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New member looking to get some info

Discussion in 'New Member Introductions' started by Nick360, Aug 3, 2011.

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  1. Nick360

    Nick360 Rookie

    Aug 3, 2011
    18
    New Jersey
    #1 Nick360, Aug 3, 2011
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2011
    Hi how's it going guys. I've been on the look out to start getting into sports cars. I've been actively looking at the Lotus Elise but recently came across a few 360's that look gorgeous and are priced very nicely. I thought I was settled on a Lotus Elise but the 360's really put me into a position where I can't choose. I am really concerned about the maintenance cost of a Ferrari because if Timing belt services are really that expensive I won't be able to afford the car. That was really the incentive for me to hunt after the Elise that service and maintenance are extremely cheap. I hope you guys will be able to enlighten me on stuff like pricing, what to keep an eye out for. This really became more of an after though recently. I am not going to buy a Ferrari that I can't afford to have so I am not looking into killing myself to find a cheap Ferrari. I don't want to deal with a high mileage, damaged, or lemon but I thought I should keep my options open.

    My price range is the low to mid 30's. I honestly am not expecting a decent 360 out of this price but then again I don't have any idea what a realistic price range is for a 360. If I can't afford it, just as well I'll buy an Elise. I love that car just as much as a Ferrari but it's always good to know ones options.
     
  2. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,270
    Seattle Area
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #2 Jedi, Aug 3, 2011
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2011
    Welcome to F-Chat Nick :)

    You are correct you won't be finding any 360's at $30K... not even close. That's
    where 308s and Mondials are, maybe lower end 328s. 360s are going to be at
    the very least double your budget - $65k-ish on the low end, $90k or more on
    the higher side for exceptional cars.

    But ALL Ferraris are going to have a more significant maintenance cost per year
    than the Lotus.... none of them are "cheap" to maintain.

    The Lotus, from what I've heard, is solid as a rock and very inexpensive to
    run year to year - most likely the best choice given your stated circumstances.

    Welcome to the forum!

    Jedi
     
  3. Nick360

    Nick360 Rookie

    Aug 3, 2011
    18
    New Jersey
    #3 Nick360, Aug 3, 2011
    Yep seems like I had the right idea. I was just browsing through the ads here and any decent 360's seem to roll in the high 80's. The general maintenance (oil change etc.) is not an issue as much as the timing belt maintenance which I have seen done at some astronomical costs. Lotus seems to be the most realistic option for me currently based on purchase price.

    Very much appreciated response. I'll stay active here nevertheless to stay informed for a future purchase ;).
     
  4. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,270
    Seattle Area
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #4 Jedi, Aug 3, 2011
    By all means - stick around and read in the various sections. Check out the
    British sub-forum for threads on the Elise, and of course the 360 section for
    360 threads

    3x8 cars (including Mondial) are really quite reasonably priced and give you
    that 'Ferrari experience' - but yes, the belt service is the bugger - $2k if you
    do it all yourself to about $5-$6k to have done at a shop... every THREE years.
    Annually they are fine - just fluid changes.

    Good luck in your quest.

    :)

    Jedi
     
  5. Nick360

    Nick360 Rookie

    Aug 3, 2011
    18
    New Jersey
    #5 Nick360, Aug 3, 2011
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2011
    Well thank you, It's a very nice forum here and some great topics.

    Not a big fan of most Ferraris pre '99 and post '70's. I assume it depends on your taste of styling but It just hasn't caught on to me. I can't just drive a Ferrari for the purpose of driving a Ferrari. I think there should be a bigger driver/car connection beyond the brand.

    Rather off topic quesiton but why is the 458 grouped with the 575 and not the with 430?
     
  6. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,270
    Seattle Area
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #6 Jedi, Aug 3, 2011
  7. Nick360

    Nick360 Rookie

    Aug 3, 2011
    18
    New Jersey
    #7 Nick360, Aug 3, 2011
    Ah yes I see. I saw the 456. Makes more sense .
     
  8. GTHill

    GTHill F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2006
    14,054
    Double Wide
    Full Name:
    GT Hill
    #8 GTHill, Aug 3, 2011
    Nick,

    I think you should get a ride in a 308/328 before you make a decision. I see that you are in NJ... my old 328 is up there!

    Seriously, get a ride / drive in one before you decide. Welcome to the forum!

    GT
     
  9. Aedo

    Aedo F1 Rookie

    Feb 22, 2006
    3,616
    Perth
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #9 Aedo, Aug 3, 2011
    Welcome to Fchat Nick!

    Whether you have a Ferrari or not stick around - its a forum :)

    I recommend the Elise based on your comments (I've owned mine for 5 years - still grinning)!

    Cheers,
    Aedo
     
  10. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Jan 20, 2004
    40,470
    Purgatory
    Full Name:
    Clifford Gunboat
    #10 UroTrash, Aug 4, 2011
    308 would be fun! AND they are gorgeous! Welcome!!!
     
  11. mseals

    mseals Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 9, 2007
    24,468
    Kuwait
    Full Name:
    Mike Seals
    #11 mseals, Aug 5, 2011
    Welcome, Nick....

    Stick around.... you'll like it!

    :D

    Mike
     
  12. aamir009

    aamir009 Rookie

    Aug 3, 2011
    2
    #12 aamir009, Aug 5, 2011
    OK i know well that dear.
     
  13. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Aug 3, 2002
    40,647
    California
    Full Name:
    Carbon McCoy
    #13 134282, Aug 5, 2011
    Hi, Nick, and welcome to FerrariChat. The cost of a Ferrari is merely the down payment. Even a freshly serviced Ferrari will require another service at some point. Frankly, you're better off with the Lotus as it's brainless to maintain and will require service less frequently than a Ferrari. There is no such thing as a cheap Ferrari; either you pay now, or you pay later.

    With that said, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't stick around. We have dozens of Elise owners here, who can provide real world comparisons of the Elise to myriad Ferraris in the $30K price range. And the more you know, the better equipped you are when it's time to find your car - be it a Ferrari, Lotus, or something else entirely.
     
  14. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2007
    99,769
    #14 GuyIncognito, Aug 5, 2011
    for $30k you could get a perfect normally aspirated Elise, a decent supercharged Elise, or a thirty year old Ferrari. Your call ;)

    If all you are going to do is cruise around, an Elise is a bulletproof car thanks to it's Toyota driveline. only real area of concern would be the oil cooler lines, as they can fail.

    If you're going to track an Elise there are a number of upgrades you'll want to do...oil pan, motor mounts, toe links, etc but all that is still around the cost of a major service for a 308, and you only have to do it once.

    360s are great cars but there's no such thing as a cheap Ferrari...pay now or pay later. If you're on a budget, it's a good idea to wait until you can do the Fcar experience right.
     
  15. Nick360

    Nick360 Rookie

    Aug 3, 2011
    18
    New Jersey
    #15 Nick360, Aug 6, 2011
    I do think an Elise is the most affordable for me now. I'm still relatively young so my career still allows me to make luxuries like a newer Ferrari reality when time allows it but I gotta make priorities. I am aiming for a 599 when time allows for it though. Until then I'll enjoy an Elise.
     
  16. aamir009

    aamir009 Rookie

    Aug 3, 2011
    2
    #16 aamir009, Sep 3, 2011
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