The potentially ruinous relationship of running a Ferrari...
Discussion
pneumothorax said:
here's the breakdown of my recent cambelt service.
service. £1250. vat £250
labour for removing brake calipers. £160 vat £32
front brake discs. £314. vat £62
rear discs £331. vat £66
replace brakes. £120 vat £24
355 brake line. £96 vat £19
radiator x 1 (the other one gave up the ghost on the morning of a trip to france so figured best get the other one done whilst engine out)£120 labour. vat £24
radiator rebuild. £285. vat £57
cam covers removed for painting. labour £120. vat £24
repaint. £196. vat £39
355 ht lead set. £295. vat £59
spark plugs. £84. vat £16
investigate misfire. labour £80. vat £16
mot. £50
2 x pirelli p-zero. £456. vat £91.
road test free
total £4979.
obviously i didnt need the cam covers done. the rad was preventative. but the rest is really made up with routine matters and consumables so i've got no problem with what it costs. it is what it is. and the car feels great and is worth every penny.
as stated previously, i just think it's instructive for those about to jump in to a 355.may aid them to go in with eye's open. this bill wasnt even the result of anything complex going wrong.
the HT leads are a bit eye watering price wise but the rest seems ok to me.
i suppose i have simply had two consecutive expensive years, what with the clutch being done during last year's service.
looking forward to a straight-forward £400-500 service next year but i am not holding my breath.
btw i am doing approx 6k miles per annum. last summer did include an alpine hoon and a bit of a run around italy.
just saying!
I think this is a good post. The bill above seems pretty typical to me. If you begrudge it, these cars aren't for you. service. £1250. vat £250
labour for removing brake calipers. £160 vat £32
front brake discs. £314. vat £62
rear discs £331. vat £66
replace brakes. £120 vat £24
355 brake line. £96 vat £19
radiator x 1 (the other one gave up the ghost on the morning of a trip to france so figured best get the other one done whilst engine out)£120 labour. vat £24
radiator rebuild. £285. vat £57
cam covers removed for painting. labour £120. vat £24
repaint. £196. vat £39
355 ht lead set. £295. vat £59
spark plugs. £84. vat £16
investigate misfire. labour £80. vat £16
mot. £50
2 x pirelli p-zero. £456. vat £91.
road test free
total £4979.
obviously i didnt need the cam covers done. the rad was preventative. but the rest is really made up with routine matters and consumables so i've got no problem with what it costs. it is what it is. and the car feels great and is worth every penny.
as stated previously, i just think it's instructive for those about to jump in to a 355.may aid them to go in with eye's open. this bill wasnt even the result of anything complex going wrong.
the HT leads are a bit eye watering price wise but the rest seems ok to me.
i suppose i have simply had two consecutive expensive years, what with the clutch being done during last year's service.
looking forward to a straight-forward £400-500 service next year but i am not holding my breath.
btw i am doing approx 6k miles per annum. last summer did include an alpine hoon and a bit of a run around italy.
just saying!
pneumothorax said:
here's the breakdown of my recent cambelt service.
service. £1250. vat £250
labour for removing brake calipers. £160 vat £32
front brake discs. £314. vat £62
rear discs £331. vat £66
replace brakes. £120 vat £24
355 brake line. £96 vat £19
radiator x 1 (the other one gave up the ghost on the morning of a trip to france so figured best get the other one done whilst engine out)£120 labour. vat £24
radiator rebuild. £285. vat £57
cam covers removed for painting. labour £120. vat £24
repaint. £196. vat £39
355 ht lead set. £295. vat £59
spark plugs. £84. vat £16
investigate misfire. labour £80. vat £16
mot. £50
2 x pirelli p-zero. £456. vat £91.
road test free
total £4979.
That is an outstanding post, and perfectly illustrates the points made in this thread. Thank you for the detail.service. £1250. vat £250
labour for removing brake calipers. £160 vat £32
front brake discs. £314. vat £62
rear discs £331. vat £66
replace brakes. £120 vat £24
355 brake line. £96 vat £19
radiator x 1 (the other one gave up the ghost on the morning of a trip to france so figured best get the other one done whilst engine out)£120 labour. vat £24
radiator rebuild. £285. vat £57
cam covers removed for painting. labour £120. vat £24
repaint. £196. vat £39
355 ht lead set. £295. vat £59
spark plugs. £84. vat £16
investigate misfire. labour £80. vat £16
mot. £50
2 x pirelli p-zero. £456. vat £91.
road test free
total £4979.
