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But... but... but... they're not a startup! They're just a... a... small business!

Must be all that crazy blog money they have pouring in. I'd have a car built by spacemen too if I had an award-winning blog!

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Fuck You Money for EU citizens
My esteem for DHH just fell a few notches. What a tacky, ugly, gratuitous waste of money. Obviously he's entitled to spend his money however he likes but this doesn't show much class.
Criticizing one's fantasies doesn't show much class.
Hardly. If any of my friends let me buy a car like that I'd be angry as hell once I came to my senses.

If you must dump money on a car at least get something that doesn't look like a running shoe, like a jag or something. All that one is missing is a blonde bimbo in the passenger seat.

> Hardly. If any of my friends let me buy a car like that I'd be angry as hell once I came to my senses.

Which is exactly why you didn't buy it. he did.

Dude, some people just like cars, you know?

Welcome to nobody cares what you think about their hobbies. Population: 6 billion.

Welcome to nobody cares what you think about their hobbies. Population: 6 billion.

That's one thing we have in common at least.

If you must dump money on a car at least get something that doesn't look like a running shoe, like a jag or something.

I'd have to go with a classic...a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0808/S00190.htm)

Exactly!

I can't say I really get the whole car thing but if that's what makes your heart flutter than at least get one with some style. If you're going to consume conspicuously than give a little extra thought to what you're trying to say about yourself.

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Not to be condescending, but not everybody buys cars for the image they convey. In the event that they actually prefer form over function, a Pagani Zonda is chock full of actual performance that would beat the pants off of any classic Jag or Ferrari.

While I personally agree that it's not what I would have bought, I'm also not so arrogant as to presume to tell others what to do with the money they earned, or whether or not they should feel free to enjoy their hobbies how they wish.

Don't worry. I'm sure there's something you would spend money on that DHH finds equally atrocious.
Not everyone works at google and has the mindset of 'oh dear I better not enjoy my success'.
One of the reasons I like living in the Silicon Valley is because, in general, the wealthy here do not flaunt their wealth.
Good point, and agree.

But who are we to decide what is appropriate. Maybe there is a reason this was important to him.

They just have to spend more on housing, so the conspicuous consumption is more subtle. Like the mid-upper management triathlete wannabe clones at the huge tech firms who all have $14,000 bicycles racked to the top of their Audis.
I agree, it sure is exhausting waiting in line at all the trendy Chicago bars and seeing DHH whisk up in his sports car of the day, a different model on each arm.
This is the same guy who failed to mention Merb in the Rails 3.0 annoucement? I'm shocked!
Wow! That looks pretty awesome. It's interesting to see what buy/do to express themselves when they have the money. Personally, I couldn't care less about fast cars but I'd be straight onto one of those Red Bull Air Race planes and a private airfield. What would you do?
Agreed on the car - but each their own.

Me? I'd buy or build a hockey rink. I've always wanted one, ever since I started skating as a kid. Yeah, not very flashy but maybe I'll hire some extravagant architect to create something really unique/different. Actually... I kind of like that idea. Dream updated...

Wow no love for hockey or ice rinks, or unique architecture...
The first paragraph of the article basically says the only reason it is a custom car is because of US rules and regulations, but then the end mentions he will never drive it in the US and it will stay in Italy..
You might have read it that way but I don't think that was the author's intent. In fact, the Zonda has gone out of production (twice so far), so the only way to get a new one is to order one custom.

Not that "production" versus "custom" means a lot in such a low-volume car.

While tacky, this makes me wonder what the market is for custom built cars. You always see these nifty concept cars that never see the light of day. Yachts are already custom built, this would be a sort of... land-yacht, I suppose, occupying the same niche in terms of status signaling toys, while at the same time being more practical.
37 Signals go truly rockstar, from their "Appetite for Destruction" beginnings they're entering their "Use Your Illusion" period, just hope they don't end up going the way of "Chinese Democracy"
To those who don't know of DHH's passion for cars - he is a huge car guy! He races Lamborghinis on the weekends - He has/had a White Gallardo LP560-4 that he raced at Autobahn Country Club.
I like driving a great deal and have thought about buying something serious but can't get over how radically ten reliability drops on cars that are much over $100k.

My favorite so far, though, is the GT-R. It drives like a video game. If I owned one I am sure I sure I would get in trouble, though.

There are some really great old cars out there that are not particularly expensive. I am looking around for an e30 or e36 m3...