Ferrari ? Advice Please....

[Spy]

Hi all,

I currently own a Porsche 996 Turbo and have been considering moving into a Ferrari or an older Porsche.

The car is third car and as such is garaged and only taken out on nice days and for a number of the annual car meets/shows. Given this, I suspect a classic Porsche or Ferrari would fit well with this lifestyle. Budget would be around teh £40k mark

I am looking at people's thoughts and advice with regard to:

- Which models to look at, bearing in mind depreciation and potential future status
- Recommended colours (or colours to avoid)
- Desireable/Must Have options eg Challenger grill etc
- Approximate annual budget for running/maintaining the car, assuming it will only do approx 1.5k to 2k miles a year

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[johnnyreggae]

I don't understand threads like this

Surely if you are interested in a car (as opposed to a label) you should make up your own mind which of the models you can afford looks interesting - maybe you need four seats so buy a 456 - maybe you like the looks of the Mondial - only then is it time to start worrying about colours & options

And then there's the assumption this has never been asked before........

[Pork]

If I had £40k for a car that was a keeper and only to be used for high days and holidays, I'd be looking at a 355, possibly a spider.

I suspect they'll hold their value if properly maintained and would provide some good motoring.

I'm afraid I can't help on the costs front as I've not owned one.

[Pork]

PS - as for colours, I think red/crema on a 355. Re-sale red.

For me, its the last of the classic Ferrari shape (pop-up lights etc) and it the only Ferrari I would insist on having in red.

[Wanta996Gotta]

Pork said:

If I had £40k for a car that was a keeper and only to be used for high days and holidays, I'd be looking at a 355, possibly a spider.

I suspect they'll hold their value if properly maintained and would provide some good motoring.

I'm afraid I can't help on the costs front as I've not owned one.

I agree, A Ferrari 355 or a 360 Modena. Also worth looking at a used Aston Martin Vantage or DB9.

I guess a 996 GT3 would be worth a shout.

[Spy]

Thanks for the replies guys. In my price range, the main culprits seem to be 328, 355, 360 and 456.

My view on them is:

456 - I have always liked these but not sure as to its general desireability and potential investment for the future.
328 - May be getting too old now and could cost more to maintain - don't know hence the maintenance question
355 - great looking car but is it better to go for a newer shape 360 ?
360 - More modern looking but does that put it into the later era of mass produced Ferraris ?

I am not a big fan of Astons and the GT3 would look too much like my Turbo. I would consider an air cooled Porsche though, such as a 993 or 930

[Pork]

Purely an opinion, but collectability, I would rate them as follows:

4th - 360 - based purely on the numbers of them around. A CS would be different, but a normal 360 IMO is to be used, not collected.
3rd - 456 - modern 4-seater Ferrari's generally don't hold their value. I suspect a tidy 456 would have depreciated as far as it will, but not sure it will appreciate too much.
2nd - 328 - classic looks, but still a bit fickle. Will hold values and good ones have already appreciated.
1st - 355 - I reckon good ones will be pricey now but will only go up in value.


All just an opinion.

As for maintenance, I believe the 360 will be the lowest of the above, but owners will no boubt be along shortly to confirm.

Perhaps be worth heading over to Ferrarichat.com or anotehr Ferrari forum for better, more detailed responses?

[Davey S2]

355 no question.

[johnnyreggae]

Davey S2 said:

355 no question.

+ 1 - didn't the editors here produce an extensive buyers guide a few months back (which no doubt no-one can find)?

Edited by johnnyreggae on Tuesday 8th March 13:04

[Spy]

johnnyreggae said:

+ 1 - didn't the editors produce an extensive buyers guide a few months back (which no doubt no-one can find)?

Which editors ?

[Bebs]

You need to drive them - they won't feel quick after a 996TT. Very different kettle of fish.

[Spy]

Bebs said:

You need to drive them - they won't feel quick after a 996TT. Very different kettle of fish.

