Early 30 year guy needing financial/ferrari advice

I am not a regular poster here nor a F car owner but I do need F chatter's wisdom on my car purchase.

I have a budget of 400k (Max but would love to preferably spend less) and am looking for a car that I can drive around 1000 to 2000 miles / year, relatively cheap to maintain and won't tank in value.

I looked into 2006 FGT but these have gone up in value.

I am looking at several cars right now.

997 GT3 RS

458 Speciale

360CS - Nice car but really hard to come by a car with relatively clean hx

FGT (Should've bought it last year. I got a cold feet and backed out during stock market crash)

Maybe SLS AMG?

I know F chatters have a lot of experience with cars of multiple brands. What would you guys buy if you were me? Other car suggestions are welcome.

 

If you're considering a 360CS, I know someone who has a very clean one. I also think Scuderias are a bit undervalued right now but that's my 2 cents. GT3 RS is a great option as well.

 

Scuderias are defintiely a little undervalued but it is just stuck in a middle place. Not as old school/classic as 360cs but next to 458, it looks outdated.

 

I would say 458 Speciale or 430 Scud if you want a car that is going to hold its value. I am sure FGTs will hold their value but you are also paying a premium.

 

I’ve owned a Speciale and a 16M. Sold the 16M first and later traded the Speciale. Miss my Speciale and will get another some day. It’s a fantastic driver’s car. Prices are reasonable considering they have stayed above MSRP for over 5 years.


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FGT prices have been bonkers lately. Once you get into mid 300k territory, I am starting to feel that speciale is probably a better car. My worry is the maintenance cost of 458.

 

I vote 458 speciale

I would just go and do it!

Robb

 

If you’re not driving it often, then you’ll be looking at it. It’d be a choice between CS and Speciale. I think CS prices have bottomed. Not sure about the Speciale.

I’d rather have a CS + Scud vs a Speciale.

 

I would submit that considering all your needs and stated requirements, a FGT is still your best bet....since you want to drive it, you don't want a $350k zero mile car. Just in the past 2 weeks, an 11k mile car sold for $270k.

Yes, there has been an upward shift starting last May. I bought mine last Feb for well under $200k (28k miles with a couple of minor stories).....amazing cars.

Good Luck

 

I would get either a 550 Barchetta, 575M Gated, or F12 but seems like you prefer mid engine "sportier" cars. The only mid engine car that pulls at my heart is the Scud and it seems like a pretty good value currently.

 

Don’t buy one, buy two!
I suggest a 612 for every day and a 430 for weekend fun.

 

I would agree that the 458 is probably at the near bottom of the depreciation curve now. They are pretty dependable and the last of the V8 N/A engines we will see from Ferrari -- perhaps ever.

Getting a special edition just makes it that more valuable. Last comment is people love Convertible Ferrari's.

 

458 Speciale

 

Speciale or Ford GT.

 

I call bogus post , doesn't make sense

 

Ugh shouldve bought gt last year... i want to kick myself for not pulling the trigger.

 

Hi Kim,
Welcome. It's a very hard question.
That said, the only key FGT/GT3 offer manual so if that's important to you, that cuts the list down quite a bit. Also, if you had to pick which one was the most pleasing to your eye, which would it be?

 

Thats a hard question.
Gt3 is the ugliest bar none.
Speciale and GT both look beautiful.

 

Okay, so does driving an ‘ugly’ car to you matter? Are you looking for the 'best' performance? Does driving stick matter?
Cheers

 

With all respect, if you can afford a 400k car, the least of your concern is maintenance cost. I'd think that none of the cars you mentioned above will be "cheap" to maintain anyway.
But good luck. A seemingly nice and well-cared for low mileage CS seems to pop up here from time to time.

 

I understand. Just want to avoid anything ridiculous like slr (6500/year on average for maintenance) on a depreciating asset.

 

Repeat after me: "Unless its a halo model.. I acknowledge it will be a depreciating asset". Its NEVER how much you gain.. it's about minimizing loss. i.e NOT buying an Aston Martin. It will loose value unless you get lucky and buy in a down cycle.

You're not going to spend >$5k on it per year. And if you have a mechanic that tells you that.. get another one who won't bleed you dry.

 

Another vote for Speciale. Last of the N/A mid-engine V8 models. Aperta models are brining big money now and I think Speciale coupes will continue to creep up in appreciation.

 

Kim, does driving stick matter? Have you test drove any of these? I recommend you ask specific questions, as the broad ones can easily be dismissed as coming from a place of naivete.

What flavor of Ice Cream should you choose? These get eye-rolled pretty quick don't they?



Like the grown man that asked us what Ferrari he should buy in 2027. Or the other guy that is mad when he asked us which Ferrari he should buy, since he liked 6 he test drove all 'equally.' And our response was huh?

 

After owning one for 13 years, I vote for an '05-06 Ford GT. You can get one with 10k or so miles for $300k or slightly under. We never had to have anything serviced on the car except oil, tires, and airbag recalls. It is roomier inside than many exotics, and is an easy shifting clutching car around town. There still are several of the original GT factory people who work only on the GT's as well. Just budget some Bridgestones to replace the rock hard Goodyears that came on them.

I expect them to keep on creeping up in price, as more are wrecked, sold out of the country, and parts of collections limit supply. I know several new GT owners who are selling the " racecar" after the 2 year limit, and keeping their old GT's. One of which, has owned a perfect Miura, Carrera GT and several other exotics.