First Ferrari Advice

IMHO the California / Portofino / Roma back seats are jokes, they are just additional storage space.
Depending on the use (and excluding the "classic" cars up to the 412), you'll have the choice between 456 / 456M, 612, FF, GTC4 Lusso (with your budget, apparently you could easily find a V8 but a V12 may be a stretch).
For peace of mind, buy from a reputable dealer or an official Ferrari, with a warranty.

 

I disagree regarding the need for back seats, if you want to travel with two people. I did a wonderfil road trip for 12 days with my wife in yhe 550 Maranello last year, and had no problem at all to fit in the luggage, if you pack a bit intelligently. And I don't think that the more modern GTs (599, F12, 812 SF) are less spacious.

 

Your post doesn't really make sense - you have asked what we would pick for our first Ferrari without taking into account your circumstances !

Why don't you look at what your budget would buy in the UK then spend some time looking at the relevant sections here and consider which might work for you and then ask which of these specific cars might in our opinion might suit ?

 

If you have 150K to spend, don’t drain your account on the purchase. Keep a reserve for the inevitable deferred maintenance or repairs.

I agree with the above post regarding back seats. You could pack efficiently and certainly tour in a 550 or 575. If you already have a daily driver, I wouldn’t insist that your Ferrari be purely practical. I would see what appeals to you given your price range and then spend some time here reviewing common issues with each model of interest.


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The bottom is going to start to drop out of the Ferrari used car market. I would wait until you see a stream of steady desperate price drops. Its going to start to happen. As far as buying your first Ferrari and what you should buy, to me that seems a little odd. I myself would never have had to ask that question.

Are you buying a Ferrari just to say that you own one ? When I was a younger fellow, I new about Ferraris. When I first saw the 512 BBi, I was infatuated , same as with the 308. I knew that I wanted one more than anything else in the world.

Years later when I was 34 years old, I had the money, I found a 328 which I knew was the best mass production Ferrari ever made and I bought it.

I loved it even more than the 308. I have now owned it for almost 25 years. Ive done everything necessary to keep it as nice as possible. Now it has 105,000 miles, I bought it with 20 k miles and its a 1989.

I would never think that someone would say " I think I want to buy a Ferrari, I just dont know which model. " With all due respect, it seems like what someone would talk about regarding the purchase of a Toyota per say.

It probably sounds kind of odd, but I cannot see myself living in this world without having a Ferrari , of my infatuated passion of choice sitting in my garage ready and waiting for me to ring its ****ing neck out at a moments notice , so theres that.

Big G

 

To me if you want a good experience then go with a California T all day long and you will not have very many issues if any at all. If you want a more exotic car then 430 but it will cost you more to maintain.

 

I would not waste any money on a Cali T , you might as well buy some other rag top car . If you want a front mounted Ferrari, save your money and buy a V12 .

Big G

 

V12 for a first time Ferrari owner or is worried about getting badly burned? Gino, you are always an odd poster and I think the current era of Ferrari’s fleet aren’t exactly your cup of tea. The Cali T or 2013/14 NA Cali is exactly the right car for this consumer. He should experience these models and then jump into the more exotic models. A 308 like you love would crush him in maintenance.

 

Hi Shane,

Welcome. Since this will be your daily, I would recommend you stick to certain models that were built with just that in mind!
California and California T are great choices assuming you find one well sorted out. As others here have said, the backseats are very small. If you plan to do long trips, I don't recommend anything other then the FF or 612. If shorter trips (with small kids or petite adults) - the Cali/T will work. The Gran Turismo/ Gen 5.5 Quattroporte are "Ferrari-esque" - given they were built when Maserati was 100% in the house of Maranello. Do keep in mind all the cars I described are 10-20+ years old which means not (if) they will have a problem but (when.) Having one of two things (preferably both) will keep you sane.

1) You can wrench yourself
2) A capable and reasonably priced mechanic.

The Gran Turismo/QP gen 5.5s are ridiculously good bargains if you can find one that was well loved and tended to. Having worked on both cars, and seeing how many parts have Ferrari OEM components makes me consider them Ferrari-lite. I would stay away from the Gen 6 QP or Ghibli, they are more Stellantis then Ferrari. (not saying they are bad cars, just that the 'feel' is very different.)

Best of luck!

 

You are going to have to figure out what to buy but regardless, you must get a PPI. Even if you purchase from a Ferrari dealership. They will try to talk you out of it but do not fall for it. Get the PPI. Best $300 you will ever spend.

 

When you look at the classifieds in your budget.. which one makes your heart skip.

Get that one. THAT one.

All else is BS.

 

The Cali T rear seat is not useless. My 3 year old loves it (a car seat fits there fine).

 

Just be ready for the fact that every single thing about Ferrari ownership sucks. Except driving it. And that likely makes it worthwhile.

 

Hi Shane,I would seriously consider a 612 with manual transmission,quite rare,i noticed one just a few days ago .55000 miles @ GBP 80K.No connection myself.NOT ULEZ compliant though.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401165597095?advert-type=dealer-stock&advertising-location=at_cars&advertising-location=at_profile_cars&fromDealerSearchResults=/retailer/stock?advertising-location=at_cars&advertising-location=at_profile_cars&dealer=10009233&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&page=2&sort=price-asc&dpp=10009233&sort=price-asc

 

Can’t overemphasize this, probably 75% of those who selected poorly left this step out. Although, a $300 PPI would not be helpful IMO. I have been paying $750-$1,000 for extensive ones the past few years.

Car wise, your call…..just don’t make a financial mistake by over buying, and put down as much cash as possible.

 

Definitely a car exhibited in the Ferrari museums. With that money I would go for this one, no doubt.
All the best!
Nic




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Get a 550, thank me later

 

I never heard it put that way. It makes some sense to me. I like looking at them as well as driving them.

Big G

 

Shane only you can decide what you want all of tthe late model ferraris are reasonably reliable none of the stories of the pre say 2005 cars
Are in the late model. Cars no worries of belt changes starting with the 430 or 599 era cars….sure things go wrong but if you drive them they work pretty good.
I have owned maybe a dozen or so Ferraris and the one i like the most is my
2013 California 30 with HS… It has been trouble free for the time i have owned it and now has around 20k miles I bought it with around 8000 miles ..It sounds great and is fun to drive..
But thats me you will have to decide and it has 911 like rear seat which i like for a little extra storage or the occasional passenger