What to buy on a budget?

And you can buy 2 of them new for 50k.

 

I think the word Ferrari and keep maintenance costs down don't go in the same sentence.

 

The cost of maintenance is very similar between a RR, Bentley, Fcar, Lambo, Maserati, Bristol. Koeningsegg and similar ultra low production cars higher.

To the OP I would say that any high end car costs high end money to maintain. If you want a lower maintanence cost go and buy something sporty and nice from a more normal manufacturer like MB, Audi and similar.

Porsches are not too expensive to keep, btw. Specially I did find the 993 series very affordable!

 

I would think a Maserati would be less expensive to maintain than a Ferrari. And a Koeningsegg would be more expensive to maintain than the other cars you mentioned. Mostly for the reason they build less Koeningseggs and the parts would be more expensive.

 

A Maser with the Ferrari engine costs pretty much the same.
Yes, I did write that a Koenigsegg is more expensive. But as it is Swedish I would not expect it to have too many issues!

 

I looked just now and there are 2 456 listed on Ebay for under 50k, downside would be expensive to fix, but if they are sorted out, they should be ok, and they are automatics, but they are Ferrari's. Does anyone think prices will stabilize and return to near a few years ago?

 

$50,000+low maintenance costs will not get you a Ferrari

 

I like the Aston V8 idea... beautiful cars, and mostly depreciated at this point. Also pretty rare. I would be concerned if it was out of warranty, though - service/spares prices are probably astronomical. I will defer to an owner on this, however.

Except that everyone has found 993s already, so they're not cheap either. But I'm sure a good C2 coupe could be had under $50K. Porsche maintenance is no bargain, either, but better than buying an old Mondial and catching it up on deferred maintenance and the other costs associated with a lower-priced older Ferrari.

 

You can buy a decent Mondial for 30k and then you will have a 20k nest egg for future repairs/maintenance.

 

Corvette?

/ducks

 

Why not? Super car performance, cheap, affordable maintenance ( I think)
But no sooooul....
A 993 is his best bet, if he searches and buys quickly.

Not sure if he reads our advice though!

 

911SC or 3.2 Carrera may also be worth considering. They're bullet proof and edging up in value. Should out-appreciate any Ferrari available for $50K or at least keep pace with them. A 944 turbo is an even cheaper alternative, just as bullet proof. You won't lose money on a good one purchased at a fair price.

 

If you are on a budget, you need to get something that is FUN and move on. You are not ready for a Ferrari IMO. This is not a big deal, don't let that become an issue. Do not loose sleep over it. I wouldn't recommend letting a marquee get the better of you and hamper your access to fun. If 50K is your ceiling, you need some fun to forget about the rat race. Expensive car repairs are not fun, waiting for parts is not fun, trying to sell something and recoup a loss is not fun.

Hopefully you are here because you want a sportscar and naturally a Ferrari pops up to the top of the list. They are serious medicine and deliver fun in spades and a whole lot more BUT...fun can be had with a lot of other cars.

 

If you want to scratch that Italian mid engine itch, I say get a 4C. Lots of good gateway drugs into the Ferrari world out there.

 

No I totally agree. In that price range you have a world of Corvettes, the C6 Z06 springs to mind and is a lot of car.

Additionally the 996 Turbo or a 997 S can be had in that range and are very nice cars.

If you did it right you might be able to get a C5 Z06 and a Lotus Elise for less than $50k, but its not a Ferrari and its not the answer the OP was probably looking for...

 

For 50k?

 

High mileage and salvage title but it's available right here on F Chat. Tons of info on the car and an OBO car at that. Appears to be a no nonsense honest add. Just trying to helpful and I mean no disrespect to you.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/other-cars/492889-2001-porsche-911-turbo-996tt.html

 

I agree with this. I haven't followed Mondial prices that closely, but can't you get a nice Mondial 3.2 for mid-30s? That would be my recommendation. An extremely well maintained 400i with an auto would be in his price range too, but I can't get excited about a 3-speed auto.

 

No offense, but I would never suggest a salvage car to anyone. Let him save his money and buy a decent car. He will be much happier in the long run.

 

IMO, wait. The values of several models have seen large increases in the past year or so. Are the current levels inflated? Were they undervalued in the past and finally priced correctly?

I know what side of the fence I fall on personally, but other more learned members may disagree. When a nice 328 is valued about the same as a used 430, something is out of whack. The 328 is a nice car to be sure, but it is neither low production or especially unique among the lineage. It is just a few decades old and the flavor of the month. Ironically that Toyota Camry mentioned early in the thread is probably faster than the 328, although I understand that is an apples to oranges comparison.

What is apples to apples though, is a buyer contemplating all of the V8 models and what they can afford, whether that is $50k, $75k, or $100k. Would you take a 328 over a 430? Would you spend $30k over the cost of a 360 for a 328? Spend double for a 328 over a 348?

At some point (IMO soon, about the time the stock market finally has the monster correction that is inevitable), prices will come back to reality for many models.

 

Lets hope op returns to read all this advice !

 

When a nice 328 is valued about the same as a used 430, something is out of whack. - Yes, the 430 is still priced to high

Would you take a 328 over a 430? - Yes!

Would you spend $30k over the cost of a 360 for a 328? - Possibly

Spend double for a 328 over a 348? - Absolutely!

I think all Ferraris are overvalued at the moment.

 

Agree.

Two and half years ago I got an 85 308 in A+ condition for $27G, can't get that anymore.

 

Where'd OP go?

I'd say given the current market a Mondial is probably the best bet, maybe some of the 348's. Since OP didn't state what his/her ability is to fix it or if they will be using a mechanic then the mondial will be the likely answer... probably early non-T. As alluded earlier, I think a decently sorted mondi is a possibility.

Though not asked for.. problem with lower priced FCars is they tend to not appreciate as much as other examples. As far as Porsche.. I PRESUME if the OP wanted one they'd have bought it by now. You can get a decent 997 with higher miles for under 30.

And in typical FChat fashion: "OP should by a 430 or 599!" (despite $50k limit clearly stated)

 

Pull in a Smart 83 or 1985 Audi Quattro, tons of fun , smooth, silky. Starting to get pricey now.

2001 C4 in the $25,000plus range. My sister has one, and pretty cheap to run compared to the Ferrari. I have the 550 and it was the best buy in Ferrari a few years ago, but prices are moving up on those, and maintaining the car is shocking to what a porsche cost. But , I fix everything mechanical that could ever go wrong. I may have the best running 550 in the world, but it takes a lot of money to get ECU's, Motormounts, Clutch, Steering rack, brakes.

i can't think of a car other than a porsche, or maybe 1988 M3, the CKL black from about 2007 is in the $60,000 plus but it also has problems.

How know the bumble Bee or whatever it is called in the 914's . I think the 914/6 is already pushing $80,000 for a good example. Twin Turbo Mazda RX 7 from 1995. But they have turbo issues, most have or had to be replaced by 60,000 miles.

Let us know what you pick, that is hard to decide.