Ferrari Dilemma
Discussion
Hey Ferrari Peeps
Current ride is a 2015 F10 M5. It has (as I'm sure you are all well aware) a bonkers gearbox and goes like stink.
The problem I'm facing is that whilst it's epic and is basically a star cruiser, it's not scratching *that* itch I've had since I was about 6 years old.
There is only one solution to this particular problem, and it's Ferrari shaped.
So I'm going to replace the M5 for something calmer but still a competent family cruiser and get myself an Italian thoroughbred
But I still don't know exactly what Ferrari to buy.
After the M5, I know how important a good soundtrack is (because it's absent in my beemer!) but I also know what speed mixed with luxury feels like. I.e. It feels good!
I was looking at an F430 spider and felt this was a great way to get into Ferrari ownership at an "affordable" price point. They still look great from the outside (to my eyes) and with the roof down I understand they sound incredible when you press on. Only issue is I sat in one recently and, how do I put this delicately, the cabin felt pretty out of date.
Then, I did the worst thing possible this weekend and visited my local Ferrari garage and took a look at a 458. Started it up and I got goosebumps and the interior felt so much more modern than the 430 I sat in. The dealer sensed a deal and went to great lengths to explain how the 430 gearbox would feel archaic after my M5 and listed all the 430 reliability woes etc etc.
Thing is, a good 458 Italia is $60k+ more than a decent 430 spider and that's a *lot* of change.
Is it worth it? Would the 430 feel like a step back from my M5?
I don't want my dream of owning a Ferrari to be shattered by a suboptimal first ownership.
What would you do? Buy a good 430 spider and keep the money or splash on a 458 Italia?
I can't run to the extra $30 for a 458 spider so that's not an option either.
Look forward to hearing your thoughts !
-benbobs
Current ride is a 2015 F10 M5. It has (as I'm sure you are all well aware) a bonkers gearbox and goes like stink.
The problem I'm facing is that whilst it's epic and is basically a star cruiser, it's not scratching *that* itch I've had since I was about 6 years old.
There is only one solution to this particular problem, and it's Ferrari shaped.
So I'm going to replace the M5 for something calmer but still a competent family cruiser and get myself an Italian thoroughbred
But I still don't know exactly what Ferrari to buy.
After the M5, I know how important a good soundtrack is (because it's absent in my beemer!) but I also know what speed mixed with luxury feels like. I.e. It feels good!
I was looking at an F430 spider and felt this was a great way to get into Ferrari ownership at an "affordable" price point. They still look great from the outside (to my eyes) and with the roof down I understand they sound incredible when you press on. Only issue is I sat in one recently and, how do I put this delicately, the cabin felt pretty out of date.
Then, I did the worst thing possible this weekend and visited my local Ferrari garage and took a look at a 458. Started it up and I got goosebumps and the interior felt so much more modern than the 430 I sat in. The dealer sensed a deal and went to great lengths to explain how the 430 gearbox would feel archaic after my M5 and listed all the 430 reliability woes etc etc.
Thing is, a good 458 Italia is $60k+ more than a decent 430 spider and that's a *lot* of change.
Is it worth it? Would the 430 feel like a step back from my M5?
I don't want my dream of owning a Ferrari to be shattered by a suboptimal first ownership.
What would you do? Buy a good 430 spider and keep the money or splash on a 458 Italia?
I can't run to the extra $30 for a 458 spider so that's not an option either.
Look forward to hearing your thoughts !
-benbobs
Thanks for the great advice everyone !
So I ran the numbers past the wife last night and she's going to let me push the button on a 458 Italia!
She's a very understanding woman :-)
Last question - any opinions/horror stories on getting a car through Ferrari pre-approved vs non-Ferrari dealers?
Their cars seem to carry a premium but also offer a 1yr warranty.
-ben
So I ran the numbers past the wife last night and she's going to let me push the button on a 458 Italia!
She's a very understanding woman :-)
Last question - any opinions/horror stories on getting a car through Ferrari pre-approved vs non-Ferrari dealers?
Their cars seem to carry a premium but also offer a 1yr warranty.
-ben
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