Costs of running a V12 vs. V8

I got a question here, actually a few, but first I'll give a breif history.

Okay, as you can see by my name, I am 13 years old. My dad *might* looking into buying a Ferrari. I've loved Ferraris for 7 of my 13 years, and I keep trying to convince my dad to buy one. Hes liked the 348 for quite awhile now, but today I showed him the 512 BBi and he finds that one really appealing, but the V12 engine really set him back. I've heard that its quite a bit to run them compaired to the V8s.

I've also read that the 348's front end tends to drift a bit at high speeds, is this true?

Whats the average price for the 512BBi?

Thanks a lot! If I have any other questions I'll post them here!

 

Welcome to the site!

The 512BBi's can cost 3x 348's.

It depends on the condition of the car.

 

Welcome - I'm sure you'll get some flak for the standard 'my dad' intro. (And what were you doing the first 6 years that you didn't like Ferraris? )

But:

The best thing is to surf this site a bit and read up on the different models in the model forums. Also here's a great link for what an independent Ferrari tech in LA charges for various services -- not official, but a useful guideline:

http://emelbon.tripod.com/eugeniosferrariservice.html

512BBi's seem to run $130K to $150K now, but a lot depends on the condition, mileage and history of the car. Again, hang out in the Boxer/TR section. When I was considering a Testarossa (pre 512TR), my Ferrari service guy said I should plan on 33% higher costs for scheduled services assuming the V8 and V12 cars are both in comparable/good condition to start.

In this month's issue of Forza magazine, there's a section on the modern V12 cars - prices, weak spots, etc. You should pick that up at Borders. Sheehan says the Testarossa is dated in its looks but a performance bargain for a Ferrari V12, and in this case I agree.

Good luck!

 

I have no idea what answers you'll get from actual Ferrari owners, but I'll give you the basic answer anyone considering Ferrari ownership should get:

If you have to ask, you can't afford it.

Ferraris are special machines, and deserve the best of care. That costs a lot of money, and even then the car wil not run as well as the Honda you use every day. Search this site and you will find story after story of Ferrari owners who spend anything it takes and STILL their Ferrari doesn't run right.

A Ferrari is a toy, and a ridiculously expensive and frustrating one. When it's right, it's magic. When it goes wrong, even the experts have trouble sorting them out. You have to love them for the rare times when they are right, to put up with the more usual case that they are not right. And that means that you have to be so rich that you don't care how much money you sink into the pit, or so crazy that you don't care how much money you spend.

You sound like you don't qualify for either case, and will be the worst possible Ferrari owner, one who tries to do things cheaply and ruins a beautiful car. DON'T

Dubai Vol ducks for cover....

 

Well... you're right, to some extent. The parts prices alone on these cars are beyond stupid.

However there are enormous variations between the ownership costs of a 308 versus a Daytona, so I don't think the question is wholly irrelevant. Maybe it's a matter of differing degrees of insanity.

 

How can you judge if I'm going to be a good Ferrari owner.. if I'm not even going to own the car? Man, you really need to learn to read. I'm 13, how in hell am I suppose to own a car?

My dad worked 23 years in the car business, so he knows a fair bit about cars. If he didn't have the money then he wouldn't even be looking into them. Also, his friend has a 308 who hes talked to a lot about it.

Next time actually read the post before making a fool out of yourself.

Thanks.

 

Chill out.

Dont freak out.

You'll get a TON of crap here about being young.

 

Yea thats it guys, run the kid off the board and continue to feed the notion that Ferrari owners are pricks.

Dude..if you want to learn more about the V12 vs the V8 cars..head on over to the sections below that are dedicated to each model. 308 series and the TR series are good for info and have a bunch of good info and fellows that are willing to help out.

 

I love my 328 (V8) and it is easy to work on. Sure it will need belt changes about every 3-5 years, but that a good time period to have a few other things checked, like the water pump and rubber hoses.

The Ferrari engines are tough engines and run well. Sometimes it does take a bit of work to get them right. But when they are right, it is a dream come true. I think the "trick" is to pay the right people for the service. It might be more expensive, but I pay for their knowledge, not their ability to twist a wrench.

 

If you substitute "your dad" for "you" in his post, his message would have been the same; 23 years of car experience notwithstanding.

Cool it. You're still 13 years old on an adult board and if you can't keep your temper, you won't be here for long.

 

This is an adult only board? I must have missed that somewhere...

 

No it's not adult-only, but the target audience is adults. Young enthusiasts are welcome as long as they don't act like they're in a schoolyard.

 

i'm behind you 100%. you did in no way deserve the response that dubai vol gave you. dubai, he is an enthusiastic kid that is working on developing the same love for the marque that you have.

go easy on him.

 

Ever seen the way a pack of dingoes singles out the youngest in the heard for their attack?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

 

I would listen to the advice of people that actually own a Ferrari.

 

Woh! man chill out go easy on the little man. That was harsh.

 

I don’t normally say this in these type threads, but I agree. Unlike Vik, this guy is going about this the right way. He identified himself, did not say "I am getting," and has asked good questions.

So, 13YearOld, as a 348 owner I do not agree that the front end becomes "soft" at high speed. However, I have only had it at, say, close to 150mph once and that was on a track. Thusly I do not think that you would routinely have it at a high rate of speed very many times if ever so that you would have a problem with it. If you do you are just nutz and unless you are a pro you are playing with death.

I do not know the difference in v8 vs v12 costs as I have never had a v12 Ferrari. It would not surprise me though if the cost were higher just do to the difference in mechanics of the brand. However, one statement above is VERY true: If you are worried about the cost of up keep of a Ferrari, you CAN NOT afford one.

Oh and welcome to the board!!

 

Welcome to Fchat Andy.

Research and do you homework on Fchat.

There is A LOT of valuable info here about the Ferrari V8 and V12 cars.

Search each area which intrests you and go from there.

Best of luck mate, take it easy.

 

I am a newbie too, not 13 but 39 and starting the process of buying my first ferrari and if this is the way the group acts, I am going to have a blast. You are going to see me alot because I willl be drilling you guys and gals for any info I can get. I am interested in 308's, 328 and yes crossing the line to 12's(testarossa, TR)

Later

Jon

 

If this is like EVERY other post from a minor about his Dad, I'm sure the Dad has NO intention of getting a Ferrari, the boy is just trying to talk him into it so all this is wasted space. I'm sure the Dad is just trying to decide what brand of minivan he is getting........After all if he wanted a Ferrari, he would be posting here....


It was funny seeing Dubai getting *****-slapped by a 13 yr old however......

 

Whats so funny about that?.

 

I always thought that was a rather odd statement.

 

I think people need to lighten up. So far, he comes across as mature and articulate. And I definitely don't subscribe to the "If you have to ask, you can't afford it" newsletter. Anyone that pays without asking how much is a fool in my book.

 

I think that this '' 13 year old'' deserves a lot of care and attention - don't be so rough on him. I dreamed of F cars since I first learnt how to read but v-12 and v-8's were not relevant back then because they were all v-12's.

Tell your dad to buy Forza magazine and check out your local library for back issues - I think he will find the answer to all his questions together with all the very informative threads on this site.

 

Sorry to say but my experience on several forums in various subjects has proven to me that the education system is a great failure nowadays. If I had a nickel for every moron who didn't read a post of mine, I'd have a fleet of 512's. Get used to it

That's not true. He could be like many of our fathers (not all), intimidated or simply illiterate around computers. Or maybe he's seen how some of the people here are speaking to his kid and doesn't want to associate with F-Chat.

Uhps, there I go again, thinking...