Jay Leno Owns 180 Cars But Not A Single Ferrari (And Thereโ€™s A Hilarious Explanation)
โ€” Updated on 10 May 2023

Jay Leno Owns 180 Cars But Not A Single Ferrari (And Thereโ€™s A Hilarious Explanation)

โ€” Updated on 10 May 2023
Garry Lu
WORDS BY
Garry Lu

Youโ€™d expect a man with the same net worth, connections, proclivities, and web series as Jay Leno to own a Ferrari. And yet, despite boasting an incredible auto collection that reportedly features around 180 cars + 160 motorcycles, the retired late-night talk show host refuses to buy into the cult of the Prancing Horse.

โ€œYou know, I like Ferraris. Theyโ€™re excellent carsโ€ฆ I just never liked dealing with the dealers,โ€ Jay Leno explains to Cars & Culture with Jason Stein.

โ€œI donโ€™t want to give a guy $25,000 in an envelope, you know? I donโ€™t want to be told, โ€˜Well you must buy two Mondials before you can buy.โ€ You have to buy two crappy cars before I โ€“ โ€˜Yes.โ€™ Just buy the car, you know?

โ€œThen the idea that I have it for two years, then I take it back to get a certificate to prove that itโ€™s actually a Ferrari โ€“ thatโ€™s $25,000. I just get tired of that.โ€

RELATED: Jay Lenoโ€™s Rolls-Royce Merlin Has A V-12 WWII Spitfire Engine Under The Hood

Jay Leno went on the compare his purchasing experiences with McLaren and Porsche against the flaming hoops youโ€™d have to jump for the privilege of surrendering your hard-earned cash to the legendary Maranello-based manufacturer.

โ€œThe smart thing about McLaren is the dealer service. I bought my McLaren, I paid exactly the sticker [price],โ€ adds the auto enthusiast-cum-comedian.

โ€œBuying it was a terrific process, I had the car for six or seven months โ€“ my MP4-12C โ€“ and they called me one day and said, โ€˜Oh thereโ€™s an upgrade from 592 horsepower or something to 617. You want the upgrade?โ€™ I said, โ€˜How much is it?โ€™ And they said, โ€˜Itโ€™s freeโ€ฆ just come on in.'โ€

โ€œI brought it in, and like when I bought it I said I wanted to order the carbon-fibre brakes. The sales guy says, โ€˜Do you track the car?โ€™ I go, noโ€ฆ mostly street. He goes, โ€˜Donโ€™t get the carbon fibre, save $20,000. You donโ€™t need it.โ€™ I say, โ€˜You sure?โ€™ He goes, โ€˜Guarantee it. In fact, the steel brakes are better on the street because they work right away, you donโ€™t have to get them hot.โ€™ And it saved me $20,000.โ€

Jay Leno Ferrari McLaren MPA 12C

RELATED: Jay Lenoโ€™s $17.4 Million Newport Mansion Channels Great Gatsby Vibes

โ€œWhen I bought my Porsche Carrera GT, Porsche brought it here in a flatbed, they sent two mechanics to show me how to jack it up, the jacking points, putting the blocks in hereโ€ฆ they sent me a jacket, hereโ€™s a book on the car, hereโ€™s a pen and pencil set. You know, right until the car showed up, I felt like a customer.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s like rich guys that go to a dominatrix. โ€˜Oh, she kicked the crap out of me, it was fantastic.โ€™ I mean, some guys like that.โ€

Jay Leno on purschasing a Ferrari

โ€œ[Ferrari] are excellent cars, itโ€™s not an indictment on the car, itโ€™s just likeโ€ฆ youโ€™re spending a tremendous amount of money. You should be made to feel like a customer.โ€

Hear that? Customer service is everything. Act accordingly.

Watch Jay Leno explain why he refuses to buy a Ferrari + the episode of Jay Lenoโ€™s Garage featuring the 2021 Ferrari SF90 for yourself below.

RELATED: โ€œWe Donโ€™t Careโ€ โ€“ Ferrari CEO Vows To Never Produce A Self-Driving Car

Garry Lu
WORDS by
After stretching his legs with companies such as The Motley Fool and the odd marketing agency, Garry joined Boss Hunting in 2019 as a fully-fledged Content Specialist. In 2021, he was promoted to News Editor before departing the team in 2025. Garry proudly retains a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, black bruises from Muay Thai, as well as a black belt in all things pop culture.

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