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 That article has been retracted.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.
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..
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.
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on September 11, 2012, 04:33:58 PM
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.
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on September 11, 2012, 04:33:58 PM
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.
Quote from: Raza on September 12, 2012, 10:57:35 AM
Not just a repeat customer, a former F40 or F50 owner.
What if you bought used?
Quote from: NomisR on September 12, 2012, 11:08:43 AM
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.
Ferrari maintains a "Preferred Customer" list. Enzo ownership was "By invitation only" to people from this list.
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.
Quote from: MrH on September 12, 2012, 02:41:40 PM
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.
QuoteThat's two cars sold instantly. Would it bump me up the list?
No.
QuoteCould I buy an F60 when it comes out then? I'm intrigued by this super exclusive club.
F60 = Enzo
Stuff like this is why Lamborghini exists.
Quote from: hotrodalex on September 12, 2012, 02:49:04 PM
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.
Quote from: hotrodalex on September 12, 2012, 02:49:04 PM
Stuff like this is why Lamborghini exists.
Literally. The Lamborghini sport cars are Ferruccio Lamborghini's middle finger toward Enzo Ferrari.
Quote from: MrH on September 12, 2012, 02:41:40 PM
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).
I've also read that they like to start people out in used Ferraris in order to qualify to buy a 458.
Quote from: hotrodalex on September 12, 2012, 02:49:04 PM
Stuff like this is why Lamborghini exists.
Because Lamborghini didn't want to build tractors anymore?
Quote from: Lebowski on September 12, 2012, 02:59:13 PM
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..
Quote from: NomisR on September 11, 2012, 01:33:24 PM
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. :huh:
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.
Quote from: NomisR on September 12, 2012, 03:27:01 PM
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.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 12, 2012, 03:33:58 PM
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.
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.
Quote from: SVT666 on September 12, 2012, 11:27:43 PM
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.
Quote from: NomisR on September 12, 2012, 03:25:12 PM
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.
Quote from: MX793 on September 13, 2012, 04:20:11 AM
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.
Enzo told him "If you think you can build a better car, you're welcome to try". So he did.
Quote from: SVT666 on September 12, 2012, 11:27:43 PM
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.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 13, 2012, 09:02:28 AM
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!
Quote from: Lebowski on September 13, 2012, 09:02:28 AM
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."
Quote from: TurboDan on September 12, 2012, 03:31:17 PM
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. :huh:
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.
Quote from: TurboDan on September 12, 2012, 10:52:17 PM
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..
Quote from: Madman on September 13, 2012, 07:08:55 AM
Enzo told him "If you think you can build a better car, you're welcome to try". So he did.
Most of his cars back in the days weren't "better", just crazier looking[
quote author=SVT666 link=topic=28080.msg1778111#msg1778111 date=1347551270]
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."
[/quote]
Or take all the money you would've spent on all the used and new Ferraris before you can get to the special Ferrari that you want and get an used McLaren F1
:ohyeah:
Quote from: NomisR on September 13, 2012, 10:59:26 AM
Or take all the money you would've spent on all the used and new Ferraris before you can get to the special Ferrari that you want and get an used McLaren F1
:ohyeah:
The McLaren F1 is the equivalent of a god for me. I could never own one because I would never be able to bring myself to drive it for fear of crashing it. $2 Million for a car I would never drive? No thanks.
Quote from: SVT666 on September 13, 2012, 11:02:30 AM
The McLaren F1 is the equivalent of a god for me. I could never own one because I would never be able to bring myself to drive it for fear of crashing it. $2 Million for a car I would never drive? No thanks.
Even if you're a billionaire, you wouldn't drive it? For me, I think it'll be hairy at first but after I lose control a few times on the track.. i'll learn to enjoy it.
Quote from: NomisR on September 13, 2012, 10:59:26 AM
Most of his cars back in the days weren't "better", just crazier looking
The Miura did create the modern supercar.
Quote from: Raza on September 13, 2012, 11:22:54 AM
The Miura did create the modern supercar.
NSX = true modern supercar.. car that can perform and not break down every 100 miles.
Quote from: NomisR on September 13, 2012, 10:54:42 AM
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..
You're crazy.
Quote from: NomisR on September 13, 2012, 11:25:31 AM
NSX = true modern supercar.. car that can perform and not break down every 100 miles.
The Miura was the first significant car of the modern supercar formula (2-seat, mid-engine, RWD).
Quote from: MX793 on September 13, 2012, 02:38:17 PM
The Miura was the first significant car of the modern supercar formula (2-seat, mid-engine, RWD).
What about the Ford GT40? While it was an extremely limited production road vehicle, it was way more super than the Miura
Quote from: NomisR on September 13, 2012, 03:15:19 PM
What about the Ford GT40? While it was an extremely limited production road vehicle, it was way more super than the Miura
They only built 7 road-going versions of the the GT40 (designated MkIII), and they came out in '67 whereas the Miura went on sale in '66.
The Miura wasn't the first mid-engine car (they'd been using them in racing for years before), nor was it the first mid-engine road car (although it was probably one of the first 3), but it was the first significant road-going sports car to use that formula.
Quote from: NomisR on September 13, 2012, 11:25:31 AM
NSX = true modern supercar.. car that can perform and not break down every 100 miles.
That's actually a great point. Ferraris are maintenance/reliability nightmares. I know, I know: "if you can afford a Ferrari, you should be able to afford the maintenance." Alright, but I'd like to be able to ENJOY my purchase. Owning a car shouldn't be a chore. It seems like for Ferrari owners, it is.
Even Aston Martin seems a lot better in this regard. I see several of them around my areas being used as daily drivers. They can't be too bad.
Quote from: MrH on September 12, 2012, 02:41:40 PM
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.
The cars are gonna get sold no matter what. Telling people they can't have them only further pumps up demand. Eventually they have to buckle though (see: Eric Clapton's monstrosity)
I don?t really see much of a problem with Ferrari selectively selling its products. Don?t get me wrong, it sucks for that 30 yr old who just got a baller bonus and wants to go buy a 458 or an F12 but has to make due with like a 599 or California or some shit for a few years, but at the end of the day its Ferrari?s product and it doesn?t have to sell it to you if it doesn?t want it. It really does speak to the cars that people are willing to go through all of that bullshit to get them though.
Personally, I?d just go and buy an LFA and be done with it.
