F430 running costs vs 997 Turbo

[cayman-black]

Prancing Hippo said:

Thought I should update at least following everyones useful advice. Went to Munich with the Mrs - so 2 people in the car with all the gubbins that goes with a weekend away (toothbrush for me and kitchen sink for her). Had a great weekend driving the 911 with conditions from perfect sunshine to heavy downours, high winds and sleet, on roads from autobahns to windy A-roads going up the Alps to Garmisch. 911 was a pleasure in all conditions.

F430 looked fantastic, but drive was spoilt by a broken drivers seat, which meant my driving position was basically upright with nose a few cms from the windscreen. Lots of small niggles on the car (looked worn considering miles, few scratches, cracked hubcaps, broken aircon outlet etc). These niggles are of course specific to that car and should not detract from the drive etc of course, but they do 'add' to the experience.

Summary was I have a new found love for the 911, so will keep it (for now). At the end of the day, I have always loved Ferrari's more, and I will be back in another one soon, but perhaps in 12 months. Prices for 612's looking quite tempting, and I love the 575 in every way...

Thanks for the advice again everyone!

For a trip like you have just done at this time of year , no Ferrari would be better than a 997 turbo full stop.....!

[JazzyO]

Prancing Hippo said:

Sorry for asking a question that clearly shows how soft I am, but has anyone done any long European trips in a 430? Do you get out feeling like you have been through a rodeo and deaf or are they OK?

Since you've owned a 550 - I'd say the 430 compares favourably to that.

Regarding the comment on the 430 being perfect for bad roads - I think the ground clearance is not the best, so if you have cambers on the road it can ground out. My friends were scraping lots of times on the Italian roads, and my 458 never hit anything.


Onno

[Mike Brown]

Well your summing up and eventual decision seems sensible, I love Ferraris and want another one but your experience reminds why I just keep stopping myself from this. Ferraris are like Concorde was, stunningly beautiful to look and at the same time a little disappointing to be in and certainly to maintain, and yes before anyone asks, I have flown Concorde and have owned a beautiful 360 spider, kind regards Mike.

[wheelsmith]

I can sort of see his point

I had boggo 911 and my mate had a 360, I was shocked at the low mileage 360 and happy to jump in my 911 and drive home.
I basically didn't appreciate the different qualities of the Ferrari, the 911 is unbelievably easy to live with.
However, my requirements are different now and I plan to buy 430, I want the noise, handling and excitement of a 430, not something bland and fast

[Mario149]

kbf1981 said:

F430 = 10-15mpg

Not that it should make any difference to the OP, but: blimey, I think that's a little low! I was getting 17mpg in my 355 and I always had a 15 min drive out of London before I got to anything resembling "mixed" driving. So I'd say more like 15-20mpg for an F430.

On the other hand my 550 seems to be a tad thirsty in traffic But on the plus side it easily sees 16+ on a run and I did see 21mpg on a motorway journey up to Scotland a month or so ago....not bad for a 5.5 litre V12 that's only supposed to average 12.4 mg

[roygarth]

Mario149 said:

kbf1981 said:

F430 = 10-15mpg

Not that it should make any difference to the OP, but: blimey, I think that's a little low! I was getting 17mpg in my 355 and I always had a 15 min drive out of London before I got to anything resembling "mixed" driving. So I'd say more like 15-20mpg for an F430.

On the other hand my 550 seems to be a tad thirsty in traffic But on the plus side it easily sees 16+ on a run and I did see 21mpg on a motorway journey up to Scotland a month or so ago....not bad for a 5.5 litre V12 that's only supposed to average 12.4 mg

First drive in my 550 was when I drove it back from Holland. I thought the fuel gauge must be faulty as it was not moving down much......I actually stopped to fill up as worried I would run out. Amused to find out later it has a 115 litre fuel tank! That combined with 20 plus mpg meant it was hardly moving down.

Edited by roygarth on Sunday 9th December 08:45

[petrolpat]

wheelsmith said:

I can sort of see his point

I had boggo 911 and my mate had a 360, I was shocked at the low mileage 360 and happy to jump in my 911 and drive home.
I basically didn't appreciate the different qualities of the Ferrari, the 911 is unbelievably easy to live with.
However, my requirements are different now and I plan to buy 430, I want the noise, handling and excitement of a 430, not something bland and fast

+ 1 spot on, that's what I get with my 430. As for fuel cost you can blow £30 with the 430 in no time at all but boy its fun. Never had a Porsche so cant compare.