What to look for on an '06 430 Spyder

Hi there. Looking for a used '06 430 Spyder for my brother. His price ceiling is about $150K. And most asking prices are within that range, including cars with carbon ceramic brakes. What I noticed is options make little difference, so might as well get one with the most. Car will reside 300+ miles from the closest dealer, and I'm going to do the maintenance for him. Car will never be tracked or abused. Here are my questions:

- Are there any options not worth having, like carbon ceramic brakes, if car will never be tracked? Are they as good cold (on the streets) as regular brakes? Are pads significantly more expensive? If car is not abused, rotors shouldn't need to ever be replaced, right? I ask this because more than half of the manual spyders have that option, and need to know if it's smart to avoid it.

- Are there any issues that need to be fixed, since car will be out of warranty? I'm just aware of an exhaust braket issue (need to find where to read more about that). Anything else?

- Mileage. I've heard you don't want too few, but not too many. How many is about right for a manual? Most have less than 5K, which I consider perfect, especially if previous owner wasn't too good with stick (resting foot on clutch pedal, grinding gears, etc). But one fully loaded has 13K. Seems like a lot without knowing previous history (all are sold by used-car dealers, not Ferrari dealers).

- I'd appreciate any tips on how to make a more informed purchase on a convertible. And what to check while test-driving it. Of course a PPI is a must; just hope wherever we find one there's a Ferrari dealer around. If not, what do you suggest? Thank you gang. By the way, we live in El Paso, TX. Thanks.
JC

 

Thanks man. Will just buy one where there's a local Ferrari dealer. Fortunately, there're many available; wasn't expecting that many with a manual transmission.

If somebody has specific advice on things to check I'd greatly appreciate it. Can't find specific info on the 'exhaust bracket', but at least I know it's something that should have been fixed under warranty (TSB?). Have a great evening.

 

That's great news. And on potential issues, like the headers cracking and exhaust brackets breaking, I want to know about everything possible. I simply don't trust dealers telling me everything. But if I ask, I'm sure they'd answer . Thanks.

 

Thanks for your post. And no, I'm not scared with those issues at all . Just wanted to know if there were any potentially serious issues, to make sure they're checked during the PPI. I'm really surprised by the lack of potential problems, even on early cars. So far this car seems better than even a Toyota, and certainly my M3 V8, with potential main bearing issues, expensive idle-valve failures, and myriad electronic gremlins. Great news indeed. Thanks again.

 

Okay folks, which one would YOU recommend, and why? This is the typical quandary of ultra-low mileage private sale vs higher-mileage wholesaler (both 2006). Both could be had for $150K. By now you should notice I want a red/tan combo. And prefer black carpeting and standard wheels. All comments welcome Many thanks.

1,500-mile private sale on eBay (all options except CCB and BT):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120671567143&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

8,795-mile wholesaler on Autotrader (all options except BT, but with Fabspeed -and stock exhaust as well):

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=291557629&dealer_id=57437315&car_year=2006&doors=&systime=&model=F430&search_lang=en&start_year=2006&body_style=CONVERT&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=0&min_price=&drive=&rdm=1296492597301&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2006&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=1&transmission=Manual&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=&address=79932&color=&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=FER&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=1956&standard=false