Quote from: TurboDan on September 13, 2012, 10:45:34 PM
That's actually a great point. Ferraris are maintenance/reliability nightmares. I know, I know: "if you can afford a Ferrari, you should be able to afford the maintenance." Alright, but I'd like to be able to ENJOY my purchase. Owning a car shouldn't be a chore. It seems like for Ferrari owners, it is.
Even Aston Martin seems a lot better in this regard. I see several of them around my areas being used as daily drivers. They can't be too bad.
There's a portfolio manager at work who used to drive his Quattroporte to work everyday for years, in both offices (he worked in Jersey, but often came to Delaware). And it was an early one, with the clunky F1 transmission, not the newer, smoother ZF automatics.
He recently got rid of it, though. Now he drives a Continental GT. Went from one of the best looking cars to one of the worst. :cry:
Quote from: Xer0 on September 14, 2012, 01:38:42 AM
I don?t really see much of a problem with Ferrari selectively selling its products. Don?t get me wrong, it sucks for that 30 yr old who just got a baller bonus and wants to go buy a 458 or an F12 but has to make due with like a 599 or California or some shit for a few years, but at the end of the day its Ferrari?s product and it doesn?t have to sell it to you if it doesn?t want it. It really does speak to the cars that people are willing to go through all of that bullshit to get them though.
Personally, I?d just go and buy an LFA and be done with it.
I understand they can do what they want, I just think people are sheep for playing along. But, many customers get off on the "exclusive" bullshit.
If I was in the market for a 458, no fucking way would I hand over my hard earned cash for a California for the possible chance of qualifying for a more desireable model down the road. That's just me, though.
Quote from: Raza on September 14, 2012, 04:35:32 AM
There's a portfolio manager at work who used to drive his Quattroporte to work everyday for years, in both offices (he worked in Jersey, but often came to Delaware). And it was an early one, with the clunky F1 transmission, not the newer, smoother ZF automatics.
He recently got rid of it, though. Now he drives a Continental GT. Went from one of the best looking cars to one of the worst. :cry:
:facepalm:
But then again, maybe he's not doing as well...
Quote from: Lebowski on September 14, 2012, 10:55:57 AM
I understand they can do what they want, I just think people are sheep for playing along. But, many customers get off on the "exclusive" bullshit.
If I was in the market for a 458, no fucking way would I hand over my hard earned cash for a California for the possible chance of qualifying for a more desireable model down the road. That's just me, though.
True. We're all speculating though. I've heard the two year wait list, and I've heard the "must own an F40 or F50" to get an Enzo, but I haven't heard that you need to own their "shitty" california before a 458.
Who knows how the process really works now. It'd be interesting if inside line or something did a report on it. For all we know, the Enzo purchasing deal was blown out of proportion, and Ferraris aren't nearly as difficult to purchase as we're making them out to be.
Quote from: MrH on September 14, 2012, 11:06:27 AM
True. We're all speculating though. I've heard the two year wait list, and I've heard the "must own an F40 or F50" to get an Enzo, but I haven't heard that you need to own their "shitty" california before a 458.
Who knows how the process really works now. It'd be interesting if inside line or something did a report on it. For all we know, the Enzo purchasing deal was blown out of proportion, and Ferraris aren't nearly as difficult to purchase as we're making them out to be.
I don't know the details of the process but I can pretty much guarantee you aren't getting something on the scale of an Enzo (new) just for putting your name on a wait list for 2 yrs.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 14, 2012, 11:13:54 AM
I don't know the details of the process but I can pretty much guarantee you aren't getting something on the scale of an Enzo (new) just for putting your name on a wait list for 2 yrs.
No. It was widely reported that Ferrari personally invited the owners to buy a car and that the entire run was sold out before it was even revealed to the public.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 14, 2012, 11:13:54 AM
I don't know the details of the process but I can pretty much guarantee you aren't getting something on the scale of an Enzo (new) just for putting your name on a wait list for 2 yrs.
Yeah, but a 458 is totally different than an Enzo. I'd imagine they're much easier to purchase. I did some google searching, looks like some people back out on their preorders. You can jump in on some of them. Money talks ultimately, so if you won the lottery, I'm sure you could rake in some ferraris pretty quick if you wanted.
Quote from: NomisR on September 14, 2012, 11:02:54 AM
:facepalm:
But then again, maybe he's not doing as well...
Aren't Conti GTs more expensive than Fourdoors?
Quote from: Raza on September 14, 2012, 12:07:59 PM
Aren't Conti GTs more expensive than Fourdoors?
Oh wait.. you're right.. for some reason, i was thinking of a different Continental... :lol: But yeah, they're ugly.. too rapperish for my taste. 4doors is more classy looking even if it is old.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 14, 2012, 10:55:57 AM
I understand they can do what they want, I just think people are sheep for playing along. But, many customers get off on the "exclusive" bullshit.
If I was in the market for a 458, no fucking way would I hand over my hard earned cash for a California for the possible chance of qualifying for a more desireable model down the road. That's just me, though.
True, but you're also probably more interested in the car than the name anyway and would probably be just as happy (happier depending on how much a manual is worth) in a GT3.
Quote from: Xer0 on September 14, 2012, 01:00:57 PM
True, but you're also probably more interested in the car than the name anyway and would probably be just as happy (happier depending on how much a manual is worth) in a GT3.
GT3's kinda meh...
No way I'd buy a California over a V8 Vantage roadster, even if they put the manual in the California like they said they were going to.
Quote from: Raza on September 14, 2012, 02:25:28 PM
No way I'd buy a California over a V8 Vantage roadster, even if they put the manual in the California like they said they were going to.
:hesaid:
Quote from: Raza on September 14, 2012, 04:35:32 AM
There's a portfolio manager at work who used to drive his Quattroporte to work everyday for years, in both offices (he worked in Jersey, but often came to Delaware). And it was an early one, with the clunky F1 transmission, not the newer, smoother ZF automatics.
He recently got rid of it, though. Now he drives a Continental GT. Went from one of the best looking cars to one of the worst. :cry:
I've heard the Maseratis are a little better than the Ferrari models, especially the more advanced ones.
On another note, call me crazy, but I absolutely love the look of the California.
Quote from: TurboDan on September 15, 2012, 02:21:31 PM
On another note, call me crazy, but I absolutely love the look of the California.
Okay, you're crazy! :lol:
I like it too Dan.
