Newer Porsche vs. Older Ferrari

[davew]

I welcome some input here. My decision is between an older Ferrari or a newer Porsche. I can buy a used Ferrari 308 for 30-35K? and expect to pay maybe 2-3K/yr in maintenance, OR I could buy a newer (or brand new Boxster) Porsche for about the same money, and pay hopefully maybe no (new car) or little maintenance for a few years. The difference would be that the annual property tax on the Ferrari would be a lot less than the Porsche, which would equalize the difference in maintenance costs. I think the Porsche would drive better since it is newer, but the Ferrari is a Ferrari, looks better and you don't see them every day like some Porsches. What else should I consider here? I guess my concern is buying a 308 and entering into a never ending maintenance/repair situation. Thanks

[noekult]

I think the more important problem is to look into costs of parts and work for the Ferrari. I would never go anywhere near a Ferrari if I didn't know about its maintance costs It's cool to have a Ferrari for 40k $ but not so cool if a essential part needs changing and it sets you back 19k. Just my point of view.

Considered 993 Carrera? They reflect taste and driver cars, although a little expensive maintance there as well compared to 996/997

[rtking]

I think the Porsches are a lot of fun and very refined. But therein lies the dilemma - refined and quick (Porsche), or less refined, not as quick, but very involving (Ferrari).

I had a chance to drive a 2000 Boxster for a month. I could have purchased that vehicle for a very good price. It was very proficient in all that it did, but it wasn't quite as interactive as the Ferrari. My Mondial is slower than that Boxster, weighs more, has poorer ergonomics, but it involves me a lot more than the Boxster did. Between the two, I have to admit that I actually have more fun driving the Mondial.

Maintenance is the greater concern for a Ferrari than the price of the car. Maintenance can be very expensive. It's best to check on this forum for a recommended mechanic in your area. You'll also learn of the idiosynchracies of Ferraris and you'll save some money if you learn to work on the car yourself. But even if you do your own work, be advised that parts can be expensive. But for me, once I get the engine revving toward redline, it's all worthwhile. There's nothing quite like the sound of a Ferrari at redline IMO.

Bob

[RMDC]

You need to be a little bit of a fanatic to own a Ferrari. You , by your own words, are a Porsche fan , and yes, no doubt, a future dime a dozen Boxster owner - to each his own.

[speedy]

I was in the exact same position as you. I had narrowed my search down to a nice 993 or an early 996. Long story short, a 308 came my way and I got that instead. I love it. I think, if you're mechanically inclined, you can do a lot of service on the Ferrari yourself which saves you a lot of cash. There's tons of parts out there that you can get for it and a well sorted 3x8 is very dependable. It's up to you and what you want to do with the car. Daily driver.. Go with the 911. Weekend bad ass... Ferrari. That being said, I'm still considering a 88-89 911 as a daily driver and keeping the 308 too.

Good luck

James

[thecarreaper]

Originally Posted by davew

I welcome some input here. My decision is between an older Ferrari or a newer Porsche. I can buy a used Ferrari 308 for 30-35K? and expect to pay maybe 2-3K/yr in maintenance, OR I could buy a newer (or brand new Boxster) Porsche for about the same money, and pay hopefully maybe no (new car) or little maintenance for a few years. The difference would be that the annual property tax on the Ferrari would be a lot less than the Porsche, which would equalize the difference in maintenance costs. I think the Porsche would drive better since it is newer, but the Ferrari is a Ferrari, looks better and you don't see them every day like some Porsches. What else should I consider here? I guess my concern is buying a 308 and entering into a never ending maintenance/repair situation. Thanks

BUY BOTH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :0

ok, seriously. my 308s , once sorted have never cost me " $2-$3k " a year. did the belts, a few hoses, Birdman fuseblocks, and drove them.

my 84 Carrera was one of the best cars i have ever driven or owned. there is no comparing the two cars. dollar for dollar the 308 will be fun, the 911 fast and reliable .


sold them both recently...

but ya never know what i am working on getting , do ya guys....

[Steve King]

If you got to think about it then you should buy the Porsche.

