Has modern supercar ownership become NAFF and irrelevant?
Discussion
A bit of background, I live in central London, and have been lucky enough to have owned some nice cars in the past, everything from 996RS to Murcielago's. Further to that I've driven the lot - F50's, Enzo's and Carrera GT's too so I'd like to think I know what cars are really exciting and what are not.
Here are my thoughts in no particular order:
1. I find driving a supercar now, IN THE UK, excruciatingly embarrassing. I have the (mis)fortune to live in London, and cannot stand the revving, racing, "spotting"/videoing/ and general tw*tishness of other attention seeking idiots, and their "followers" with which you are invariably associated, if you just want to pop into your nice car for a drive down to the a nice meal in town. I avoid it as much as I can but I still need to head out of the city to do point 2. below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DswlvppbBmI
2. So what about going for a drive in the country? Waking up at 5am on summer Sunday and going for a hoon? Yes, good point and I used to do it. But there's a new problem. These new cars are now WILDLY fast in a way which wasn't a consideration in yesterday. Going for a burn in a Ferrari F355 is one thing. Going for a burn in a 488 and you're going at BALLISTIC speeds which are not funny anymore because, if you get it wrong, you're going to have a big problem - there's a monumental difference between doing 70mph vs 110mph....
3. .... because the police will give you a custodial sentence now for the latter. And the whole "speed camera" thing, SPECS, "average speed cameras", sleeping policemen, and the ever constant threat of flashing blue lights which didn't exit 10 years ago has made the whole thing incredibly nerve racking and pointless.
4. Related to this, newer stuff from any of the supercar makers is just not fun at anything other than completely ludicrous speeds. I cannot stand this new 991 RS or the 488 and these new generations of irrelevance. Believe me, drive an F50 at 30mph and it's involving, engaging and wild! Drive a LaFerrari (stupid name) at 30mph and it's a Honda Civic. Kinda misses the point. New tech, the F1 gearboxes, electric steering and blah blah blah just detach you from the driving experience. So you compensate by going faster and that's unacceptable. Oh and before people chime in with "go on track" - what's the point? I wanted a road car!
5. Also, when did every supercar owner in the world suddenly become such an attention w
e? The whole instagram thing, making videos as if you're Jeremy Clarkson is all a bit naff. I find it quite distasteful. Seriously, taking pictures of yourself driving or the "gold hublot watch with steering wheel" pic is just shameful status whoring. I love it when people share their ownership experience but a pic of you at the wheel of your "Lambo" with "ma new Gucci belt innit" is just toe-curlingly tacky and that's what's changed. Supercars were once glamorous.
Now the whole supercar thing is just a bit "Yiannimize" - a Ferrari 512TR was once, rare, exotic, sexy and a bit South of France. A Ferrari 488 Spider is "Chingford" with a satin purple wrap, a youtube channel documenting delivery, driving, your new watch, your girlfriends new Laboutins and your steroid cycle. It's all desperately naff, more to do with fake self promotion, vulgarity, and the supercar has become the de facto instagram and social media accessory.
If you've got it, flaunt it they used to say but this is ridiculous and worse than the worst of the 80's. You've got grown men taking pictures of their outfits and looking for "followers" and likes...dear oh dear.....
Anyway, I digress, in summary:
- they're ubiquitous (especially where i live)
- they're driven badly
- they're boring at slow speeds
- they're too fast to drive hard
- the police are stricter
- driving standards have got worse
- they're the hallmark of people desperate to demonstrate the most base and tacky form of status and I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but I don't want to be associated with "grime-music" superstars, and "rudeboys" or the young sons of Qatari billionaires. It's no different to not wanting a gold tooth or taking steroids to turn me in a musclebound freak.
I have thought of a solution. Go classic. I'm still thinking. But the title of my thread refers to "modern supercar" ownership and perhaps going classic would prove my point.
Thoughts?
Here are my thoughts in no particular order:
1. I find driving a supercar now, IN THE UK, excruciatingly embarrassing. I have the (mis)fortune to live in London, and cannot stand the revving, racing, "spotting"/videoing/ and general tw*tishness of other attention seeking idiots, and their "followers" with which you are invariably associated, if you just want to pop into your nice car for a drive down to the a nice meal in town. I avoid it as much as I can but I still need to head out of the city to do point 2. below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DswlvppbBmI
2. So what about going for a drive in the country? Waking up at 5am on summer Sunday and going for a hoon? Yes, good point and I used to do it. But there's a new problem. These new cars are now WILDLY fast in a way which wasn't a consideration in yesterday. Going for a burn in a Ferrari F355 is one thing. Going for a burn in a 488 and you're going at BALLISTIC speeds which are not funny anymore because, if you get it wrong, you're going to have a big problem - there's a monumental difference between doing 70mph vs 110mph....