You can always buy the cheaper ones used too
Quote from: TurboDan on September 15, 2012, 02:21:31 PM
I've heard the Maseratis are a little better than the Ferrari models, especially the more advanced ones.
On another note, call me crazy, but I absolutely love the look of the California.
:nutty:
Quote from: NomisR on September 14, 2012, 01:43:21 PM
GT3's kinda meh...
I think their pretty cool in that ultimate boy racer sort of way. Thankfully, they have plenty of go for all of that show. Also, I recall Lebowski really likes the 911.
You guys missed the best part about this.
So, here's the original link, right? http://jalopnik.com/5938170/how-ferrari-is-losing-a-generation-of-buyers
This Maduri guy published this on his blog, http://doubleclutch.ca/.
http://doubleclutch.ca/about-us/
Check out who the "Chief Automotive Journalist" is...
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I don't recognize Mr. Desai....
Our old friend Treppy (http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=153)!! :lol: :lol:
Quote from: 93JC on September 21, 2012, 07:36:20 PM
Our old friend Treppy (http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=153)!! :lol: :lol:
Huh. !?!?!!!!!!
'Huh' what? It's TheIntrepid! Pretty much the only person who ever got banned from here because people found him so incredibly annoying they couldn't stand to have him around anymore.
meant more like a
"hmm.... :orly: you don't say! "
Wait Trep said that he started doubleclutch. :rage:
I was deceived again.
Also Elan Shi was eThirteen here.
Good catch, 93JC. This activated my bullshit alarms. From the Ferrari article in question...
http://jalopnik.com/5938170/how-ferrari-is-losing-a-generation-of-buyers
"I consider myself to be a moderately successful guy. I purchased my first Ferrari for my 27th birthday. Many would consider that a pretty young age to achieve that status."
Pics or shens Maduri! Make sure to photoshoop out the floor mats!
I remember reading the Jalopnik article but now I've noticed it contains this interesting statement at the end.....
"UPDATE: This story has since been retracted by Maduri ."
Also, I see no evidence of this article on that Double Clutch site.
So what, exactly, is going on here? Was this whole story about a guy being snubbed by his local Ferrari dealer pure fiction?
BTW, I vaguely remember Trep. Wasn't he the one always blathering about how his Intrepid was the greatest car ever?
Quote from: Madman on September 21, 2012, 09:46:15 PM
BTW, I vaguely remember Trep. Wasn't he the one always blathering about how his Intrepid was the greatest car ever?
After he got busted claiming some really cool car ownership. And 'reformed'.
Yeah, he was prone to a particular pattern of prevarication regarding preposterous purchases. This story fits the M.O. perfectly.
Quote from: Laconian on September 21, 2012, 07:57:25 PM
Good catch, 93JC. This activated my bullshit alarms. From the Ferrari article in question...
http://jalopnik.com/5938170/how-ferrari-is-losing-a-generation-of-buyers
"I consider myself to be a moderately successful guy. I purchased my first Ferrari for my 27th birthday. Many would consider that a pretty young age to achieve that status."
Pics or shens Maduri! Make sure to photoshoop out the floor mats!
Funny, its been retracted.
The creep probably still stalks this forum.
How Ferrari Is Losing A Generation Of Buyers
Robert Maduri, Double Clutch
(Robert Maduri is looking for a new car to add to his stable, but the stodgy and stuffy Ferrari buying experience is making him look at a newcomer to the scene. ? T.O.)
Time. Many people view it as an enemy, ready to snatch every person, thing and object at some point or another. Others view time as a companion, making sure we cherish each moment.
I view time as a constant, something you can use to learn from and adapt. History has a tendency to repeat itself. The foolish are the ones who feel the rules no longer apply to them.
One lesson learned, most successful businesses eventually fail. The most unstoppable juggernauts come to a halt. Empires fall. It's a natural progression in life.
Arrogance can be one of your biggest faults in this battle. And trust me, business can be an intense battle.
I consider myself to be a moderately successful guy. I purchased my first Ferrari for my 27th birthday. Many would consider that a pretty young age to achieve that status.
That Ferrari 360 was something I had my mind set on. It was a moment of achievement and accomplishment. I knew what car I wanted, what options, colour and model. I knew all that before stepping foot into the dealership. I ended up purchasing it private but that was attributed to the inability to fill the order in the time I wanted it.
But it's been a few years and it's time for something new. This time, I don't have a clear picture in my mind of what I want. It's more of a Picasso painting. It has bits and pieces spread throughout and only at certain angles it looks to be complete.
The draw of an Aston is always ever so present. The craziness of a Lamborghini cannot be ignored. Maserati presents relative value for the dollar.
So in a moment like this, it's time to hit up the dealerships and see what the cars are like in person. And that's when the generation gap has never been so evident to me.
I just celebrated my 31st birthday. I've had a solid four years of Ferrari ownership under my belt. It's been a fantastic period and not for a single second am I considering the sale of my prized 360. This is more of an additional purchase.
I spent a day going around dealerships exploring my options. I'm a free agent, a single man, seeing what the landscape is like.
At Ferrari of Ontario I've come to accept the fact that I'll be ignored. I've always wondered why that is. Alex in Parts is a fantastic person to deal with, but I can't say that about anyone else because I'm like a ghost in that dealership. I never imagined it being so hard to give my money to a company.
I showed up in a brand new 2012 Range Rover Sport Supercharged, picking up parts for my Ferrari from the part department and wearing a limited edition Audemars Piguet Chronopassion watch. Still not good enough. Four years, same old story again and again.
Across the street from Ferrari of Ontario is McLaren Toronto. In many ways, the enemy to Ferrari, the main rival in all things namely F1, but most recently street legal cars like days gone by.
It took a little persuading by a friend but I agreed to stop by. Why not?
I'm glad I did. Once I entered the dealership I felt like I was home. The design of the showroom floor felt like it was tailored to my generation. I didn't feel like I was stepping on people's toes, or hanging out with my father's friends.
It was ?Me' time. The second I walked through the door a salesman greeted me, showed me around and asked what he could do to make my day a better one.
Isn't this the way it's supposed to be?
We got onto topics that I'm used to chatting with my friends about. Sleeping in, going out for drinks, F1 talk, and discussing other car brands and their models.
Finally a place that doesn't pretend they're the only company that matters in the automotive world.