Most of the items in the list are an easy DIY however not everyone has the time or can be bothered to do it. Take for example the brake discs. A full set of brake discs is hard to get for less than the £645 quoted above. The labour is easy to DIY. I did both rads myself (cost £150 each to rebuild) and again, its not too hard to DIY. What people need to consider is that these items are once every 10 years. You either buy a car with these things done, or you do it (however you want) and then keep it.
I did my own engine out service (belts, bearings, filters etc) and again, the parts cost very little but the hours needed to remove and refit the engine are significant.
I think what people forget is that aside from the major service or consumables like tyres, pretty much everything in the list above is a result of keeping an almost 20yo car on the road.
For comparison with pneumothorax service, this is my last service:
Ferrari 355 Spider
Reg:
Miliage: 48786
Carry Out 50k service as per Manufacture specification
Replace x2 engine mountings
Investigate coolant leak
Investigate rough idle / misfire
Replace camcover oil seal O/S
Replace N/S rear upper wishbone bushes
Supply & Fit HID Kit (slimline)
Supply & fit x2 Pirelli 215/45/18 Direzonale
Carry out repair / tidy to fuse board repair carried out previous
Refurbish rear wheels (Magnesium)
Carry out Pre / MOT inspection
Re-align Bonnet / Boot
Brake fluid change
Re attach interior trim
Full valet inc engine compartment / claybar / wax
Upper wishbone bushes x2 £117.60
HID Kit (slimline) £95.00
LED Sidelamp kit £12.00
Pirelli 215/45/18 £316.80
Engine support mountings £148.40
Refurbish wheels (materials only) £86.00
MOT inspection fee £80.00
NGK Spark plugs x8 £88.88
Air filters £52.63
Fuel filters £28.08
Redline GB oil £71.98
PS belt £12.57
A/C + Power belt £34.98
Spark plug leads x2 S/H £25.00
Cam cover seal £33.00
PARTS £1202.98
Labour breakdown:
Service inc coolant / misfire investigation 12 hr
Fit HID kit 2.5 hr
Wishbone bush 1.5 hr
Engine mounting 1.5 hr
Camcover seal 1.5 hr
LABOUR TOTAL £855.00
TOTAL £2057.98
ETA: about £500 of that total was optional (lights, wheel refurbs etc)
ETA2: 50k miles service is the biggie for 2.7s (I think for 5.2s it's 43.5k mile one), it's basically everything apart from cambelts if memory serves
Ferrari 355 Spider
Reg:
Miliage: 48786
Carry Out 50k service as per Manufacture specification
Replace x2 engine mountings
Investigate coolant leak
Investigate rough idle / misfire
Replace camcover oil seal O/S
Replace N/S rear upper wishbone bushes
Supply & Fit HID Kit (slimline)
Supply & fit x2 Pirelli 215/45/18 Direzonale
Carry out repair / tidy to fuse board repair carried out previous
Refurbish rear wheels (Magnesium)
Carry out Pre / MOT inspection
Re-align Bonnet / Boot
Brake fluid change
Re attach interior trim
Full valet inc engine compartment / claybar / wax
Upper wishbone bushes x2 £117.60
HID Kit (slimline) £95.00
LED Sidelamp kit £12.00
Pirelli 215/45/18 £316.80
Engine support mountings £148.40
Refurbish wheels (materials only) £86.00
MOT inspection fee £80.00
NGK Spark plugs x8 £88.88
Air filters £52.63
Fuel filters £28.08
Redline GB oil £71.98
PS belt £12.57
A/C + Power belt £34.98
Spark plug leads x2 S/H £25.00
Cam cover seal £33.00
PARTS £1202.98
Labour breakdown:
Service inc coolant / misfire investigation 12 hr
Fit HID kit 2.5 hr
Wishbone bush 1.5 hr
Engine mounting 1.5 hr
Camcover seal 1.5 hr
LABOUR TOTAL £855.00
TOTAL £2057.98
ETA: about £500 of that total was optional (lights, wheel refurbs etc)
ETA2: 50k miles service is the biggie for 2.7s (I think for 5.2s it's 43.5k mile one), it's basically everything apart from cambelts if memory serves
Edited by Mario149 on Wednesday 8th February 12:09
pneumothorax said:
labour for removing brake calipers. £160 vat £32
replace brakes. £120 vat £24
2 x pirelli p-zero. £456. vat £91.
