Should I wait for a 458 or get a 430/360?

I can afford a Ferrari 360/430 right now however, I'd rather have a 458. Should I wait for a used 458 in few years or get the older car? Is there a major difference in performance?

 

Havent driven a 458 but from what I have read and heard its a big jump. I think you would need to drive both. Very different cars.

 

360s are about fully depreciated. Not so 430s. So you won't lose much by getting a 360 until the 458 arrives.

 

Even with all the advances of the 458, the 430 is still an awesome car in it's own right. In my opinion, the biggest difference is the double-clutch.

In a "few years", the 458's successor will be out and prices on 458s will drop, but since the 458 is so awesome, it will be interesting to see what people will do. The 458 took a big leap in so many areas, that it's hard to say what the 458's successor will bring to the table. A lot of owners are asking themselves, "How could Ferrari possibly make this car better?"

Exactly how much were you planning on spending on a 360/430? What is your target price for a used 458?

 

I'm in my first year of practice, so I won't be in the position to put down 300 grand on a car for about 5-10 years. A Scuderia may very well be in my future within 3-5 years.

Though, I would still like to give some input. If I were you, I'd find a good Challenge Stradale or a late model, like-new F430. When the 458 coupe prices come down, your car will still be desirable; allowing you to trade up to the 458.

 

Get an F430 and put yourself on the 458 waiting list. That's my suggestion.

 

I will have to test drive a Challenge Stradale and regular F430 to compare notes and see if that gets my heart pumping. I am in now rush as my daily driver is a BMW M3 which will keep me going and save the Ferrari for weekends and special occasions. Plus, driving an exotic to the office would offend a lot of people :-(

 

Ahh wonderful car!

I DD a 335is. We have practically the same car! ...Just yours can sing at 8400!

 

If you think 'zen' then 'now' matters most. Maybe you'll be dead in a couple of years, just as your bank account swells to the extent you can afford a 458. A 360 is a great car (now heavily depreciated), a 430 is better in all respects (a good buy), and a Challenge Stradale will always be very special in every respect. I gave up my Stradale to get a 458 but the Stradale still haunts me. Good luck in your decision.

 

In a couple of years time when you can afford a 458 you'll think waiting another couple of years til you can afford the 458 replacement and so you get in a spiral of denial and never get to own one

 

Buy what you can afford now. Enjoy it and when you can afford the 458, buy it. Simple.

 

Most Ferrari's still stir my soul. From the first minute after seeing a 308 (Magimum PI), I wanted one. I waited until I could afford a 360, then onto the 430 and now the 458. My advice is to enjoy a model that you can afford now. By waiting, I missed years of driving. If you are lucky enough to find a used one at your local Ferrair dealership, you'll be taken care of in the future!

 

I have owned three Ferraris. I would buy the older car and enjoy now. A 6 speed car would be a good investment since Ferrari in their wisdom does not make manuals anymore.

The older cars can be expensive to krrp up. When I bought my F430 my 360 had $14K of scheduled work that needed to be done and there was nothing wrong with the car.

The 430 is better and the 458 better yet.

Good luck on whatever you do.

Lee

 

+1. This is exactly what happens, IMHO. Here's a good example. I had a 355 spider and loved it. Was going to get a 360 spider but the deal went south. Was put off by the 50k over sticker for 430 and the next thing I know, 10 years had gone by. I still loved Ferrari's look and sound, so I ordered a new 458 and waited. If you can afford a 360 now, go get it. Enjoy life right now.

 

I want to wait until I buy a home with a 2 car garage before purchasing the Ferrari. So hopefully within next 2-3 years I can make the leap. Gotta have priorities right as it would be weird to buy a Ferrari and rent an apartment.

 

I hear that. Agreed.

 

Thanks- just basic common sense. Also, with the sky high real estate prices here in California, it takes a bit of time to put funds away for the down payment, emergency cash fun and exotic car fun, lol. I figure with goals to own an exotic car someday, it motivates me to do better work smarter and harder to reach these things. All good- and having the perfect DD now works wonders. Funny everyone at the office is impressed with my BMW M3 and I get compliments all the time. Never real thought of it as a status car- I just love the performance, looks and fun factor. Same for exotics. Status means little to me but fun factor and motor sports are truly awesome. Thats why I love Ferraris, Porsches, and other race cars like the BMW M cars and Mercedes AMG cars. However, everyone in bay area and southern california has a BMW, Mercedes or Porsche so would be great to own a car like a Ferrari, Lamborghini or even a Bentley, Aston Martin or Maserati for the daily driver GT car since these are not that common in California. I am too young for a Bentley or Aston Martin so will keep the BMW M3 for the DD and hope to get into my Italian exotic soon.

 

I think you should take the next two years to meet as many Ferrari-owners as you can, get friendly, show your enthousiasm, and make some friends. You should then be able to drive the cars that you are considering before you buy any. In the meantime do your research in terms of depreciation and maintenance. I took 9 months to figure everything out before I bought my first Ferrari 4 years ago, and it certainly paid off.

Then by the time you get your car, it won't be a surprise anymore, and you will genuinely, truly, be able to appreciate the car for what it is, knowing you can afford it. You will have chosen the right car for you, for that market, at that point in time, whether it is a 360, F430, or 458. IMHO Ferraris are no fun if you're worried about bills. It should be a relaxed, enjoyable hobby. So make sure you match the car to your comfort level.

Best of luck!


Onno

 

+1. Agree, this is great advice.

 

Thanks Onno- I will join the Ferrari club meetups to get to know owners and the cars better. I do have a chance to buy a Ferrari 355 for 40k which is cheap but I'd rather have a 360/430 or newer F-car.

 

For me it's very hard test driving a Ferrari without setting a wild fire that can only be put out with a car purchase!

 

Lifes too short! get a 430 now and order a 458