Which dream weekend car up to say £85k

[DjSki]

Its now or never...in a few years I'll be 50........have had a few good years at work and I could now afford something special for european trips and sunny weekends for a couple of years.

I think there are only two options for me, an F430 (would have to be an F1 at my budget) or a 997.1 GT3. Needs to be very special/iconic car that has a good chance of retaining value.

Has anyone driven both and importantly experienced the costs of running both? Any input?

I was hoping that once I had a warranty that I would be covered by £2k a year for maintenance, am I dreaming? Would only be 2/3k miles a year.

A warranty on any purchase would be needed for me to enjoy ownership and not worry too much, so a main dealer sourced car could be the way to go.....or is it? Are there any Ferrari specialists that offer solid warranties that you can recommend?

Ferrari Wilmslow have a 28k F430 up at £80k, anyone know it?

https://preowned.ferrari.com/en/gb/search/2006/fer...

Any views/info gratefully recieved.

[DjSki]

drcarrera said:

Audi R8 V10 manual? Not the last word in handling delicacy but a great car nonetheless. Can't see them dropping much further price wise and much cheaper ownership costs than an F430.

Personally I think somthing like this https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... looks far more "special" than a black F430.

If you want one for sunny days and Euro trips you could get a nice convertible one as well...

Edited by drcarrera on Saturday 26th January 15:55

Had this on an initial list and I love the sound of a V10 more than a V8 but thought it wouldn't feel special enough. The interiors just feel like you are sat in an RS3...I'm not a bag snob (I love the GR and would own one) but its an Audi. If I had a £50k budget then I think things would be different as v10s at this money are real value.

[DjSki]

drcarrera said:

Fair enough. Aston Vantage?

Like the V12 Vantage S which can be had from dealers from £70k but I worry about medium term values, which are important to me. See these continuing to tank for a while, whereas I can't see a f430 ever being less than £60k....

[DjSki]

SydneyBridge said:

Ferrari California?

Bum's far too big.

I know the 430 is marmite looking, but I love it.

[DjSki]

MDL111 said:

I think for sense of occasion a 430 is hard to beat - maybe an LP-560 if they are available at that budget

I’d say for people who want a Ferrari, they will eventually buy one (and many sell them again after a - often - short ownership period for various reasons). Itch needs scratching etc

I would not disregard a manual 360 (possibly convertible) - I think they have aged really well and a click clack Ferrari manual is very hard to beat ....

Agreed but I'm not a huge fan of the styling, bit soft for me. I think 430 manuals are going to come down as the bubble continues to soften......one debate was do I wait a bit and see if they reach my budget......but think it might be a year.

[DjSki]

crimbo said:

DjSki said:

whereas I can't see a f430 ever being less than £60k....

Wont be the first time they have been lower,
With the risk of sounding boring it may be worth just waiting a year to see just how the market is effected. Cars may drop a little more than normal and it may free up some more options.

Potentially you might not be far away from 991 gt3, gen2 r8, mclaren money which will all be able to have warranty and be a bit newer

I know, things could keep sliding.....it’s a constant debate. Don’t think I’ve ever managed to call the bottom of any market though....

[DjSki]

Vergis said:

Lamborghini LP560 . Modern day super car power and looks

The only Lambo I love is the Murci’ but way out of budget. The smaller lambos aren’t my thing....apart fron the epic sound of course!

[DjSki]

PompeyReece said:

A Gen 2 R8, for the money, is probably the best deal you can get - for that you can pick up something with 5,000 miles on the clock and enjoy a newish car with an amazing NA engine.

However if your head really wants something more exotic you're talking about an Aston Martin, Ferrari, McLaren or Lamborghini - Porsche not exotic enough.

Personally, I would take the negative McLaren comments on here and put them in context of overall ownership in the real world rather than just a forum. So a 12C, Gallardo, 360, 430 will get your something older with higher mileage, a Vantage something newer.

Just test drive them all - you could end up being surprised.

100% agree that an MC12 is the supercar bargain of the moment and I do love the look of it. The warranty cost is the main worry and the overall complexity of the thing. Plus in my mind it sounds a bit flat compared to the competition. If I had a bit more money it’s what I would get.

[DjSki]

MrVert said:

I've owned both 997 GT3 & F430.........

.............

Reading between the lines, it sounds like you are after 'sense of occasion' rather than the 'best' or 'fastest' car (which is subjective).

Both of the above will get you into trouble of you even try to approach their limits on the road, as will most cars mentioned in this thread, so it's the overall ownership experience and feel good factor that will count.

In that respect, I'd have the F430 over the GT3. It just gives you more, feels more special and that's what it's all about.

If you can find one with carbon racing seats, snap it up. They have you set lower down and feel great.

Have fun in your search

Edit to add: after a quick search, I'd be looking at this one
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Edited by MrVert on Sunday 27th January 10:20

MrV, very kind of you to reply in detail with great input, you hit the nail on the head it’s a sense of occasion I am after, something special. I’ve had a 911, but never a Ferrari....

