New York condemns this owner of a rented Ferrari for its noise... even though it has not been modified in any way

Can you be convicted of noise pollution with a Ferrari totally original? In New York, the answer seems to be yes. American YouTuber and entrepreneur Rob Ferretti has just experienced this with his Ferrari 488 GTS, although it is strictly in its factory configuration.

After several months of legal proceedings, the New York courts have upheld the fine for a noise-cancelling camera installed in Manhattan. A decision that reopens the debate on these automated control devices... and their reliability.

An original Ferrari flashed by an anti-noise camera

The case dates back to the summer of 2025. The Ferrari 488 GTS belonging to the rental company founded by Rob Ferretti passed in front of a sound control camera installed on Saint Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. The system measures a noise level above the permitted limit of 85 decibels.

As a result, two violations are sent to the vehicle owner. The first results in a fine of $800, while the second, considered a repeat offence, could amount to around $1,500.

Problem: the car is entirely original. The 488 GTS has received no exhaust modifications or mechanical preparations, which is voluntary in Ferretti's rental fleet. According to Ferretti, keeping cars strictly in stock avoids any liability in the event of an accident or technical dispute. But despite this, the Ferrari is accused of exceeding the noise limits imposed by the city.

A legal battle against the system

Rob Ferretti has decided to challenge the fine in court. His main argument is based on the reliability of the device.

At the hearing, he pointed out that the camera used to record the offence had been calibrated in May 2024... more than a year before the events, which took place in late August and early September 2025. In his view, this period was too long to guarantee the sensor's accuracy.

He also points out another disturbing fact: no other camera in the city has ever reported a noise violation with this Ferrari or with any of the other supercars in its fleet. Both infringements come solely from the same device located in this part of Manhattan. For Ferretti, this casts serious doubt on the camera's reliability.

But the New York authorities have responded differently. According to the authorities, it's not up to the city to prove that the camera is working properly, but up to the vehicle owner to demonstrate that it isn't. A position that Ferretti considers absurd. A position that Ferretti considers absurd: it would be impossible for him to check the calibration of a device belonging to the municipality.

A controversial decision

Despite these arguments, the decision was made: the first fine was maintained.

In his ruling, the judicial officer considered that the owner of the vehicle was liable for the noise produced by the car, even if it was driven by a customer. In other words, the mere fact of renting the Ferrari is enough to incur liability. A logic that Ferretti compares to an absurd situation: according to him, it would be like holding Ferrari responsible for speeding because the brand sold a car capable of going fast.

A case far from over

In total, Rob Ferretti could have to pay more than $2,300 for the two offences.

But the entrepreneur has no intention of stopping there. He has already announced his intention to appeal the decision, and is even planning to recreate the test conditions with an acoustics expert to demonstrate that the Ferrari could not possibly reach the noise levels recorded in these circumstances. As far as he's concerned, there's a lot more at stake here than a simple parking ticket.

If the decision remains unchanged, any rental car could be automatically sanctioned by these cameras, without the owner having any real possibility of contesting the measure. And in a city like New York, where supercars attract a lot of attention... the bill could quickly become a hefty one.