Ok call me tight if you like but undo 8 bolts £192 ?replace brakes. £120 vat £24
2 x pirelli p-zero. £456. vat £91.
Replace brakes ? seems to cheap for pads so assume do back up above bolts £144 ?
I just paid £120 each fitted for the Pirellis at home.
They are what they are we all know that but some of it is a big pi$$ take.
Boon1000 said:
In light of the potentially ruinous relationship between one’s wallet and the little red beasty in the garage, I thought some readers might find the following useful. As someone who took the plunge to buy a Ferrari 355 13 years ago, and has enjoyed driving it ever since, the following may be useful for anyone considering taking the plunge...
And so to the numbers. Below are the total costs (including and excluding depreciation), as well as the costs pertinent the last five years. Costs over the last five years is perhaps more relevant given the age of most of these cars today. The car gets driven regularly, but is not my daily driver – which perhaps explains the relatively low total mileage of 16,000. I don’t make any particular effort to keep the mileage down and just drive it when the mood suits.
Costs over the last 13 years
Servicing and maintenance £34,000 (average of £2,600 per year)
Road tax £2,200
Insurance £16,200
Fuel £4,800
Miscellaneous £3,200
Total £60,400
Average per year £4,600
Cost per mile excl depreciation (16,000m) £3.80
Depreciation over 13 years £65,000 (Bought new £105,000, value today ~£40,000)
Cost per mile including depreciation (16,000m) £7.90
Costs over the last 5 years
Servicing and maintenance £17,300 (average of £3,500 per year)
Road tax £900
Insurance £3,200
Fuel £1,600
Miscellaneous £1,400
Total £24,400
Average per year £4,900
Cost per mile excl depreciation £5.20
Depreciation over last 5 years £10,000 (Value today ~£40,000)
Cost per mile including depreciation £7.30
The highest costs in any individual year for servicing and maintenance was £7,200 in 2010. The lowest costs for the same in the last five years was £1,400 (2008).
Perhaps the only question that really matter is, “Was it worth it?” Absolutely Highlights of owning the car has got to be slicking it down a cog or two every time I go through a tunnel. Juvenile I know, but I just never seem to tire of it...
Happy driving.
Boon
“Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.”
- Lillian Dickson
Great post.And so to the numbers. Below are the total costs (including and excluding depreciation), as well as the costs pertinent the last five years. Costs over the last five years is perhaps more relevant given the age of most of these cars today. The car gets driven regularly, but is not my daily driver – which perhaps explains the relatively low total mileage of 16,000. I don’t make any particular effort to keep the mileage down and just drive it when the mood suits.
Costs over the last 13 years
Servicing and maintenance £34,000 (average of £2,600 per year)
Road tax £2,200
Insurance £16,200
Fuel £4,800
Miscellaneous £3,200
Total £60,400
Average per year £4,600
Cost per mile excl depreciation (16,000m) £3.80
Depreciation over 13 years £65,000 (Bought new £105,000, value today ~£40,000)
Cost per mile including depreciation (16,000m) £7.90
Costs over the last 5 years
Servicing and maintenance £17,300 (average of £3,500 per year)
Road tax £900
Insurance £3,200
Fuel £1,600
Miscellaneous £1,400
Total £24,400
Average per year £4,900
Cost per mile excl depreciation £5.20
Depreciation over last 5 years £10,000 (Value today ~£40,000)
Cost per mile including depreciation £7.30
The highest costs in any individual year for servicing and maintenance was £7,200 in 2010. The lowest costs for the same in the last five years was £1,400 (2008).
Perhaps the only question that really matter is, “Was it worth it?” Absolutely Highlights of owning the car has got to be slicking it down a cog or two every time I go through a tunnel. Juvenile I know, but I just never seem to tire of it...
Happy driving.
Boon
“Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.”
- Lillian Dickson
I wanted to say how jealous I am that you were lucky enough to have purchased what is probably the greatest all round car that Ferrari have ever made, when they were brand new. Fantastic.
Thank you, Murcielago_Boy. At the time there was a near two-year wait for the 355, and I was a little worried that they might have stopped making it by the time my turn on the list arrived. Don’t get me wrong the 360 is a fantastic, and in many ways a better car, but I just fell in love with the look of the 355. I ordered the car at the beginning of 1997, specc’d it in mid ‘98 and it finally came two days before Christmas 1998. It was a long wait, but boy what a Christmas present! I was like a little boy in a sweet shop, hopping from one foot to the next when the transporter pulled-up outside the house and slowly lowered the rear door.