Real talk.
I notice a MP4-12C on the showroom floor. Optioned almost identical to what I would build. I asked how much it was and before I could answer the doors were open on the car and I'm told to get a closer look. No concept of ?don't touch.'
They handed me one of the nicest brochures I've ever seen, detailing the build process, the technology behind the car, paint samples, and every piece of information you could possibly need. I've never been offered even the most basic brochure at Ferrari for any model.
It was getting late so we scheduled a follow up for next week. I didn't really consider McLaren that morning but it's funny what customer service could do. Make me feel like a million bucks and I might spend a million bucks.
It's a crazy concept but it works. And I'm left with this undeniable feeling that I'm not alone in this thought process.
Sure, I'm a successful guy that loves wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the summer. I love my cars. I love having fun.
Gone are the days of needing to wear a suit to portray a certain image. I simply don't dress like my father. And if Ferrari of Ontario doesn't change their outlook on their customer relations I find myself thinking they just might lose an entire generation to the more hungry competition.
The dinosaurs went extinct afterall, how crazy is it to think a dealership might eventually meet the same fate?
UPDATE: This story has since been retracted by Maduri .
This story originally appeared on Double Clutch on August 1, 2012, and was republished with permission.
People with money like this (self made as he claims) don't have time to live the lifestyle he describes.
Pathetic. This guy actually gives me the creeps.
This site is a fake.
His reviews arent even real, they read as composite reviews from other places. The Ford Fiesta review is a joke....clearly he took a photo of a green Fiesta at a gas station.
All of the reviews are from him....
lololol
http://doubleclutch.ca/590/kizashi-gesundheit/
Read the 'other drivers'
"2nd gear in the CVT bogs the acceleration"
Oh Trep. I thought people grew out of lying on the internet.
Adi@DoubleClutch.ca ? a month ago ? parent −
I completely agree, and it isn't because of the cars. Frankly, a 458 appeals to me more than a Gallardo, but the dealer experience at Ferrari turns me off to it. I guess importing one from the US is the only way to do it now...
Lawsuit. Ferrari is suing. That's why the story was retracted.
LOLsuit!
Wow. Maybe/hopefully Trep's bullshit finally got him in trouble, eh?
I tried to post a reply on jalopnik linking that Kizashi 'review' (the CVT bogging in 2nd gear) but it kept looping on the login back to the comment page back to login..
Quote from: 2o6 on September 21, 2012, 10:55:55 PM
lololol
http://doubleclutch.ca/590/kizashi-gesundheit/
Read the 'other drivers'
"2nd gear in the CVT bogs the acceleration"
Does the Kizashi's CVT have a sport mode that simulates fixed gears? That may have been what he was talking about.
Maybe we should invite him back!
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on September 21, 2012, 09:49:28 PM
After he got busted claiming some really cool car ownership. And 'reformed'.
Was it a toureg that he claimed to own? Was there anything else?
Maduri guy sounds like a douche.
Quote from: 2o6 on September 22, 2012, 08:06:05 AM
Maybe we should invite him back!
I think not.
What intrigues me is just how they manage to source quite so many cars to "review", especially when the prime reviewer is still a student. When Iffy was doing his reviews, it was in his capacity as a journalist for a well known newspaper, not an enthusiast's website. All the stuff that gets reviewed on Themotor.net comes either from (paid for) rentals, or loaners when the writer's car is in for a service, which is why we get such a random collection of stuff.
Couldn't resist commenting on this one; especially since I'm involved.
Quote from: 93JC on September 21, 2012, 07:44:14 PM
'Huh' what? It's TheIntrepid! Pretty much the only person who ever got banned from here because people found him so incredibly annoying they couldn't stand to have him around anymore.
Yes, it's the very same Adi. He's doing well; studying law now. We became close friends a few years ago (when we both were still regular posters here).
Quote from: Laconian on September 21, 2012, 10:02:53 PM
Yeah, he was prone to a particular pattern of prevarication regarding preposterous purchases. This story fits the M.O. perfectly.
Quote from: thecarnut on September 21, 2012, 07:46:31 PM
Wait Trep said that he started doubleclutch. :rage:
I was deceived again.
Also Elan Shi was eThirteen here.
Robert (Bob) started DoubleClutch as a lifestyle/auto-tainment site a few years ago in '09. He and Adi got together and were approached by some members of the press to start reviewing vehicles. Adi pursued this and they are getting tons of vehicles to review. For all intents and purposes, Adi and Bob co-founded DoubleClutch for what it is today. I'm the head photographer and manage covering local events (tons of content is being held back to put up in the winter) and a team of a couple photographers. There are other people involved who aren't listed on the site as well.
Quote from: 2o6 on September 21, 2012, 10:55:55 PM
lololol
http://doubleclutch.ca/590/kizashi-gesundheit/
Read the 'other drivers'
"2nd gear in the CVT bogs the acceleration"
Dude, he's talking about the simulation gears in the fake CVT manumatic mode. I guess it might not be that clearly worded.
Quote from: 2o6 on September 21, 2012, 10:27:50 PM
People with money like this (self made as he claims) don't have time to live the lifestyle he describes.
Think again. I know Bob personally.
Quote from: 2o6 on September 21, 2012, 10:47:25 PM
This site is a fake.
His reviews arent even real, they read as composite reviews from other places. The Ford Fiesta review is a joke....clearly he took a photo of a green Fiesta at a gas station.
All of the reviews are from him....
"Quick Shots" are a section we made for rental cars that any team members have for a day; even if we're on personal trips. No time for actual reviews, just a quick picture. Hence the Fiesta being gassed up before being returned. The reviews there aren't fake. Press fleets in Canada typically rotate cars on Mondays for 7 days, and Adi doesn't have class Mondays.
Quote from: Colin on September 22, 2012, 08:55:33 AM
I think not.
What intrigues me is just how they manage to source quite so many cars to "review", especially when the prime reviewer is still a student. When Iffy was doing his reviews, it was in his capacity as a journalist for a well known newspaper, not an enthusiast's website. All the stuff that gets reviewed on Themotor.net comes either from (paid for) rentals, or loaners when the writer's car is in for a service, which is why we get such a random collection of stuff.
