Just thinking, 308 vs. 996

I just drove a 1999 carrera 4 in great shape with 46K miles on the clock. What a great car for only $36k! I might just get one until 355s get a little cheaper.

 

I have a 328 ~32Kmiles and a 911 cab with 74K, both are 88s. I compare the two all the time.

To me the 911 is easier to drive, more reliable, costs less to maintain, easier to get parts for, better build quality, and does everything the Ferrari can do with 50% less moving parts. The 911 is like a really functional sports car. Owned it since new and mechanically it has been "bullit proof", the interior and exterior have remained in very good condition.

the 328 looks better in my opinion, is so much more fun to drive, easier to drive fast, to me it handles better than the 911. But the 328 feels delicate compared to the 911. 328 has a better ride, the 911 is bone rattling.

Overall I believe the Porsche is the better of the two, but I don't think I'll sell the Ferrari any time soon. Just get a newer Porsche when the time comes.
If I could only have one of them, logically I'd keep the Porsche......

 

These are great observations. It is my opinion that the Ferrari looks much better......Its also more exclusive and desirable. We must also keep in mind that we can get a 993 or 996 for the same money. Comparing the latter two to the Ferrari would not be right but the bottom line is that they can be had for similar money. In any case I like the contents of your garage. By the way, which do you feel is faster?

 

I have had a Boxster S for almost 5 years now. It has not become 'predictable' or 'boring'. It brings a smile to my face every time I take it out. It is definitely one of the funnest cars I have ever driven or owned. It has also been *very* reliable. I would highly recommend ownership.

 

Based on your choices, I assume you will have a net cost to get rid of the 308 and buy anything on your list. Why?
Keep the Ferrari, lease a new SLK and give it back 3years from now when you get the 355. Everybody's happy and you won't wake up in a cold sweat wondering what on earth possessed you to sell a car you love and replace it with a hunk of plastic and metal that is truly disposable, especially a couple of years out.

 

I drove a 2004 Vette (C4?) I just dont like that style of car. Its soo big! The interior (plastic and shiny leather) is similar to the ones found in Grand Ams and other American cars. It was fast.....it feels like a train but I just dont get that feeling I get in a 996.

 

The SLK will be worth 15k in 3 years..your Ferrari will still be worth close to 40 if not more. Why get rid of a car that is going up in value, to get your self into a car that will lose 20% in a year and a half? Also..the new Benz's are complete trash. You will have less problems with your 20 year old Ferrari then you will with the 05 benz. The Benz handeling had never been all that great and you will definatly miss all the sounds that will be absent in the benz.

I would seriously reconsider this desicion. If you must sell the 308 go with your first idea the P-car. Even a Corvette would be a better choice then the Benz.

 

The Porsche feels like it's quicker, but I doubt it. But that's a good question. I'll have to check that with a radar.

 

A modern fast car of your choice plus a Ferrari would be best way to go...
Good Morning Perry, are you like 8 AM?

 

Who cares what it is going to be worth. It will depreciate like anything else if you put miles on it. The question is, would you be happier putting 60k on a Ferrari or 60k on some other disposable car.

Its just a car. Drive it. Don't worry about it.

 

No offense, but you shouldn't have bought a Ferrari. You really can't afford it.

 

I'd have to agree, or at least you don't have the mindset for it.

 

Like it's been said, owning a Ferrari is not cheap compared to mass produced cars. If you're not willing to spend a lot more than a Honda Accord will cost you for the same miles you put on it, then you can't be driving a Ferrari.

You say it's "throwing money away" and lots of people feel that way. Nothing wrong with that. But some people think the money is worth the thrill of the drive so they spend it. Everyone has a cost/benefit equation in their heads on what something is worth.

Ken

 

But then you'll have all the depriciation! Either way it's not cheap owning toy cars; I agree with you that you should spend your money elsewhere if you're not having fun. Maybe a Porsche would be better for you, or an NSX?

Ken

 

Perry,
You'll get a bigger hit with a newer car. We're kind of in the same boat. I'm 30, and want to retire early as well. You want something you can drive all the time and have fun with as well as not lose a lot in depreciation as well. That's something that's almost impossible to do with vehicles. That's why I have a cheap reliable car as my daily driver, and for insane power, I have a sportbike. My fun car is my 308. Insurance is cheap, and I can do most of the maint myself if I have the time, or if I want to save some money. If you want to get rid of the 308, because you want something to drive all the time and not take a big hit with maint, or depreciation, I would think a used WRX, used Boxster, or used Evo. The only thing about a boxster is the maintenance could get really expensive if something major goes wrong. Another thought would be to sell the 308 and get a Cobra replica. That would probably be the cheapest in terms of maintenance, and depreciation, and you could probably have a roof fabricated so you could drive it in the rain. Remember not a Cobra kit car, a Cobra replica. Some of the so called Cobra replica's are just 5.0 mustangs rebodied.

 

I understand what you are saying Perry. I came to the conclusion that right now I can't afford the F-car (atleast not for 5 more years or so) so I'm going to go with a Lotus instead. I can afford both but to maintain them is another thing. With the F-car there is really no Ferrari club in my area that likes to work on their own cars so that was the deal yanker for me. The Lotus club in town does ALL their own work and they are more than willing to help out someone. I have confidence that once I'm taught a procedure that I will be able to do it on my own in the future and will also be able to pass along that knowledge to someone just getting into a Lotus. I think if the maintance is a big issue for you either you will have to learn how to do it or not have the car because you can't be scared to drive the car. If you drive it might depreciate and if you don't you still have the depreciation because it is sitting there not being worked enough to keep things in good working condition and will require the next owner to do it ASAP which in turn will not bring what you might ask for the car.