Happy driving
Boon
Happy driving
Boon
It's all very informative, and a real eye opener for anyone thinking that classic performance cars are a bargain, great thread.
I do believe that they are bargains, and money spent in the right places is important.
I also like to spanner cars myself, stuff like brakes and clutch pose no problem to me. The proper parts do still cost real money, so savings are not always huge.
The whole FSH is much like tinkerbell the fairy, which only exists bacuase we abeleive in it/her. Before buying prestige cars we all insist that prospective purchase must have FMDSH. Once we've run on for a few years and discovered how much work was badly done or advisory/never done, many of us switch to trusted independents. This is my pragmatic view as a 'normal earner' running several cars. I cannot afford to leat a dealer do 'everything neeeded, every time'. On my 3200 GT using main dealer would have magde me bankrupt, as they really want to do every miniscule task. Shame they forgot to change the air filters on the first service
I do believe that they are bargains, and money spent in the right places is important.
I also like to spanner cars myself, stuff like brakes and clutch pose no problem to me. The proper parts do still cost real money, so savings are not always huge.
The whole FSH is much like tinkerbell the fairy, which only exists bacuase we abeleive in it/her. Before buying prestige cars we all insist that prospective purchase must have FMDSH. Once we've run on for a few years and discovered how much work was badly done or advisory/never done, many of us switch to trusted independents. This is my pragmatic view as a 'normal earner' running several cars. I cannot afford to leat a dealer do 'everything neeeded, every time'. On my 3200 GT using main dealer would have magde me bankrupt, as they really want to do every miniscule task. Shame they forgot to change the air filters on the first service
rs48635 said:
I do believe that they are bargains
This^^Now I know I'm not the most objective person, but I genuinely can't get my head around the mindset of someone who say wants to spend say £55k on on a decently specced new Boxster S/Cayman S as a weekend toy, and will genuinely go for that over a mint F355 which can be had for £10k less or even a 360 (thinking of that Evo comparison from a while back now)
Yes the 355 is less reliable, but really how reliable do you need a weekend toy to be? So what if it breaks down once a year?
Yes the 355 costs more to service/maintain, but that'll be more than made up for by the Boxster's depreciation and the kick in the balls you'll take when you sell it.
Looks? Won't even bother with that argument.
Noise? Even with the standard 355 exhaust, see previous comment
Handling? I've driven several Boxsters and on the assumption that the new one is broadly similar to the old one, I still prefer the steer of the 355, although in reality it'd be a close run thing for most.
Engine/Performance? Even with Ferrari's, erm, optimistic bhp values, the Germans lag well behind
Fuel consumption? If it's genuinely a concern for someone spending £50k on a toy I'd be very surprised, and even if it was, you're probably only looking at £500-£1k per year more for the 355
Interior? What lots of lush soft Italian leather rather than plastics not floating your boat? Whatever.
Goodies/toys? So this is the one place that the Porsche would win....but aren't you buying it to drive rather than fiddle with stuff?
Anyway, there're even more arguments, but I think I've made my point! Now don't get me wrong, I *love* Porsches
We'll ignore the Ca
ne and Pra as they are just all manner of wrong and abortions of the brand, otherwise they're a fab make: Caymans, Boxsters, 911s....well maybe not Caymans as I think they're utterly pointless ("No thank you, I don't want a Boxster, I'm going to buy exactly the same car but without the ability to put the roof down for summer fun and then hand over even more money to you for that privilege" 
Still, horses for courses I guess!), but certainly the last 2, and my 996 C4S was awesome. But, I can only get on board with them when bought (nearly) new if they're going to be your only car that will be used day in day out. Otherwise, barring Spyder/GT2/GT3/RS etc variants of them, you really are making a life decision to be a little bit too sensible and a little bit dull IMO
PS: this post may be slightly wine-fuelled but it still stands
Mario149 said:
rs48635 said:
I do believe that they are bargains
This^^Now I know I'm not the most objective person, but I genuinely can't get my head around the mindset of someone who say wants to spend say £55k on on a decently specced new Boxster S/Cayman S as a weekend toy, and will genuinely go for that over a mint F355 which can be had for £10k less or even a 360 (thinking of that Evo comparison from a while back now)
Yes the 355 is less reliable, but really how reliable do you need a weekend toy to be? So what if it breaks down once a year?
