488 Pista - qualifying demands

One of several things that strike me as odd, is the idea of "building a relationship" with someone whose job is to sell you something.

 

if you are a doctor isn't that exactly what you do?

 

I want a "state of the art" supercar that offers the possibility of "collectible" status. Since Ferrari won't consider me for a Pista, the current choices were GT2RS presumably because of my longstanding relationship with Porsche, and the Mclaren 600lt which is certainly a viable option as well. And it can be built as a Spider soon. I do think the 600LT is a realy cool car with the Senna seats and the exhausts coming out of the rear deck. Someone recently reviewed it against the Pista and the GT2RS and said that it's focus is so precise that they would have to pick it taking into consideration any shortcomings verses the Porsche and the Ferrari. I do however expect that it will depreciate 35% over the next 3 years just like the 675LT. If that doesn't matter and you want a supercar, taking a look can't hurt. That being said, the GT2RS should be very safe as an investment. For me personally, I LOVE owning a Ferrari and I want to stay in the club, Pista or no Pista. So that's why I will look at a 488 Spider even though I can't get a Pista and the next generation car is right around the corner. It's just a question of whether or not it is worth paying an additional $1500 a month (which includes depreciation and interest) to spec. out a new 488 (if it is even still possible to do so), verses just continuing to drive my "16" Cali T as well as the Porsche.

 

So yes it’s worth the 1500 a month for a 488 spider over a California assuming the 1500 is doable for you. That’s not even a question.

As far as collectivity- I don’t think any of these cars are collectbale. 2rs as long as you got it for MSRP- you should do fine- however, I don’t think it’s gonna go up in value. Porsche is churning them out to get VW out of the emissions hole.

If you want collectibility- buy a Speciale. Pista, 2rs, 600lt etc are all regular production cars and they will depreciate- some more Than others.

 

It's totally ridiculous as you say but it is all supply and demand just like any commodity. It's very hard to find a quality builder for a small home project than a large home project when the housing market is doing well. It simply comes down to how is a builder going to make the most money. Ferrari is no different. They make X number of cars and pick and choose who buys them according to how much money someone is spending on the brand. The only difference is that they are looking at historical sales as well, since there is a highly likelihood of continued company support from the longstanding supporters verses people who would love to buy a "special" Ferrari today and switch to something else next year.

For me, the problem is that my Pisa experience was very poor because of a dealership that knew I wanted an allocation and simply lied to me. The salesman told me he had an allocation for me after negotiating with Ferrari on my behalf. He told me that he just happened to have a new 488 in stock and that I had to buy it first. I held it with a $10,000 deposit and I asked for more specifics about the Pista allocation before arranging final payment. Then the GM stepped in and told me that there was no guaranteed allocation for the Pista. I am close to letting everyone on the forum know the name of the dealership and SA but do not want to go down that road.

 

While I value my relationship with my patients, I do not request them to do things financially or otherwise just so they can see me. As a Psychiatrist, I do not request that they get shock treatments prior to getting antidepressants.

 

as far as Pista being reg production car, its not. No indication from anywhere they will make more vs the Speciale. 2014/ 15 Speciales are still selling for over MSRP unless they have 10k odo+.

GT2 will probably be a little to no downside car as well. Assuming you get one for at or near MSRP. Same with the GT3RS variants. 2016 RS's are still going at our over MSRP.

As SoCal to AZ suggested, a Speciale (or any 458 version) are solid buys. With Pistas being $400s cars now the Speciales have probably found their floor. I know of a 458 SA that recently sold for $725...

 

I am glad you didn't take my comment as offensive.

True story. Years ago I had a client who was a leading cardiologist. His hiring me at that time in my career was a huge deal. I had to sell him on using my company. He could sense I was nervous. He then told me that he too was in sales...I must of looked at him cross eyed because he then told me that he has to SELL his patients into procedures or they won't take action. In other words, he has to sell them on the importance of whatever advice is giving them or he is not a good doc. In a billion years I would have never imagined that a doc at his level considered himself a salesperson. I have since had many other folks at the top of their game say similar things.

