New car purchase soon
Discussion
So after writing off my Aston, and my other half wanting to sell her 911, we have decided to just have one good car between us (and a brand new M4 cab as a daily runaround)
The issue we have is that she is hooked on a Roma Spider, and whilst yes it’s a great car, I prefer the coupe and also I hear of a few modern day glitches with the new technology. Also the new Roma will be launched later this year.
Also looking at a 296 GTS and these are plentiful supply but now looking at sub £250. Plus also Ferrari finance is a good 9.5%. My preferred option is the 296 - it’s a great car but is it a purists car with a V6 and will values keep tumbling?
I would love an F8 though, not cheap though as a Spider but I love them. Look gorgeous, ok the interior is a tad dated, but much less to go wrong.
The issue we have is that she is hooked on a Roma Spider, and whilst yes it’s a great car, I prefer the coupe and also I hear of a few modern day glitches with the new technology. Also the new Roma will be launched later this year.
Also looking at a 296 GTS and these are plentiful supply but now looking at sub £250. Plus also Ferrari finance is a good 9.5%. My preferred option is the 296 - it’s a great car but is it a purists car with a V6 and will values keep tumbling?
I would love an F8 though, not cheap though as a Spider but I love them. Look gorgeous, ok the interior is a tad dated, but much less to go wrong.
I considered all the options and went 296 (from 458 which I had for 9 years).
Mind you I decided I wasn't going to worry about depreciation because my intention is to keep it for a long time. It is good enough to drive for such a decision. It is (in my own non expert and subjective opinion) much more fun than the F8. The F8 is based on the Pista but has been muted. It is just fast. This is based on only one drive so perhaps other opinions are more persuasive.
Mind you I decided I wasn't going to worry about depreciation because my intention is to keep it for a long time. It is good enough to drive for such a decision. It is (in my own non expert and subjective opinion) much more fun than the F8. The F8 is based on the Pista but has been muted. It is just fast. This is based on only one drive so perhaps other opinions are more persuasive.
I get the depreciation and thankfully my partner says it’s not an issue so that’s fine. But any issues you think on the longevity of the technology? And is a 296 GTS at £250 a better option than this fully loaded Roma (24 plate 8000 miles) for £199? Also what kind of offer should I be making on a Roma, regardless of whether I go with their finance or not. £195 or less?
I went 296 GTS. There is a decent warranty and 7 years servicing and you can get an extended battery warranty and the usual drivetrain warranty, So as long as you follow the rules and keep it in the system, all should be OK.
I have unfortunately, some experience of having to use the drivetrain warranty on my 458 and it went fine and saved me an absolute fortune.
I have unfortunately, some experience of having to use the drivetrain warranty on my 458 and it went fine and saved me an absolute fortune.
I should add also and I think someone else has said it, the Roma is a completely different car. You do need to drive anything you are considering of course but I quite liked the Roma (had one for a weekend) but it didn't blow me away. The 296 did. I drove it at Varano circuit and decided to buy it at the corner at the end of the main straight on the first properly hot lap.
Consider also a 458. An epic car and in IMHO much more fun than an F8. You don't need the extra speed. I don't think many people have got out of a 458 and said - that thing is a slowpoke and needs another 200bhp.
Consider also a 458. An epic car and in IMHO much more fun than an F8. You don't need the extra speed. I don't think many people have got out of a 458 and said - that thing is a slowpoke and needs another 200bhp.
Edited by MingtheMerciless on Wednesday 15th January 16:10
MingtheMerciless said:
I went 296 GTS. There is a decent warranty and 7 years servicing and you can get an extended battery warranty and the usual drivetrain warranty, So as long as you follow the rules and keep it in the system, all should be OK.
I have unfortunately, some experience of having to use the drivetrain warranty on my 458 and it went fine and saved me an absolute fortune.
Wow...that photo alone is very persuasive! That's absolutely stunning. I have unfortunately, some experience of having to use the drivetrain warranty on my 458 and it went fine and saved me an absolute fortune.
I absolutely loved my F8. Great car. The lure of all things new and shiny got to me, in hindsight I should have kept it longer.
No matter how hard I try, I can't get on with the 296 looks. It's just so awkward looking to me. I thought the same about the 458 at first though so what do i know!
Nice problem to have though. Happy searching!
No matter how hard I try, I can't get on with the 296 looks. It's just so awkward looking to me. I thought the same about the 458 at first though so what do i know!
Nice problem to have though. Happy searching!
topboss said:
I absolutely loved my F8. Great car. The lure of all things new and shiny got to me, in hindsight I should have kept it longer.
No matter how hard I try, I can't get on with the 296 looks. It's just so awkward looking to me. I thought the same about the 458 at first though so what do i know!
Nice problem to have though. Happy searching!
Finally someone I agree with on the 296, when it was launched I was very disappointed and the looks haven’t grown on me over the years. After hearing all the good reviews from the so called people in the know and the guys at Ferrari Leeds, I took one for a test drive and I have to admit it did absolutely nothing for me. Came back to the showroom feeling flat and all this did was confirm to myself that you can’t beat a V12 Ferrari.No matter how hard I try, I can't get on with the 296 looks. It's just so awkward looking to me. I thought the same about the 458 at first though so what do i know!
Nice problem to have though. Happy searching!
Stark999 said:
I have one dealer who has the 296 GTS I showed, with a very good spec for £259,000. I’m sure they will take an offer at £245/250. Just not sure about the interior colour
That interior will be a limiting factor on resale. Some will be put off. I personally don't think I could live with it. I actually think the 458 will never be surpassed in terms of looks and feel and character. The 296 just comes closest to it and runs rings around it in a number of ways (as does the 488 and F8 in fairness in a lesser number of ways). And I wanted a change after 9 years.
But I also want a V12. Another whole spectrum of comparisons here but I loved the F12. I loved the 812 nearly as much, it was just that it was a bit less unhinged. It wasn't trying to kill you like the F12 did. So if you had to pick only one F car for the rest of your days, I think for me it might be the F12. So perhaps the 296GTS may not be a many years car for me, who knows. Where I live the car import tax system is ridiculously weighted in favour of low emissions cars so the 296 made sense (ish) as well as being a bloody excellent car.
But I also want a V12. Another whole spectrum of comparisons here but I loved the F12. I loved the 812 nearly as much, it was just that it was a bit less unhinged. It wasn't trying to kill you like the F12 did. So if you had to pick only one F car for the rest of your days, I think for me it might be the F12. So perhaps the 296GTS may not be a many years car for me, who knows. Where I live the car import tax system is ridiculously weighted in favour of low emissions cars so the 296 made sense (ish) as well as being a bloody excellent car.
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