Ferrari Mailing List: Old man's opinion, was: Ferrari's future

[Rick Lindsay (richardolindsay]

Hi Friends,

I have read most of the offerings in the 'Ferrari's future' thread and have enjoyed the fact that we're all over the map with regard to our opinions. That's what makes this List interesting.

We must remember that new Ferraris don't sell typically, to us. With a tiny exception, we're the used car market. Our viewpoint is necessarily through different eyes. And the very nature of the beast is irrational. 

Some posters here have the Jeremy Clarkson viewpoint that power is everything. Some pray to the latest, greatest and most technical offerings from Maranello. While others hate everything that isn't a TR. I, on the other hand, like simple. Perhaps its because I'm a physicist and honor Occam's Razor. Allow me a few observations, please.

I'm going to leave the power issue alone for now. We can take that up later, if desired. After all, acceleration is limited by traction, grip if you will. And top speed, as if that has any value other than bragging rights, is limited by drag. What I want to address is obsolescence. 

I own a late model Cayman. It works without flaw. Its only down-side is that it looks like a 911. But here's the point: I have never seen the engine! And this car, like about every new car sold, is all but impossible to maintain at home. And since all the bits are interconnected and tied to emissions control, its ILLEGAL for me to maintain it at home. Therefore, my daily driver is little more than a major appliance. But what's my point?

All new cars are major appliances. And like our other appliances, we tend to throw them away when they break, or when we tire of them. A few decades ago this was the budget-limited enthusiasts dream! Performance cars at used car prices, just waiting for restoration. I fear that era is long gone, along with the ability to restore. Why? Because newer cars are so complex that replacement parts may be unaffordable or unavailable. Here are my thoughts supporting that claim.

What happens when a Toyota's Push to Start button fails? A support network servicing millions of cars has the answer, if arguably costly. But what happens with a limited production exotic car, when that same style button produces nothing but silence? Anyone know how to fix it? Are the associated parts available? Perhaps they are today but how about in a decade or two when our kids are wanting to restore a then classic exotic car? And this problem is not just a hypothetical. Try to buy a mass air flow sensor for a 348. Yes, its a rather generic device, in principle, but the  part is no longer available. We're having to source and repurpose used Saab sensors, when we can find them. Last we bought was over $600! And the 348 is just over two decades old!

Yes, I have heard the argument that aftermarket parts can be retrofitted to the cars.  And yes, even the Push to Start button and its plethora of associated computers can be wired around, BUT that's not restoration. That's kludged modification. My point is simple: The modern marvels we see marketed today are just not candidates for restoration. They are throw away major appliances.

Yes, I am old and grumpy. And I play with old cars that are generic in design, if exotic in appearance/performance. And there's always the argument that our parents felt the same way when then new cars came out. But I would argue the the rate of increased complexity is far greater now than about any other time in the history of the motorcar.

My quest is to save the interesting cars that CAN be restored. And if the rising prices of these cars is any indication, the next generation of restorers has recognized this trend. When a '73 Volvo station wagon (like the one in my garage) sells for over $90k, and the lowly Triumph TR3 with its farm implement engine, fetches over $30k, my point is made. These cars can be repaired and restored with common garage tools and correct generic parts. No Push to Start or MAFs needed.

-rick