Best Value Ferrari

I think 456 has to be my winner - V12, modern amenities, very driveable, almost practical, and some 95MY cars can be had under $60k - that's value. Close runners up would be 550 - not quite as cheap as the 456 otherwise I'd have put it at the top, but still my fav. modern Ferrari and very inexpensive/reliable to boot.

 

I think it was Voltaire who said "if you wish to converse with me, define your terms". So value is being interpreted as lots of things - "if it can't beat a jap car it has no value", etc. I took your post to mean monetary value in terms like you might look at various stocks. That is which Ferrari if purchased today, suffers x amount of expense, and is then resold in say a 5 year time frame, would realize the most monetary (percentage) gain? If that in fact is the basis of best value, I would vote for the 308 series, because I think they are among the least expensive to maintain, a truly iconic classic carburated (earlier ones) Ferrari, strong daily driver, and have particularly strong upside percentage wise as an initial lower cost vehicle. Not exactly a penny stock, but that allure to some degree. If some old mass produced Dodge muscle car sells for 100k plus at Barrett Jackson, how can a 308 not at least be 50% of that?

 

Mondial 3.2

 

Fair point sir, but you brought the Honda into the debate not me

 

As an example of how the 3 series performed against other marques. I thought it was clear to anyone on FChatt as to how they performed against other Ferraris as the 3 series has always been the "entry level" Ferrari. And I'm not trying to "bad mouth" 3 series Ferraris...I've had two, a 328GTS and 348 Spider and loved them both. But, as much as I love the Ferrari experience, I still have to admit that they are not always the best car in their class. Even with my BB512i which was Ferrari's "top of the line" when new, could not really compete with the Porsche 911TT or Lambo Contouch of the era.

 

Fair enough. Unfortunately, we in the USA, did not get the really good ones that would hit 60 in 6 seconds and pull an honest 150+mph. That's not bad for the late 70's and early 80's. It's really not that bad now.

That's why I pick the GT4. Get an early example, Euro if possible, and you'll have a $20,000-$23,000 Ferrari that moves. (yes I know ALL about the Ferrari/FIAT/Bertone thing too, but it is as much Ferrari as is my 308 QV, which is enough for most people)

 

A Carb'd 308. That's my choice. It's cheap to buy, it makes all the right sounds, handles great, and it's the real thing. It doesn't have 400hp or even 300hp, but it feels like it. One other thing, I view the other cars like the honda V-tec's and crap like that as pretenders(don't get me wrong they're good cars, but they're trying to be something they're not). Yeah, you can hop it up to 380 hp with a turbo for 3 grand, but it's still a regular car. There's no excitement. A buddy of mine has an 94 RX-7 with 500hp. He drove a 355 a couple of weekends ago, and was blown away by it.

 

I'm going to catch hell for this, but all of the 308/328/348/355/360/F430 cars are just the entry level cars.

The only thing that changed is the vintage.

 

Of course they are. You can tell by their price.

 

After living with the Testarossa for a while, I am confirming that it's the best value Ferrari... Can you believe its nearly half the 512TR..??? I know, I know,... the 512TR is much improved, 30 more horses, better shocks, engine layout, interior arrangement, more body paint... new bumpers looks, but all that for doubling the price??? Plus, The Testarossa value is equal the 348.... that just blow my mind.......

here is mine..... crazy about it.

http://www.xok.com/sundaymorningdrive/thumbnails.php?album=29

 

I am a little confused now. Why has Porsche and Lamborghini come into the debate?

Best Value Ferrari.

Of course Ferrari are the best in class. Best cars ever

 

Please find me a buyer for a previous entry level 360 M that will pay MSRP for a 360 today while I take delivery of my 430.

<scratching my head...where am I going wrong?>

 

For value received I say a 550 first then a 355. Both are extreme values.

 

Correct and they are the ones that are red hot during the production run. At least the 355, 360 and 430.

 

There is a depreciation curve. It starts upward when new then falls with time and when the model was introduced. About a year before the next model comes out the upward curve is close to zero. From there it goes downhill.
Pretty fast as I may say (although still better than other exotics like Porsche and Lambos). At one point the car reaches a "rock-bottom" price. This has to do with the value in parts for that car. Once that is reached, you have a best buy.

As for what is the best buy for the buck...348, without a doubt.
As for styling preferences, your choice, whatever ones heart deasires.

If you compare 360 and 550 the 550 will win hands down. No question the better of the two at the same price. Again, you may like the 360 better for styling and/or mid/rear engine handling etc. but for the buck...550.

 

I agree completely. Well put. it should also be a Ferrari that Enzo Ferrari used regularly, shouldn't it?

Here's my 330:
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to continue on the depreciation point: I think the best value in Ferrari is any car at the bottom of its depreciation curve. After things cooled down from the late '80 early '90 some car have maintain the value the only variation come with the car's condition. You bought a 328 in 1996 for $50K and drove it for 20K miles did your services and kept your books chances are pretty good that you could get what you [aid for 9 years ago. I see this more often with 911SC. For the past 10 to 15 years the demand for them hasn't changed much.

The cars I see at the flatest part of the depreciation curve are...
All 308's,328,348,TR, all Mondials, all 365/400/412's.

Its not that thes cars will never go up in value, I just don't see them ever getting any cheaper.

 

I disagree on the 348 and TR, but everything else is flat and will only go cheaper if you buy a rough car.

 

Wasn't the 82 Mondial the top of the line that year?

 

US Spec? Yes.

 

Surely this couldn't be what we mean by value.

http://used-cars.autos.yahoo.com/usedcars/detail/index.html?cid=automobiles-186257624&dst=20.23&rsr=dnR5cGU9YXV0b3MmZ3VyPTUwJm1rPUZlcnJhcmkmbWFrZT1GRVImbW15PTEmcmVmc3JjPWF1dG9zL2hvbWUmY29kZT1GRVIuRmVycmFyaSZjc3o9OTE3NzYmY3M9cHJpY2UmJmI9