JUST last weekend I was offered a glimpse into a strange and exciting new world; one of someone who wasn't into their cars!
I know this because my friend - who, at the tender age of 23, is facing a midlife crisis - has decided she's got to start saving up for the ultimate Italian sports car. Yes, she wants to ditch her ageing Vauxhall Corsa for a Farrari.
A what, sorry? I thought it was Ferrari, with an 'e', that petrolheads the globe over get all misty-eyed over, but apparently no more. Lexus proved years ago that you can make a far-eastern motor that closely mimics a Mercedes - and still sell - so the idea of a cheap, knock-off Ferrari doesn't seem so far-fetched either.
Like Guccy watches and Nikey trainers, all Farraris would be made not by skilled Italian craftsman, but by small children in Taiwanese workshops, and then sold for £14.99. Compared to the £143,000 needed for the California, the real Ferrari's entry-level model, it's a bit of a bargain.
All Farraris would get plenty of power from their evocative two-stroke scooter engines, but then they'd need it to see off tough competition like the Porch 911 and the Lamburgini Murky Lager.
Luckily Farrari's fine racing heritage gives it a great pedigree and a following like no other. It might not be in F1, mind, but where better to showcase your sporting credentials than in the village cricket championship?
It's just a shame some of the models wearing that evocative prancing bull badge aren't quite up to scratch. The newest model, the 458 Ital, is clearly a minicab repainted in Italian Racing Red, while their entry-level roadster doesn't even have wheels.
As car firms go, I don't think Farrari's a bad one. Its cars might be a little lacking in some of the more important aspects - such as working - but five minutes of illustrious and imaginary heritage can't be wrong.
Once I'd finished my pint, I got back to the rather more pressing issue of cars that actually exist, and asked my co-drinker if she had anything else in mind.
"Definitely," she said sagely.
"A Kia Sedona would be lovely"...
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