That totally changed my perspective on what it took to be very successful...you must learn how to sell.

 

At least with hookers it is the other way around. So I have been told.

 

The problem for me is that I cannot afford the 458 SA and the Coupe would obviously not provide me with the open air cruising experience. I guess I could go 458 Speciale Coupe if I decide to get out of the Porsche someday but now I am giving up state of the art performance. Any other ideas for a collectible Ferrari spider that is more affordable than the 458 SA? Otherwise, it will be a new 488 Spider or even a 458 Spider which may make even more sense (last N/A, price point, etc.).

 

Of course it’s a supply and demand issue. But how you manage that supply and demand is the question at hand. If you are limiting supply, then raise the price. But don’t create this scenario where sales people are lying to you to sell more cars as what happened to you.

At the end of the day sales people are sales people- they arent making millions- they are higher than average paid people but they themselves can’t Afford the cars they are selling. So they do what they can to maximize their commissions. It’s all a game. Some choose to play, others get pissed- me, I say MEH, I just don’t get emotional. There are so many cars, so many choices. It’s just not worth the mental anguish for me to try to jump through hoops to get the latest and greatest.

 

I too am a physician and now doing pharmaceutical development. You can call it whatever you want to but whether I am discussing procedures with a patient or someone is a sales associate for Ferrari, ultimately it comes down to providing education and knowledge. Nobody should have to sell anyone anything unless they do not believe in what they have to offer whether it is a product or service. That cardiologist might have been a great physician but I can guarantee you that he lacked confidence if he thinks of himself as a salesman. By the way, any physician who does believes he has to “sell” anything to someone should be paying a very large sum to their liability carrier since the easiest way to get sued is to try and talk someone into a procedure that they are on the fence about having done in the first place.

 

I disagree. A great product or service presented by a putz won't result in a transaction. Everyone is who truly great at anything must be a great salesperson. The term salesperson is offensive to some people. Shouldn't be. Think of ONE person who is historically significant that wasnt also a great salesperson. They HAD to be or no one would give a hoot about what they had to offer. Right?

 

There is a difference between being a salesperson and being some putz that tries to sell something. People are defined by their careers, not by a job.

 

458 Spider with the top down is pretty much perfect. Miss ours dearly. Find a great 14/15 458 Spider and you will be set. Not much downside if any depreciation wise. Ferrari sold a sports exhaust (not just the tips). The actual 'cans'. We had those on our 458S and I will never forget the sounds that car made....ugh, I think I want another 458 Spider

 

Shouldn’t you be at that Ferrari austin track day going on now -

 

I should have been, you are right!
I was just looking at the pics. Would have been a great day. Didn't want to rag on the Cali T. Its going back to the dealer when the Pista arrives. Didn't realize they would have allowed non-F cars to join. Our Ariel Atom 3S would have been fun....next time

 

A couple of my friends buy through Austin and were at the track day. Not sure if you track much but I'll be tracking with these guys through Edge Addicts at COTA on 12/15 and 12/16.

 

thanks for reminding me about EA. I do love Cota. Such a sweet track, Thanks for the tip,.....appreciated.

 

I dont think it really matters or take away from the enjoyment. I wouldn't get too hung up on the SE vs LE, the car is supposed to be stellar and it is a beauty. Just make sure you drive it and get your money's worth.

 

actually, this may be Ferrari's strategy.
limited production and making customers jump through hoops.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-snooty-staff-at-luxury-stores-actually-boost-sales/
https://money.cnn.com/2014/05/15/news/companies/luxury-shopping-rude/index.html

 

Is this 488 still available? Thats a good price for me pick up!

 

Agree that SA would be the choice but yes they are still crazy priced at $700-725k (friend bought one for $705k).
I decided to spring for the Speciale, for now. Fortunately I have the 16M for the open top here in SoCal.


Sent from my 16M

 

Ariel atom?!? [emoji15]
Sweet!!

Sent from my 16M

 

Take a look at the 16M.
Not cheap but not SA money either, and limited to 499 (same as SA).