Ferrari or Porker for EU tour

[Ryan-ibb5z]

retiring next year and one of the bucket list items was a 6-10 week road trip around europe in a 'supercar'. Ideally a ferrari although im flexible. I'll be buying new for the warranty and probably sell it after a year.

Soft top with a proper roof is wanted by the other half.

What would you folks recommend ?

[shocks]

992 (911) Turbo S Convertible, very little comes close. Reliability, currently appreciating and won't be a mileage worrier like the Ferrari's

Head turning, then Ferrari F8 Tributo Spider, it will be around 50k more than the 911 and less space for a Euro tour, unless you go for the Ferrari Portofino

If your keep for just a year I'd go with the 992 Turbo S convertible. You may even make money on it.

[MDL111]

I would buy an approved used 458 - has the warranty and will likely lose less than a new Ferrari (plus better sound). Or if you have the budget for it and still can get one, then an 812 GTS - you probably won’t want to sell it again though ... a Ferrari V12 through the Alps is about the best experience you can have

[Ryan-ibb5z]

thanks for the replies and I tend to agree my head says porker my heart says ferrari.

The other question is do i get a left hand drive and would a uk dealer sell me one ?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Porsche will be great but for a once in a lifetime 10 week road trip it would be the Ferrari or the Mclaren 12C/650S are very good supercars & they're good value right now:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102098...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104151...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103150...

These two are more super GT but are well worth considering.

V12 Vantage S

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103120...

SLS

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102139...

AMG GT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101198...

[Ryan-ibb5z]

thanks for those links, it cant be a maclaren, son has one of their pushchairs for the grandkids and i couldnt live with the ribbing.

[J1990]

Something about a Euro trip in something as elegant as an Aston Martin just gets me all excited.
A Ferrari is a beautiful car. The Porsche, regardless of how good of a car it is, seems to be very common on the roads and I'm not sure it would feel special enough for me.

If you're not open to the Mclaren then I'd be voting for the Aston ZX linked, beautiful car!

[Jasandjules]

DB11 Volante?

[ZX10R NIN]

Ryan-ibb5z said:

thanks for those links, it cant be a maclaren, son has one of their pushchairs for the grandkids and i couldnt live with the ribbing.

You can buy LHD over here, it depends on what you intend to do with the car after the trip?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102269...

[Wombat3]

6-10 weeks with the Mrs on board ?

Portofino. Bit less hardcore, more space for luggage.

[Ryan-ibb5z]

it does seem there are no real equivalents to the Portofino, solid roof not fabric while still a convertible.

It does worry me the warranty side, what happens if it has problems in europe ? Do they come get it and fix ?

Main reason I'll be buying new for peace of mind.

I do think left hand drive may be a wise choice ?

[Wombat3]

Ryan-ibb5z said:

it does seem there are no real equivalents to the Portofino, solid roof not fabric while still a convertible.

It does worry me the warranty side, what happens if it has problems in europe ? Do they come get it and fix ?

Main reason I'll be buying new for peace of mind.

I do think left hand drive may be a wise choice ?

You can get Ferrari's "With you " Euro wide breakdown service for any older Ferrari (inc 30+ year old cars) just by registering for it so I don't doubt the cover for new cars will be extensive. Dealer should be able to answer that.

I wouldn't bother with LHD - I've done several Eurotreks in an 30+yr old RHD 328 & its never been an issue & expect to do more in due course. I'd be quite happy to do one in a California or California T, never mind a Portofino!

[MDL111]

If you have a Ferrari approved car with warranty, you will have Ferrari assist as far as I know
Having said that, if you drove it a little before the trip and then had it checked over there is no reason for it to break during the trip

[MDL111]

With regards to LHD vs RHD, both are fine - esp if you have a passenger for toll booth
Not sure how easy it would be to sell a LHD car if you bought it in the HK with potential tax implications post brexit

[TTmonkey]

Why would you buy LHD? Unless you were going to retire abroad.

RHD is fine for a road trip. LHD will be much more likely to be harder to sell and depreciate more.

V8 mid engine Ferrari on a 10 week road trip would probably put you off for life. I’d suggest if it has to be a Ferrari for a ten week trip it has to be Portofino.


We went to Italy last summer.... and hired a 488. For 15 minutes lol

[Ursicles]

Manual V12 Vantage.

If you can afford one, buy it now, sell it after the trip and the profit will cover the trip.

They are starting to rise pretty quickly price wise, and the soundtrack is immense.

[swanseaboydan]

I would get either a used portofino or even a used California T with a full Ferrari warranty - comfy cruising all day ! European road cover will also help

[timberman]

I'll echo the not bothering with LHD unless you have specific reasons.

I've driven both LHD and RHD in the EU amongst other places,
and although you soon get used to LHD after a short period of time, I never had any issues driving our own car across France, Switzerland or Italy,
the only thing that could have caused problems would have been toll booths due to being on the wrong side, but as my wife was in the passenger I got her to pay instead.

[TTmonkey]

timberman said:

I'll echo the not bothering with LHD unless you have specific reasons.

I've driven both LHD and RHD in the EU amongst other places,
and although you soon get used to LHD after a short period of time, I never had any issues driving our own car across France, Switzerland or Italy,
the only thing that could have caused problems would have been toll booths due to being on the wrong side, but as my wife was in the passenger I got her to pay instead.

You invest in an electronic tagging pay system, you barely have to stop, and avoid all the fussing about.

[timberman]

TTmonkey said:

timberman said:

I'll echo the not bothering with LHD unless you have specific reasons.

I've driven both LHD and RHD in the EU amongst other places,
and although you soon get used to LHD after a short period of time, I never had any issues driving our own car across France, Switzerland or Italy,
the only thing that could have caused problems would have been toll booths due to being on the wrong side, but as my wife was in the passenger I got her to pay instead.

You invest in an electronic tagging pay system, you barely have to stop, and avoid all the fussing about.

Yeah, we did look at them at the time but didn't bother,

tbh we never encountered any queuing or difficulties paying, but seeing people drive straight past while I had to listen to my wife moan about having to keep leaning out of the window means it's something I would definitely opt for if we were to go again.