If you want to drive as many new cars as possible, including the occasional supercar, you may want to consider a career in automotive journalism. If, on the other hand, you actually want to own a supercar someday, you’re probably going to make more money as a fast food manager than yo will writing about cars. Journalism doesn’t pay the kind of money necessary to finance a new Mustang, let alone a car like the limited-production Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0.
That’s why we were surprised to hear that British auto-journo Chris Harris bought a Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0. Unless he comes from family money or lives in a cardboard box under a bridge, we couldn’t fathom how he generated the kind of income necessary to buy a $185,000 German supercar, especially one that requires large amounts of (expensive) upkeep.
In an earlier video, Harris pointed out how much of a financial burden his Porsche was, so now he’s traded it for something more sensible: a used Ferrari 599 GTB. In Harris’ rationalization for his decision, he states that 599 prices have plunged over the past six months, making the car a relative bargain in the supercar world. Bargains, we suppose, are in the eye of the beholder, and Harris claims that a clean 599 GTB can be had for the price of a new Porsche 911. Which we (and every other working automotive journalist we know) can’t possibly afford on a writer’s income.
We wish Mr. Harris the best with his new car, and sincerely hope he’s banking the money saved from his former Porsche payment. We have a feeling that a used Ferrari 599 GTB is only a bargain until you receive the first service bill from the local Ferrari dealership.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