Yes the 355 costs more to service/maintain, but that'll be more than made up for by the Boxster's depreciation and the kick in the balls you'll take when you sell it.
Looks? Won't even bother with that argument.
Noise? Even with the standard 355 exhaust, see previous comment
Handling? I've driven several Boxsters and on the assumption that the new one is broadly similar to the old one, I still prefer the steer of the 355, although in reality it'd be a close run thing for most.
Engine/Performance? Even with Ferrari's, erm, optimistic bhp values, the Germans lag well behind
Fuel consumption? If it's genuinely a concern for someone spending £50k on a toy I'd be very surprised, and even if it was, you're probably only looking at £500-£1k per year more for the 355
Interior? What lots of lush soft Italian leather rather than plastics not floating your boat? Whatever.
Goodies/toys? So this is the one place that the Porsche would win....but aren't you buying it to drive rather than fiddle with stuff?
Anyway, there're even more arguments, but I think I've made my point! Now don't get me wrong, I *love* Porsches
We'll ignore the Cane and Pra as they are just all manner of wrong and abortions of the brand, otherwise they're a fab make: Caymans, Boxsters, 911s....well maybe not Caymans as I think they're utterly pointless ("No thank you, I don't want a Boxster, I'm going to buy exactly the same car but without the ability to put the roof down for summer fun and then hand over even more money to you for that privilege" Still, horses for courses I guess!), but certainly the last 2, and my 996 C4S was awesome. But, I can only get on board with them when bought (nearly) new if they're going to be your only car that will be used day in day out. Otherwise, barring Spyder/GT2/GT3/RS etc variants of them, you really are making a life decision to be a little bit too sensible and a little bit dull IMO
PS: this post may be slightly wine-fuelled but it still stands
Proof I think that alcohol especially in the form of a nice bottle of wine makes us all smarter
Although you're spot on about the madness of Cayman pricing structure , drove a Cayman R for a day recently and its a honey. Get a loaded one for £45k now.
Mario149 said:
This^^
Now I know I'm not the most objective person, but I genuinely can't get my head around the mindset of someone who say wants to spend say £55k on on a decently specced new Boxster S/Cayman S as a weekend toy, and will genuinely go for that over a mint F355 which can be had for £10k less or even a 360 (thinking of that Evo comparison from a while back now)
Yes the 355 is less reliable, but really how reliable do you need a weekend toy to be? So what if it breaks down once a year?
Yes the 355 costs more to service/maintain, but that'll be more than made up for by the Boxster's depreciation and the kick in the balls you'll take when you sell it.
Looks? Won't even bother with that argument.
Noise? Even with the standard 355 exhaust, see previous comment
Handling? I've driven several Boxsters and on the assumption that the new one is broadly similar to the old one, I still prefer the steer of the 355, although in reality it'd be a close run thing for most.
Engine/Performance? Even with Ferrari's, erm, optimistic bhp values, the Germans lag well behind
Fuel consumption? If it's genuinely a concern for someone spending £50k on a toy I'd be very surprised, and even if it was, you're probably only looking at £500-£1k per year more for the 355
Interior? What lots of lush soft Italian leather rather than plastics not floating your boat? Whatever.
Goodies/toys? So this is the one place that the Porsche would win....but aren't you buying it to drive rather than fiddle with stuff?
Anyway, there're even more arguments, but I think I've made my point! Now don't get me wrong, I *love* Porsches We'll ignore the Cane and Pra as they are just all manner of wrong and abortions of the brand, otherwise they're a fab make: Caymans, Boxsters, 911s....well maybe not Caymans as I think they're utterly pointless ("No thank you, I don't want a Boxster, I'm going to buy exactly the same car but without the ability to put the roof down for summer fun and then hand over even more money to you for that privilege" Still, horses for courses I guess!), but certainly the last 2, and my 996 C4S was awesome. But, I can only get on board with them when bought (nearly) new if they're going to be your only car that will be used day in day out.