Canadian press fleets work quite differently. If you rent cars here, unless you go super premium (Affinity Car Rental, Exotics, etc.), all you'll get are Sonatas, Fusions, Impalas, Malibus, Focus, etc. Before the guys started getting cars from manufacturers, they did a couple full-length reviews of rentals as well. I don't think these are on the site anymore, for what its' worth.
It's funny how even though it's been a few years since Adi was banned, you guys still feel the same way. He and I spoke about this, and he definitely still has tons of CarSPIN members on his Facebook (Raghavan, Ro510, Clay, Hemi666, Wimmer, Dazzleman, i'm sure there are more). It's not my say whether he gets welcomed back here or not, but come the hell on. It's been nearly five years. According to his profile he was 18 when he got banned from here. He's 23 now. He hasn't even had that Intrepid in a couple years. Everyone grows up... let's not mock someone just cause they did some stupid stuff in the past huh? Especially when the facts aren't in order.
I KNEW THIS GUY STALKED THE FORUM STILL.
No one wants to hear this noise.
Quote from: eThirteen on September 22, 2012, 09:11:33 AM
Couldn't resist commenting on this one; especially since I'm involved.
Yes, it's the very same Adi. He's doing well; studying law now. We became close friends a few years ago (when we both were still regular posters here).
Robert (Bob) started DoubleClutch as a lifestyle/auto-tainment site a few years ago in '09. He and Adi got together and were approached by some members of the press to start reviewing vehicles. Adi pursued this and they are getting tons of vehicles to review. For all intents and purposes, Adi and Bob co-founded DoubleClutch for what it is today. I'm the head photographer and manage covering local events (tons of content is being held back to put up in the winter) and a team of a couple photographers. There are other people involved who aren't listed on the site as well.
Members of the press? You do realize that reviewed vehicles come FROM THE MANUFACTURER and are by a manufacturer by manufacturer basis? For example; Jalopnik IIRC has a rocky relationship with Lotus, so they don't get to test Lotuses. When ifcar finally got reviews from other manufacturers; he didn't get them all at once. IIRC, for awhile there he only had Hyundai and Kia's as long term testers. Then Suzuki, then a few others. IIRC, he STILL doesn't have the backing of some manufacturers.
Dude, he's talking about the simulation gears in the fake CVT manumatic mode. I guess it might not be that clearly worded.
Think again. I know Bob personally.
"Quick Shots" are a section we made for rental cars that any team members have for a day; even if we're on personal trips. No time for actual reviews, just a quick picture. Hence the Fiesta being gassed up before being returned. The reviews there aren't fake. Press fleets in Canada typically rotate cars on Mondays for 7 days, and Adi doesn't have class Mondays.
So you review one a day, upwards of 50 cars? Where's the manpower? How do you form a valid opinion? Especially since it's only ONE PERSON doing the reviews.
Canadian press fleets work quite differently. If you rent cars here, unless you go super premium (Affinity Car Rental, Exotics, etc.), all you'll get are Sonatas, Fusions, Impalas, Malibus, Focus, etc. Before the guys started getting cars from manufacturers, they did a couple full-length reviews of rentals as well. I don't think these are on the site anymore, for what its' worth.
That first sentence was a horrible deflection. Explain how this works, because it sounds hella fishy right now.
thirteen just pmed me, trep hacked his account
Oh Trep. :facepalm:
Guys, don't you think it's time to drop this Trep-bashing?
He's hardly the only person to lie on this site. Others have lied about their whole identity.
I don't see why people here are still going after him.
Quote from: 2o6 on September 22, 2012, 10:06:31 AM
thirteen just pmed me, trep hacked his account
No he didn't, check your PM
Quote from: dazzleman on September 22, 2012, 10:29:27 AM
Guys, don't you think it's time to drop this Trep-bashing?
He's hardly the only person to lie on this site. Others have lied about their whole identity.
I don't see why people here are still going after him.
+1
It's no longer just making him look bad, it's making everyone look bad.
Quote from: dazzlem
an link=topic=28080.msg1782700#msg1782700 date=1348331367
Guys, don't you think it's time to drop this Trep-bashing?
He's hardly the only person to lie on this site. Others have lied about their whole identity.
I don't see why people here are still going after him.
Because he's still lying.....and not only to us. Baseless bashing of a Ferrari dealer like that is libel
Yeah, the way some of you still cling to such a minor transgression as lying on an internet forum is like middle-school melodrama. Not saying he doesn't deserve to have his chops busted on for getting caught in a lie, but some of you act like he con'ed you out of your life's savings or something.
Hahahaha! Nice try, Trep.
The chances of anyone here ever believing a thing you say without really really solid verifiable proof are about the same as the great Northwest earthquake: about once in every 500 years.
It's just too bad I have to leave and miss all this hilarity.
Quote from: MX793 on September 22, 2012, 10:38:40 AM
Yeah, the way some of you still cling to such a minor transgression as lying on an internet forum is like middle-school melodrama. Not saying he doesn't deserve to have his chops busted on for getting caught in a lie, but some of you act like he con'ed you out of your life's savings or something.
Read the PC's I'm getting from trep, eThirteen whoever he is.
Post 'em!
The Ferrari story wasn't even written by Adi, it was written by Bob.
Everything posted earlier was the truth, this is actually a legit operation. I don't want to be on here defending our website if I don't have to, its a waste of time. Let's just move on from the bashing, it's not even funny anymore lol.
You can leave whenever you want, Trep.
This is pathetic and we shouldn't waste any energy on it
Quote from: MX793 on September 22, 2012, 10:38:40 AM
Yeah, the way some of you still cling to such a minor transgression as lying on an internet forum is like middle-school melodrama. Not saying he doesn't deserve to have his chops busted on for getting caught in a lie, but some of you act like he con'ed you out of your life's savings or something.
Middle school melodrama describes it perfectly. He's done no harm to any of us. It's really bitchy to attack people whose ability to defend themselves has been silenced.
It hasn't been silenced....and the whole website is pretty much fake. He's conning other blogs and feeding them fake stories.
Wow, 2o6, why are you bringing your high school drama bullshit into this thread? It's like the guy killed your whole family or something.
The only thing I had a problem with was when I met him, he said that he started doubleclutch.ca, but in the 'About Us' page, it says "Adi has been with us since late 2010 and is currently our Chief Journalist." It makes it sound like he joined later and didn't start it, but whatever, that's a small detail.
