Don't see the need to keep it discrete - go for the colour that you like the best!

If you can afford and justify a car like that then good for you but you might as well enjoy it properly.

I appreciate in the bigger scheme of things this may seem trivial but I would genuinely like some considered feedback. I run a small advisory firm and over the years we have worked hard to become recognised as the leaders in our field. Seven years ago a number of our clients took me aside and explained that I needed a better car for when I visited their head offices (I was driving a Discovery 3 at the time). After much debate with my colleagues I bought an M4 convertible as that was, in my opinion, of sufficient status to satisfy our clients. I deliberately chose a dark blue colour and it was easily mistaken for a 3 series cooking model. Now, the same has happened again but the suggestions are centred around an Aston, Bentley, 911 or Ferrari. Because of my Italian heritage, and love of Italian cars, I am drawn to a Ferrari. However, I am thinking of the Portofino (again in dark blue) as it is the smallest and most discreet of their range. So, at the risk of opening myself to negative comments, what does our esteemed panel of enthusiasts think?

You have done well..

If any car ticks your boxes, go for it.

Life is too short.

I seriously doubt that any of our members can advise, except for (perhaps) John F with his lovely A8.

I appreciate in the bigger scheme of things this may seem trivial but I would genuinely like some considered feedback. I run a small advisory firm and over the years we have worked hard to become recognised as the leaders in our field. Seven years ago a number of our clients took me aside and explained that I needed a better car for when I visited their head offices (I was driving a Discovery 3 at the time). After much debate with my colleagues I bought an M4 convertible as that was, in my opinion, of sufficient status to satisfy our clients. I deliberately chose a dark blue colour and it was easily mistaken for a 3 series cooking model. Now, the same has happened again but the suggestions are centred around an Aston, Bentley, 911 or Ferrari. Because of my Italian heritage, and love of Italian cars, I am drawn to a Ferrari. However, I am thinking of the Portofino (again in dark blue) as it is the smallest and most discreet of their range. So, at the risk of opening myself to negative comments, what does our esteemed panel of enthusiasts think?

I think you should buy the car that you want rather than what you thinks give you status.

When I first went self-employed in the mid 90's, my next door neighbour was some sort of bigwig at one of the largest global breakfast cereal producers.

we were discussing what sort and age of car to replace my soon to be lost company workhorse. His take was if a supplier turned-up to a meeting in a five year-old Sierra (as opposed to a new/newer BMW 3-series for example) he'd look down on that as a negative, as the new/posher car indicated I had a successful business. I found that a very strange opinion, particularly as one of my contemporaries at the time was paying upwards of £600 a month for a flashy Merc.............. and subsequently went bust.

I think the advice from your clients on this is worth what you paid for it.

Good grief, buy and drive what you want if you are in a position to do it. I can't believe it would cost you business to turn up in a Mondeo if that's what you want.

Ferraris in general are not everyday cars. In the sense they are not useful, they are toys. You can't really leave one just anywhere, so most are very low mileage, either garage queens or just used for high days and holidays, the odd track day, or classic car outing.

That said, other than being a vandal magnet the Portofino is as near to suitable for daily use as a Ferrari can get, not really much different to an F Type in size and wieldiness, and somewhat lighter. If I had £175k spare I might try to persuade myself that one in dark blue with standard exhaust and without the yellow side badges would be semi stealthy. I know I wouldn't do it though, Ferraris, even in dark blue, aren't for shy people and I actually don't enjoy very fast cars as much as getting the best out of a low powered one.

In the Portofino's favour, depreciation will be much better than some other cars you could spend that amount of money on so you would probably get out OK if it didn't take.. And if you can afford to buy it, you probably won't mind having your wallet drained when it needs servicing. If you want a laugh, ask the dealer what fitting new pads and carbon ceramic discs will cost.

Edited by Manatee on 08/02/2022 at 14:18

Maybe it is your choice of colour that is being objected to. Rather than dark blue perhaps a more sporting blue. Jags are not my chouce of chariot but they do a nice brightish metallic blue. There are plenty if other choices between a dark blue and bright red.

As for what model, there are plenty of what I would call high status cars. Yes a Bentley might be nice if that's the image that you are required to present. Or even a high powered Audi S- something. I wouldn't spend that sort if money on a car even if I had it, but if the business demands it and you are being asked to do it, then, as others have said, enjoy it.

Many thanks for the comments and advice. For completeness I should explain that this will become a pool car and is available only for business use. It will, like the MR previously, only be used for the appropriate client visits. Personally, I learned to drive with a Fiat126 and that taught me the importance of anticipation and maintenance of momentum. My current daily driver is a 500 (Twin Air) in the winter months and a Toyota MR2 (Mk2) in the summer. Whether one agrees with the status thing or not, I have to be pragmatic and do what is best for our business. Again, many thanks for the valuable insights. I have long believed the value of this website lies in this discussion board and not in the editorial content. Long may it continue. With warmest wishes Franc

I seriously doubt that any of our members can advise, except for (perhaps) John F with his lovely A8.

Nope, not me. (Although lovely, my old A8 is not actually worth a lot). I wouldn't care a flying fig about what any professional I engaged drove, apart from interest if it was interesting. I don't think Warren Buffett's propensity for automotive thrift affected his professional standing.

Conversely, I didn't care a flying fig whether or not anyone doubted my expertise back in the '80s when I rolled up in my second hand TR7.