Otherwise, barring Spyder/GT2/GT3/RS etc variants of them, you really are making a life decision to be a little bit too sensible and a little bit dull IMO
PS: this post may be slightly wine-fuelled but it still stands
As a Boxster owner, I concur! To buy a new Boxster makes no sense to someone like me when considering all of the above - it's amazing how often people forget depreciation which is the biggest cost! Now I just need to test drive that 355....Now I know I'm not the most objective person, but I genuinely can't get my head around the mindset of someone who say wants to spend say £55k on on a decently specced new Boxster S/Cayman S as a weekend toy, and will genuinely go for that over a mint F355 which can be had for £10k less or even a 360 (thinking of that Evo comparison from a while back now)
Yes the 355 is less reliable, but really how reliable do you need a weekend toy to be? So what if it breaks down once a year?
Yes the 355 costs more to service/maintain, but that'll be more than made up for by the Boxster's depreciation and the kick in the balls you'll take when you sell it.
Looks? Won't even bother with that argument.
Noise? Even with the standard 355 exhaust, see previous comment
Handling? I've driven several Boxsters and on the assumption that the new one is broadly similar to the old one, I still prefer the steer of the 355, although in reality it'd be a close run thing for most.
Engine/Performance? Even with Ferrari's, erm, optimistic bhp values, the Germans lag well behind
Fuel consumption? If it's genuinely a concern for someone spending £50k on a toy I'd be very surprised, and even if it was, you're probably only looking at £500-£1k per year more for the 355
Interior? What lots of lush soft Italian leather rather than plastics not floating your boat? Whatever.
Goodies/toys? So this is the one place that the Porsche would win....but aren't you buying it to drive rather than fiddle with stuff?
Anyway, there're even more arguments, but I think I've made my point! Now don't get me wrong, I *love* Porsches
We'll ignore the Cane and Pra as they are just all manner of wrong and abortions of the brand, otherwise they're a fab make: Caymans, Boxsters, 911s....well maybe not Caymans as I think they're utterly pointless ("No thank you, I don't want a Boxster, I'm going to buy exactly the same car but without the ability to put the roof down for summer fun and then hand over even more money to you for that privilege" Still, horses for courses I guess!), but certainly the last 2, and my 996 C4S was awesome. But, I can only get on board with them when bought (nearly) new if they're going to be your only car that will be used day in day out. Otherwise, barring Spyder/GT2/GT3/RS etc variants of them, you really are making a life decision to be a little bit too sensible and a little bit dull IMO
PS: this post may be slightly wine-fuelled but it still stands
Mario149 said:
This^^
Now I know I'm not the most objective person, but I genuinely can't get my head around the mindset of someone who say wants to spend say £55k on on a decently specced new Boxster S/Cayman S as a weekend toy, and will genuinely go for that over a mint F355 which can be had for £10k less or even a 360 (thinking of that Evo comparison from a while back now)
Yes the 355 is less reliable, but really how reliable do you need a weekend toy to be? So what if it breaks down once a year?
Yes the 355 costs more to service/maintain, but that'll be more than made up for by the Boxster's depreciation and the kick in the balls you'll take when you sell it.
Looks? Won't even bother with that argument.
Noise? Even with the standard 355 exhaust, see previous comment
Handling? I've driven several Boxsters and on the assumption that the new one is broadly similar to the old one, I still prefer the steer of the 355, although in reality it'd be a close run thing for most.
Engine/Performance? Even with Ferrari's, erm, optimistic bhp values, the Germans lag well behind
Fuel consumption? If it's genuinely a concern for someone spending £50k on a toy I'd be very surprised, and even if it was, you're probably only looking at £500-£1k per year more for the 355
Interior? What lots of lush soft Italian leather rather than plastics not floating your boat? Whatever.
Goodies/toys? So this is the one place that the Porsche would win....but aren't you buying it to drive rather than fiddle with stuff?
Anyway, there're even more arguments, but I think I've made my point! Now don't get me wrong, I *love* Porsches We'll ignore the Cane and Pra as they are just all manner of wrong and abortions of the brand, otherwise they're a fab make: Caymans, Boxsters, 911s....well maybe not Caymans as I think they're utterly pointless ("No thank you, I don't want a Boxster, I'm going to buy exactly the same car but without the ability to put the roof down for summer fun and then hand over even more money to you for that privilege" Still, horses for courses I guess!), but certainly the last 2, and my 996 C4S was awesome. But, I can only get on board with them when bought (nearly) new if they're going to be your only car that will be used day in day out.