3. .... because the police will give you a custodial sentence now for the latter. And the whole "speed camera" thing, SPECS, "average speed cameras", sleeping policemen, and the ever constant threat of flashing blue lights which didn't exit 10 years ago has made the whole thing incredibly nerve racking and pointless.
4. Related to this, newer stuff from any of the supercar makers is just not fun at anything other than completely ludicrous speeds. I cannot stand this new 991 RS or the 488 and these new generations of irrelevance. Believe me, drive an F50 at 30mph and it's involving, engaging and wild! Drive a LaFerrari (stupid name) at 30mph and it's a Honda Civic. Kinda misses the point. New tech, the F1 gearboxes, electric steering and blah blah blah just detach you from the driving experience. So you compensate by going faster and that's unacceptable. Oh and before people chime in with "go on track" - what's the point? I wanted a road car!
5. Also, when did every supercar owner in the world suddenly become such an attention w
e? The whole instagram thing, making videos as if you're Jeremy Clarkson is all a bit naff. I find it quite distasteful. Seriously, taking pictures of yourself driving or the "gold hublot watch with steering wheel" pic is just shameful status whoring. I love it when people share their ownership experience but a pic of you at the wheel of your "Lambo" with "ma new Gucci belt innit" is just toe-curlingly tacky and that's what's changed. Supercars were once glamorous.Now the whole supercar thing is just a bit "Yiannimize" - a Ferrari 512TR was once, rare, exotic, sexy and a bit South of France. A Ferrari 488 Spider is "Chingford" with a satin purple wrap, a youtube channel documenting delivery, driving, your new watch, your girlfriends new Laboutins and your steroid cycle. It's all desperately naff, more to do with fake self promotion, vulgarity, and the supercar has become the de facto instagram and social media accessory.
If you've got it, flaunt it they used to say but this is ridiculous and worse than the worst of the 80's. You've got grown men taking pictures of their outfits and looking for "followers" and likes...dear oh dear.....
Anyway, I digress, in summary:
- they're ubiquitous (especially where i live)
- they're driven badly
- they're boring at slow speeds
- they're too fast to drive hard
- the police are stricter
- driving standards have got worse
- they're the hallmark of people desperate to demonstrate the most base and tacky form of status and I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but I don't want to be associated with "grime-music" superstars, and "rudeboys" or the young sons of Qatari billionaires. It's no different to not wanting a gold tooth or taking steroids to turn me in a musclebound freak.
I have thought of a solution. Go classic. I'm still thinking. But the title of my thread refers to "modern supercar" ownership and perhaps going classic would prove my point.
Thoughts?
Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Monday 1st August 12:29
I agree completely.
I drive a Boxster S and sometimes I even think that has too much power to have fun on the road (having loved my MK1 MX5 which you could safely and legally push)... I can't begin to imagine what a Supercar would be like on the streets.
I save most of my 'spirited driving' for the track where I can just have fun.
I drive a Boxster S and sometimes I even think that has too much power to have fun on the road (having loved my MK1 MX5 which you could safely and legally push)... I can't begin to imagine what a Supercar would be like on the streets.
I save most of my 'spirited driving' for the track where I can just have fun.
I fully agree with everything you've said.
Maybe i'm just getting old but for the first time in my life i just think, what's the point?
Similar to your thoughts, i find myself wanting to enjoy the driving experience of a classic rather than the playstation-like driving experience of the latest supercars.
Maybe i'm just getting old but for the first time in my life i just think, what's the point?
Similar to your thoughts, i find myself wanting to enjoy the driving experience of a classic rather than the playstation-like driving experience of the latest supercars.
I've been thinking this for a while.
I'm considering getting an Alfa Guilia QV - not really a supercar, but 500 HP isn't all bad.
But then I think about how often I have used the full capability of my Alfa 3.2 GT in the last year - and the answer is never. Too many prawns on overcrowded roads, I get enough of a blood pressure problem with 240 HP .... I'd be in more of a frustrated state with 500. On speed cameras and the like, the chance of getting nicked seems to be lower, but you can't even achieve the speed limit because of the traffic.
I'm considering getting an Alfa Guilia QV - not really a supercar, but 500 HP isn't all bad.
