What Ferrari Luce money buys you | Six of the Best
You've got half a million quid to spend - do you get Ferrari's first EV or half a dozen used heroes? Hmm...
612 Scaglietti, 2006, 30k, £59,985
It is always possible, in an age of instantaneous social media backlash (one inclined toward mock outrage), to put too much stock in people’s knee-jerk reaction to new cars they haven’t actually seen in the flesh - nor have any chance of buying. Ferrari expected divisiveness when it revealed the Luce, much as Jaguar did with the Type 01. But surely even the most pessimistic Maranello executive would surely have been dismayed by the six per cent haircut its share price endured this week - equivalent in percentage terms to the loss experienced by BP when its CEO was fired following accusations of bullying. Granted, the market is wildly susceptible to short-term-ism, too, although it seems likely that Ferrari’s EV strategy faces an uphill battle with the Luce set to cost the better part of half a million quid. A sum of money that would buy you this little lot, starting with the wonderfully affordable 612 Scaglietti. Was it a looker? Not really. But did it also have a V12? Yep. Tick.
California, 2012, 15k, £69,950
If there is a modern Ferrari that offers a cautionary tale about harshly judging a book by its cover, it is probably the California. Much like the Luce, it was very much intended to attract new customers, yet it was not well received at launch; partly for its slightly starchy looks, but also for the sense that its maker had been too abrupt in softening its approach. Nevertheless, the California was significant for a number of firsts, including being the first front-engined V8, one exclusively equipped with a dual-clutch auto. It also proved a commercial success despite the critics' reservations, not least for its attractive entry-level pricing. True enough, the later T model was much better, though it took another decade for the concept to be declared a masterpiece, in current-day Roma format. Heaven forbid the Luce takes so long.
599 GTB Fiorano, 2006, 21k, £84,995
Talking of masterpieces, the fact that you can buy a 599 GTB for significantly less than six figures is surely one of the used market’s most likeable quirks. For that you not only get a grand tourer that absolutely looks the part (and always will), but also gain access to the naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 that will forever be regarded as one of the finest petrol engines ever made. And while certainly it's true that ultimate hero status was preserved for the likes of the GTO and track-only XX, those cars were always the preserve of super-fans with bottomless pockets. (Super-fan status isn’t required for the Luce, but clearly you’ll need the same sky-rocket depth.) The GTB, meanwhile, its price helped along by the subsequent majesty of the F12 et al, has moved through a more traditional depreciation process. Hence the reason it can now be bought by mere mortals. Praise be.
F430 Spider, 2007, 15k, £84,950
Think Miami Vice Ferraris and you’ll inevitably conjure up a white Testarossa. But don’t forget that MV wasn’t just a TV show: it got a 21st-century reboot for the silver screen, with Colin Farell and Jamie Foxx. It wasn’t bad, either, even if the series will always be more fondly remembered. Needless to say, the movie needed a 21st-century Ferrari as well, and that’s where the F430 came in: the pinnacle of the mid-engined Spider lineage at the time, and right at home as the cool cop car. Even 20 years later, a drop-top F430 is going to draw a crowd, especially with that glorious V8 visible roof up or down. Certainly any grumbles that may once have existed about the design faded into existence long ago; even more so after you know what. Black over tan will always be a classy colour combo, there’s a nice service history to support the minimal mileage, and the best part of 500hp means proper performance - with a sound like no other. We didn’t know how good we had it…
F355, 1998, 22k, £95,000
Probably we don’t need to say very much more about the sensational Ferrari F355. But, well, there can’t have been many weeks like this in Maranello’s history, so let’s all indulge in a little bit of reminiscing. Recently rejuvenated and back in the limelight as the Evoluto, there was always an awful lot to like about the 355: a whole heap more user-friendly than a 348, prettier than a 360 - prettier than most things on four wheels, in fact - and with a V8 that thrived on revs. Once the affordable route into a Prancing Horse berlinetta, the significance of the F355 in Ferrari’s reinvention from a maker of recalcitrant bedroom poster fodder to the preeminent supercar brand has changed all that. This stunning 1998 F1, recently serviced and in lovely condition, commands almost £100k. As do quite a few of them now…
FF, 2012, 20k, £99,995
Never let it be said that there isn’t variety in the pool of sub-£100k Ferraris. Because amongst the mid-engined V8s, the traditional V12s and the Calis, there’s this: the FF. A dual-clutch, four-wheel-drive tech masterpiece that made all similar Ferraris that preceded it look very old hat. Still exceptionally cool, still very practical by Ferrari standards and still the perfect thing for arriving at Casino Square, albeit with a huge uptick in performance, handling and usability over what went before. Slightly less scary to run, too, if still requiring the fuel of a cruise ship. And probably a similarly sized maintenance team. But people put proper miles on these, because they were designed that way. Plus you’ll never have to plug it in. This one has 12 services to its name, and looks good as ever. To think this is what we called divisive once upon a time…
k up a brand. Dare I say it, I have no interest in the 612 and never liked the 355....
Take those 2 out and the other 3 would do nicely.
Dare I say it, I have no interest in the 612 and never liked the 355....
Take those 2 out and the other 3 would do nicely.
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