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  1. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK
    Hello people, so I’m about to embark on buying my first Ferrari having wanted one (a 328 GTS) aged 6. I still remember the day like yesterday.

    Now, I’ve been looking at classics and modern, sports V8 and GTs V12. Initially as my first Ferrari I wanted classic but now I’m not so sure. I was considering: 308 GTS GTB, 328 GTS GTB, 348 GTS GTB, 360 Spider (maybe hard top) and the same for a F430, 550, 575 and maybe a 599.

    I know classics would be v different.

    All manual where possible.

    It’s a long list and I’m deep in reading about them all. My head says more modern but what do you all think for the first? Budget wise up to £90k ish.

    Thanks
     
  2. F612

    F612 Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2018
    603
    Leeds,AL
    Full Name:
    David D. Hood
    In my (old) mind, a Ferrari has a V12.
    I stumbled on a very special 612 Scaglietti OTO HGT2 and bought it. It is a forever car!
    A year later I bought a nice 575M for a daily driver. A 599 is too expensive for me as a driver.

    Just depends on what YOU want
     
    F355 Fan 82 likes this.
  3. EastMemphis

    EastMemphis Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 25, 2019
    1,717
    Memphis, TN
    Full Name:
    John
    As a shopper, I would recommend spending a couple of DAYS reading the posts in this forum on the various cars you're interested in. For instance, you include the 575 as a possibility but you want a manual. A manual 575 is going to be extremely expensive. I don't think there are any 430 manuals out there except for conversions. Doing your homework on this forum will definitely narrow your search and give you a lot of insight as to what to look for in a particular model.

    The 328 is probably a very good choice as a starter car, but if you live in the hotter parts of the world, you might want to consider the fact that the A/C in those cars is lacking somewhat. This is the kind of info you can get by reading this forum extensively.

    Then the question of service comes up. Do you have a Ferrari dealer in your city? Do you want to do your own maintenance? Are there several indie shops in your area that will service the models you're interested in? These cars aren't Honda's that drive forever without service and not every shop on the street will even consider touching them. Knowing your service options is as important as what you want in a model.

    Good luck!
     
    Jamie traina and jjtjr like this.
  4. Fireman1291

    Fireman1291 Formula Junior

    Oct 30, 2017
    628
    Tampa, FL
    Full Name:
    Adam
    You really need to consider the cost of maintenance on the older models. As a proper caretaker for a piece of Ferrari history you must maintain it correctly and maintenance costs are eye watering expensive on 355 and older.
     
    SavagePower likes this.
  5. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,282
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    If you insist on a manual then a 550 would be an awesome introduction if you are into long journeys - if you try & enjoy an F1 then the 575 would be terrific

    For travelling nearer to home a 328 really is a good option
     
    SavagePower likes this.
  6. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK
    Thanks F612 you’re right- it is what I want but it’s a tough decision yet a lovely decision making process. My head is saying the 360/F430 manual spiders to begin with and maybe a classic as a 2nd. I love the V12 and I can understand what you say about the V12 however the first one I saw was a V8. Perhaps my 2nd Ferrari in the collection will be a V12 or maybe my third! Nice choices you made, I admire them all. Classy. Mine will all be 2 seaters - I’m firm there haha.
     
  7. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,741
    North Wiltshire, UK
    Market is fairly flat at the moment, with a lot of cars being marketed on a speculative basis, a lot of rubbish you shouldn't touch with a barge pole and in the middle some good stuff!

    With your budget, I'm not sure realistically you will step into either a 430 manual spider (there are a few for sale, but generally on stupid prices as people are just trying it on, given they are the last manual Ferrari) or a decent 599.

    Modern classic have pros and cons, neither will necessarily be cheap to maintain but for different reasons. As with V8s vs v12s.

    You really need to get out and drive some and decide what you want. 308/328 vs 348/355 vs 360/430 are worlds apart. I cant keep anywhere near a 360 in my 348; that's the difference and extra 100HP makes!!! Is that a problem, depends what you want from your car!

    In all honesty if I was buying now, I'd look at a 360. They are well priced, comfortable, and quick. But do remember they are coming up to being 20 year old cars now. If you go this route, call Tim Walker and Aldious! You will find most people would buy from them sight unseen.

    For 550, drop bluebottle on here a line, he knows a thing or two about them.

    Get yourself along to some Ferrari events/cars and coffees Most everybody is really friendly and more than happy to chat.(Join FOC; good article in the last magazine on buying a 360. If you want it, drop me an message with an email address and I'll scan it in for you).

    (Also get yourself on Club Scuderia forum. UK focused. But a huge amount of info etc here on FChat; so a lot of us are on both! Also if you are looking at a car do say and let us know what garage etc, as there is a wealth of knowledge of what ones are good/bad and indifferent, as with PPIs and somebody may know the car.)
     
