<p>H has an Italian sports car, and yes, it’s the one the Maserati dreams of being according to awcntdb (although Maseratis are very nice cars, indeed). When driving the car, we are always waved at, given the thumbs up, hollered at, and a crowd forms wherever it is parked. We have occasionally been followed home…I think its more of a curiosity about where we live or who we may be than anything nefarious. When this happens, we go around the block a few times until the follower loses interest. Generally, I feel like a movie star in the car :), but I don’t like the following part because it goes a little too far.</p>
<p>Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Teslas are pretty ubiquitous here in my neck of the woods. Following one of those just to take a closer peek would be considered just as uncool as following a Corolla. It really depends on where the owner lives. A kind of car that belongs in the LeMay will be more likely to “grow a tail”.</p>
<p>That said, even a “cool car” driver can never be sure of the reasons s/he is being followed (curiosity? rage? who knows?) and it will make sense for said driver to take the precautions described by HIMom and others. </p>
<p>@musicprnt - Agreed, 99% of the time it is innocent, but there is a difference though. I am talking about night time. Gawkers in the daytime are normal, and I often stop and show people the car when asked. Kids for sure. I stop for all kids. It is the people who have tracked me at night that is the issue. Those are not admirers, as they can barely see the details of the car. My roads have zero and I really mean no street lights for 30+ miles from the highway to the house, so no reason on for them to even be there right behind me at every turn.</p>
<p>Ok, maybe a Lamborghini? Anyway, I think it’s creepy to be followed, no matter why, which is one of the reasons I like driving a car that blends in well (not much space to drive and we’re always in heavy traffic in Honolulu anyway).</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2014/lamborghini/aventador/?__federated=1”>http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2014/lamborghini/aventador/?__federated=1</a></p>
<p>Ugh, that is so weird. Being followed around by people…</p>
<p>Lots of those types of cars here in the DFW area as well. After a few days you just get used to seeing them around.</p>
<p>If one advertises the fact that they have a half mil to drop for a car, it should be expected that the criminal element might case the homes for jewelry, valuables, or more dangerous opportunities. Thus the popularity of gated communities for owners of pricey toys. </p>
<p>Well the guy who was followed last night was driving an old truck, not anything flashy but memorable because it was one of only three vehicles that drove down our road–him and his tail, and also a car that belongs to our neighbor. It really stands out when there are so few cars in our neighborhood driving around at 7:45-8pm at night. It had a weirdly high number of people we had never seen before also jogging on our street that we had never seen before–one with a shortwave radio or heavy-duty walkie talking. It was just a very odd night.</p>
<p>I don’t know anyone who owns a $400+K vehicle, even tho I know several folks who COULD easily buy these toys if they chose. Just different strokes, I guess.</p>
<p>HImom - The Lamborghini you cite is somewhat a competitor. Will take that out on the track too though. The Lamborghini will be in front on the first 1/3 of the straight, but after we open up, it is all rear view from there. </p>
<p>Lambos and, for example, Ferraris have been geared differently for a long time and still are. In the 90s, a Lamborghini Countach could be beat a Ferrari Testarossa from 0 to 100, but after the Ferrari opens up, it actually beats the Lamborghini from 100 to 180. Passes the Lambo around 150 and never looks back. A Testa '92 hit 190 with no problem. </p>
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<p>I confess - I am a speed addict. </p>
<p>Yeah, you had one odd night there, but at least you have an idea what is up though. </p>
<p>Thanks for the explanation; good that you are OK with folks tailing you and take it in stride as part of having a gorgeous car that folks envy. I am glad we aren’t having a bunch of strange car chases through our street, though I must admit it was MUCH more activity than our quiet street gets nearly 99% of the time. Living in the suburbs when folks go into their homes once they get home & stay there until they head off for work the next day, an unusual car or two and odd joggers really stick out (even if they wouldn’t in a more crowded, urban setting). We have a VERY quiet neighborhood and know most of the neighbors.</p>
<p>Am glad we don’t spend a lot on cars–our roads are very rough on them with the numerous potholes and there is NO WHERE at all to drive at any speed, since our island is so congested with cars and pedestrians. Being able to drive 50 or even up to 70 is a rare treat. Cars built for speed are really wasted around here.</p>
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<p>Hmmm… the most super-exotic sports car that I recall has a French brand name owned by a German company.</p>
<p>Tesla closed at around 259.8 today. B-) </p>
<p>I’ve always wondered what is the point of having a car that goes 0 to 125 in 10 seconds. Where could one do that besides a race track?</p>
<p>The point? One word, enjoyment.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Exact same reason why people prefer a steak from Peter Luger versus a standard burger - Just much more enjoyable, yet they are both meat.</p></li>
<li><p>Exact same reason people open the curtain to see the sunrise rather than keep the curtain closed and turn on a light - Just much more enjoyable, yet they are both light.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>etc…</p>
<p>And to be accurate, it is 0 to 125 in 9.1 seconds, not 175. And that is at standard temp and pressure. 175 is 6 seconds later.</p>
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<p>Any short stretch of road where you can see the other end. We are talking less than a quarter-mile needed. But, it is made of the track, where it is at home.</p>
<p>It’s definite a “guy thing.” In LA last summer, my teenaged boys wanted to follow a Pagani Zonda around. I said “absolutely not!!!” They weren’t really interested in the driver, rather just wanted to ogle the car for as long as possible. My younger son said that he knew who most likely owned that particular car…it’s that rare, I guess.</p>
<p>The only people who have ever followed my husband in his heaven on earth cars are the police. 
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<p>thanks @Himom, I will pass this info along to my kids. </p>
<p>I like your sons already. They have some seriously awesome good taste. </p>
<p>Yep, Pagani makes only like 20 cars a year; only 240 or so in the world total. Most dealers have no cars for sale. It is arguably the top sports car in the world right now that is in production. The Zonda has been succeeded by the Huayra, which is even better.</p>
<p>Just make sure your sons know they can also be expensive paperweights. A friend, 10 years ago, waited 2 years for Ferrari to make him a new windshield, so the car sat in the garage all that time. His car was one of only 75 made and that it took them that long to get his part into the production rotation. I cannot imagine trying to get a part from Pagani when things break, as Ferrari is a much larger operation. </p>
<p>The following the car part with kids I understand though. All I guys I know feel the same. Like I said, I stop for kids because I would have wanted someone to stop for me at that age. A “guy thing” for sure.</p>
<p>If you think kids are nuts, try cops. They come up all the time, put thumbs up, and try to speed off. I then fly by them at 160 or higher. When starting from 70 mph, takes all of about 10 seconds for the entire event, then slow back down. Cops are really great.</p>
<p>Yes, H is sometimes pulled by police who just want to take a look at the car, particularly when the top is down. This happens more when he is in the older ones which are quite rare.</p>
<p>I love a great car, myself. Not like him, though. I love the old American cars from the early 60s. Those cars are so lovely. </p>
<p>But are people willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars just to own a car that *can * do that, or do they actually drive in that extremely dangerous and illegal way?</p>