Otherwise, barring Spyder/GT2/GT3/RS etc variants of them, you really are making a life decision to be a little bit too sensible and a little bit dull IMO
PS: this post may be slightly wine-fuelled but it still stands
Agree with most of what is written, although it seems there are plenty of people out there that would rather buy the latest toy (and suffer depreciation) than thinking about something older. Have an acquaintance in mind that bought a 430 new a few years back. Hardly ever drives it (apparently he has to call out Ferrari assistance every time he goes for a drive to get the car started as the battery is always flat from non-use!) and has lost CHF 75k in depreciation but is still thinking about swapping it for a new 458. Now I know I'm not the most objective person, but I genuinely can't get my head around the mindset of someone who say wants to spend say £55k on on a decently specced new Boxster S/Cayman S as a weekend toy, and will genuinely go for that over a mint F355 which can be had for £10k less or even a 360 (thinking of that Evo comparison from a while back now)
Yes the 355 is less reliable, but really how reliable do you need a weekend toy to be? So what if it breaks down once a year?
Yes the 355 costs more to service/maintain, but that'll be more than made up for by the Boxster's depreciation and the kick in the balls you'll take when you sell it.
Looks? Won't even bother with that argument.
Noise? Even with the standard 355 exhaust, see previous comment
Handling? I've driven several Boxsters and on the assumption that the new one is broadly similar to the old one, I still prefer the steer of the 355, although in reality it'd be a close run thing for most.
Engine/Performance? Even with Ferrari's, erm, optimistic bhp values, the Germans lag well behind
Fuel consumption? If it's genuinely a concern for someone spending £50k on a toy I'd be very surprised, and even if it was, you're probably only looking at £500-£1k per year more for the 355
Interior? What lots of lush soft Italian leather rather than plastics not floating your boat? Whatever.
Goodies/toys? So this is the one place that the Porsche would win....but aren't you buying it to drive rather than fiddle with stuff?
Anyway, there're even more arguments, but I think I've made my point! Now don't get me wrong, I *love* Porsches
We'll ignore the Cane and Pra as they are just all manner of wrong and abortions of the brand, otherwise they're a fab make: Caymans, Boxsters, 911s....well maybe not Caymans as I think they're utterly pointless ("No thank you, I don't want a Boxster, I'm going to buy exactly the same car but without the ability to put the roof down for summer fun and then hand over even more money to you for that privilege" Still, horses for courses I guess!), but certainly the last 2, and my 996 C4S was awesome. But, I can only get on board with them when bought (nearly) new if they're going to be your only car that will be used day in day out. Otherwise, barring Spyder/GT2/GT3/RS etc variants of them, you really are making a life decision to be a little bit too sensible and a little bit dull IMO
PS: this post may be slightly wine-fuelled but it still stands
I think that method of financing might also be an issue. I think a lot of people buy on lease/loan and they push themselves to the limit on what they can afford each month. Such people may not have £5k spare cash on the side in case of unexpected (or should that be periodically expected) large bills with a 355.
Also, much as I love the looks of the 355 and think it is much more special and desireable than a Cayman/Boxster (and with the right exhaust sounds so much better) I think the Porsche may be more satisfying to drive hard. And I'd be much less anal about using the Porsche during the winter, leaving it in public car parks etc. Plus you could put a fair amount of miles on the Porsche without killing its residual value. All IMHO of course.
Always loved the 355, so much so i've promised myself one going as far to research garages for hire in my corner of SW London. My impatient side says get finance and get one. Do PCP (if thats even the word) sort of deals apply to older cars. I've only ever brought cars cash, and sadly don't have 40k lying around... well unless I get PH post xmas present.
Anyhow good to read all these Ferrari ownership experiences, still want
Phil
Anyhow good to read all these Ferrari ownership experiences, still want
Phil
Boon1000 said:
Thank you, Murcielago_Boy. At the time there was a near two-year wait for the 355, and I was a little worried that they might have stopped making it by the time my turn on the list arrived. Don’t get me wrong the 360 is a fantastic, and in many ways a better car, but I just fell in love with the look of the 355. I ordered the car at the beginning of 1997, specc’d it in mid ‘98 and it finally came two days before Christmas 1998. It was a long wait, but boy what a Christmas present! I was like a little boy in a sweet shop, hopping from one foot to the next when the transporter pulled-up outside the house and slowly lowered the rear door.
Happy driving
Boon
Boon - IMHO a 360 simply doesn't compare to the 355. Not in the same league. Having read ^^^^ I can understand COMPLETELY what you must have been going through! A brand new 355 in '98! Bloody hell! Awesome.Happy driving
Boon
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