The dilemma | FerrariChat

The dilemma

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Nickt, Dec 30, 2014.

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  1. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

    Feb 24, 2006
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    #1 Nickt, Dec 30, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I bought my Ferrari in 2004 for about £12k and it’s a great car. But it is beginning to show its age in places. The wheel arches, door sill etc. all have Fiat disease. Mechanically its perfect and the V8 pulls like a train.
    But then I saw a low mileage 2001 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage V12 (£29k) and fell in love. There is a chance that the garage will do a straight swap, the Aston has a full service history and is immaculate. I then took the Ferrari to another garage stocks nothing but super cars, Zonda, Noble, Veyron, Reventon (all in stock) and are the UK distributors for Koenigsegg. They said the old Ferrari is worth loads of money and will keep on appreciating!
    They said the Aston will do too but very slowly.. I know the DB7 is a Ford XJS, BUT its stunning and I’m in love.. What to do???
    Ps, I also sat in my first ever real zonda.. for sale at £1.35 million!
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  2. Daytonafan

    Daytonafan F1 Rookie

    Oct 18, 2003
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    If the dealer is willing to do a straight swap of the Aston for the Ferrari then presumably they think there is a lot more profit (and hard cash) to be had out of your Ferrari than the Aston they have in stock? Probably better to sell the Ferrari then go and negotiate on the Aston with cash in hand?

    As to appreciation there are a lot more DB7's around than 308GT4's and as a result yes the Ferrari will be hold it's value a lot better than the Aston will over the short to medium term. While the Ferrari may have some body issues at the moment the Aston won't be cheap torun either and (someone correct me if I'm wrong) but I understand the V12 DB7's can be tricky on maintenance as the V12 is a very tight fit under the bonnet?

    I pass Super Vettura everyday on my commute from work. mad amount of stock value they have in there.
     
  3. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

    Feb 24, 2006
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    I have taken the GT4 to a restorer in Beaconsfield and asked for 2 quotes, 1 to restore to the original metallic blue and the 2nd to do an oily rag restore. I don't want the Ferrari rotting away but equally I cant afford £10k to make it worth top $$$. The chap in Super Vettura loved my car and interestingly when it was parked outside some kids yelled look dad a Ferrari, I only saw the Zonda :) They had a Veyron there but have just sold it, they also had the only convertible Reventon in the UK in stock! They will make an offer to buy the old Fezza, so we will see what happens.
    Isnt the DB7 just a Ford Mondeo on an XJS chassis?
     
  4. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
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    Jan 28, 2007
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    Expect 12-18 mpg from that big v12. Parts are expensive too, and if you don't get it serviced by a recognised marque specialist or official dealer it will be unsellable. I suspect the reason they are willing to swap it for a rusty old gt4 is more to do with the slow market for DB7's and perhaps the condition of that particular vehicle rather than the perceived value of your car.
     
  5. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

    Feb 24, 2006
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    Hi Eddie
    The Gt4 only does 12 mpg!
    Don't get me wrong, the Ferrari is not in bad condition but it has a couple of bits that need attention. I am aware that GT4s in concours condition sell for up to £50k. In the main they seem to sell at around the £30k mark for a solid car. Mine is an honest everyday driven car and I guess the body reflects that. Mechanically its perfect, I would say its probably worth £25k of anyone's money (should they want to buy one). I would also think that at £25k as an investment it might be worth buying if you could spend a bit of cash on it.

    Are the DB7's motors unreliable? I cant find any bad write ups on the V12, the auto boxes seem to be bullet proof too. Is there much difference between the Aston V12 and the Jag V12? I had one of those in the Zonda..
     
  6. Hardistyfezza

    Hardistyfezza Formula Junior

    Hi Nick, by the sound of it your Ferrari needs some work however I would seriously consider hanging on to it a little longer - and consider a restoration.

    Today I was thumbing through January 2015 Auto Italia and noticed Home - Foskers Ferrari | The UK's oldest independent Ferrari specialist have a 1980 308 GT4 with 14,000 miles in concours for £75,000.

    Good luck.
     
  7. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
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    Hi Nick.
    That v12 is very strong. It's an entirely different engine to the jag v12. Just be aware they are pricey to maintain properely, with things like oil leaks, trailing arm bushes, diffs, steering racks and electrics all being problem areas.
     
  8. Wheels1

    Wheels1 F1 Rookie
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    #8 Wheels1, Dec 31, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2014
    Did you make a mold, when they weren't looking Nick ?