If you're friends with him on FB you'd see he at least takes tons of pics of the cars, and there are tons of pics of interiors of cars, keys, etc. He's been tagged in pics with some high-end cars as well, so it's not like he's just finding a random car on the street and taking pics of it. And for you to think he just walked up to take a pic of a lowly Fiesta at a gas station is pretty ridiculous.
Yes, I'm aware he's not well-liked here but as others have said, he's not the only member to have lied on this board. Having such a vengeance against him 4 years after he's been banned is pretty ridiculous. If you think his website is fake or that he hacked eThirteen's account, post up proof. Right now you're just spewing shit out of your ass, too.
And no, Trep didn't "hack" my account either. :facepalm:
Quote from: thecarnut on September 22, 2012, 11:46:05 AM
Wow, 2o6, why are you bringing your high school drama bullshit into this thread? It's like the guy killed your whole family or something.
The only thing I had a problem with was when I met him, he said that he started doubleclutch.ca, but in the 'About Us' page, it says "Adi has been with us since late 2010 and is currently our Chief Journalist." It makes it sound like he joined later and didn't start it, but whatever, that's a small detail.
If you're friends with him on FB you'd see he at least takes tons of pics of the cars, and there are tons of pics of interiors of cars, keys, etc. He's been tagged in pics with some high-end cars as well, so it's not like he's just finding a random car on the street and taking pics of it. And for you to think he just walked up to take a pic of a lowly Fiesta at a gas station is pretty ridiculous.
Yes, I'm aware he's not well-liked here but as others have said, he's not the only member to have lied on this board. Having such a vengeance against him 4 years after he's been banned is pretty ridiculous. If you think his website is fake or that he hacked eThirteen's account, post up proof. Right now you're just spewing shit out of your ass, too.
And no, Trep didn't "hack" my account either. :facepalm:
+1
I'm friends with Trep on Facebook. I like him. And he has pictures of himself with various cars all the time. This whole thing is pure stupidity. I don't even know what he's supposedly done, and don't care. He's always been nice to me.
Dude I don't care either. But he jewels pming me with this bull playing both sides against the middle.
Leave me alone.....
Quote from: thecarnut on September 22, 2012, 11:46:05 AM
Wow, 2o6, why are you bringing your high school drama bullshit into this thread? It's like the guy killed your whole family or something.
The only thing I had a problem with was when I met him, he said that he started doubleclutch.ca, but in the 'About Us' page, it says "Adi has been with us since late 2010 and is currently our Chief Journalist." It makes it sound like he joined later and didn't start it, but whatever, that's a small detail.
If you're friends with him on FB you'd see he at least takes tons of pics of the cars, and there are tons of pics of interiors of cars, keys, etc. He's been tagged in pics with some high-end cars as well, so it's not like he's just finding a random car on the street and taking pics of it. And for you to think he just walked up to take a pic of a lowly Fiesta at a gas station is pretty ridiculous.
Yes, I'm aware he's not well-liked here but as others have said, he's not the only member to have lied on this board. Having such a vengeance against him 4 years after he's been banned is pretty ridiculous. If you think his website is fake or that he hacked eThirteen's account, post up proof. Right now you're just spewing shit out of your ass, too.
And no, Trep didn't "hack" my account either. :facepalm:
That.
I wouldn't put anything past Trep. He's a pathological liar. He's probably got a whole host of alter egos, including this Maduri guy.
Who else has lied here, other than iffy?
well, this thread has gone to shit
Quote from: Lebowski on September 22, 2012, 12:08:08 PM
Who else has lied here, other than iffy?
Didn't 2o6 lie about something? Or something? Or am I crazy.
It has.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 22, 2012, 12:08:08 PM
Who else has lied here, other than iffy?
hr alex, dr 911, raza, thatsharkguy...
I got a PM from thirteen saying everything in thirteen post is wrong, then I got another saying that late right.
This is why Trep got banned.
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on September 22, 2012, 12:14:20 PM
hr alex, dr 911, raza, thatsharkguy...
Lol what did Raza lie about?
I don't remember any of these incident. Man I'm in the dark.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 22, 2012, 12:19:23 PM
Lol what did Raza lie about?
I don't remember any of these incident. Man I'm in the dark.
You could be raza for all I know. Apparently, the moderators let him maintain an alter ego.
Quote from: 2o6 on September 22, 2012, 11:59:43 AM
Dude I don't care either. But he jewels pming me with this bull playing both sides against the middle.
Leave me alone.....
Leave you alone? You're the one who's constantly stirring this shit up. Let it die.
Quote from: 2o6 on September 22, 2012, 12:16:11 PM
I got a PM from thirteen saying everything in thirteen post is wrong, then I got another saying that late right.
This is why Trep got banned.
What? This doesn't even make sense. The guy's been banned for 4 years and is not like he's been trying to come back, either. Legit or not, whatever he does doesn't affect us here at the SPIN. This thread wasn't started by him and the fact that he's related to Maduri at all is just coincidence. Plus, even if he is using eThirteen's account, I wouldn't blame him for wanting to set things right after all the shit that's been said about him in this thread alone. He's banned and can't even defend himself, yet you insist on still saying shit about him.
Just drop it. It's old news, and I don't think anyone else wants this drama on the SPIN.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 22, 2012, 12:19:23 PM
Lol what did Raza lie about?
I don't remember any of these incident. Man I'm in the dark.
I don't think Raza lied about anything. He's just always been very protective of his identity. I know hotrodalex, CALL_911 and I did lie (I lied about being 2 years older than I was; nothing else) and sandertheshark I was always apprehensive about but I don't know if he outright lied about anything.
I don't agree, but i do agree that its counterproductive to expend any energy on this further.
Post a screenshot of the PMs, if it's such valid proof.
Quote from: hotrodalex on September 22, 2012, 12:43:48 PM
Post a screenshot of the PMs, if it's such valid proof.
I've already sent then to the moderators ...
LIES!!! ALL LIES!!!!!
Quote from: J86 on September 22, 2012, 12:53:57 PM
LIES!!! ALL LIES!!!!!
You probably never even went to law school
Quote from: 2o6 on September 22, 2012, 12:57:26 PM
You probably never even went to law school
You're probably not even black.
Quote from: thecarnut on September 22, 2012, 12:58:34 PM
You're probably not even black.
That head unit? You paid for that install.
