Best Ferrari model for first time ferarri buyer - for around $85-90K

Welcome to Ferrarichat. This is an often discussed topic, and the search feature is your friend. We need to know a little about you to answer your question. Do you plan to work on your car? Even if it is just basic maintenance, this is a huge factor. The car is the price of admission. The real costs over ten years will be the maintenance. Not as much as the cost of the car if you buy a well maintained car to start with, but if you buy one that has been neglected, you could be in for several five figure repair bills. Second, what’s your car background? Do you come from vintage muscle cars, modern corvettes, other high performance European cars, etc. Ferraris are an acquired taste. Some people put up with their quirks, others don’t. Fourth, what are your Ferrari needs? E.g. you and your wife driving around the southern states on long road trips, track day car, planning to take grandchildren out for ice cream? Paddle shifters or traditional stick. Automatic?! Coupe, convertible, two seats, four seats. You get the idea. I’m sure others will chime in with more questions and suggestions. Good luck with the search.

 

67 or 68 or?

 

These questions are always hard to answer. But don't max out your budget just on the car. Keep some $10-15k in reserve for maintenance.

modern feel with ease of usability
360 modena
430
550/575
California

More old school classic car feel and as such old school problems like finicky windows, HVAC, small stuff that can get tiresome

308/328
348/355

 

Greetings! I've got a few years on you, but had the same question. Years ago I bought a 2001 360 spider with manual transmission. During my ownership I had several issues, nothing glaring, but all ranging in the $1-3K range to sort out. The other concern is that my clutch was approaching a replacement (prior owners hadn't been very careful/skillful and while it wasn't slipping, it was clearly not as strong as it could be), and the catalytic converters were also soon to be in need of replacement/repair - those two items would be more expensive than the little things I just mentioned. I'd also need tires - tread was usable, but the tires had aged out under my ownership. The car was wonderful, but the dream of ownership was met with the reality of constant things that needed attention. In the end I sold it, just before the prices began to skyrocket.

My point? It boils down to a few things: (1) even with a PPI things can, and likely will, go wrong - budget for them; (2) finding a car with a single owner will sell for a premium - and likely be worth it. The car will likely be well maintained, carefully driven - that may help with future repairs, and also shows the pride of ownership from the original owner. This isn't likely with an older car, but when in doubt, fewer owners is a better bet, in general - many new owners think 0-60 times are the key to a Ferrari and often abuse the drivetrain - that's why I prefer fewer owners; (3) finding a car in your price range will limit your search to older 8 cylinder cars. A 2002 360 doesn't sound old, but it is becoming harder and harder to find clean cars in your price point. Paying a premium for the right car is not a bad strategy.

The perennial question of finding a car used by yourself or using a dealer is one best left to your own thoughts, as well as the knowledge base from this forum. For me, I chose a well known independent dealership, paid a bit more than if I found it myself, and was happy to have the help of a pro. The issues I faced with my car weren't unusual, nor were they the result of the selling dealership. Ferraris are not like "normal" cars - I'd equate them to airplanes - they need "annuals", strict maintenance and being run regularly.

For your budget you may find that a higher mileage car is a good place to look. If it's been maintained, has records, and checks out in a PPI, the price will likely be lower than average. And from what you posted you actually want to drive your car - 25K-50K over the coming 8-10 years. Buying a "garage queen" with lower mileage and then putting on the miles you anticipate will likely be a steeper depreciation curve than buying a higher mileage car to start. Finally, a higher mileage car was likely driven more often, and for longer distances. It's critical to properly warm up these cars before enjoying them, and a lower mileage car may not have always followed that pattern.

On the other hand, Ferrari ownership is like no other. Even if you never drive it you'll just stay in the garage and admire the lines, subtle features, and everything to do with it. Enjoy the ride - figuratively and literally.

 

no question: 430

 

I agree

 

Owning a non-warranty F car is going to be expensive. For $90k, you could get a well worn California or a F1 360/430. Maybe a decent 355 Spider or an older 328 too.

The issue here is that any of these cars can run up a huge maintenance bill with a simple visit to your local mechanic. That mechanic, unless a factory trained and conscientious soul, will drain your bank account at a rate that will shock you.