  8. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK

    Thanks man I appreciate the reply. Joining this forum is exactly the reason as you note, learning from owners. Truly valueable.

    The 575M manual is a hard find but I see it as a challenge, more likely is the manual F430 which I’ve found a few. As for the 328 no I’m not in hot climates, I’m in in-fact in England specifically Manchester which is rather wet, a lot! Although not as wet as people say I must add!! The 360 manual is a strong contender as well. It’s mostly likely the 360 or F430 but I’m not discounting the V12 front engines models yet.

    I’m lucky to have a great main dealer nearby and already looked into and made a note of classic and more modern running costs - first thing I did. It was less than I had budgeted for which was a pleasant surprise. I also have a superbly respected specialist (2 in-fact) near me and I’ve made in roads there too.

    I’m the kind of car owner who checks his oil on his cars every 4 weeks (& I don’t use cars daily) and before each long journeys checks oil (again) screenwash and tyres too. It’s how I was brought up. Funny you mention Honda as I have a weekend car as an 2004 EP3 low mileage TypeR Civic, my old daily driver (‘daily’ is now a Volvo XC90 Polestar - kids mobile.) all my current cars get regularly serviced and well looked after. I’m a firm believer you look after something it lasts. I just can’t understand why people just don’t look after their cars. Supercar or otherwise it’s madness.
     
    EastMemphis likes this.
  9. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK
    You’re right and this really resonated with me “As a proper caretaker for a piece of Ferrari history.” That’s why the classics are so special. One has a duty of care and preservation. The maintenance costs research was the first thing I did and my budget exceeded the cost although I’m now thinking for the first one for “ease” I’d got for a year 2000 onwards model and then set about looking for a classic then. I have selected the specialist to use too, a well respected one. Even local Ferrari main dealer prices were far less than I was expecting. Obviously not cheap but then a Ferrari shouldn’t be cheap. It’s something very special. Doing my research and continuing so is important and will pay off. I just need to get the ‘right’ model - narrowing the search is the hard yet fun part.
     
  10. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,282
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    Effectively none of the cars you are looking at will be being maintained in the main dealer network

    There's a lot of good independents near you who you will come across as you do your research
     
  11. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK
    Thanks. I need to choose between the sports car V GT really that’s the hard part. Appreciate the heads up on the 550 and 575 - I thought the manual would be best and also a better long term choice for reselling plus I love the gated manual - it’s classic! It’s not an each task to find manuals in 550, 575, 599 models but worth the hunt.
     
  12. Fireman1291

    Fireman1291 Formula Junior

    Oct 30, 2017
    628
    Tampa, FL
    Full Name:
    Adam
    Indeed. Some see them as just a toy, but for me, we are driving a piece of automotive history, no matter the model. I currently have the last N/A V8 engine Ferrari ever used in the California line, the last front-mid N/A V8, and the end off the Pininfarina designed cars. I think thats pretty neat. I've spent a considerable about of time and money to make my car 100% and in great condition and will continue to do so until the next caretaker takes over.

    About as classic as I will take on is a 2002-2004 360 gated manual. I plan to add one to the garage down the road. Good luck in your search!
     
  13. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK
    Thanks. Yes you’re right and since researching (before joining here) I have found a great specialist (2 in fact) with a strong great reputation locally so I’m set there. Just need to choose and find the car!
     
  14. LARRYH

    LARRYH F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2011
    9,142
    virginia usa
    I think if you have around 90k to spend then either a nice 360 or if you could squeeze a 430 it eliminates the belt Maintinance ... or if you want to go the other way a 550 would be my choice.....maybe a 575 .....lots of choices available
    by the best you can and have fun .... lots of fun...
     
    SavagePower likes this.
  15. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK
    Nice cars you have, the last of a dying breed sadly. Thanks again for your input.
     
  16. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK
    Cheers that’s my exact thinking too - good to know I’m on the right route
     
    LARRYH likes this.
  17. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK
    The hard part for me is finding out what is over priced and not, I’m getting a better idea after some serious hours of reading and researching.

    I’ve found manual 360 & 430 spiders in budget, plus the 550 but the 575 and 599 are more and likely I’ll be adding a little more.

    Maintenance wise I’ve selected a reputable service centre and I’m clued up on running costs, just at the moment unsure in V8 v V12.

    Power isn’t necessarily as important but sound is plus being able to just get in it at a weekend during non winter months is. I want to use it not simply caress it so my head is moving post 355. Although I love the 348 (& have loved it for a long time) but no power steering is putting me off a little.

    You are bang on about driving them though and I am / working through them. Although as my first maybe a more ‘modern’ then a classic to sit alongside it at a later date.