Quote from: 2o6 on September 22, 2012, 12:57:26 PM
You probably never even went to law school
Gawd if only that were true! :lol:
Quote from: 2o6 on September 22, 2012, 12:59:57 PM
That head unit? You paid for that install.
What head unit? :devil:
Quote from: thecarnut on September 22, 2012, 12:25:26 PM
I don't think Raza lied about anything. He's just always been very protective of his identity. I know hotrodalex, CALL_911 and I did lie (I lied about being 2 years older than I was; nothing else) and sandertheshark I was always apprehensive about but I don't know if he outright lied about anything.
Yeah, sandertheshark was just brimming with bs.
Quote from: mzziaz on September 22, 2012, 01:46:47 PM
Yeah, sandertheshark was just brimming with bs.
You probably live in Minnesota.
Quote from: SVT666 on September 22, 2012, 01:33:46 AM
Lawsuit. Ferrari is suing. That's why the story was retracted.
Wow. Yeah, that could certainly be considered defamatory if false (not sure what Canada's libel laws are like).
Quote from: hotrodalex on September 22, 2012, 01:11:38 PM
What Miata? :devil:
You caught me. I actually installed the headunit on my bicycle. :cry:
:lol:
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on September 22, 2012, 12:22:36 PM
You could be raza for all I know. Apparently, the moderators let him maintain an alter ego.
What? He has two accounts?
Lebowski actually lives under an overpass, and gets his financial knowledge from Wall Street Journals stuffed in his pants for warmth.
Quote from: Rockraven on September 22, 2012, 02:15:45 PM
Lebowski actually lives under an overpass, and gets his financial knowledge from Wall Street Journals stuffed in his pants for warmth.
Nah, he's madman's evil alter ego.
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on September 22, 2012, 12:06:20 PM
He's a pathological liar. .
[my only toe into this mess]
It's EXTREMELY VERY UBER HARD to completely change one's personality. I've known people who 'bend' the truth, or others who make drama all the time- some since they were very young, for upwards of 30 years. And they will always continue to do so.
Many of them learn to 'tone it down a bit' when they get older, but they still have the same personality and sense of morals (or lack thereof) and behavior patterns.
But I don't care either way- but this makes for great :popcorn: :cheers: :popcorn: :cheers: :popcorn: :cheers: :popcorn:
Fortunately, everything I've said on here is too boring to lie about. :zzz:
Quote from: 2o6 on September 21, 2012, 10:19:45 PM
Funny, its been retracted.
The creep probably still stalks this forum.
Once in a blue moon I'll get an e-mail from him begging to come back. He created a couple of phony accounts at one point, I believe. Haven't heard from him in a long time now, though.
Quote from: dazzleman on September 22, 2012, 10:29:27 AM
Guys, don't you think it's time to drop this Trep-bashing?
He's hardly the only person to lie on this site. Others have lied about their whole identity.
I don't see why people here are still going after him.
I think he was hated more for his annoying nature than his lies. He was a troublemaker and drove me nuts. Maybe he's grown up, maybe he hasn't. But in my view trouble seems to follow him around the Internet. My preference as far his presence here would be to maintain the status quo.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 22, 2012, 12:08:08 PM
Who else has lied here, other than iffy?
Benzie once spun a good yarn about his gay friend who wasn't actually gay. :lol:
Quote from: Lebowski on September 22, 2012, 02:07:44 PM
What? He has two accounts?
No he doesn't. I just looked and his primary IP address has only been associated with one account. If people use the same IP to log into multiple accounts, it will list all of them in the admin panel.
I lied too. I hate Mustangs.
But seriously, you guys need to lay off Trep. I've met him and he's a nice kid. He stretches the truth but who doesn't sometimes? His site is definitely real since I see all kinds of his photos on Facebook.
Quote from: Lebowski on September 22, 2012, 12:19:23 PM
Lol what did Raza lie about?
I don't remember any of these incident. Man I'm in the dark.
I don't remember lying either. But I do drink a lot. Then there's the drugs. :mask: :mrcool: :partyon: :loopy:
Quote from: thecarnut on September 22, 2012, 12:25:26 PM
I don't think Raza lied about anything. He's just always been very protective of his identity. I know hotrodalex, CALL_911 and I did lie (I lied about being 2 years older than I was; nothing else) and sandertheshark I was always apprehensive about but I don't know if he outright lied about anything.
That sounds right.
What did Alex lie about?
Quote from: Raza link=topic=28080.msg1783258#msg1783258 date=1348409293
That sounds right.
What did Alex lie about?
For a long time, Alex claimed he was a grown man, at least 10 years older than he actually was. A less extreme version of what Ro did. Then he came clean that he was a high school student (at the time).
Quote from: Lebowski on September 22, 2012, 02:07:44 PM
What? He has two accounts?
Actually, as I recall explaining to Bing, I have all the accounts, as you're all just facets of my personality playing out in a made up world.
Quote from: dazzleman on September 23, 2012, 08:09:23 AM
For a long time, Alex claimed he was a grown man, at least 10 years older than he actually was. A less extreme version of what Ro did. Then he came clean that he was a high school student (at the time).
Dude, I don't remember that at all.
Quote from: Raza link=topic=28080.msg1783261#msg1783261 date=1348409442
Actually, as I recall explaining to Bing, I have all the accounts, as you're all just facets of my personality playing out in a made up world.
What were on you smoking the day the 'Cougs character came on the scene? :lol:
Quote from: Raza link=topic=28080.msg1783262#msg1783262 date=1348409544
Dude, I don't remember that at all.
It's easy to forget them all after a while. I forget when he came clean. Maybe a year ago?
Do you remember Ro's charade, that he was a 35-year-old doctor living in Southern California? I forget what made him come clean. His screen name then -- Ro51092 -- should have been a clue that he wasn't really 35, since it included his birthday.
Then there was Ifcar, claiming he was in his late 30s when he was really about 20.
There may be a couple of others, but I forget at this point.
Not going tot lie, if trep could behave himself, I think he should come back.
Quote from: dazzleman on September 23, 2012, 10:21:10 AM
It's easy to forget them all after a while. I forget when he came clean. Maybe a year ago?
Probably like 2 years ago.
Quote from: 2o6 on September 23, 2012, 01:35:49 PM
Not going tot lie, if trep could behave himself, I think he should come back.
You're flip-flopping more than Romney!
Quote from: 2o6 on September 23, 2012, 01:35:49 PM
Not going tot lie, if trep could behave himself, I think he should come back.