The bottom line is this: There are no cheap Ferrari's. You either pay up front or pay later. Even a seemingly perfect example that passed the PPI with flying colors is going to surprise you. These cars throw ODB codes like they are Frisbees at the dog park. If you're not capable of dealing with these issues yourself, you're going to be paying a lot of money for someone else to do the sleuthing.

I suggest you go for a 2016-17 SL63 and forget the Ferrari. While the AMG isn't as exciting as a Ferrari, it is a car you can drive everyday and not think about the surprise bills. You already had a SL550. Why not step up to the performance of an AMG while still keeping the reliability of a Mercedes?

The car I had before my 360 Spider was a 2017 SL63. Great car. Fantastic performance. Looks stunning. Just not a Ferrari.

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New cruiser: California

Newer sports car: 430f1

Best investment ( my advice ) : manual 360

 

I have contrary views in comparing Ferrari candidates to a Mercedes.

I have owned both Mercedes S coupes and SLs. Unless you get them with the ABC hydraulic suspension system the Ss and the SLs drive like boats. Ferraris handle far better in the twisties, even the far bigger 4 seater Ferraris. In terms of appearance and handling head to head I would far rather have a California over a SL.

In terms of cost of ownership I think the SL is going to ultimately cost far more than the California. Both are well engineered cars and the service costs for both will be in the range the OP mentioned. By all accounts that i have seen the California does not suffer many of the mechanical issues of many of its predecessors and is fairly reliable as a daily driver. But the real key to cost of ownership here will be depreciation. A 2017 SL63 is going to suffer from massive depreciation (my 2016 S coupe that I sold a year ago lost $35K in one year). I think the SL is going to be worse in terms of depreciation because it is becoming the ugly stepchild of the MB lineup with the AMG essentially replacing it as the go to sports car. I suspect a $90K California will be much closer to bottom than a #90K SL.

 

I see you like European cars a lot ,no love for the new C8?

 

The absolute best deal on the market today is the F 612 Scaglietti.
It’s not a convertible but it is V12 and 4 seats. The OTOs better but more expensive.

 

For the desired budget I would be looking at either 360 or 430.

 

A well sorted 456 might be the perfect fit... go drive a 360, a 328 and a 456... they offer very different driving experiences! For example you might prefer the V8 scream or the V12 symphony. By the one that sets your heart on fire.


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Manual 360s are bottomed out and turning up IMO.
California will continue to drop. How far ? Who knows? 40 k ?.
A tradeoff less Cali maint vs more depreciation.
Manual 360 will be a classic.
Cali.....no way except manual ones.

 

Welcome! Not sure if this was asked yet, but also consider your body frame and height. Some of the older cars can be quite snug.
Looking forward to hearing about your journey.

Cheers

 

The only answer that I can give to the Op question:

Whichever one makes your heart flutter looking at it and gives you eager excitement at the thought of sitting behind the wheel. It's like choosing from a beauty pagent lineup which one to take on a date. You just know... THAT ONE. Put ownership costs aside, all will give your wallet a squeeze. its the emotion that keeps you happy regardless.

If it's for a trophy: "I have a Ferrari!". Then the answer is equally simple. Any one.

 

supernut, have you driven any of these cars?

what is it about a ferrari that you like? try to narrow down the aspects that are pushing your buttons.

my guess is you like the engine noise, you may like the mid engine aspect, you may like the racing history, you may like the way you think it will make you feel, you may like the relative exclusivity.

IF you narrow down the aspects that are actually attracting you to the marque, then we might be able to steer you more accurately.

 

no one is suggesting a V12?
550 and 575? higher mileage ones can meet OP's criteria.

 

if you are located near houston i will let you take the 430 out for a spin.
you need to experience what you are talking about.

of the cars mentioned so far, the 430 will be the most representative of what you are probably looking for in a ferrari, with the least amount of maintenance worries (it wont be 0, but it will not be terrible).

the 575 is the bargain of the moment. i would like to buy one right now.
but, it is not as representative of a 'ferrari' experience the way you are imagining it.

the cali, just isnt. i wont elaborate because i dont want to hurt anybody. but you would not be as happy.