Did you buy used or new?

I've thought about this exact concept in 'theory' before, but putting these #s around it really makes in clear!

 

Nothing wrong with pre-owned as long as it has what you desire and are willing to wait for the previous owner to croak.

 

I bought both of mine used. I am working my way up to buying a new one and eventually being high up on the list to be able to have one of the latest V8 models. If you are one of the first ones to get the latest v8, you lose very little money.

 

Just my two cents . . . if you are buying 2 cars with $155K, you might consider this:

Get a solid daily driver. Whatever you want. But you can do this pretty modestly.

With the leftover money, it may be a stretch to get a 430, but you can get a good 360 with what is left. The first ferrari I bought had close to 30,000 miles on it--it was a 355. But it had full service records and all the recall items done. It was serviced at Shelton in Ft Lauderdale and they documented everything quite well. After I had it, there was a header burn-thru, but Ferrari gave me new headers.

If you are considering Ferrari and a 911 and an Aston, take my advice . . . don't get the cayenne. It is a serious step down from the other 3. (Nothing wrong with the Cayenne, but it is not in the same league as the other 3).

I have driven several Astons. They are wonderful cars. Layers and layers of rich paint, burled walnut and leather everywhere. It is a different mindset than the Ferrari, but you cannot go wrong with that big V-12 powerplant. It is a "softer" feel than the Ferrari and Porsche. It is a luxury ride compared to a sports car. But it is a beautiful machine with classic lines.

I think the key is this . . . at your age, and given your success and your focus, don;t look at this intro Ferrari as one you will keep forever. It is a process, a stepping stone. You can always upgrade later.

 

All three used. I do buy new cars of other marques often and have been offered new from FoW, but maybe because they know I won't pony up yet Might someday. Wouldn't rule it out but hard to guess when it would actually make sense. If I stay in V12's for a while, it probably won't anytime soon. They just cost too much and depreciate too rapidly to not let someone far better off than I take the edge off the initial depreciation.

 

With $155k you can pick up a gorgeous 612 with 10k on the odometer as much as $50k or more left over for a hell of a daily driver. It's ironic that if you're on a budget, v12 Ferrari's are the wiser purchase. Hell of a lot more exclusive, too.

 

I bought 7 used ones and 1 new one, a 2005 430 which (unlike most new buyers) I still have. I'd bet at least 5X used cars are sold every year vs new.

As for me, I'm done buying new since they no longer make cars with 3 pedals.

Dave

 

I don't know. You said you don't drive in snow, which led me to believe that you would not worry about having a Ferrari, because you would not drive it in the snow.

I am not sure it makes good sense to have a Ferrari as your only car. Don't know anyone like that. So, I assumed you were buying 2 cars with the money.

If you have $155K free and clear of the DD, then you can buy a lot more car.

The 612 suggestion is a great idea, but I think you will find its description similar to the one I gave you about the Aston. In the mid 20s, the 612 makes a dramatically different statement.

 

this is good advice.

 

It definitely does, however the drive is nothing like an Aston. When we get going on our spirited drives through the countryside, keep that thing screaming around 6k through the twists and turns, it feels plenty close to a 430 or 360. Handles beautifully. Daily driving it blows both away just for the torque, makes a world of difference. It's a better car. Picked my kids up from school in it today, on to soccer practice.

@speedsterr. Welcome to Fchat. You're not alone in your first impression of the 612. Mine was roughly the same. If you ever get the chance to experience them all, you may change your mind. Maybe not, too.

 

If the vantage gave you that experience, I can't wait to hear what you think when you toss around in a 360 or 430.

 

2nd masters degree in financial mathematics.......
Can you explain your math in your comment/ thread below?

FerrariChat.com - View Single Post - For Sale 2010 Ferrari 458, 6k miles, Nero

 

From this description, I'm going to guess that you've never actually had a ride or driven a car anywhere near its real limits. I doubt the AM sales manager came even close unless he's also a retired race driver AND was willing to lose his job and get into a serious street accident to show you what the car "could do". Your description sounds like a VIP passenger getting a demo ride in a jet with limited maneuvers up to 1 G, not realizing that the same jets routinely pull maneuvers at several G's. Here's the reality, if you are young with no performance car training, it is likely you could only drive a Vantage S at about 20% of its capabilities and a Ferrari 430 at about 10%. For all practical purposes, the difference would be meaningless to you.

I suggest you buy a nice daily driver for $30K, a Spec Miata for $5-10K, and spend another $10-15K on track time and lessons. Save the remaining $100K for after you learn more about performance driving, and that cars are more than HP and torque. It's nice to own a high performance car (particularly ego-gratifying with luxurious wood and leather) for show, but it's ONLY about "bragging rights" if you've never had it on a track at 80%+. If you attempt to do any of this on the street, you're just an idiot.

This is not to say you should only buy the car because you're going to track it, but if you're going to get impressed by HP and torque, you really should learn more about driving a car at its limits.

 

In another message I read, he claimed to HAVE 2 masters. Here he's "finishing" one of them. Fast and loose inconsistencies raises questions about everything stated.

Not just "bluntness", I think the site respects when someone knows what they're saying even if it's presented "bluntly". But, if you're going to tell someone they need to go back to school, you better damn well be right.

 

Here, maybe this will help in that interest rate calculation...
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it just got pythagorean up in here!

 

My cars can be used or new, I don't really care.

My wife had to be new, that's what's important.

 

612 is 540hp at 434fp of torque. Not surprisingly, you run out of road very quickly. It handles, to my mind given my limited driving ability, as well as a 360 or 430 at the speeds and in the conditions in which I'm willing to test it. The 612 is the third Ferrari to use the same v12 powerplant and it is very reliable. Every square inch of the 612's interior is finished in high quality leather. The back seat makes the car far, far more useful than a two seater. And a decent example can be had for sub $100k. There is hands down no better deal on the road in my honest opinion. Nothing beats a Ferrari, and nothing beats a well depreciated 612 for value. Considering the follow up is the FF which will always and forever be met with reservations, and the fact that Ferrari will probably never produce another v12 2+2 beyond the FF, the 612 will earn a fonder place in history and among enthusiasts than it may seem today. As I said, you're not alone in your initial impressions of the 612. It takes some getting used to, and is also very color and wheel dependent. But given a decent color and set of shoes, it's very sporty and elegant. I love it now. I haven't always.