Thanks mate, I was thinking that anyway and in fact it may be better for me. I find the Turbo insanely quick, so quick that I can't find a stretch of road that can really show off its abilities. I always find I am bearing down on the car in front in too short a space of time

[cccscotland]

Spy said:

Thanks for the replies guys. In my price range, the main culprits seem to be 328, 355, 360 and 456.

My view on them is:

456 - I have always liked these but not sure as to its general desireability and potential investment for the future.
328 - May be getting too old now and could cost more to maintain - don't know hence the maintenance question
355 - great looking car but is it better to go for a newer shape 360 ?
360 - More modern looking but does that put it into the later era of mass produced Ferraris ?

I am not a big fan of Astons and the GT3 would look too much like my Turbo. I would consider an air cooled Porsche though, such as a 993 or 930

Why not a 550? Surely the most sure-fire future classic of the lot. A gentleman's express.

[mikearwas]

Bebs said:

You need to drive them - they won't feel quick after a 996TT. Very different kettle of fish.

I think that is relative, they wont feel AS quick as the turbo but most on the list will still feel indecently rapid.

[crostonian]

It would be a 550 or a Testarossa for me. My biggest regret is selling my 550, I think they have a great combination of usability, performance, timeless appeal and investment potential - may not be the cheapest to run though.

[crostonian]

It would be a 550 or a Testarossa for me. My biggest regret is selling my 550, I think they have a great combination of usability, performance, timeless appeal and investment potential - may not be the cheapest to run though.

[JazzyO]

Spy said:

Thanks mate, I was thinking that anyway and in fact it may be better for me. I find the Turbo insanely quick, so quick that I can't find a stretch of road that can really show off its abilities. I always find I am bearing down on the car in front in too short a space of time

Drive a 550, it's not slow in real terms and has an amazing range of abilities. You can potter around in it and your granny can drive it but it's up to 120mph in around 14 seconds (i.e. not far behind an F-40). In-gear acceleration is very good due to good amount of torque.

For me, the more modern cars are making it a bit tough to hang onto your license. The 550 is the right level of quickness for me.

For future status, by the way, the 550 is very likely to go up a lot. It's a modern Daytona, really, with a very analog feel, no paddle gearbox, and very limited electronics. A real driver's car. It's in your price bracket, but be aware that there are plenty of poor ones out there now. If you're used to a 996T I wouldn't worry, mine has been almost completely troublefree and very reasonable to maintain for a V12 Ferrari.


Onno

Edited by JazzyO on Wednesday 9th March 05:26

[PGN911]

johnnyreggae said:

I don't understand threads like this

Surely if you are interested in a car (as opposed to a label) you should make up your own mind which of the models you can afford looks interesting - maybe you need four seats so buy a 456 - maybe you like the looks of the Mondial - only then is it time to start worrying about colours & options

And then there's the assumption this has never been asked before........

I don't understand responses like yours. This is a car forum where people ask questions, get involved in discussions and debate. It helps hugely to have informed opinion from current/past owners, people in similar positions etc.

[rubystone]

JazzyO said:

For future status, by the way, the 550 is very likely to go up a lot. It's a modern Daytona, really, with a very analog feel, no paddle gearbox, and very limited electronics. A real driver's car. It's in your price bracket, but be aware that there are plenty of poor ones out there now. If you're used to a 996T I wouldn't worry, mine has been almost completely troublefree and very reasonable to maintain for a V12 Ferrari.

They made a lot more 550s than Daytonas and there's a whole chunk of electronics in a 550 when you start to dig into them. I don't think they will rise in price for a long time. I do think they are great cars though, but FWIW and IMHO I'd not be buying one as an investment - at best I think a good low owner, low miles, full history car with a good exterior/interior colour will hold its value.

[Martian O]

360 for me. I owned a late 355 F1 and it was a good car but the 360 is far superior in every way. I can't think of one thing better on the 355 over a 360.

The 360's engine has a better torque band over a 355, the brakes superior, the 355's steering is numb and too wayward, and don't get me started on the Alfa Romeo sourced airbag'd wheel!

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy my 355 ownership, but the 360 really moved the game on.