http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/20...
Huh. I know these aren't top of the line models, but still, that sounds like an expensive hobby for the average Joe.
Twice I've seen Maseratis with Domino's placards on the roof. This is in Los Angeles, mind you, land of car insanity. The thing to keep in mind, however, is that a used Maserati can be had for not that much: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/2736861951.html A decent house, on the other hand, is balls-to-the-wall expensive. So you get "avocational" buyers who are willing to take a 2nd job to stretch to a 5-year-old Maserati, because people will see them in their wheels. They'll never go back to the Silverlake shithole they live in with three roommates. I've heard similarly about Japan. I've heard, for example, the act of renting an apartment in Tokyo involves about $12k in down payment. That said, there's a world of difference between a 5-year-old Maserati and a 2009 F430. I did see a mangled Testarossa in there. TRs are within the realm of possibility: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-FERRARI-TESTAROSSA-FULL-...