buy this car. I mean, really, what 20 or 30 year old (that isn't the son of a millionaire) can afford a Ferrari?

marylago said:
TomR,
And THENwhat happened?

Dear Penthouse Forum,

Before this I never believed your letters were true, but one day when I was still a Collegiate..

ridski said:

marylago said:
TomR,
And THENwhat happened?

Dear Penthouse Forum,
Before this I never believed your letters were true, but one day when I was still a Collegiate..

Tom_R said:

sarahzm said:
Hmmm. Men should be aware that most women believe that when a man drives a very expensive sports car, he is subconsciously compensating for inadequacies in other areas. The more expensive and souped up the car, the greater the inadequacy.
This guy with his fancy car and obnoxious license plate might as well be a eunuch.

Just for kicks and giggles.

Back when I was a Collegiate, I had a professor who was of the same age. and was willingly engaging outside the classroom.

One afternoon, as we were walking to her car continuing our discussion, she pointed out a motorcycle; and launched into a diatribe about men, toys, speed yada yada yada.

So I unlocked the helmets on the bike, held one out to her, and asked if she wanted to go for a ride. She giggled, she actually giggled; ran to her car, put her handbag and briefcase in the trunk, ran back, put the proffered hamlet on, and said LET'S GO.

Moral of the story: not every male one sees with a vehicle that other persons finds absurd, is looking to compensate for some inadequacy. Some people just like to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

As aside, how many SUVs do you see being driven by people, in poor conditions, who have no idea what they're doing? What is the point of 20" wheels on an Escalade? What is the point of 20" wheels on any street vehicle.

What statement are people with SUVs, who have no intention of ever leaving asphalt, making?

Stereotypes present a tough issue.

I wonder how they get started?

TomR

Of course people are entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Thank god this is America , where if someone wants to spend $400,000 on a car they can do so. Equally, those witnessing that choice are allowed to have any opinion of it they wish, even if that opinion is influenced by a stereotype.

It is unfortunate that stereotypes paint all in a group with the same brush. That's not always fair.

But, how do stereotypes get started. Usually there is a kernel of truth to them.

Generally when I see someone with a $400,000 car, I don't think "compensating for something" , I think "Maybe he or she will let me carry their golfbags or grocery bags or rake their leaves in exchange for a nugget of wisdom. A 15 minute conversation. A stock tip. They or someone close to them is doing something right."

Even if they prick park. Even if they drive like an asshat. Even if they're license plate reads DOOOSH. They can afford something I can't and I'd love a clue as to what I'm not doing as well as them.

Maybe they said I do to the right (wealthy) person?

Thats a possibility too. Sorry looking for a bag of "Depends". I need them if I end up driving the LF-A.

Some of us are more interested in a wiser sort of wisdom than the how-to-get-rich variety.

Who said anything about getting rich? I said doing things right. I've never worked for a poor person but I've worked for many people who were poor managers of money, materials and workers.

are you in Emilia-Romagna? I was there in May...beautiful part of the world. I know the Ferrari name is everywhere you turn there.

Hahaha said:
I'm in Italy now. On Saturday the village where my husband grew up had an event in the piazza and there was a "Ferrari Display". People drove their cars in to be parked in a special location where townspeople could gawk at the cars. My kids were enthralled. So was my husband - who is Italian and wants a Ferrari more than anything in this world. To an Italian, owning a Ferrari is akin to getting the "big house" for an American. One can dream.
Now, I wish I took pictures.

sarahzm said:

It is unfortunate that stereotypes paint all in a group with the same brush. That's not always fair.
----
The more expensive and souped up the car, the greater the inadequacy. This guy with his fancy car and obnoxious license plate might as well be a eunuch.

I feel reasonably confident that you missed the point.

----

Sorry to disappoint the several regular Penthouse readers; but there was nothing worthy of the editors' attention.

TomR

Enjoyable post nonetheless.

hankzona said:
are you in Emilia-Romagna? I was there in May...beautiful part of the world. I know the Ferrari name is everywhere you turn there.

Hahaha said:
I'm in Italy now. On Saturday the village where my husband grew up had an event in the piazza and there was a "Ferrari Display". People drove their cars in to be parked in a special location where townspeople could gawk at the cars. My kids were enthralled. So was my husband - who is Italian and wants a Ferrari more than anything in this world. To an Italian, owning a Ferrari is akin to getting the "big house" for an American. One can dream.
Now, I wish I took pictures.

Yes, that's where I am! Outside of Imola - where there is the famous race track where Senna died. Ferrari and Ducati are religion here, more than Catholicism. I went to Imola this past Sunday to watch superbike racing with my father-in-law and the boys. It was such a spectacle. I'd never been to such an event, but I was transfixed. It really is an amazing thing to see (and hear) live.

Hahaha said:

hankzona said:
are you in Emilia-Romagna? I was there in May...beautiful part of the world. I know the Ferrari name is everywhere you turn there.