But then I think about how often I have used the full capability of my Alfa 3.2 GT in the last year - and the answer is never. Too many prawns on overcrowded roads, I get enough of a blood pressure problem with 240 HP .... I'd be in more of a frustrated state with 500. On speed cameras and the like, the chance of getting nicked seems to be lower, but you can't even achieve the speed limit because of the traffic.
Completely agree - I am a central londoner and I sold a Noble and bought an Elise because the Noble was just too fast for anywhere near central; would make sense if i lived in Wales / Highlands, but i don't.
I do like the accessibility of the instagram scene - it allows fans of great cars to see them 'live' at almost any time of the day, but the flip side is that it attracts attention seekers and not real car fans...
I had a spin in my mates '16 plate Boxster S yesterday, even that is verging on too quick now!!
I do like the accessibility of the instagram scene - it allows fans of great cars to see them 'live' at almost any time of the day, but the flip side is that it attracts attention seekers and not real car fans...
I had a spin in my mates '16 plate Boxster S yesterday, even that is verging on too quick now!!
I agree with your points - even though I don't have and never have had anything remotely supercar-ish.
Unfortunately, we live in a hugely image-conscious world, and supercars (indeed anything slightly exotic) is always going to be at the very forefront for those who either seek to fulfill particular images (Yiannimize), or collect evidence of them (car spotters et al).
Slight side note - I saw an advert for the new Audi A3 range yesterday, and the first point made was that of the top speeds of each model. Is that necessary? No. Will it help shift the cars? Quite possibly.
I actually prefer the supercars of yesteryear - there's something genuinely beautiful about understated looks and simple engineering. Whereas older vehicles were about an immersive experience, the newer breed (and perhaps those who drive them) are about top trumps stats and bragging rights. Neither is wrong, but one is infinitely more classy.
Unfortunately, we live in a hugely image-conscious world, and supercars (indeed anything slightly exotic) is always going to be at the very forefront for those who either seek to fulfill particular images (Yiannimize), or collect evidence of them (car spotters et al).
Slight side note - I saw an advert for the new Audi A3 range yesterday, and the first point made was that of the top speeds of each model. Is that necessary? No. Will it help shift the cars? Quite possibly.
I actually prefer the supercars of yesteryear - there's something genuinely beautiful about understated looks and simple engineering. Whereas older vehicles were about an immersive experience, the newer breed (and perhaps those who drive them) are about top trumps stats and bragging rights. Neither is wrong, but one is infinitely more classy.
Murcielago_Boy said:
- they're ubiquitous (especially where i live)
I never see them. That is a London/big city thing.Murcielago_Boy said:
- they're driven badly
I haven't seen one driven badly.Murcielago_Boy said:
- they're boring at slow speeds
Mine's no where near new, but it most definitely isn't.Murcielago_Boy said:
- they're too fast to drive hard
Newer stuff is. I agree.Murcielago_Boy said:
- the police are stricter
Not my experience.Murcielago_Boy said:
- driving standards have got worse
They have overall. This isn't limited to a type of car.Murcielago_Boy said:
- they're the hallmark of people desperate to demonstrate the most base and tacky form of status and I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but I don't want to be associated with "grime-music" superstars, and "rudeboys" or the young sons of Qatari billionaires. It's no different to not wanting a gold tooth or taking steroids to turn me in a musclebound freak.
I met a fantastic set of owners at Silverstone Classic over the weekend. All real car people. You have to remember that since the advent of 'cheap' finance there's hardly any premium car that isn't part of the clamour for material status.There are upsides and there are downsides to every car, but given a Supercar is something only used occasionally I don't really get why you wouldn't have one. If we were talking about ownership as a sole car I think one would have to think a bit more deeply, but as it is - take it out - enjoy it - lock it away and forget about it until you want to use it again. Drive something else the rest of the time.
jhoneyball said:
Get a motorbike. A BMW S1000RR or Ducati Panigale 1299S or equivalent will show you want real usable performance on the road really means.
Just what I was thinking. Some real performance and involvement, and everyone expects bikes to be going fast so no one really bats an eyelid to a flying overtake or whatever. 
1st world problems....
Much of the population would have to save in order to afford to get a track day experience, let alone own a car from one of the more expensive marques.
I get the point, don't get me wrong, I just can't understand the moaning about it.
Want a supercar - get one
Think they are too brash - sell it
Want a classic - buy one
and in all these actions be grateful for the opportunity to be able to have and make the decision.
I'm sure you worked hard for your money, and the privileges it affords you, but many people work very hard for very much less.
