What Hath the Economy Wrought: Entry-level Ferrari Spider?
As the global economy shows signs of both recovering and getting worse, luxury and exotic automakers are hedging their bets more and more. Introducing cars like the Aston Martin One-77, Bugatti Sang Bleu and Bentley Muslanne made perfect sense -- in 1999. In today's unstable financial climate, you just can't be too careful. While most enthusiasts are salivating over the release of the new Ferrari 458 Italia with its auto-deforming front air intakes and 200+ mph top speed, the more rational among us are getting excited about the new low cost offerings from Europe like the Alfa Romeo MiTo, Fiat 500 and the just spotted baby Ferrari Spider (that's prancing horse speak for "roadster") pictured above.
Set to be named the El Duce, Maranello's newest rag top will compete with the likes of Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4 and Chevrol... hey wait a second -- that's not a Ferrari!! That's some Starbucks swillin' hoser's tarted up Mazda Miata!
Be honest... did he almost have you fooled into thinking this is an actual Ferrari? Us too! It's the attention to detail. Like the Prancing Horse emblem, the Ferrari badge and the Ferrari license plate frame. They don't just hand those out at half-priced day at Pick'n'Pull. Most convincing is the sign that states, "Ferrari Parking Only: All Others Will Be Towed." Because if it were actually, say, a Mazda Miata, it would have been towed already, right? Normally, only F355 owners go through the trouble of driving around with that particular sign in their trunk. And check out those Pininfarina designed mud flaps. Ferraritastic, no? How best to sum this one up? Ah, got it: Ten pounds of suck in a five pound bag. And you thought the BMW R8 is bad. Oh wait, it is! Thanks to Ryan in Seattle for snapping this photo and sending it in.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
JD 9:35AM (8/24/2009)
I'm not sure which is worse: The R8-BMW 850i or this.
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Sofa King Fast! 9:43AM (8/24/2009)
The BMW R8 is a greater sin.
This is just a desperate man's attempt to idisguise the fact that he drives a car with a woman's sports car.
fmwso 8:44PM (8/24/2009)
I'd go for the BMW R8, that was just horrible. Not that this one is not, but the R8 was really disgusting.
GOT 9:35AM (8/24/2009)
LOL... awful. To each their own.
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geo.stewart 10:07AM (8/24/2009)
he must be a regular and wanted to take advantage of the up close parking.
And thus decided since most Ferraris are red, then most red cars are Ferraris
ack154 10:11AM (8/24/2009)
"To each their own."
No.... not "to each their own." This is stupid. People need to stop doing it. No one is fooled... except the fool.
Coolio 11:07AM (8/24/2009)
Hey AB, way to blank out his plates....
Erik 11:40AM (8/24/2009)
Coolio, whay would they blank out the plates?
Sal Collaziano 12:59PM (8/24/2009)
I think most people here aren't thinking outside the box. This guy is banging ten girls a day who have absolutely no doubt that this car is a Ferrari. Would I do it? No. I've never had problems meeting women without having an exotic car. So I'm not making excuses for this guy. But I understand what he's doing.
Of course men know what it is........
Sal Collaziano
http://www.madisonross.com
Judy Zik 1:42PM (8/24/2009)
Either this guy, the one in Russia and the author are all Canadian expats or you folks don't understand the meaning of the term "hoser". It is a slang term Canadians use exclusively on other Canadians. If you drink watered down beer and can't see where the puck went you aren't allowed to use it. Kind of like a white person using the "N" word.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoser
I can't believe anyone with a brain would not recognize a Miata.
Pianostool 12:34PM (8/26/2009)
This car has been cruising around Everett for a hell of a long time. I saw the same thing on a genesis coupe.
Sofa King Fast! 9:44AM (8/24/2009)
god...that was horrible. Sorry about the drunk-dialing there folks.
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nighttime__ 9:44AM (8/24/2009)
the phrase "Fake it till you make it!" springs to mind.
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akboss302 9:52AM (8/24/2009)
Where I live north of Toronto in a mostly Italian area, people put a Ferrari logo on everything. Its really kind of a joke when you see some guy in a Ford F-150 with an Italian flag and a giant Ferrari logo decorating the tailgate. I don't get it, but hey, its your money.
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zVp 10:06AM (8/24/2009)
Woodbridge?
Sanders 10:22AM (8/24/2009)
Any different than a guy with a confederate flag and a nascar sticker on his tailgate? He's just a Ferrari racing fan.
Boutros Golly 10:08AM (8/24/2009)
I can think of something worse. A few years ago around Texas A&M was a bright yellow Saturn SC2 that was a Ferrari edition, replete with chrome rims that had Ferrari badges. Very sporty model... almost had me fooled.
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Stumpy 10:14AM (8/24/2009)
I should put Ferrari on the back of my MazdaSpeed Miata! What a great idea!
..
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Shawn 10:21AM (8/24/2009)
Don't feel bad. About a week ago I brought my Ferrari to a show and some guy came up and started talking to me about my "Toyota"!!! I would have understood if the guy was drunk but how could you mistake the two especially when everything in the engine bay said Ferrari.
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dal20402 10:18AM (8/24/2009)
On behalf of Washingtonians everywhere, sorry we have tools like this.
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