[VisualHomage]

for what it's worth, Porsche Boxster is very typical and expected. probably fun to drive and all, but nonetheless very common. a Ferrari isn't. if you want a daily driver, then have something else with the Ferrari as a vanity car or for the weekends. but this is my opinion and everybody has one. i think if you search for the best possible 3x8 and not the cheapest deal, as others have corroborated here, you can drive the 3x8 without the scary costs that are often associated with less-sorted cars.

regardless, if you buy a new Porsche, you're not really saving much money. i'm also very biased against Porsche so don't expect a balanced answer from me. the only Porsche that really turns my head is the 928 and sometimes the Cayman. all the others look like VW bugs to me, no matter how much they try to sex up the body kit and trim. the whole mindset of Porsche is entirely different as they are into "refining the machine" year after year, into decades of the same looking car.

[lizard1]

I recommend getting both as well. In fact I just added one more of each but they are safely tucked away in the other garage - will be debuted in time

[mark lintott]

Get one of each or at least aim for that as a long term goal. Both very different cars but both put a smile on my face just looking at them. F car is more expensive to run partly due to the age difference - 12yrs v 19yrs - but also its definitely more delicate than the P car. Ones male the other female - you guess which is which.

Cheers

Mark
Taiwan/UK

[betelgeuse]

I just traded a 02 C2 911 Porsche for a Ferrari 328 in March. Only had the Porsche for 1 year and 3500 miles. The Porsche is MUCH faster than the 3x8 Ferrari's, but who really cares. What really turned me off about the Porsche was the interior, it looked and felt like they used the cheapest materials and had a 2 year old put it together. It just turned me off every time I got in the thing. The new Porsche's also have rear main seal problems. I`m not saying I will never buy another Porsche, I may, but it will be air cooled ( owned a 80 sc and loved it ). I guess you know where I stand. The Ferrari is WAY COOL and will always be.

[MJT328GTS]

No offense, but Porsches today are a dime a dozen. They are everywhere, similar to Corvettes. A Ferrari, regardless of model, turn heads where ever they go. Plus like others say, they are more fun to drive.

Go with the Ferrari!

PS. The gentleman I bought my Ferrari from bought a Porsche as his next car but after a year traded it for another Ferrari! Just goes to show you how owning a Ferrari changes your perspective on sports cars.

[jonesdds]

I've always been a 911 lover and had a '75 for a few years. Wanted a Ferrari 328/308 for the last 10 and finally was able to pull the trigger. Now I want ideally a 1989 Carrera, maybe earlier Carrera or SC if a good car. Different cars, the Porsche I would feel I could drive daily. Maybe consider a 993 but anything newer is just boring to me. Not Porsche as I know it. Get a well sorted out 3x8 and a mid/late 80s 911, that would be my solution. Comparing a Boxster to a 3x8, there is nothing to compare, they are completely different as previously posted here. Good luck with your search.

Jeff

[JTranfield]

A boxster isn't comparable, depreciates like a stone and is dead common in most areas. As others have said you are best off buying a used 911 if you go Porsche. Personally I would rather a 328 everytime unless it was going to be my only form of transport.

[RVIDRCI]

A well sorted 308QV is a rock solid dependable, fast and sexy piece of machinery. They handle like a damn go-cart, with incredible driver feedback. I have owned mine for 2 years, I have spent very little on professional maintainence, it performs wonderfully, and turns heads wherever I go.

Close your eyes and say "I drive a Porsche"

Then close your eyes and say "I drive.....a Ferrari"

My .02, Ciao...

-Luigi

[jonesdds]

You're right, Porsche is not quite the same. Great car but second fiddle!

Jeff

[climb]

Both are great to drive in their own way.

The Porsche is logical and cold to me the 308 beautiful and magical.

[RAMMER]

You need a 328. Porsches represent great value and a 993 or early 996 for 30-35k is bargain. You can drive the Porsche anywhere. Boxters are just to common and I hate not having access to the engine.

[surfermark]

Originally Posted by Steve King

If you got to think about it then you should buy the Porsche.

+1 totally agree

[ferrariguyma]

1978 RoW Porsche 911sc Cafe' and 1978 308 GT4

The Porsche is a seasonal daily driver and the Ferrari is a seasonal weekend driver.