Is it worth purchasing a <30k Ferrari?

Muncher · 13 Mar 2009 at 16:28

Trust me, Ferrari parts pricing is eye watering.

Only things to note are:

They are expensive to run, there's no getting away from that.

The quality of some of the parts and engineering in general is poor, hence they break often.

Performance and dynamics wise they can be better by newer cars which would run rings round them.

The reason the 456 is so cheap in partcular is because running costs are large and if the engine goes bang which isn't all that uncommon it would be cheaper to buy another 456 than replace it.

NeilMick · 13 Mar 2009 at 16:29

EddScott said:
A friend has one of these. He had 30K to spend on a car and was going to get something german but his car dealer mate talked him into buying a 348.

He hates it. He says getting it in gear is a pain and near impossible until its warmed through. I think its only moved once in the last 4 years and that was to be serviced in Chelteham and I think it cost him a good few thousand pounds.

I also know someone whose mother is dating some chap who has just bought himself a 355. He is a bit of a tool to be honest and they are as ***** as you like.

Did you just say a F355 is a ****** car? That's probably one of the strangest comments i've ever heard.

Tom|Nbk · 13 Mar 2009 at 16:32

NeilMick said:
Did you just say a F355 is a ****** car? That's probably one of the strangest comments i've ever heard.

Lol

silversurfer · 13 Mar 2009 at 16:44

The 465 is probably the best of that bunch I reckon but its still a 15 year old car I could not fix myself and could not afford to pay someone else to fix.

If you buy one then get a moped as well to use while its getting fixed. How reliable is the 465, I heard the newer ferraris were much more practical to own thats why I'd choose it

Hows your insurance also?

HEADRAT · 13 Mar 2009 at 17:23

NeilMick said:
Did you just say a F355 is a ****** car? That's probably one of the strangest comments i've ever heard.

I'd give my left testicle for a nice 355, I prefer them to the 360 looks wise but never been lucky enough to drive either of them, well any Ferrari come to think of it

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/780339.htm

Looking at that makes me go all funny!

To be the design still looks pretty fresh, it's aged better than the 360.

Von Smallhausen · 13 Mar 2009 at 17:29

I quite fancied a Magnum style 308 but apparently they are very unreliable. It was about 14k if I remember correctly.

MrSix · 13 Mar 2009 at 17:31

I've always said that when I earn enough I'll get myself a Ferrari.
When I first had the dream it was the 360 Spyder that I wanted now I'd want a 430 like this:

oli collett · 13 Mar 2009 at 17:41

MrSix said:
I've always said that when I earn enough I'll get myself a Ferrari.
When I first had the dream it was the 360 Spyder that I wanted now I'd want a 430 like this:

That is pure sex wee.

Jez · 13 Mar 2009 at 17:45

IMO so is the 360 spider. But for half the price.

Will Gill · 13 Mar 2009 at 17:47

from bitter experience, I'd budget £5k a year to run one at an absolute minimum, they are like fiats and always break down

Muncher · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:01

Will Gill said:
from bitter experience, I'd budget £5k a year to run one at an absolute minimum, they are like fiats and always break down

Yeah, I'd say £5k + insurance, tax and fuel.

You've also got to have the finances such that if one year costs you £10k for any reason it's not going to be a problem and more importantly not going to sour your ownership experience.

The_Dark_Side · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:04

Don't buy anything older than a 355.....unless you have deep pockets.
Having something else as a daily driver is also a must.

Will Gill · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:05

Muncher said:
Yeah, I'd say £5k + insurance, tax and fuel.

You've also got to have the finances such that if one year costs you £10k for any reason it's not going to be a problem and more importantly not going to sour your ownership experience.

*cough* 18k for a seized engine *cough*

The_Dark_Side · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:05

Will Gill said:
from bitter experience, I'd budget £5k a year to run one at an absolute minimum, they are like fiats and always break down

It's been a while mate, so can you tell me what I've missed in your recent car history? Last thing I remember is whatever you replaced an S2000 with (which I can't remember, by the way).

Will Gill · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:08

The_Dark_Side said:
It's been a while mate, so can you tell me what I've missed in your recent car history? Last thing I remember is whatever you replaced an S2000 with (which I can't remember, by the way).

indeed mate, you frequent here about as often as i do these days

had some lush company wagons which i still frequent, 360 modena and a cayenne turbo

myself I'm currently enjoying a carrera c2s
http://premium1.uploadit.org/willgill//pork4.JPG

on the look out for something special for a weekend toy

Muncher · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:09

Will Gill said:
*cough* 18k for a seized engine *cough*

Of course, but if you tell everyone who ponders buying a Ferrari that they need to budget for a replacement 456 engine at ~£30k they'll think you're being alarmist. But it's true, you've got to consider these things.

I think if you owned something like a 456 and used it frequently over 10 years, with good independant servicing and any work done that needed to be done to keep the car in prime condition you'd average about £7k per year over 10 years.

Will Gill · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:10

Muncher said:
Of course, but if you tell everyone who ponders buying a Ferrari that they need to budget for a replacement 456 engine at ~£30k they'll think you're being alarmist. But it's true, you've got to consider these things.

I think if you owned something like a 456 and used it frequently over 10 years, with good independant servicing and any work done that needed to be done to keep the car in prime condition you'd average about £7k per year over 10 years.

the reason for that was it sat still for 9 months, hence I now drive it to prevent such an outlay again! criminal if you ask me!

The_Dark_Side · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:11

Will Gill said:
indeed mate, you frequent here about as often as i do these days

had some lush company wagons which i still frequent, 360 modena and a cayenne turbo

myself I'm currently enjoying a carrera c2s
http://premium1.uploadit.org/willgill//pork4.JPG

on the look out for something special for a weekend toy

You did the prancing horse thing after all?
Nice one, mon ami, it's good to get it out of your system.

Now, about the weekend toy.
Personally, I think something like a Noble would be right up your boulevard.

Dj_Jestar · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:12

Jez said:
Where do you get the idea that ferrari's somehow use "special tyres"? You could kit a 430 out with decent bridgestone rubber for around £1200 all in. In all likelihood you'll never buy another set, either.

So £300 a corner, then.

Muncher · 13 Mar 2009 at 18:12

Check out Kev's 456 running costs here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/members/showCar.asp?carId=2053

£21,550 over 17,300 miles :eek: