150k budget - wtb?

Hi!
I'm located east coast and looking to (finally) getting my first Ferrari. After spending more than 10 years on the Porsches, still owning a 997tt, I think I have the first time in my life the room for a F-car in my garage.

My favorites are F430 Scuderia or 458. I admit, Ive never driven one! I only test drove a 360 stick shift about 10 years ago. I'm not really in young timer stuff.
When I still lived full time in Europe I looked at various 430 but there was a lot worn out crab on the market and finally my life circumstances changed and we moved to the US.
Everything from post - Pininferrina is not my budget and also not really my taste.
I do like the F12, still over my budget. Alternatively I look at MCL570 or PorscheGT3. The more race genes the better.

Any advise? I don't really need fast track times, I'm looking for best possible emotions, puristic race experience I can effort.

Thx!!!
CHRiS

 

First the obvious - go drive the cars you like - Scud and 458. (A higher mileage version of either can be had near your budget.)

A Scud will make a 458 drive positively "GT Like" by comparison, so despite being similar architecture, the cars will present very different driving experiences.

Other obvious suggestion given your last sentence is a Challenge Stradale. Most - if not all here - would say it best fits your last sentence. (Higher mileage ones can be had for $150k range too.) A CS presents a slightly more raw experience than a scud, albeit a fair pace slower than a scud. (but given your comment about track times, a CS will be fast enough on street and track for you).

A 20k-30k mile CS or Scud does sell for $150k range occasionally and likely will hold value very well for you. A higher mileage 458 bought around $150k is likely to continue to depreciate. All 20k+ mile Ferrari's take a lot of effort/time to sell (find a buyer who isn't afraid of the miles in general, or come resale time).

I'm not going to bother discussing other brands since you said you want a Ferrari.

 

I'd get a 550. Go to twelve cylinder town right off the bat.

 

>> First the obvious - go drive the cars you like - Scud and 458. (A higher mileage version of either can be had near your budget.)

How in the blue blazes does one go out and "drive the cars you like"? You can't test drive them at a dealer. The ones I've visited are about as tight with their cars as an old Scotsman. You can't just go up to someone you see with the car and say "Can I drive your car?" Going to an event and asking someone to drive their car will get you the cold shoulder or perhaps having security called to escort you from the premises.

What's the secret here? So far, in six months of looking at Ferrari's, I've only managed to sit in them and even then, it's like pulling hen's teeth to get a salesman to get the keys to unlock the darn things.

 

The problem I have with the CS is the FGear. I understand that FGear after F430 is good. Again, only F Car I got to know personally (2 different once) where 360 stick shift and I liked them very much. Personally, I wouldn’t pay 80ish grand for such a vehicle today but that is a different story. a 360 stick for 50 grand - i would buy tomorrow. On the other hand, 400bhp - my former Boxster Spyder is probably faster than this.
Discussion Testdriving... all cars are impressive to test drive. I’m honest enough to say I’m useless when it comes to test drives. I’m like a kid in the candy-shop, overwhelmed with emotions and addicted. BC of that I usually do my homework’s first before even bothering someone to drive.

 

The CS F1 is okay and won’t disappoint in its shifting dynamics in race mode. The F1 version in the scud is as good as F1 gets.

 

Really? I can test drive anything at any dealer any time, unless it's pouring with rain. They are more than happy to oblige. Unless you are a teenager?

 

458 or a manual 991.2 GT3. Deadman cars for me. No one will get mine while I’m alive. LOL.

If you want to put on a lot of miles- Porsche.

 

458 will probably be easier ownership and more driveable. 'Race' mode on it is still pretty wild for street and highway. I've never even tried the full ESC OFF mode! 'Sport' mode (regular setting) is tame enough to daily drive without being physically exhausting. A lot more drama than a 997TT, IMO.

In the long run, the Scud will be more collectible than a base 458. Its equivalent would be a 997 GT3, which I've heard are great too.

You can't go wrong with either, but it depends on your mission - to the extent you want race-like feel then you're saying Scuderia, but when you try both you may find that the 458 is racy enough and still comfortable for longer trips.

 

High miles Scuderias and (sometimes) Challenge Stradales can be had at your budget....really thats the best you can do in Ferrari world at your budget, and both really great choices.

 

This is the part of exotics that nobody talks about, and its a great question.....

I had to become connected to a well-known local exotic owner to get access to the club. He would call a dealer and tell them his friend Shark01 was coming down to drive some cars, treat him good. Opened so many doors for me. Now that I have a drool-worthy exotic, I just drive it to a dealer and park it in front, can get a drive in whatever I want (but I have refused drives in cars I just didn't like (California) or cars I can't honesty afford (Aventador....although that killed me to say no to).

 

A 599 is a V12 experience that IMO far exceeds the mid engine V8.

 

avoid the mclarens.

 

I don't know if I would go that far, but they definately require more research and ownership strategy than Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Porsche.

 

Yup which is why I would avoid them.

Also, Ferrari Lamborghini and Porsche all build far more reliable cars with FAR LESS CHANCE of a giant giant repair bill if you look at anything say... post 430... gallardo... huracan... any porsche...

So MY advice to someone looking to get into this arena is to just genuinely avoid Mclaren. Especially those 570s.

 

Same here. Cars I was interested in, I called ahead, asked a few qualifying questions to make sure it was what I wanted, made an appointment and went and drove it.

The sales guys at my local dealer include me on the invitations for new car launch / test drive events even when they know I’m not in the market.

Now that being said, I could see the reception being a bit different for a random tire kicker wandering in out of the blue...

 

When I have $150k for my next Ferrari it will be easy: a 458 with higher miles.

Done. End of sentence.

 

Depends on what you want. A CS or Scud will hold it's value better, but will probably be a rougher ride than a 458. (I haven't driven any of these, but from my understanding, this is how it is. Correct me if I'm wrong please). The 458 will probably be more daily-able. The CS will need belts changed during it's major. If you really want a stick car, a gated F430 should be in your price range. You aren't too far off from a gated murci either.

 

I'm curious about what you know about 570S major failures.....we know the 12C/650S models can be ticking time bombs but haven't heard of any chronic issues with the 570.

 

Low (by comparison) running cost, razor sharp handling, sound, and beautiful sheet metal…the 458 gets my vote!

 

Whats to say about FFs?

 

THe cars are on the same architecture. They still have their gremlins... sure the A/C controls in the doors don't fail because they don't have them and the headligjhts or tailight don't fail as often but they still have their constant electrical gremlins. Don't believe me... check out the youtubers who have bought them and got rid of them or had them bought back because of issues never being able to be addressed. Plus the 570s plummet in value.

 

only if you need or care about 4 seats and awd. otherwise 458 wins all day every single day. under 150k 458 is the answer.

 

Thanks. 4 seats is nice to have but not more. I was just curious, especially since the F12 is like 80 grand more.
I still think, based on dry assumption the 430scud is more me.

 

Drive them. Id do 458 over scud.


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