Ferrari strong arm?

[SVT666]

Who Is So Afraid Of A Jalopnik Story About Ferrari They?d Try To Make Us Pull It Down?
Travis Okulski

Late last month, Robert Maduri was incredibly frustrated by the snooty shopping experience he had looking for his next Ferrari. In fact, he was so incensed that he took to the web to express his displeasure.

Maduri's story was republished here on Jalopnik with his permission. Just today, Maduri emailed us to say that the article has been totally retracted and requests it be removed. What gives? Is Ferrari doing to him what they did to Chris Harris after writing about their test cars?

Maduri's post, which was published here as How Ferrari Is Losing A Generation Of Buyers, details his shopping experience at Ferrari Toronto and how he was actually so put off that he went across the street to McLaren Toronto to take a look around.

But today, Maduri's post has been removed from his website, Double Clutch, and we received an email regarding it as well. This is what it said:

I am the author of the article "Losing A Generation". That article has been retracted. I ask that you kindly cease from re-publishing that article, or its content.

So why is this happening?

Ferrari is notorious for having a controlling hand with their cars, even after they leave the showroom. They even make cars that they don't let you keep in your own home.

Chris Harris noted that Ferrari won't even let journalists drive Ferraris that aren't given to them from the factory.

If I want to drive my mate's 458 tomorrow, I have to ask the factory. Will it allow me to drive the car? No: because it is of "unknown provenance," i.e. not tuned.

Our pieces on how Ferrari tweaks its press cars earned him a lifetime ban from Maranello. The only way he'd get to drive a Ferrari again is buying one, which is what he did. Ferrari also shut down communications with us and we've been invited on no Ferrari drives.

Because Maduri dared to speak the truth about what he saw as flaws in Ferrari's dealership practices, he might be facing a good amount of pressure from the Prancing Horse to take the article down so he won't be blacklisted by Maranello.

It could be a personal decision (we doubt it), it could be the dealership, it could be many things. Given how Ferrari's PR team uses its strong-arm techniques against journalists and customers, we can imagine them turning the heat up on someone who spoke out like this.

We've reached out to Ferrari and are yet to hear a comment.

[NomisR]

Maduri is a journalist so I can understand, but what about regular customers?  How would they "strong arm" customers? 

But yeah, the dealership experiences aren't that great..

[AutobahnSHO]

It's a power thing, some customers really want X car but they're only making a limited number, you have to be on their list to even get one.

I think I read for the Enzo you had to be a repeat customer to get one.

[NomisR]

It's a power thing, some customers really want X car but they're only making a limited number, you have to be on their list to even get one.

I think I read for the Enzo you had to be a repeat customer to get one.

Yeah, I think something like the Scuderia as well and for a while, entry level stuff like the 430.  So pretty much, to own a good Ferrari, you have to buy their crap first.

[Raza]

It's a power thing, some customers really want X car but they're only making a limited number, you have to be on their list to even get one.

I think I read for the Enzo you had to be a repeat customer to get one.

Not just a repeat customer, a former F40 or F50 owner.

[NomisR]

Not just a repeat customer, a former F40 or F50 owner.

What if you bought used?

[Raza]

What if you bought used?

Then they'd call you the Italian equivalent of a faggot, insult your shoes, and swear a vendetta against your family. 

[Madman]

Ferrari maintains a "Preferred Customer" list.  Enzo ownership was "By invitation only" to people from this list.

[MrH]

I've actually wondered that...

They supposedly have a two year waiting list.  What if I won the lottery, walked in, and said, I want a F12 and a new 458 Italia Scuderia when it comes out...

That's two cars sold instantly.  Would it bump me up the list?  Could I buy an F60 when it comes out then?  I'm intrigued by this super exclusive club. 

[SVT666]

I've actually wondered that...

They supposedly have a two year waiting list.  What if I won the lottery, walked in, and said, I want a F12 and a new 458 Italia Scuderia when it comes out...

No.

That's two cars sold instantly.  Would it bump me up the list?

No.

Could I buy an F60 when it comes out then?  I'm intrigued by this super exclusive club.  

F60 = Enzo

[hotrodalex]

Stuff like this is why Lamborghini exists.

[SVT666]

Stuff like this is why Lamborghini exists.

Stuff like that is why Pagani exists.  Lamborghini built the first supercar, so there are other reasons why they exist.  Personally, I won't buy a Ferrari even if I win the lottery.  I will buy a Ford GT instead. 

[Galaxy]

Stuff like this is why Lamborghini exists.

Literally. The Lamborghini sport cars are Ferruccio Lamborghini's middle finger toward Enzo Ferrari.

[Lebowski]

That's two cars sold instantly.  

That it's two cars I don't think matters to them if they are strong sellers. My understanding is they want to start you out on the less desirable stuff.

One of the senior partners here is on his third Ferrari, still waited ~2yrs for his 458. First was a 575 bot towards the end of that models life cycle, then a 599, then the 458. I think buying the 575 towards the end of its life helped him with the later allocations (and was probably required to get in at all).

[SVT666]

I've also read that they like to start people out in used Ferraris in order to qualify to buy a 458.

[NomisR]

Stuff like this is why Lamborghini exists.

