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

The nice thing about the subjective aspect of car ownership is everyone has their own opinion about driving and ownership. Going on 10 years of ownership, my car still gives me the "tingles" and still makes me happy as the first day I drove it. So.. when you get the right car, that emotion doesn't dissipate. The key is you have to be able to feel emotion.. I'm not even going to go there with the older guy driving a miata and raving about it..

 

Nasim, for your first Ferrari and with considerable bias I would recommend a manual gated 360 coupe. It’s visceral, raw and what Ferraris of the past were meant to feel like when driving. Also it’s the first mass produced alloy body car with timeless design. I would challenge the general public to discern it from a new Ferrari. Couple this with reliable performance and routine maintenance not requiring an engine out service and you have a pure winner. Give it serious thought. You won’t be sorry. In addition you can drive a gated 360 for a few years and get most of your money back when you decide to sell.

 

For 80% of people I would safely recommend a 430 F1 for this type of money based on mass exotic appeal, and performance. For the other 20%, who like a drop dead gorgeous Italian beauty and passion, but do not mind taking a chance on something beautiful that "may bite them back"... I would recommend an F355 Berlinetta for the looks and the sound. It would be really helpful if you were a "do it yourselfer" but the 3 to 5 year service is still a big hit to the budget.

 

I am not sure what that means, but I am glad that you get some emotional feedback from your car. Like I said I may not be able to feel any of that but I respect that others do. I have built about a dozen (5 were mine the other were for other owners) Miata's over the years and perhaps I was not clear. I think the manual gearbox is better in a Miata than a 360/430, that is simply from a functional stand point since I am only able to see things that way. Sort of like my girlfriend wants a couple of new pocketbooks, she shows me pictures (18K for both), I say why do you need to spend 18K to put stuff in. That prompted a three hour conversation explaining to me why. I still don't get it, but I understand why it is important to her. Same thing applies to cars, I will never understand getting emotional feeling from a machine unless it is a massager, they help my old body after I crawl around a car. I think in future I will refrain from commenting on these types of topics, since it is obvious without emotion I am unable to understand your reasons

 

I agree with you

 

buy a 328
Easy Maintenace
Decent air
If your looking for resale value
Your in the wrong marquee

 

if service cost is an issue
By a Lexus ok
Because having owned several of these cars over 30 plus years
With a 512 TR with over 100k on it
And having owned a 308 with 140 k and currently driving a 575 with 40k on it
I am a driver not a washer waxer as most guys who own these cars are
See my thread 575 on the move in chat
And I do my own service work as well
You will have service issues
If this is a sticking point
By a 328
They are vetted
And don’t have magic that will go south on you when you need it
In other words check engine lights
Which all the late model cars have and deal with
It’s your money
Spend it wisely

 

Sorry I would not recommend a 355 to anyone
Between valve guide and exhaust issues and a plethora of other service recalls
And more service issues than the space shuttle
You would be better going to Vegas with your money and having a better time !
Same goes for a 348

 

I would recommend a really nice 328 GTS or a 360 spider.

 

Yep a 328 is the slam dunk no brainer if one is into self servicing, likes the "vintage" look and doesnt mind being blown away by modern
Honda Civics.
If one wants a more modern car with more modern HP and looks a 360 stick is hard to beat $ for $.

 

spot on with the 328
not so much with a 360

 

taking a second bite on the apple buy a 575 F-1
the 12 cylinder cars don't have to work as hard to move and they are a joy to drive
all the V-8 have to hustle to move, not so with a 12 cyl car
you can get one for around $90k now
disregard the prices they are asking
you buy these cars like drug deals!
go in with cash, you will not make it to the door
but be prepared to walk away
I bought a 2003 575 with 26k on it in may of last year
a 16 year old car with 26k miles on it
what a waste
it just went over 40k on the trip back from New Orleans
these cars will have GM A/C and have plenty of room for trips
most of the guys who owned these cars never drove them
that's my take on it
and I will be 70 in august
good luck with getting your car

 

Gorgeous. Enjoy your Ferrari...T

 

congrats Nasim!
she is a beauty !
let me know when you take delivery and i will come by to visit.

 

1 owner with 5k miles!? Congrats!! Do you mind sharing the purchase price? You can private message me if you prefer, I am in the market soon for basically this exact car.

 

Very nice! Glad u extended ur budget!


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Wow what a beautiful car! Well picked!

 

Great! Enjoy (I know you will!) & welcome to the club.

 

Congratulations: you’ll thoroughly enjoy it, they’re awesome cars!

 

California... first gen.. or T , but not sure of that price range. You may find an FF with 25 - 35K miles in that price range... that is a lot of car for the money,, but looks not so much.

 

True the 355 has the reputation for being a maintenance nightmare. However, at $83-90k you would likely be getting a top leve 355 with recent major that has all the main problems sorted. Valve guides replaced, Tubi headers replaced the OEM manifold, all stickies redone, verified with legitimate PPI. I would still recommend the 355 as a first Ferrari solely on the timeline beauty of the design(arguably more beautiful than 360, 430, 550, 456, 348, and on par with beauty of 328, but with much better, almost modern standards of performance). The sound of the 355 is better than any other V8 Ferrari in existence, as well! The bad maintenance reputation is why I would recommend a high miles 430 (80%) Vs only 20% for the 355. It is the best looking and best sounding option for this money segment- IMHO

 

I'm also looking at some 430 models and noticed that there's a big difference in price between a 430 with a manual vs an automatic transmission. I wonder if this difference is justified? Thanks for some advice!

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Actually, if resale is big on your list, Ferrari is the only marquee.