I'd have no problem with him coming back.
Quote from: dazzleman on September 23, 2012, 04:17:42 PM
I'd have no problem with him coming back.
We do have an ignore option now. I didn't mind Trep either.
Quote from: Raza on September 23, 2012, 08:10:42 AM
Actually, as I recall explaining to Bing, I have all the accounts, as you're all just facets of my personality playing out in a made up world.
Make me wealthier then, dagnabbit!
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on September 23, 2012, 05:06:11 PM
Make me wealthier then, dagnabbit!
You're the self sacrificing part of me that yearns for a family. I'm not a fan of that part.
Quote from: Raza on September 23, 2012, 05:25:04 PM
You're the self sacrificing part of me that yearns for a family. I'm not a fan of that part.
oh great. :facepalm:
:lol:
Quote from: dazzleman on September 23, 2012, 10:21:10 AM
It's easy to forget them all after a while. I forget when he came clean. Maybe a year ago?
Do you remember Ro's charade, that he was a 35-year-old doctor living in Southern California? I forget what made him come clean. His screen name then -- Ro51092 -- should have been a clue that he wasn't really 35, since it included his birthday.
Then there was Ifcar, claiming he was in his late 30s when he was really about 20.
There may be a couple of others, but I forget at this point.
Ha, iffy's was the best lie-- so boring, of course we all believed it! :lol:
911's was weird, because he wrote like a 13 year old. I remember that I never associated the member with the Bimmer in SoCal with his written posts because of that. It was only when he came out of the lyin' closet that I realized that was the same guy. :lol:
I like the tittehs.
Quote from: Laconian on September 24, 2012, 09:14:01 PM
I like the tittehs.
Better tell your boyfriend. He won't be pleased.
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on September 22, 2012, 03:07:25 PM
[my only toe into this mess]
But I don't care either way- but this makes for great :popcorn: :cheers: :popcorn: :cheers: :popcorn: :cheers: :popcorn:
:hesaid:
Quote from: dazzleman on September 23, 2012, 10:21:10 AM
Then there was Ifcar, claiming he was in his late 30s when he was really about 20.
There may be a couple of others, but I forget at this point.
late 30 year old that would drive nothing but minivans and we thought he was a robot. :lol:
Quote from: NomisR on September 25, 2012, 11:26:12 AM
late 30 year old that would drive nothing but minivans and we thought he was a robot. :lol:
I still kind of think he's a robot.
He also never properly refuted that his name is Koko.
Quote from: Raza on September 25, 2012, 11:32:30 AM
I still kind of think he's a robot.
He also never properly refuted that his name is Koko.
Iffy may have fudged his age but everything else was pretty true. I'm not sure I really even consider his "lie" to be a "lie."
It's one thing to be a teenager and say you're an investment banker who drives a Ferrari, but adding a few years onto an accurate picture of your real lifestyle seems pretty minor. If I said I was 34 instead of 27, what would it matter and who would really care?
On another note, I'd like to get to the bottom of the Koko issue. The Examiner name could easily be a pseudonym.
Actually, I'd find it easier to believe you're 34 than 27. :lol:
Quote from: mzziaz on September 25, 2012, 01:09:51 AM
Liar!
I'm sure he did at one point - like when he was a month old.
Quote from: TurboDan on September 25, 2012, 11:49:51 AM
Iffy may have fudged his age but everything else was pretty true. I'm not sure I really even consider his "lie" to be a "lie."
It's one thing to be a teenager and say you're an investment banker who drives a Ferrari, but adding a few years onto an accurate picture of your real lifestyle seems pretty minor. If I said I was 34 instead of 27, what would it matter and who would really care?
On another note, I'd like to get to the bottom of the Koko issue. The Examiner name could easily be a pseudonym.
You're only 27? I always pictured you as older than that, not basically the same age as I am.
Quote from: TurboDan on September 25, 2012, 11:49:51 AM
Iffy may have fudged his age but everything else was pretty true. I'm not sure I really even consider his "lie" to be a "lie."
It's one thing to be a teenager and say you're an investment banker who drives a Ferrari, but adding a few years onto an accurate picture of your real lifestyle seems pretty minor. If I said I was 34 instead of 27, what would it matter and who would really care?
On another note, I'd like to get to the bottom of the Koko issue. The Examiner name could easily be a pseudonym.
From how I remember it; Ifcar referred to himself as an "institute for consumer auto research" or something, having extensive knowledge on the cars he drove, and also said that was a part-time gig and that he was a government employee living in D.C. I believe at the time he was 17 or 18. The most interesting part of this is, he was not only allowed to stay, but remained a moderator.
I'm not sure if you're referring to Adi/TheIntrepid by your "investment banker with Ferrari" comment, but he actually has nothing to do with this Ferrari article, nor has he claimed to have anything of the sort. He's a 23-year old law student and owns a Mini. The guy that this Jalopnik issue refers to is Adi's business partner and a close friend of both of ours; Bob Maduri, who, at 31, actually DOES drive a 360 Modena and made a small fortune a few years ago.
Drama hasn't "followed" him around... he legitimately had nothing to do with this and was not even mentioned as such until someone found out that he writes for a company where one of his associates had an article go viral. Adi's a pretty low-key guy.
I personally recommended Adi to come on here and actually make a post saying hi and enlightening you guys as to what DoubleClutch and his life now is all about, but he's not sure how he'd be welcomed back after nearly 5 years of being gone. What do you think, TurboDan?
Quote from: Raza on September 25, 2012, 12:00:36 PM
You're only 27? I always pictured you as older than that, not basically the same age as I am.
I always thought Dan was older than me... guess not.
Quote from: TurboDan on September 25, 2012, 11:49:51 AM
Iffy may have fudged his age but everything else was pretty true. I'm not sure I really even consider his "lie" to be a "lie."
It's one thing to be a teenager and say you're an investment banker who drives a Ferrari, but adding a few years onto an accurate picture of your real lifestyle seems pretty minor. If I said I was 34 instead of 27, what would it matter and who would really care?
On another note, I'd like to get to the bottom of the Koko issue. The Examiner name could easily be a pseudonym.
No, the Examiner is legitimate. They have writers all over the country writing about different things.
But back to the topic on hand; this Article could be considered Libel. If he hadn't put out EXPLICITLY names of the dealers, things would be different.