This collector, whose garage is worth 200 million $, reveals—if you can call it that—whether you can tell Ferrari that you don't like one of their cars

When you're one of the most important customers of Ferrari, can we still tell Maranello that we don’t like a car? The question seems almost trivial. Yet the answer from David Lee, one of the world’s most famous Ferrari collectors, says a lot about the very special relationship the brand has with its best customers.

David Lee isn't exactly your average Ferrari customer. A collector for decades, he says he has purchased more than 50 Ferraris directly from the manufacturer. His garage now houses some of Maranello's most sought-after models, from the 288 GTO to the LaFerrari, not to mention a 250 GTO acquired for nearly $40 million. He is also expecting a F80 with exposed carbon fiber—a configuration that Ferrari reserves for only a handful of customers.

In a recent interview with the podcast Road to Success, yet the conversation eventually turned to a more sensitive topic: the Ferrari Luce.

«Many Ferrari customers are afraid to say it»

David Lee makes no secret of the fact that the Ferrari Luce divides traditional Ferrari enthusiasts. According to discussions he says he’s had with the brand’s executives, Ferrari was well aware that this car wasn’t necessarily intended for its traditional customer base. The goal was reportedly to attract a different audience—one more closely aligned with the world of technology. David Lee is understanding of the industrial risk-taking involved, but that doesn’t mean he becomes a systematic defender of Maranello. In particular, he believes that Ferrari might have consulted its customers more extensively during the development process.

That’s when the interviewer asked him point-blank: When you’re one of the most prominent Ferrari collectors, do you really have the right to tell the company that you don’t like one of its cars? The answer is particularly interesting.

«Many Ferrari customers are afraid to say it,» David Lee essentially acknowledges. He assures us that he wouldn’t hesitate to point out that a product is «not good» if he truly believes it. But this freedom of speech seems to have been earned over time: he points out that he’s had a relationship with Ferrari for about 30 years and mentions the rapport and trust he’s built with the brand. Above all, he emphasizes the intention behind the criticism. According to him, it’s not about criticizing Ferrari for the sake of it, but about offering honest feedback because he wants to see the brand succeed.

At Ferrari, relationships matter almost as much as your bank account

This little tidbit takes on a whole new meaning once you understand the process described by this collector. Because at Ferrari, having tens of millions of dollars isn’t necessarily enough to secure the most exclusive models.

The collector explains that in 2017, despite already having an impressive collection, his profile wasn’t yet established enough to be offered a brand-new LaFerrari. To move up the ranks, he had to buy cars, engage with the Ferrari community, and also support less sought-after models. After three decades and more than 50 purchases, the situation is obviously different.

At Ferrari, saying «I don’t like this car» seems perfectly acceptable. But perhaps not all «I don’t like» statements carry exactly the same weight. David Lee, for his part, believes he has earned the right to be frank.