RE: Ferrari plans 'superclub' for dedicated owners

[Frik]

Certainly not from Ferrari's point of view. They're charging people to be their best customers. Genius.

[BelfastBoy]

PhilboSE said:

Well, yes. But it's now official and is intended to make specials available to enthusists rather than collectors. And I don't see anything wrong with that.

Of course there's nothing wrong with it. I'm personally just not convinced by the suggestion that this sort of arrangement weeds out speculators and flippers. We can certainly agree to disagree on this, but bottom line is - once someone owns a car then surely they're entirely at liberty to sell it on if they like? An obvious consequence of course is that it's bound to sour an individual's relationship with the factory, but if someone needs the money or just scents a good deal, maybe they won't care so much. Also, if all of Ferrari's current preferential customers truly are enthusiasts, then why is it possible to buy Enzos, F50s, 599GTOs etc from both main dealers and independents? While I accept that lots of owners truly do value their vehicles and keep them, plenty are also happy to sell them on, for whatever reason (boredom, something else comes along, lack of use, receive an offer you can't refuse etc).

Here's a question, based on a scenario where I win big on Euromillions and now instantly have the means to build a collection. I place orders for a new 458 Spider and FF, and also buy a second hand 458 coupe to keep me going, all from an official dealer. I then get the dealer to also source me some specials like a 288GTO and Enzo - obviously I'm the dealer's new best friend, so do you think Ferrari would let me join their new club straight away?!

[Whatty]

Frik said:

Certainly not from Ferrari's point of view. They're charging people to be their best customers. Genius.

Great isn't it?

Pay us now for the privilege of paying us again later.

Or in Italian a "proforma nodiscounti"

[JenkinsComp]

This must be di Montezemolo's way of taxing the rich to pay off Italys enormous debts

Novel

[RadQuinn]

I think it's a good idea, but can see why it got such a low PH rating.

[geoffracing]

LotusOmega375D said:

geoffracing said:

I know someone living not too far away from me; he owns 2 California Spyder (1960-1961), a 275GTB, and 2 more recent Ferraris. His garage is beautiful, lovely.
But, he is always dressed completely in white (shoes included) and holds a gold handbag.
I think I still prefer remaining normal (well I think I am!)

Hmm, does he have ginger hair and wear Joe 90 specs?

No he is a black-haired Italian (normal) and lives in Belgium (not normal) (our nasty climate dirties white clothes too quickly!).

[geoffracing]

ForzaWhitesGen2 said:

Maybe... just maybe the boys in Zuffenhausen & Weissach hate you too?

Well this is probably wrong, because I must confess that I wrote ONCE to Porsche in Germany, and they sent me a folder of the 914GTS with an enamelled Porsche pin.
Amazing, especially as the Belgian importer ignores all letters...
In fact I think it is the importer I hate!

[ZesPak]

Aizle said:

Where do I sign up?

Here:

http://www.national-lottery.co.uk/player/p/lottery...

They don't allow a lot of people, but it's a start.

[P7ULG]

geoffracing said:

So not only are some lucky enough to have several Ferraris, they even have the extra luck of being able to chose special ones all for themselves.

I thought this was becoming insane in today's world...
Remember the trouble in the English streets not that long ago?
This will make them still more bitter...

It doesn't help does it.

If you think back Enzo Ferrari only sold road cars to finance his racing.Now we are getting to the point where the actual car has just become another "Financial device" and not something to be driven and enjoyed until it has worn out. The aforementioned cars are merely becoming carbon fibre stocks and shares.

However this is nothing new and Ferrari has been doing it for years, they just didn't broadcast it.