Ferrari for a year?

[Windymiller]

Times are good at the moment. Business is going well, I've separated from my girlfriend, and am currently carless... and I quite fancy getting something rather tastier than normal for a year!

My money works harder for me in the business, so I'll probably just be popping my runaround-car fund down as a deposit (£10k) so I'm thinking of something maybe around £40k. I'd originally been looking at AMV8 Vantages but my heart says Ferrari 360...

I don't want people to talk the usual soapbox-$hit to me about financing — I'm happy down this route. And this isn't a case of buying what I can't afford. I'm perfectly aware of the running costs, etc.

I'd be buying from a dealer, so would have a warranty of sorts, and I have pretty secure parking. Chances are I may keep it for more than a year, but saying a year makes it sound a little more sensible (well....)

So... should I?

Anyone got any tips or pointers? Or maybe another motor I've missed?

[AndrewW-G]

Yes, you should do this, as the old phrase goes - you'll be a long time dead

[matc]

I did the same, the 360 was the best car and experience I've ever had. Didn't end up costing me a penny either.

I would suggest a private buy rather than a dealer though, that way you're likely to suffer almost zero depreciation in a year with just servicing costs to worry about. Just get an indi to give it a proper inspection to minimise your exposure.

There are finance companies that will finance a privately bought car for you, or use your bank for it.

Good luck, buy right and I can guarantee you won't regret it.

[Soovy]

Buy from Ferrari - you get a two year warranty, so you can run it for a year, and then sell it with a year remaining.

Overall costs should be quite low.

[Le TVR]

40k for a 360 is really not going to buy a quality example?
I would have thought 50k would be a better guess.

[uuf361]

Do not buy the AMV8 - an awful car IMO, the 360 should be better.....

[Windymiller]

This is what I need - friendly nudges in the right direction!!!

The AMV8 running costs seem a bit mental compared to the Ferrari, which is one of the reasons I'm thinking Italian.

So did you guys experience any scary bills? Plenty about for just over 40k with a decent spec.

[Animala]

360 all the way. I've driven the V8 vantage and it was the most disapointing thing ever. I can't comment on the 360 having not driven one but IMO it looks way better than the Vantage.

[Windymiller]

matc, can you PM me your details so I can email you about it?

[Jgtv]

I know its turning into 40 to 50K but I would be looking at one of these

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2794879.htm

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2332735.htm

In my eyes a safer place to leave 50k, possibly going to cost you a few more quid than the 360 but I would hazard a guess that one isnt going to lose you a lot and the lambo might even make you a few quid.

[homerjay]

"i drive a ferrari"

fk me, that sounds good!

do it!!!!

[Animala]

Jgtv said:

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2332735.htm

Do those sunglasses come with the car? I'd kick of if they didn't.

[GreigM]

Le TVR said:

40k for a 360 is really not going to buy a quality example?
I would have thought 50k would be a better guess.

I'd disagree, there is a wide range of pricing but reality is that its still a buyers market, £40K will buy a nice early modena in a private sale.

However, speaking from experience, are you sure you're aware of the running costs? Its a 90L tank which will easily consume £110 in fuel every time you fill it - which will be every 180 miles. If you did 10K miles in that period you'd spend £5K in fuel and about £2K in basic servicing, thats before ball-joints, tyres etc, so I'd add another £1k minimum on top of that.

Add to that 10K miles will depreciate the car significantly - a £40K modena will have say 40K on the clock, anything above 50K and you're talking low £30s sale price, so you could easily lose £5K+ in depreciation in a year.

Obviously that might not happen, but before you know it a ferrari can turn into a £20K in a year experience. It might not, you may be lucky, but be prepared.

If this doesn't put you off - go for it, regardless of the st inexperienced people will talk about the 360 it is a wonderful machine and owning one is a great life experience.....just don't have it as your "main" car

[AJI]

GreigM said:

However, speaking from experience, are you sure you're aware of the running costs? Its a 90L tank which will easily consume £110 in fuel every time you fill it - which will be every 180 miles.

Do the 360's really only do 9 miles per gallon?

[RandomTask]

I've driven a 360 on a track day. Great car, and didn't feel that difficult to drive. Smaller cabin than I'd imagined though.

Avoid the flappy paddle gearbox if possible though, it really detracts from the performance and is much slower than more modern examples.

[voicey]

Do it. I'm on my second and regret not buying one earlier.

Get yourself into the Ferrari, Maserati, etc, etc part of this forum for advice on specific cars.

[snorkel sucker]

I say yes.

Im guessing you are reasonably young (you mention girlfriend rather than wife) and, if you are comfortable with the running costs then why not.

With the 360 you would be buying into something which will depreciate very little, so you may find that your £10k deposit brings you a little more back after a year of finance.

A 996 GT3 could be another option? Or maybe a Sagaris for some added drama?

[matc]

Windymiller said:

matc, can you PM me your details so I can email you about it?

YHM

[Bolognese]

Yes! I drove one on a track day and it was fantastic. No quite as fast as I hoped but handled very well. Been in a AMV8 too - they sound great but are incredibly slow IMO

360's seem to have bottomed out too so you will not lose to much on depreciation.

Do it!!

[kambites]

I'd probably take a 355 over a 360 but yes, if you're happy with the financial implications, why not?