    I bet you left with a smile on your face.
    I would stick with your Ferrari. I bet you find the Aston a bit dull once you have owned it for a year. Plus don't forget it has been rolled on its side [ LOL ]
     
  9. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

    Feb 24, 2006
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    Just got an insurance quote for the Aston, £317!! Compared to £145 for the Ferrari I guess that's a bit steep :D
    I am not worried about servicing, I'll do that myself, as per the GT4..

    I am torn...

    I find the Ferrari dull at times, I also get fed up with my bones shaking (not getting any younger)! The DB7 is VERY cosy inside!

    As for the Zonda, there are no words!!
     
  10. Arron

    Arron Karting

    Mar 27, 2006
    66
    Kent, UK
    If you're concerned about finances in any way, keep the Ferrari, it will only go up in value now. That excepts of course running and maintenance costs but I suspect there are as many black holes with an AM as there are with a Ferrari.

    If you're not bothered about residual values etc., then just go with your heart.
     
  11. daytona355

    daytona355 F1 World Champ
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    Mar 25, 2009
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    Why not get a vantage v8, same kind of money, if you are doing the Aston thing, and get away from the 'ford/jaguar' stigma. Nice cars, reasonably reliable, if a little boring compared to a Ferrari. However, much more usable than a big v12 boat like a db7
     
  12. gt4me

    gt4me F1 Veteran

    Sep 10, 2005
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    Have you considered a 456? Surely they've bottomed out price wise and the only way is up.
     
  13. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

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    No I hadn't! They look cool do you think they will appreciate too? Any experts on the 456? reliability/usability etc..
     
  14. Hardistyfezza

    Hardistyfezza Formula Junior

    Check out the 456 / 550 section
     
  15. gt4me

    gt4me F1 Veteran

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  16. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

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    Thanks for all your advice guys.. Does anyone have a set of old 16" 308 wheels lying around? Or need a nice set of 18" after market rims?
     
  17. torquespeak

    torquespeak Formula Junior

    Dec 24, 2010
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    Our ad's already been posted here, so I won't bother telling you what we think they're worth.

    For context, we sold several GT4s last year around the £45k mark. These were not concours examples, and each had around 50000 miles on the clock.

    FWIW, I'd say keep the GT4.

    Ed
     
  18. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

    Feb 24, 2006
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    Hi Ed, I have been told by a Mr Vas of UK Lamborghini | UK Porsche | Sports Cars | Vas Vehicle Solutions Kent that mine is not worth very much at all :( He has a 1998 456 with 64k on the clock for £25k. I asked if they would consider a deal. he said..
    "We would be miles apart, especially with act that the mileage is in question, and I mean miles apart, unless the car was concourse with a single owner and single digit mileage, it would be £30k retail!

    Your car is an edgy, use to be used for track days and mileage questionable car with the wrong wheels etc etc etc...."


    Its never been a track car, and has one bad wheel arch. Ok no one like my wheels :(
     
  19. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
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    16 in wheels for 308 have always been rare but there may be some after-market 17 in 308 around as the FOC Classic has moved away from them back to 16 in I believe
     
  20. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

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    Obviously OEM were 390 trx wheels and were they 14"? There are 2 GT4s being broken on ebay, trying to negotiate with them, but I'm unclear of the size. I really really don't like the Cromodora Dino wheels :(
    Do you think I will still get slated if I fit 5 spoke Ferrari rims instead of Cromodora rims? Or does everything have to match? I still have the original spare in the car, looks like a motor bike tyre on a skinny huge Cromodora rim..

    I cant go smaller than 16" due to the Superformance callipers.
     
  21. gt4me

    gt4me F1 Veteran

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    #21 gt4me, Jan 6, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
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    GT4 only came from the factory with 14 in - never 390TRX

    Slated by whom ? You the driver or someone trying to chip you on price - I'm sure there's a picture thread in the 308 section about GT4 on aftermarket wheels - they all chose to change.....
     
  23. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

    Feb 24, 2006
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    Yes sorry, you are right 14" and 18" spare. Everyone I have spoken to about my car has said not with those wheels. I think they look really cool on aftermarket rims, especially low profile tyres.. The FOC excluded me from a fun car show due to the rims, but had no issue with a 348 wearing 355 body panels.. Its a strange world.
     
  24. Nickt

    Nickt Formula 3

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    #24 Nickt, Jan 6, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  25. Wheels1

    Wheels1 F1 Rookie
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    #25 Wheels1, Jan 6, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Not sure if this pic is of use to you Nick.
    It shows a new car being picked up by a friend of the family. Willie took me for a ride in this car or one very much like it, when I was 15 or 16 and it made a big impression.
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