Because Lamborghini didn't want to build tractors anymore? 

[NomisR]

That it's two cars I don't think matters to them if they are strong sellers. My understanding is they want to start you out on the less desirable stuff.

One of the senior partners here is on his third Ferrari, still waited ~2yrs for his 458. First was a 575 bot towards the end of that models life cycle, then a 599, then the 458. I think buying the 575 towards the end of its life helped him with the later allocations (and was probably required to get in at all).

So you literally have to start off buying undesirable Ferraris that depreciates really fast and gets made fun of until you can own something good..  nice..

[TurboDan]

But yeah, the dealership experiences aren't that great..

I felt the same way when I walked into a Land Rover dealership. The snob factor was ratcheted up to such a degree I felt physically uncomfortable, and in many respects I'm a snob, so that's telling you something. I walked out and ended up buying elsewhere. Their service department is also notoriously snobby (and somewhat unscrupulous in their pricing) by inflating hourly labor times required to do certain jobs. I was quoted $1400 for a trailer hitch and electrical wire to be installed.

Went literally down the street to an indie Land Rover garage where they do custom work (owner is a former tech at the dealership) and got the whole thing done, parts and labor, for maybe $250. 

A lot of people on the international LR forums are worrying that when the downmarket Defender comes out in 2014, a lot of potential buyers are going to be turned off by the dealership personnel.

[Lebowski]

So you literally have to start off buying undesirable Ferraris that depreciates really fast and gets made fun of until you can own something good..  nice..

That is my understanding. 575 is actually one of my all time fav ferraris, but still not sure I'd want buy new for something that close to the end of its life cycle. 

[TurboDan]

That is my understanding. 575 is actually one of my all time fav ferraris, but still not sure I'd want buy new for something that close to the end of its life cycle. 

True, but 99.99% of people who see you driving your car will just see some dude driving a Ferrari and think you're awesome regardless of the model.

[SVT666]

Even if I had that kind of cash laying around, I would refuse to buy into their little club.  I hate a company that allows you to buy a car by invitation only.

[TurboDan]

Even if I had that kind of cash laying around, I would refuse to buy into their little club.  I hate a company that allows you to buy a car by invitation only.

Yeah. I know Aston is hated on around here to some extent, but that would be my choice.

[MX793]

Because Lamborghini didn't want to build tractors anymore? 

Bad ownership experience with a Ferrari.  Clutch went out, and when he looked into it, realized Ferrari was using the same clutches he used in his tractors.  Asked Ferrari for a better replacement and they told him to piss off.

[Raza]

Bad ownership experience with a Ferrari.  Clutch went out, and when he looked into it, realized Ferrari was using the same clutches he used in his tractors.  Asked Ferrari for a better replacement and they told him to piss off.

I believe he suggested a fix to Enzo and Enzo insulted him, so he went and knocked it out the park. 

[Madman]

Enzo told him "If you think you can build a better car, you're welcome to try".  So he did.

[Lebowski]

Even if I had that kind of cash laying around, I would refuse to buy into their little club.  I hate a company that allows you to buy a car by invitation only.

I'm the same way. I'm not a big fan of businesses that take the attitude that I need to earn the right to give them my money.

[Madman]

I'm the same way. I'm not a big fan of businesses that take the attitude that I need to earn the right to give them my money.

Bristol operated pretty much the same way.  You could buy a car from the company IF the owner liked you!

[SVT666]

I'm the same way. I'm not a big fan of businesses that take the attitude that I need to earn the right to give them my money.

Especially when you're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars.  I will tell a company where to go if they ever tell me I must buy this used car first, then this new car next, and then this new car after that, and then if I'm selected I can give them half a million dollars to get a car I'm not even allowed to resell without their permission.  My response would be something like, "Really?  Well, you pretentious weenie, you can take your cars and shove them up your ass and I will take my $300,000 and go buy a McLaren."

[NomisR]

I felt the same way when I walked into a Land Rover dealership. The snob factor was ratcheted up to such a degree I felt physically uncomfortable, and in many respects I'm a snob, so that's telling you something. I walked out and ended up buying elsewhere. Their service department is also notoriously snobby (and somewhat unscrupulous in their pricing) by inflating hourly labor times required to do certain jobs. I was quoted $1400 for a trailer hitch and electrical wire to be installed.

Went literally down the street to an indie Land Rover garage where they do custom work (owner is a former tech at the dealership) and got the whole thing done, parts and labor, for maybe $250. 

A lot of people on the international LR forums are worrying that when the downmarket Defender comes out in 2014, a lot of potential buyers are going to be turned off by the dealership personnel.

I was surprised at how down to earth the Lotus dealers I went to were.  I heard the one in Beverly Hills was snobby but that applies to that area.  One of the test drives I did, the guy pretty much just tossed me the keys and said have fun!  I was able to drive with myself and my wife, no salesman.  That drive sold me on the car right away. 

[NomisR]

True, but 99.99% of people who see you driving your car will just see some dude driving a Ferrari and think you're awesome regardless of the model.

Unless they know anything about car and they would think, "What type of douche gets that thing?"  I'd rather get an Aston Martin over a 575 or 599..