I have a 2007 F430 Spider with approximately 32,000 miles well-maintained Nero exterior with tan interior. My question is if I were to consider selling the car would converting it to a manual set up with the cost of conversion ( approximately $20k) provide a higher return then an F1 plus the cost of conversion? So if right now my car is worth somewhere in the 80 to 85 range what would it bring with the converted gearbox? Curious to read responses thank you Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
This is a new unanswered question but I would guess the first several bring at least your car plus the cost. You can also factor in the new clutch, which adds value too.
No one has a crystal ball but I think you would be rewarded later on. For example, if someone (or me) was looking for a nice F430 and couldn't afford to even look at a 'true' manual (yeah, me again), then your car for $20K more would be very attractive as a compromise on value. Yes value because someone else (you) already went to the trouble of time and $$ to make it happen. Plus you get to enjoy that gated feeling until you decide to sell. Personally, I would think it would be a keeper since the 'true' gated ones are garage queens (yes, I know , not all of them but most). My opinion, of course.
Today, I would only pay a little more for a converted car than having one converted myself if the car was local and closer to my ideal spec. However: factory parts for the conversion are in limited supply. At some point converted cars with factory parts will be sought after (less than original manuals, of course) because new conversions will rely on aftermarket parts.
I am with FerRrari, not worth the investment. Someone would probably pay a little more but probably not 20K more. And, no insult intended but black hasn't been that popular over the past bunch of years. Of course tastes change but it is not the hot ticket right now and hasn't been for at least 5 years so making a spec move on that car adds risk. While the vocal group here says gated are going to explode in price, I am not convinced. I can drive one and so can my wife but most younger people can not and don't care to. SO, over time you have the potential to self select out of a large percentage of the market. So I don't think it is a great plan to sell a car. Now if YOU want to do it for yourself, not for resale, I say have at it.
I think that in the panacea of modifications that you can do to your car, this one has at least some chance of just about paying for itself. This puts it streets ahead of nearly all other modifications in pure financial terms. You're asking for trouble though if you're looking to make money out of the conversion. First and foremost you should be doing it because its the car you want. If the money side works out in the long term, then this should just be seen as a bonus.
Thanks everyone for your responses and input frankly I don’t really love the F1 transmission on the 430 I really do miss my three pedal 360 more than anything just was thinking is there more bang for the buck in the conversion than just my enjoyment thank you for your thoughts Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
I'd convert it, but for your own usage. You'll get a large portion of the money you dump into it for the MT Back, but I woudln't expect it all. But who cares, even if you lose 1/2 of it, 10K, you've enjoyed it for that anyways.
This reminds me of the whole “should we re-do the kitchen” question. We have spent $150K on all sorts of fancy renovations, but the house might be worth $50K more as a result.
Ugh, I wish you would have told us this before I replaced my 360's "dated" aluminum trim with backsplash tiles.
being discussed here: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/f430-manual-madness-on-bat.623632/ in about 3 hrs and 50 minutes we will have a better idea..... https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2007-ferrari-f430-spider-7/
the bat auction was a waste but it answers the OP question - you will get your money back if you convert to manual
The conversion might be profitable today. However, once a number of cars have been converted, the market inevitably will become saturated and converted cars, especially those made from aftermarket (vs. real Ferrari) parts, may actually be worth less than original F1 models.
I don't think that 'factory parts' vs 'aftermarket parts' would have much if any impact on price. Once it isn't stock it isn't stock and really doesn't matter who sold the part.
Tough to say. Years down the road it may not be worth noticeably more than the F1, but it may be sell more quickly. I consider two factors. There will be an appeal as the years go by and parts become more difficult to source, to own an F430 with less hard to replace parts and lower maintenance. The manual (even aftermarket) would have a greater appeal. However, as the years go by, the number of people who know how to drive a manual or want to deal with driving one in traffic, will likely be lower in number. So you would have less buyers. Honestly, I think it would be a wash from a profit stand point. You'd maybe get the conversion cost back, but not much more as time goes on. The F1 really does go well with the F430.
Among the car people I know, notably including young ones, a manual transmission is still very desirable. Take for example the new 718 Spyder. Manual only. I think learning to drive a stick will become a badge of honor with younger car enthusiasts.
If you want a gated manual get one or convert one but doing it to make a profit is not the best business plan.
Has anyone that’s converted their 430 to manual made some of the money back by selling the F1 parts? Seems as pricey as the parts are you could make back a good portion of the cost.