I need to drive them both ASAP.

Cheers.

[DjSki]

WCZ said:

Vergis said:

Lamborghini LP560 . Modern day super car power and looks

this, a 430 or possibly stretch to a 599? just because the engine is so sweet

Yes, 599 is epic, but a dealer/warranted car will be well over £85k....

Going to call Mclaren tomorrow and discuss their warranty......

[DjSki]

barriejames said:

Interesting. I have a V10 Spyder Manual which I simply love but its not quite special enough although people do take pics, and I do really like the 430 Spyder. and at another 25k ish its looking tempting, or possibly an SVR F type which is a 200mph beast

F types are real value but they will keep shedding value and I can't have that, not the same "specialness" league as the other options though I don't think...?

[DjSki]

ZeroH said:

If you're in London and want to check out f430spi I'd be happy to take you out schedule permitting.

Very kind offer, yes, I'm in London, will drop you a line if I think about spiders. Much appreciated.

[DjSki]

BlackR8 said:

If after test driving your options you make a firm decision on an F430, feel free to drop me a DM as I know a perfect car and spec for your budget.

Hi,

I feel that the value is currently in the F430 so leaning that way, GT3s seem to be sticking (I expect values to fall a bit this year) and I think have a bit more "collectors premium" in them than a F1 F430 at the moment.

Have been talking to AV Engineering, these guys know their stuff!

Tried to email you, you aren't accepting.....try me? Cheers.

[DjSki]

Spindoctor said:

When I had the same weekend car choice to make I went for a Gallardo over the 430. Its down to personal preferences but the Lambo just looks and sounds better. No regrets here.

As a leftfield alternative, something like this may not have the same badge prestige as your choices but its a proper weekend toy, and great fun to drive.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Tempting.

Nice, but think this will shed value pretty quick....

[DjSki]

I have had a 996, lovely car but at £85k I think I'd go for a 997 GT3, have one eye out for one with a good spec to go and look at.

Saw two F430's this weekend, one was quite rough, the other (black £85k car at Lyndhurst Modena) was lovely (black/black) but they wont allow me a third party inspection at all, so that's out too.

They were a bit sniffy about me asking, I guess that's what you get at a main dealer.

Might go see the 12C at Ascot Mclaren up at £90k.......potential for major bork but Thorney Motorsport now seem to be offering options....

[DjSki]

Kevin-sz0nv said:

I meant in the long term a GT3 will not devalue I totally agree at this moment in time it might. Common sense tells you that when all new cars are battery/hybrids and automatics a naturally aspirated manual Porsche with that engine can only increase over time. Of course I might be wrong but I very much doubt it.....time will tell

I agree with you, but this isn't about making money.

[DjSki]

Durzel said:

Confused... Why would you need an inspection on a main dealer Ferrari? Surely it would come with a warranty?

I'd ask about the clutch wear % and check to see if there was evidence of the manifolds and suspension top mounts having been done in the past, but beyond that I'd have thought you'd be ok?

I'm confused your confused.

New Power 15 warranty is far from comprehensive.

Also wanted to confirm lack of front end shunt as well know Ferrari experts thought it might have had one.

[DjSki]

jakesmith said:

Couldn't you have opened the bonnet & checked the chassis seams yourself
Honestly I don't think main dealers can reasonably be expected to submit cars for independent inspections - it's one thing on a private sale where you are buying with no comeback from a non expert, or from a non specialist garage that may only do sales, but another from a franchised dealership who position themselves as preparing cars meticulously & offering decent back up and price the car accordingly.
That being said I wish I had had my R8 inspected that I bought privately it has cost me a lot - but still less than a franchised car

I did open the bonnet and check, I wouldn't have been able to take the photo otherwise would I, but I'm not an expert on what "original" looks like.

I think you are answering your own question. I'm just being cautious, its a lot of money to me, I want to reduce my chances of bork/surprise post purchase, pretty straightforward.

Dealers choice to allow an inspection or not, maybe I'm just not a very trusting car buyer......I have been burnt before.

[DjSki]

evodarren said:

Had my 997.1 GT3 for 6 years, Absolutely love it. But that's me. You definitely need to go and drive a few cars to see what suits you and brings a smile to your face. They are all great cars in there own way.

Good luck with your search.

Thanks, difficulty is getting sellers to allow a drive, so far the discussion has gone something like "lets agree a deal then you can have a confirmation drive".....bit painful. Had even thought about hiring an F430 for a day.....

[DjSki]

jakesmith said:

I don't think a £2k maintenance fund is realistic for a GT3 or a 430. That really won't get much sorted even in the way of servicing, tyres brakes, let alone the many faults that are common to the 997 platform, or the Ferarri ones that are presumably even more expensive.

Am quoting £2k if I had a Porsche factory warranty, thinks that's realistic at the mileage I am thinking of. With a Ferrari the warranty is less comprehensive, so agree could be optimistic. If I did go for an F430 I know I need to accept that I could get a £4/5k bill in year one.