Snobbery among marques?
Discussion
Has anyone noticed snobbery among marques? For example, in the 7 years I've owned the Noble I have been aware of a lot of interest in the car from all sorts of people wherever I go. Most of it is friendly and occasionally not friendly, but the majority of the time other car enthusiasts are keen to have a look or a chat whether they own a Bentley or an MG. But, and obviously I'm only generalising here, I don't once recall pulling up beside or opposite a Ferrari in all those years in the traffic or a petrol station etc, where I've seen the driver bother to look or even acknowledge my presence. To me the value or rarity of a car is of no consequence. If I were to see an original mint Mini Cooper, I'd love to give the owner a nod of appreciation just as I would someone in a Zonda as I know they will be car enthusiasts! But why am I being ignored by those in the prancing horse?
Yeah weird that- I owned a Ferrari 355 for 3 years until July last year then got the 3R. Out on the road you'd get the nods and frowns from other road users. Guaranteed response if you see another Ferrari. The attention I get with the 3R from joe public is massive compared to the red 355 which I'm guessing you get frowned upon for being a bit too flash! However in the 3 years of being in the Ferrari owners club I can honestly say everyone I spoke to were really nice people, fanatical about the cars, never once met a knob! At the last foc monthly meet I took the 3R- I had most of the lads for nearly an hour looking around her chatting. So not really an answer and obviously all the above my honest opinion. Best experience ever in the Noble though- love it! John
I don't recall encountering such problems in over 10 years of ownership. Still lots of thumbs-up now, but less interest than back in the day when no one had ever seen a Noble - then you couldn't fill up without a crowd developing. I even had people stopping in the road to take photos on my drive. And once, having had to leave it in a street overnight, I found a flower on the wing mirror (I hope it was from a female!).
Now Fezza and Pork drivers (the latter of which I'm one), well, that's a whole other thread which whould involve a pyschologist
Now Fezza and Pork drivers (the latter of which I'm one), well, that's a whole other thread which whould involve a pyschologist
AMG Merc said:
I don't recall encountering such problems in over 10 years of ownership. Still lots of thumbs-up now, but less interest than back in the day when no one had ever seen a Noble - then you couldn't fill up without a crowd developing. I even had people stopping in the road to take photos on my drive. And once, having had to leave it in a street overnight, I found a flower on the wing mirror (I hope it was from a female!).
Now Fezza and Pork drivers (the latter of which I'm one), well, that's a whole other thread which whould involve a pyschologist
It's funny. I often get noticed by Porsche drivers and have had a few friendly 'moments' on the road, but when it comes to the Ferrari's, the driver's just will not look over! I just don't get it.Now Fezza and Pork drivers (the latter of which I'm one), well, that's a whole other thread which whould involve a pyschologist
Have you ever watched a nature documentary where they show the group hierarchy of a pack of monkeys?
This is the same dynamic as the Ferrari owners club. The alpha members are in the Enzos/F40/F50s and dominate the group while the 348 owners sit on the outer fringes and are occasionally thrown a scrap of conversation.
Of course I jest. But there is air of being able to purchase respect in that marque. I actually choose my M12 over a 348 (Nothing to do with financing, I have always loved the 348 - not sure why just always have but I don't like the 360). Many people work very hard for many years to afford a Ferrari because "It's a Ferrari". It's an aspirational brand and this does tend to attract people who don't necessarily really have a deep seeded passion for cars, they just want to show off to their friends at the golf club that they have the same gearbox as Michael Schumacher. As with any marque, you know as soon as you say "Hello" whether they are real petrolhead or not!
This is the same dynamic as the Ferrari owners club. The alpha members are in the Enzos/F40/F50s and dominate the group while the 348 owners sit on the outer fringes and are occasionally thrown a scrap of conversation.
Of course I jest. But there is air of being able to purchase respect in that marque. I actually choose my M12 over a 348 (Nothing to do with financing, I have always loved the 348 - not sure why just always have but I don't like the 360). Many people work very hard for many years to afford a Ferrari because "It's a Ferrari". It's an aspirational brand and this does tend to attract people who don't necessarily really have a deep seeded passion for cars, they just want to show off to their friends at the golf club that they have the same gearbox as Michael Schumacher. As with any marque, you know as soon as you say "Hello" whether they are real petrolhead or not!
Edited by V1DL3R on Tuesday 17th June 16:21
I Do not normaly see this but on my way to Spa last June i was travelling on my own and as I pulled into the euro tunnel there was a line of 7 Ferrari's so thinking it would be nice to tag along I followed them onto the train and when parked up went over for a chat .........to say they gave me the cold shoulder was a understatement !!! followed them into France and as we got on the Motorway they kept slowing down to 40 mph and waiting , for a while I played there game and kept behind so in the end they pulled into a layby and waved me passed !!!!!
Got my revenge at Spa though
.
Got my revenge at Spa though
. TuxMan said:
I Do not normaly see this but on my way to Spa last June i was travelling on my own and as I pulled into the euro tunnel there was a line of 7 Ferrari's so thinking it would be nice to tag along I followed them onto the train and when parked up went over for a chat .........to say they gave me the cold shoulder was a understatement !!! followed them into France and as we got on the Motorway they kept slowing down to 40 mph and waiting , for a while I played there game and kept behind so in the end they pulled into a layby and waved me passed !!!!!
