My first supercar

[JapanRed]

I'm toying with the idea of purchasing my first supercar but would like some advice. Ive had my 997 C4S for almost 2 years and its been a nice entry into the sports car market. I had planned to keep the Porsche for another 2 years but am I'm getting itchy feet and would potentially look to take some money out of my business to fund the pourchase sooner rather than later.

Budget would be about £80k (with the potential to go a bit higher if necessary). I am really only interested in modern-era (post 2005) supercars. I'm not buying as an investment but are there any cars that are likely to appreciate (or at least not drop in value like a lead balloon)? Should I buy now or wait for certain models to come into my price range in a couple of years?

Apologies if this seems a bit woolly, but I want a supercar that wont cost me the Earth in depreciation (would be nice if it appreciated) and has reasonable reliability (it will be a weekend car - I put approx 4000 miles a year on the Porsche).

Thanks in advance.

[Mike Brown]

Ferrari 360 would fit the bill, last ones built were early 2005, buy right and you might even make money whilst using it
Great cars imho . I went from C4S to 360 spider and never regretted it, that was four years ago and I still have it, not missed a beat either. Mike

[Mike Brown]

Ferrari 360 would fit the bill, last ones built were early 2005, buy right and you might even make money whilst using it
Great cars imho . I went from C4S to 360 spider and never regretted it, that was four years ago and I still have it, not missed a beat either. Mike

[JapanRed]

Mike Brown said:

Ferrari 360 would fit the bill, last ones built were early 2005, buy right and you might even make money whilst using it
Great cars imho . I went from C4S to 360 spider and never regretted it, that was four years ago and I still have it, not missed a beat either. Mike

I do like the 360's but always a bit gutting knowing that I could've had the same car for £30k less 3 years ago. Are they expected to keep increasing?

[Mike Brown]

They are down a bit of late, I reckon a good example could still be had for well under 65/70 k,
Some people/ dealers are being very optimistic I reckon

[Nano2nd]

430 i think u might find the 360 doesn't quite feel a supercar step up from the 997 performance wise - looks, presence and noise yes, outright pace probably not... I had a 997 C2S and the 430 is in a different league performance wise. Have a look at the latest EVO, it mentions the 430 being one of the cheapest supercars to run in this bracket, my ownership experience confirms that (cheaper than my 997!), Gallardo is your other option, though that £5k clutch change is a bit of an off put... get test driving curve ball - R8 V10 ? is it still a supercar if its German?

[likesachange]

There's a lovely 360 near me at Haytons Prestige, Eddie Jordans old one if that means anything. Recently had a full restore as well from what i understand...

[MDL111]

can you still get a 599 under 100k in the UK - I know it is more modern, but proper super car / sound / performance.
Do you want a manual or automated box?
Do you want a convertible or coupe?

I'd get a manual 355 over a 360 - looks nicer imo and performance is similar

[LukeyLikey]

I love Ferrari and have owned a number of them, have 2 currently. The answer to your question IMV is add a little to the budget and buy a 12C. It is ultra fast, high tech, brilliant to drive and far ahead of 360, 430 etc.

[Nano2nd]

LukeyLikey said:

I love Ferrari and have owned a number of them, have 2 currently. The answer to your question IMV is add a little to the budget and buy a 12C. It is ultra fast, high tech, brilliant to drive and far ahead of 360, 430 etc.

add a little to his budget? what like 50% lol only on PH

[Trev450]

Nano2nd said:

R8 V10 ? is it still a supercar if its German?

I purchased a 2010 example of one of these very recently for a good bit below the budget mentioned. From what I can gather doing some research, the early ones, especially manuals, appear to have bottomed out price wise and could be future classics. I didn't buy it with this in mind, but it's a bonus if they don't drop like bricks.

[julian64]

Trev450 said:

Nano2nd said:

R8 V10 ? is it still a supercar if its German?

I purchased a 2010 example of one of these very recently for a good bit below the budget mentioned. From what I can gather doing some research, the early ones, especially manuals, appear to have bottomed out price wise and could be future classics. I didn't buy it with this in mind, but it's a bonus if they don't drop like bricks.

Hmmm. name any Audi classic with the possible exception of the early quarto.

Chances of R8 becoming a classic......low.

[Pioneer]

With an £80k budget I would be looking at a Gallardo or F430. The current 430 bubble means you'll probably have more choice with the Gs. More modern feel to them imo and the sound of that V10 R8? No, staring at an Audi badge will not feel special.

[Quickmoose]

So define your idea of 'Supercar' OP
911 C4S isn't.... is a GT3RS?
Is every Ferrari a Supercar?...I don't consider the 360 or 430 one...maybe a Scud
Audi R8 V10?...stance/looks/stats all say yes...badge says no?
Gallardo is a good shout..
Does £80k even get a 'Supercar' then?

That kind of cash...me...
DBS
575
NSX ....
Murcielago (£99k)

I'm not saying they ARE supercars, that'd be my shopping list

[Spindoctor]

At that price point, I'd go Gallardo. Its got that wonderful V10, the addictive noise especially in the spyder, and a 'supercar' wow factor. If you want attention, you get it (in my experience, all positive). And its reliable and great fun to drive. Was toying with selling mine but then I drove it again.

Not saying that others (430, R8 etc) aren't good cars - ultimately its personal choice.

[foxsasha]

For value for money a V10 R8 would be my choice. Depends on how much you value the badge vs the metal your money buys you.

[anonymous-user]

I have a 997 C4S and a F430. If you're considering going for something that feels a little more special then the 430 is a great choice. Performance is on another level, maintenance is reasonable, depreciation has been done. Maybe wait a couple months as prices will invariably soften over the winter and buy in February.

[julian64]

foxsasha said:

For value for money a V10 R8 would be my choice. Depends on how much you value the badge vs the metal your money buys you.

Its not the badge. Arguably the Audi and the lambo are very similar cars especially the engine.

Its just when you look at the car rather than the badge the Lambo appeals to the child inside and the Audi doesn't. A rational mind would choose the Audi all day long. But you walk into a supercar dealers as a child not an adult.

[Durzel]

F430 would get my vote too, but you'll be looking at "leggy" ones. When I was in the market I was advised that they can be relatively inexpensive to run, or ruinous - depending on your luck. Guess that's the case with a lot of things though.

Manifolds, clutch are big ticket items with the former being a known defect and the latter just one of those things that wear out.

julian64 said:

Its not the badge. Arguably the Audi and the lambo are very similar cars especially the engine.

Its just when you look at the car rather than the badge the Lambo appeals to the child inside and the Audi doesn't. A rational mind would choose the Audi all day long. But you walk into a supercar dealers as a child not an adult.

Also this.

R8s have never appealed to me. Supercar money with anodyne looks.

[Trev450]

julian64 said:

Trev450 said:

Nano2nd said:

R8 V10 ? is it still a supercar if its German?

I purchased a 2010 example of one of these very recently for a good bit below the budget mentioned. From what I can gather doing some research, the early ones, especially manuals, appear to have bottomed out price wise and could be future classics. I didn't buy it with this in mind, but it's a bonus if they don't drop like bricks.

Hmmm. name any Audi classic with the possible exception of the early quarto.

Chances of R8 becoming a classic......low.

You're possibly right. The point I was making, however, was with modern cars becoming more sanitised, there will always be a market for a mid engined 5.2 V10 and that can only serve to stabilize values.