Bad day in the 599

[SL550M]

I know this is a potentially wider philosophical question, but seriously, WTF is wrong with some people in this country?! I'd had some rather bad news yesterday morning, so thought I'd take the 599 for a drive. That always cheers me up. Sadly not this time. Within 5 minutes of leaving the house I'd got an aggressive w**nker hand signal from a pedestrian. Then less than 10 minutes later, having parked up to get some lunch, I returned to my car to discover a guy in a white transit van had slammed his door into my car, leaving a rather nasty dent in the rear wing. Any anger quickly turned to a sense of deflation. As I said, what is wrong with some people?

[SL550M]

Thanks for the kind comments everyone. Knew I'd find solace with the good folk of PH.

[SL550M]

Petrus1983 said:

I'm absolutely positive that you encountered 2 very rare idiots - although it obviously doesn't help right now. As above, I'd phone his insurance company.

I do agree. I've had probably 100 nice gestures and comments for every nasty one. I was just unlucky last week. On a positive note, the other party's employer has admitted liability and my car is booked in at one of the Ferrari approved body shops. Initially very impressed with their quality of service, I must say.

[SL550M]

olivebrown said:

Whywould you concern yourselves with the opinions of strangers?

It's sometimes more than that, though, isn't it? It's about people damaging, in effect vandalising, your property. I don't know anyone who takes that lightly.

[SL550M]

Thanks Splurge997 (btw, love a yellow 911), medieval, and all other posters. I was certainly pretty miffed at first, but I've calmed down. The 599 is at the Ferrari approved body shop and I'm already excited about getting her back next week and continuing to live the dream.

[SL550M]

geopetrolhead said:

I'm really sorry about the negativity OP and the damage to your lovely 599. Growing up I have always admired people with these beautiful cars, especially the classics! There are to many haters in this country and they would love to see you stack your car into a tree a gloat and point and say what an idiot but the truth is they will never own such a car because they are small minded and haven't got the brains to get their dream, I have worked hard to get my bright yellow F355 spider and I'm yet to drive it, will be soon though! Maybe a week. I have also been concerned about negativity and the haters and I will be so paranoid I won't take my eye off the car for a seconds incase the jelous asswipe keys the car or bashes a door into it!

Take a look at clarkson a review on the Ferrari 488 for Sunday times and I think you will find it a good read and he points out some very true facts about the British public and the haters.

Keep driving your dreams and don't let anybody stop you!

Thanks George. Yellow 355 Spider.....that's a beautiful choice, just beautiful. Going to be a very, very happy summer for you. Enjoy.

[SL550M]

baypond said:

Today I was driving through a village in my McLaren and pulled up to let an oncoming car pass a long line of cars that had reduced the road to single lane.
As he approached, he wound the window down, put his hand out the window and ....

gave me the middle finger.

I actually laughed. Hows that for courtesy.

Wow, that is seriously well done retaining your cool there. Laughter is absolutely the best riposte to such rudeness, although it's not easy to do in the heat of the moment. Bravo!
BTW, love your stable of cars. Superb.

[SL550M]

ILoveMondeo said:

I've found this a very interesting read. I've just put a deposit on a 599 and collect at the end of the month.

My friend who's had ferraris for a while told me I'd get called a tosser a lot. I like to think ill just shrug it off, "I've still got a Ferrari and you've got a juke" or something... Hope I do. Hadn't realised it was so common.

Clarkson article is a good read, I like the last paragraph.

Once in 6 years of TVR ownership i got the coffee beans, and never in various obnoxious Japanese sports cars, vantage or 911 turbo.

Will be interesting to see how it goes. It's weird though, it's probably the same people that gawp through the windows and wander around the forecourt taking pictures of the cars at a dealer, watch top gear every week and love clarkson that do it.

Hey ho. I'm looking forward to joining some of the supercar outings.

Don't worry. As previous posters have said, encountering the 'haters' seems to be a rare occurrence. I've certainly had no other such experiences since the 'bad day' that started this thread. Lots of love for the car, though. I must say that owning and driving a 599 has been an absolute joy and you are in for a real treat when you collect yours. Out of interest, which car did you buy?

[SL550M]

Congrats! That's a beauty.
Got to love a black 599

[SL550M]

GusB said:

On Sunday I went for a long drive to nowhere around Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire etc and the engine, acceleration, steering and noise was just fantastic. Yes I know if I bought a 675LT I could go faster and if I bought a Atom I would have a more "absorbing" experience, however you know what, I wouldn't have wanted to drive anything else that day, it is a wonderful car with the most amazing V12. We are all lucky to drive one.

GusB

Well said Gus. Absolutely spot-on!