    Thanks for the tip on Tim and Aldious - you’re point on the 360 is exactly why I’m thinking there and the 430 on the V8 front. Bluebottle- cheers!

    Thanks - I will share the one(s) I’m looking at and gain any insight from all here, appreciate everyone’s help, absolutely superb.
     
  18. Enzojr

    Enzojr F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2013
    14,001
    West of PDX
    Full Name:
    Tomy
    My first was a 1987 328 GTS, I still miss it. It’s an old school Ferrari now, and they are all 30 plus years old.
    I originally looked at 308s, but the 328 is a bit more refined with more power. Primitive and raw by today’s standards.
    Current is a 1997 355 spider, I could get something newer with at least 100 plus more hp but......
    I get in enough trouble with close to 400 hp on the street anyway.
    Drive the ones you mentioned, you will know when you have found it.
     
    SavagePower likes this.
  19. RedNeck

    RedNeck F1 Veteran
    BANNED Silver Subscribed

    Jul 8, 2016
    9,875
    The CSA
    Full Name:
    Me
    Days? No, months. This is not something to take lightly, I think I did about a year of research before taking the F-plunge...and I still had tons to learn.
     
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  20. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 3, 2003
    3,797
    Gladwyne PA
    Full Name:
    Morrie
    Well no one usually likes my way of seeing this, but its a car, just a machine that has a horsey on it. I owned both a 360 and 430 (F1 & gearshifts in both), and have probably driven at least 50 Ferrari models (including older ones), many of which I would have to take apart and rebuild them, to even consider ownership. I would stay away from the older cars your budget probably could not handle maintaining them. I would probably say away from the 550 as well, (I had a 575 it was not that great a car, but I see things very differently than others do). It comes down to what you want in a car, and how much of what you dream of can translate into reality. If I was giving someone advise I'd say buy a 430 F1 (I don't know what gearshifts costs in the UK, but here you probably will not find one you want to buy in your price range), I am a old time gearhead, who loves his manuals, but Ferrari's are not anywhere near the best ones I have driven or owned. My comments are from someone who sees cars without any emotion, just as adult tinker toys, and I suggest you start trying to test drive as many of these different models as you can. You might find you will narrow down your list pretty quickly. Good luck.
     
    sidewalk likes this.
  21. F612

    F612 Formula Junior

    Feb 5, 2018
    603
    Leeds,AL
    Full Name:
    David D. Hood
    All 550s are manual and, I think,beautiful

    It sounds to like you would love a 430 manual
    More power and lower maintenance than its predecessors
     
  22. I'm 360 Canuck

    I'm 360 Canuck Formula 3

    Nov 21, 2015
    1,911
    Ontario, The Real One in Canada
    Full Name:
    Lars!
    I decided I wouldn’t buy anything older than a 360 for the simple reason I didn’t want to spend a lot of my already short driving season wrenching or sitting in a shop. I’ve been lucky so far.
     
    kes7u likes this.
  23. MalcQV

    MalcQV F1 Rookie

    Oct 11, 2004
    3,292
    Manchester, UK
    Full Name:
    Malc Holden
    Hi and welcome. Part of the ownership is looking for the right car. I started in 2004 with an 83 Mondial QV then after 5 years a 97 F355 manual and currently own a 2001 360 manual. I do think manual cars are a bit overated but you are certainly not likely to have any hydraulic F1 issues with them :p

    I saw a figure of £90k in the thread. That should surely get you a good F430. My 360 has sky rocket mileage (40k) and it's probably worth £60k/£65k. It is not a concours car but does not look bad. It is some 360 for £90k and a garage queen, probably with low miles such that as soon as you put a few K on it'll be worth £20k less :D
    Despite what it seems it is a buyers market and IMHO dealers are holding onto prices from 2 years ago. There seems to plenty of 360's for sale here because they are overpriced.

    There seems to be a wide range of prices of Ferraris too in the UK, but honestly I wouldn't pay £90k for 360, that's over priced IMO.
    For service and advice
    R&D Automotive - Eccles, Manchester - Nigel and Nick
    A & E Performance - Knutsford - Adam
    JMH Automotive - Holmes Chapel (never used them)

    Tim Walker @ Walkersport in Oswestry is worth a visit too. Aldous Voice of course down towards the Awd Smoke.
     
  24. SavagePower

    SavagePower Rookie

    Jul 10, 2019
    44
    UK
    For number one I settled on a manual 360 manual Spider but I have plans for number 2 be an older classic 348 or 328. The 355 is lovely just superb.

    I’d read too many scary stores about the 355 to make it my first but once I’ve been an owner and learn more perhaps if I’m lucky number 2 may be a 355, there’s just so many beauties.

    Number 2 will be for diff reasons. Purely it’s image!
     

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