Got my revenge at Spa though .
But perhaps if you had a red one, you'd have blended in a bit more! Got my revenge at Spa though
. I've been told on more than one occasion that I drive a Ferrari. Must admit, if they get it that wrong, I usually don't bother to correct them.
I'm not sure what this snobbery thing is about. I think its more a people thing rather than cars and not generally from people who are actually really wealthy more people who think they're something because they've got a Ferrari or something else. I see it whenever I drive my works van in and out to work, people just don't have a clue. The guys I know who are generationally wealthy all look like tramps, drive older cars and are happy talking to anyone!!!
On the Noble thing people still stop and point, I've had them hanging out of cars taking pics and when I'm sitting at traffic lights. It seems to get only positive reactions apart from "is it a kit car"!!!
On the Noble thing people still stop and point, I've had them hanging out of cars taking pics and when I'm sitting at traffic lights. It seems to get only positive reactions apart from "is it a kit car"!!!
Maybe it's not snobbery, I just can't explain it. I've had guys in McLarens give me the nod or flash their lights, fun with Porsches, Bentley GT owners coming over to chat in petrol stations, but Ferrari's...I'm just invisible! (Can I please make it clear that this can't apply to all Ferrari owners, but locally to me I've never had any eye contact or chats or even a short blast with any)
Jarcy said:
TuxMan said:
I Do not normaly see this but on my way to Spa last June i was travelling on my own and as I pulled into the euro tunnel there was a line of 7 Ferrari's so thinking it would be nice to tag along I followed them onto the train and when parked up went over for a chat .........to say they gave me the cold shoulder was a understatement !!! followed them into France and as we got on the Motorway they kept slowing down to 40 mph and waiting , for a while I played there game and kept behind so in the end they pulled into a layby and waved me passed !!!!!
Got my revenge at Spa though .
But perhaps if you had a red one, you'd have blended in a bit more! Got my revenge at Spa though
. I've been told on more than one occasion that I drive a Ferrari. Must admit, if they get it that wrong, I usually don't bother to correct them.
It's a strange thing. Back in the day, folk in Ferraris used to wave back at me in my Fulvia. I guess keeping the numbers produced low in order to maintain the status of the marque is having some effect.
Now I'm designing a sticker for the MR2 turbo: "If I was more expensive, heavier and slower, I might be a (Prancing Horse symbol)".
Given the money, I'd like an M12. If anyone hears of one going for £800 or so, please let me know!
Now I'm designing a sticker for the MR2 turbo: "If I was more expensive, heavier and slower, I might be a (Prancing Horse symbol)".
Given the money, I'd like an M12. If anyone hears of one going for £800 or so, please let me know!
Edited by TheRealFingers99 on Wednesday 18th June 02:54
yes we are mates hoyin said:
I think part of it is they are not petrol heads.
People who buy Ferraris are buying it for the marque and are not necessarily petrol heads. So they probably don't even know what a Noble is.
For a large portion of them, nail hit on the head! They aren't really petrol heads in the same way many of us are, they don't 'get it'.People who buy Ferraris are buying it for the marque and are not necessarily petrol heads. So they probably don't even know what a Noble is.
I think some of the time our cars are looked at as a bit boy racer-ish and some will attempt to elevate themselves by either not entertaining a conversation or occasionally just being downright rude. I do sometimes look at mine with its loud colour and scaffolding holding up the useless spoiler and tend to agree to an extent. But then I have another drive and see the positive side to ownership which makes me not really care too much.
My wife did ask once 'aren't you a bit old for that thing now?' which opened my eyes to all this, but what the hell does she know?
My wife did ask once 'aren't you a bit old for that thing now?' which opened my eyes to all this, but what the hell does she know?
Blu3R said:
I think some of the time our cars are looked at as a bit boy racer-ish and some will attempt to elevate themselves by either not entertaining a conversation or occasionally just being downright rude. I do sometimes look at mine with its loud colour and scaffolding holding up the useless spoiler and tend to agree to an extent. But then I have another drive and see the positive side to ownership which makes me not really care too much.
My wife did ask once 'aren't you a bit old for that thing now?' which opened my eyes to all this, but what the hell does she know?
There's a guy I know called Brendan McInerny who used to race for March back in the day. He has always maintained that the Noble is 'the real thing'. He describes Ferrari's & Lamborghini's as 'jewellery'. In his eyes race/track cars don't have all the bling.My wife did ask once 'aren't you a bit old for that thing now?' which opened my eyes to all this, but what the hell does she know?
There is car snobbery in all marques... I remember when I bought my noble years back some owners considered them ' too prestigious to modify or maintain yourself'.
If you want to feel car snobbery buy a Porsche, I still remember the look I got regularly when I answered the question ' what car do you drive'.... Which is why I love the noble, it's a car without any real name pose value and thus people just consider you a car nut rather than a rich guy wanting a nob extension :-)
If you want to feel car snobbery buy a Porsche, I still remember the look I got regularly when I answered the question ' what car do you drive'.... Which is why I love the noble, it's a car without any real name pose value and thus people just consider you a car nut rather than a rich guy wanting a nob extension :-)
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