Eenie, meenie, miny, moe.
This is the "The Valets Kept It Up Front Area" of a swank hotel on Monterey's 17 Mile Drive called the Inn at Spanish Bay. Usually there are a few Phantoms and a couple of SLRs in the mix, but as you can see it was a slow day.
I wish I can say that our long-term Infiniti FX50 was placed in that spot by somebody other than me, but that would be called lying. Instead the valets parked our FX around back. Way back.
The best part? A flock of seagulls had attacked the FX the night before. It's tough to see in the photos, but the poor thing was covered in bird bombs. The hood, the roof, ever window and every body panel took several hits. Even the door handles were covered, which made it quite tough to open the doors. The valets were mortified.
Personally, if I were a bird, I would have aimed for that hidiously ugly Ferrari California. Man, what are the italians thinking?
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
zjev says:
05:13 AM, 08/19/09
Come on easy on the California! It's not that bad, although if you were to put it next to the new 458 Italia you would see a huge beauty difference and never buy a California.
dougtheeng says:
05:56 AM, 08/19/09
The California has grown on me, thanks to Entourage.
wrinklebump says:
06:13 AM, 08/19/09
Should've took the Ram. Caption contest of the century.
ahightower says:
06:52 AM, 08/19/09
Well, I guess I'm in the minority, but I love the California. Reminds me of the new Maserati coupe, and the retro cues from the original California are very cool.
fuhteng says:
07:46 AM, 08/19/09
The FX was around back because it is ugly. VERY ugly. Covered in bird-bombs is only 'icing' on the cake.
ptcdawg says:
07:56 AM, 08/19/09
Calling it UGLY is an insult to UGLY cars everywhere. It's beyond that.
mrryte says:
08:12 AM, 08/19/09
"Instead the valets parked our FX around back. Way back."
Actually that's a GOOD thing-at least they won't expect you to hand them a $100 tip just for bringing your vehicle around.
e10rice says:
08:49 AM, 08/19/09
If this is such a "swank hotel" why did they use one of the cheapest matterials to cover it in? EIFS (exterior insulating finishing system) is the ugliest thing in this photo!
m_thrizzle says:
09:00 AM, 08/19/09
The front of the California reminds me of that character in one of the Mario Bros. video games that shoots big balls out of his mouth. The backside is something out of a bad Japanese cartoon.
Wow, that FX is covered in a lot of bird poop.
texases says:
09:29 AM, 08/19/09
The headlights on the California remind me of Phyllis Diller's eyes - a few too many face lifts. The grill? Like the 'smiley' new Mazda look. Add a fat rump, and it's strike three.
lazyhater says:
09:36 AM, 08/19/09
I like most Ferrari, but the California is probably one that I hate the most. There is nothing sleek and stylish about the styling, and the IS-F like fake stacked tailpipes are hidious. The California is on the ugliest Ferrari list, next to the Mondial and 612 Scaglietti
eville_stu says:
09:37 AM, 08/19/09
Bird crap is an improvement to the FX... it belongs next to the Aztec on the list of ugliest creations of the decade.
stingray454 says:
09:40 AM, 08/19/09
Man, I would be pissed if I was the owner of one of those Ferraris. I wouldn't want the Ferrari to catch any of the FX's ugly disease. :o
pyo_s65 says:
10:30 AM, 08/19/09
Ferrari California has the touches of their pontoon bodied cars of yore. Its shape more voluptuous than purposeful like a 430 or Enzo.
Gorgeous car and aptly named.
stovt001 says:
10:44 AM, 08/19/09
I don't think the California is quite as horrifyingly ugly as it is made out to be. It doesn't look good, not at all, but it isn't new Acura ugly either, except for the exhaust pipes.
ptcdawg says:
11:21 AM, 08/19/09
Speaking of the Aztec, when did BMW get the license to build one? Talk about UGLY.
hybris says:
11:51 AM, 08/19/09
I can't see why everyone thinks the California is ugly. It just has a different stance than most Ferrari's, along the lines of puffed up chest and hunched shoulders ready to tackle you stance compared with the more normal "Prepare for ludicrous speed." stance that most Ferrari's have.
fuhteng says:
02:59 PM, 08/19/09
ha ha ha ha I'm glad I'm not alone.
However, this blog has made me think the FX50 with its big V8 is a silly, but really fun, vehicle. 130? In a brick? Wow.
neatnick79 says:
03:25 PM, 08/19/09
Am I the only one who thinks the whole "The Valets Kept It Up Front Area" is a bunch of pretentious crap? In this kind of place it always feels like a waste of time to me Though I must admit, occasionally, in city centers, when restaurant or hotel parking lots are blocks away, it's convenient but priced accordingly!
mrryte says:
12:11 PM, 08/20/09
neatnick79-
"Am I the only one who thinks the whole "The Valets Kept It Up Front Area" is a bunch of pretentious crap? In this kind of place it always feels like a waste of time to me Though I must admit, occasionally, in city centers, when restaurant or hotel parking lots are blocks away, it's convenient but priced accordingly!"
I don't know how many others think like you, but I can say that people that drive rare and exotic cars want AND EXPECT the VIP/preferential treatment when they check into hotels and resorts. Most of the time these guys stay in the most expenisive suite in the hotel, drop considerably more $$$ in the restaraunt, bar, room service and other areas. It may well be "a bunch of pretentious crap"; but that's how the hotel/resort keep the VIPs happy and coming back.;-)
mopho says:
04:31 PM, 08/20/09
It's like a burly brute with six seductive mistresses.
Pimpin!