whats the 'best' ferrari to buy....

Oh...that's easy. One of each!

 

Actually, that price range also includes Cali-Ts, some 308s, 328s, 355s, Testarossas and so on...

 

How about saving a bit of $ and going with a 365 GT4 2+2/400/412?

I'd personally vote the 365 GT4 2+2 for: carb induction sounds, V12 W/ a 5 speed manual, and its smog exempt in most jurisdictions. I don't believe there are any other Ferrari V12s that check all those boxes for under $150K anymore.

Plus, you'd have money left over for maintenance or putting towards one of the other options.

 

360 6-speed fits the bill too

 

r-

As you can see, options abound - but somebody has to mention the annual maintenance of, for which you should expect $10k/year - not kidding!

Some years will be lower, but if you get a rough one then the first year will be higher.

Good luck on your quest!

Kevin

 

Sporty guy go 430 but then people always looking at you. Want reliable driver 550 maranello. It is the most reliable Ferrari v12 while 328 is most reliable v8. Easy driving everywhere including parking lot driveways and speed bumps 550 maranello. 599 love the horsepower hate the styling.

 

355 great looking car


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My vote is for the 599...I'm still kicking myself for not jumping on a local black one for $8x,xxx a few years back.

 

Of those, I would buy a 550 first, then a 599…..no interest in the others.

The plain truth is that there is nothing that truly interests me in that price Range, and very little even up to $250k….which is my current budget for a purchase next year. Bad time for middle income guys like myself to buy these types of cars.

 

The one you like the best.

 

i'd go 550 or 575 - they just feel like they have so much personality

430, ff and 599 are great too though

 

I would try to get a 550 soon. they are becoming very valuable

 

You're buying a pretty driver-level 550 for <$150K. Not that that's a bad thing, and may be just what you want.

Even a really great gated 360 doesn't fall into that price range anymore, but they are out there.

 

328.

It (and the 308) are the iconic and reliable cars in that price range. You can add airbags and sticky plastic to modernize.


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Mmm... I sense some self rationalization going on...

 

LOTS


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F430!

What's your goal with it? You can find some lemons/rebuilt 458/488 for that number too. If you plan on keeping it forever and use it as a daily, without much care about carfax - they would be the best bargain.

 

Agreed...but another factor would be "how good of a car can you get" for each representative model. In other words, if $150K buys you the very best of one model, while it buys the bottom of the barrel in another - which is then (objectively) the best choice?

 

California T from the modern era.
328 from the "classics"
$150k should buy pretty much the best ones out there for those models.

 

I was looking at getting a Ferrari for several years and looked into this from many aspects. My take is if you can afford it, buy a 458 Italia. Here's the my rational. The 458 is he first Ferrari where I'd call truly low maintenance, annual inspection is oil change and brake flush every few years and a pollen filter change. DCT should mean many miles before any issues with transmission, brakes are Carbon Ceramic as standard and again should last 10's of thousands of miles before needing attention (unless tracked). If you're on a budget, both oil/brake flush are very DIY'abl and Foxwell scantools support clearing the service light.

Avoid cars that require an engine out service (I believe the 355 and older its every 15K miles but others on this forum are likely more educated here). Understand that F1 clutch doesn't last very long (I'd heard 15K miles if you don't use it on auto and never backup a hill) so a manual/stick would be preferable vs a car with the F box (plus many advocate like being able to "grind the gears" vs an auto)

On the 360 you can least do belt changes via an access port, but has issues with the exhaust manifolds cracking under weight/vibration. Same issue also seen on F430 and Ferrari did a recall but the new part still has the issue. I was interested in a low mileage F430 a few years ago and the manifolds had been changed 3 times (first one due to recall, then again under warranty and then again out of warranty). After market exhausts exist but not viable for markets with strong emissions like CA and can throw CEL codes.

With the 458, its the last of the Ferrari normally aspirated V8's, its styled by Pininfarina so will hold its value well.

 

For me, objectively the 599 is the best one. It has this magnificent V12 and an addictive dual personality, of a somptuous GT and a sporty monster.
It's a very underrated gem.
To get more, you need several cars.

 

… and you want the best ones out there. Whatever you buy. Otherwise you’ll be over $150K pretty quickly.

I prefer the classics, because they don’t have as much electronic stuff to fail, but if you like modern conveniences a California T is a reasonable choice. Problem is when the top goes south or the DCT gets cranky you’re upside down financially before the flatbed reaches the shop.




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430

 

The best Ferrari, except for a Maranello, in this price range is a Porsche.