Hahaha said:
I'm in Italy now. On Saturday the village where my husband grew up had an event in the piazza and there was a "Ferrari Display". People drove their cars in to be parked in a special location where townspeople could gawk at the cars. My kids were enthralled. So was my husband - who is Italian and wants a Ferrari more than anything in this world. To an Italian, owning a Ferrari is akin to getting the "big house" for an American. One can dream.
Now, I wish I took pictures.

Yes, that's where I am! Outside of Imola - where there is the famous race track where Senna died. Ferrari and Ducati are religion here, more than Catholicism. I went to Imola this past Sunday to watch superbike racing with my father-in-law and the boys. It was such a spectacle. I'd never been to such an event, but I was transfixed. It really is an amazing thing to see (and hear) live.

beautiful...not too far from Ravenna. I was at a friend's winery in Modena and in Bologna. Enjoy the food and lambrusco!

Freeway said:
Generally when I see someone with a $400,000 car, I don't think "compensating for something" , I think "Maybe he or she will let me carry their golfbags or grocery bags or rake their leaves in exchange for a nugget of wisdom. A 15 minute conversation. A stock tip. They or someone close to them is doing something right."
Even if they prick park. Even if they drive like an asshat. Even if they're license plate reads DOOOSH. They can afford something I can't and I'd love a clue as to what I'm not doing as well as them.

Some of it is just luck. I know people don't want to hear this. They say, "They worked really hard to get to where they are." They probably did, but lots of people work really hard all their lives, scraping and saving just to make ends meet. There are a lot of factors that go into becoming that kind of wealthy, and most of the time, it's not someone who started from scratch

marylago said:

Freeway said:
Generally when I see someone with a $400,000 car, I don't think "compensating for something" , I think "Maybe he or she will let me carry their golfbags or grocery bags or rake their leaves in exchange for a nugget of wisdom. A 15 minute conversation. A stock tip. They or someone close to them is doing something right."
Even if they prick park. Even if they drive like an asshat. Even if they're license plate reads DOOOSH. They can afford something I can't and I'd love a clue as to what I'm not doing as well as them.

Some of it is just luck. I know people don't want to hear this. They say, "They worked really hard to get to where they are." They probably did, but lots of people work really hard all their lives, scraping and saving just to make ends meet. There are a lot of factors that go into becoming that kind of wealthy, and most of the time, it's not someone who started from scratch

Honestly, does it matter? As long as the Ferrari or the money used to buy it wasn't stolen.

It's not just the car, it's the car and the license plate.

I get that for people like hahaha a Ferrari is a beloved tradition or work of art. I respect that. It's a passion. But for the guy with the license plate that says phkluzn I cant help thinking it's all about ego and showing off and winning at any cost. I wouldn't be as interested in what he has to say.

I have a college friend who has always given away 1/2 of her income ( inherited) , which I suspect is much more than enough to buy a Ferrari. She worked most of her life ( although she didn't have to) , for the county prosecutor advocating for battered women.

Another friend who lives in this community and started CARES foundation, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Research, Education and Support. As a result of her efforts and $$$ all 50 states now require a $30 test for every newborn which screens for a variety of uncommon but deadly diseases. Thousands of children are alive and healthy because of her. She probably could have bought several Ferraris with the money that she and her husband have dedicated to that foundation and other causes. Her husband earned the money on Wall Street, working 12 to 14 hour days for much of his career.

Dr Jane Aaronson, from Maplewood started an orphanage in Ethiopia.

There are many people locally who have made small and large fortunes but have different value systems than the one displayed by a phukluzn license plate. I think you could learn a lot more from them.

Agree that the licence plate proves he's a d-bag.

What kills me are the oh-so-earnest, tree-hugging, yoga wannabees driving in massive $100K Escalades and Mercedes Benz with leather interiors. At least this guy is not shy about being who he is.

So we can sum up a persons values and "value system" based on the characters that make up their license plate? I recall a thread on this board where someone stated that the DMV denied their application for the plate "OMG WTF". Should I assume they don't want to save burning orphans from abandonded buildings based on the above 6 characters?

lol good thing it was not a Corvette with that license plate. Then we'd really be judging

LOL. You have no idea....

I've seen some good ones over the years

V8 HAHA on a civic with a swapped 2.0L integra engine and the largest functional trubo I've ever seen.

NOTACOP on a 1980 something Ford LTD

N ROL on Mr. Parker the CHS shop teacher'scamaro IROC

ACURACY on a civic with an integra engine

NYUK X3 on a saturn (nyuk nyuk nyuk i'm warning you!! stooges fan)

Let the judging begin!

N4SIR on a toyota camry

@freeway Just for you...

One of the funniest ever...

@ctrzaska those are awesome!

BYEOPEC on a tesla

Tom_R said:

sarahzm said:
It is unfortunate that stereotypes paint all in a group with the same brush. That's not always fair.
----
The more expensive and souped up the car, the greater the inadequacy. This guy with his fancy car and obnoxious license plate might as well be a eunuch.

I feel reasonably confident that you missed the point.
----
Sorry to disappoint the several regular Penthouse readers; but there was nothing worthy of the editors' attention.
TomR

As she dismounted I turned to her and said 'Did you enjoy the ride? Nothing like a mean machine between your legs. '