F430 running costs vs 997 Turbo

[Prancing Hippo]

Looking for some advice please... I am thinking of selling my 997 Turbo and getting a F430 as a replacement. Anyone have experience of comparable running costs of the two, or what the F430 is like to use regularly on 'real life' roads / towns etc, and in the wet. Many thanks!

[Prancing Hippo]

Thanks everyone, some really good points made. I had not (stupidly) thought about the depreciation issue. I tend to agree that 997 Turbo's will go down. Mine is a 2006 with 52,000 km on the clock (not living in UK at the moment) and worth around EUR 60 - 65,000 I guess. I like the 'practicality' of the 2 seats in the back as it means I can use it for weekends away etc, which could be challenge with the F430. Roads here (Czech Republic) can be a bit bumpy and in winter icy / snowy (everyone uses winter tyres here as required by law), and though not essential, 4WD does give one a bit more security. I had a scarey moment in the UK 2 winters ago in a 575 I had which I don't relish repeating, but assume the 'snow / ice' setting on the F430 plus winter tyres means it is manageable in normal winter conditions if one drives appropriately.

The 'problem' with the Turbo for me is though it is a great car, it does not give me the same buzz as the 575 or 550 gave me... I am between a rock and a hard place - the practicality of the 911 means I can use it more, but it is still a 2nd / 3rd car. I would love the F430, but servicing here will be very expensive, and it will be less useable. I know I will get more of a thrill out of the F430 on the times I do drive it though...

Does anyone think F430's will depreciate much more over the next 6 months or so?

Thanks for everyones help! Really appreciated (but stil can't make up my mind!!

[Prancing Hippo]

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?

I am off to Munich this weekend to look at a few and take some for a test drive (impossible to do this in Prague...!).

[Prancing Hippo]

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!