Will Ferrari ever have an entry-level model again?

Honestly, the 308 was not an entry level car. At $33,000 in 1978, it was very expensive.

You can't have it both ways. You can't want exclusivity and cheap cars. Even if Ferrari sold the 458 at 80 grand, it would still sell for 300 given only about 1500 of them will reach the US this year.

Besides, Ferrari has plenty of entry level cars. It's the 360 and F430 and many 12 cylinder models you can buy for 60 to 150 grand.

 

They sell everything they make at 250K+ If you were doing that, would you lower your income by replacing some of those production spots with a 90K car?

"Used cars are our entry cars. We are not going to do any Dino. No way. Or a small or cheap Ferrari...what do you mean small? Less technology, less innovation...no, no, no. I don't know why that story came out, I deny it." -- Luca

http://www.motortrend.com/features/112_0709_luca_di_montezemolo/viewall.html

 

Paging bdelp... (who wrote the best post on "entry level" Ferraris).

- 458 will not be a collector car.
- 458 is the Gallardo competitor.
- A used Ferrari is an entry level Ferrari.
- Mass production will ensure faster depreciation than ever before.
- Only the halo cars will be modern collector cars.

Edit: That was fast Bob!

 

Totally agree on the collector issue. Only the limited hi-performance product cars will be collectible -- even the F40 has a problem. If they only made 500 of them, it would be more valuable than an Enzo today.

If McLaren had made 5000 F1's, the value would be half of what they go for today.

 

Back when they were new, the 308 and the Mondial cost about like four years at Harvard. And that's about what a new Ferrari will cost you today too - there never was an "entry level".

This ad from the '70s pretty much says it all:
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Great ad!

Actually the variety at Ferrari today is probably as wide as ever - FF, California, Italia, GTO. Pretty distinct range on design and function (2+2 to GTO), yet the pricetag will always be exclusive.

As far as a true "entry-level" F-car, you may find a few used examples at a reasonable price, but when it comes to service and maintenance you're paying full freight and "entry" goes out the window (quickly, and with style at least!)

 

Remember it was Luca himself that said an entry level Ferrari is a used Ferrari. Works for me since most of the cars Ferrari now builds depreciated faster than the models of 10-20 years ago. It won't be long before we see that first $100K 430. It wasn't long ago that the dealer was getting $25K over list.

 

"The Ferrari 308 costs more than the average guy makes in 2 years."

Today, or at least in 2006, the "average guy" (male, 25+) makes $39,403/yr. A new Ferrari 458 costs more than the average guy makes in 6 years.

 

Comparatively, the California IS today's Mondial and the latter was never an "entry level'' car when new ($63,939.00 in 1981). In addition, the Mondial’s price was above the 308.

 

If you walk into a dealer today and ask "What do you have under 100k?", he'll point you to a 360 or even a 360 spider with probably less than 10k miles on it from new with a perfect service record.

Tell me how Ferrari could make a low priced model and compete with that? You can't get more value for money

For what you get for a used 360, you can't beat it. It's a complete and total bargain.

 

No. My guess is that Ferrari will "never" have an entry-level model. The entry level Ferrari is offered by Maserati, Alfa Romeo, ... within FIAT. They (FIAT) would be competing with themselves. It probably makes little sense from a corporate perspective.
Jes

 

I doubt that you'll see many 458's in 25 years. Too many specialty electronics and parts which are custom made and will make repairs and replacements cost prohibitive at a certain point. I feel this way about most modern day cars as well, not just Ferrari.

 

I think this is probably the most important reason why there will never be a "cheaper" Ferrari. The well-to-do are a LOT wealthier than ever before. Even after this week.

With the incredible choice and value in performance cars we have today, Ferrari doesn't even have a choice. They can't compete at the low-end where their cost structures don't match those in more crowded segments. Their market niche is at the top, with premium margins. Additional volume would undermine that.

 

Yes. It will be not so fast as the normally incredibly fast Ferraris. It will have a range of about 50 miles.

A grocery getter for posers should do well. Also, let me catch myself. They may not be posers. There are, in fact days that I drive fewer than 20 miles. 5 miles to school, 5 miles back. Wifes turn.

I am a viable candidate for this car as I select from various cars daily while being close to home and able to change at anytime. I for one, can easily see the attractiveness of a specialty vehicle. When I want to drive a thousand miles I take the appropriate car.

The real answer to your question though.

Well, I've committed to never say never with this car company again. We can only hope. In the meantime I'll continue to love the unloved. Think 308GT4. I love'm.

 

Look what Porsche has done with their product line and company. Brilliant IMO.

 

Theoretically, if you re-engineered an F430 so that it could be put together on an assembly line, reduced the HP/torque to "normalized" levels, dropped in a corresponding double-clutch, and lowered the quality of some of the materials, I bet you could produce a vehicle that falls in the category of "entry level." I guarantee that people would stand in line around the block to buy one.

 

I just think that an "entry level" Ferrari would defeat the purpose of the brand. Besides, who would want to say they have the entry level vehicle after still spending 100k? Even if the Italia/Cali have the lowest MSRP I would never ever regard them as the entry model.

Porsche has a completely different market than Ferrari (except for certain models). You can buy about 3 or 4 Carreras for one Italia depending on the options.

Ferrari knows what they are doing. Even with price tags where they are the company sells every build slot quickly.

 

308 at $33,000.00 in 1978 is $116,471.93 in 2011 dollars

not entry-level

 

I personally thought it was really cool the first time to brag about getting a quarter mil $ car for under $100k with only 4700 miles on it. Entry level owners are very well served by massive depreciation.

 

But is the brand only defined by new models? The "entry level" price of a used F430 is getting to the point where it can actually be considered "affordable." Would a $100k new car really defeat the purpose of the brand if it dominated the market segment?

IMO, a car loses its "exclusivity" branding once there is an over-supply of them on the used car market.

 

I hate to sound crude but.... tough.

If the 360 doesn't do it, some watered down Ferrari won't do it either.

Porsche makes some excellent cars, many of which sell new for 100K or less. Ferrari is not Porsche, nor should they be. That's what Audi is for.

BTW: The 308 is only timeless because it's been around for nearly 35 years. When the 308 came out, everyone hated the Dino. Which is more "timeless" today? Personally, I can't wait for my 458 to arrive. I think it's the best product they've made since the 308 and perhaps the best all around mid engine sports car ever.

 

Apples and oranges. Ying and Yang. Felix and Oscar. R u really trying to compare Porsche and Ferrari?

 

In 1978, $33K was an incalculable fortune to a 28 year old guy. I could have bought the house I have now for less.