Much of the population would have to save in order to afford to get a track day experience, let alone own a car from one of the more expensive marques.
I get the point, don't get me wrong, I just can't understand the moaning about it.
Want a supercar - get one
Think they are too brash - sell it
Want a classic - buy one
and in all these actions be grateful for the opportunity to be able to have and make the decision.
I'm sure you worked hard for your money, and the privileges it affords you, but many people work very hard for very much less.
Edited by Swampy1982 on Monday 1st August 13:10
the problem with supercars is they are basically common place now. I'd also reckon that there is little distinction between models. A red Ferrari whether it be worth 100k or £1m looks the same to most people as it drives along. Porsches are great examples of this, a 911 looks the same to everyone. You have to be a proper geek to know otherwise. Its the J.Clarkson POV- the moment you have to tell someone what yr in, you've lost it and you look a tw+t
as a 70's child, seeing a Porsche was a rare thing. A Ferrari basically unseen. Lambos, forget it.
Funnily enough, just back from a weekend in London and I agree. Beautiful cars driven terribly. However unlike in my homeplace of Yorkshire, I'm guessing the drivers can afford to own and run them.
Up here you see a supercar and just think, rented/leased/borrowed from an Uncle's brothers aunts sister hire car company and driven by a wannabe gangsta. Plus you're impressing no one pretending to be wealthy when its parked up in front of a terrace house.
as a 70's child, seeing a Porsche was a rare thing. A Ferrari basically unseen. Lambos, forget it.
Funnily enough, just back from a weekend in London and I agree. Beautiful cars driven terribly. However unlike in my homeplace of Yorkshire, I'm guessing the drivers can afford to own and run them.
Up here you see a supercar and just think, rented/leased/borrowed from an Uncle's brothers aunts sister hire car company and driven by a wannabe gangsta. Plus you're impressing no one pretending to be wealthy when its parked up in front of a terrace house.
Unfortunately the same could be said of society these days as a whole. To be British in the past was the be fairly reserved and not overly keen on having a photo taken (for example), today everyone's taking pictures of themselves and publicising their opinions, as if most of us care!
Frankly I feel sorry for those growing up today, it (& I can include the love of cars), really isn't what it use to be.
(miserableolds*d!)
Frankly I feel sorry for those growing up today, it (& I can include the love of cars), really isn't what it use to be.
(miserableolds*d!)
Swampy1982 said:
1st world problems....
Much of the population would have to save in order to afford to get a track day experience, let alone own a car from one of the more expensive marques.
I get the point, don't get me wrong, I just can't understand the moaning about it.
Want a supercar - get one
Think they are too brash - sell it
Want a classic - buy one
and in all these actions be grateful for the opportunity to be able to have and make the decision.
I'm sure you worked hard for your money, and the privileges it affords you, but many people work very hard for very much less.
Swampy, don't get me wrong, don't make this debate about £££££ because it's not about that AT ALL.Much of the population would have to save in order to afford to get a track day experience, let alone own a car from one of the more expensive marques.
I get the point, don't get me wrong, I just can't understand the moaning about it.
Want a supercar - get one
Think they are too brash - sell it
Want a classic - buy one
and in all these actions be grateful for the opportunity to be able to have and make the decision.
I'm sure you worked hard for your money, and the privileges it affords you, but many people work very hard for very much less.
Edited by Swampy1982 on Monday 1st August 13:10
This is about a disillusioned supercar enthusiast. I'm moaning because I'm almost "upset" (for want of a better word). I couldn't wait to save up, and buy my dream car. And now, having got there, I'm thinking "good grief, this is a load of tacky pointlessness."
Kinda disappointing really.
I completely agree with all of your points OP.
I think in the past supercars - F40, F50, Diablo etc. - were bought by proper enthusiasts who admired the engineering that went into those machines, with the attention garnered by the cars being purely a by-product of ownership i.e. not something the owners craved and/or wanted.
Nowadays it feels like the attention these cars get from teenagers is the primary driver for many owners.
Perhaps that's why the classic car market has increased in value so spectacularly, as those who once would have bought a 488 or a Huracan decide to put their money into something more classy.
I think in the past supercars - F40, F50, Diablo etc. - were bought by proper enthusiasts who admired the engineering that went into those machines, with the attention garnered by the cars being purely a by-product of ownership i.e. not something the owners craved and/or wanted.
Nowadays it feels like the attention these cars get from teenagers is the primary driver for many owners.
Perhaps that's why the classic car market has increased in value so spectacularly, as those who once would have bought a 488 or a Huracan decide to put their money into something more classy.
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