cost of ownership

If it was me, I'd buy a pristine 308 QV or an unmolested 348 and just enjoy it! The money you have left over you could save for a rainy day. The vette wont give you the satisfaction of an F-Car! Here's another option that you might want to look at:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=137439542&postcount=1

Happy hunting!

 

Yes, F cars can produce jaw dropping bills compared to other cars one owns but I don't think that is the real issue that should concern you. If you have $5K available for maintenance each year, on average, that should more take care of things. What should concern you is (i) the loss you will experience in yearly depreciation, and (ii)the 'opportunity cost' of putting, say, $100-150K into a car where it "earns" nothing vs. the $5-10 K you could make investing it. In other words, were you to buy a 2004 360 for, say, $150K Cdn, you would be kissing goodby to around $17K per year in depreciation and opportunity cost. That bugs some people, especially those (meaning the majority) who drive their F cars so little, watching them sit in their garage. If money is no object, then of course who cares.

To minimize these three sources of losses, for example, as applied to a 360 you could;

1) buy a 360 that has almost fully depreciated, for example, a 1999 or 2000 model
2) select a 360 that has had all services done and is in 90%+ shape
3) invest money you don't have to spend elsewhere.

A fully depreciated 360 that's in great shape is an appealing choice because (i) the 360 has better reliability than earlier models, (ii) no one but you knows its a 1999/2000 model and not a 2004 model, (iii) you get the same performance in the depreciated model as the more recent one, and (iv) 98% of people can't even tell the difference between a 360 and a 430.

 

Go for the 360.

 

No disrespect...but i love these posts!!

My short term of owning Ferrari's (2004 till present...3 diff cars, 360, 512TR, Challenge Stradale). I can tell you has been the LEAST costly autos ive ever owned!!! PERIOD!!

Taking into resale, service, etc.... I can tell you for me it has been cheaper than owning a Honda.

Again..maybe dumb luck, i dont know...but you shop and buy right you usually (assuming no economic catastrophe) Sell for what you paid for it. Buy a car that has been recently major serviced...you dont worry about that for 3 + years...so all you have is the basic oil changes etc...very reasonable if done by f-car independent, and you can actually negotiate with the f-dealers service department, you will be suprised how willing they are to keep the business in house.



DISCLAIMER.........if something should break>>>>>>>>>>>>DISREGARD THE ABOVE POST!!!

 

You post screams "Don't buy anything right now".... You are too close to the edge to buy an exotic at the moment. One major problem and too much stress. Best

 

If little "surprises" bother you then I'd forget it and buy something else new. These cars out of warranty are always dicey. You can luck out but a disaster can really set you back and it's easy to get nickel and dimed on a older car.

 

This topic comes up quite a bit.

I have a few suggestions as some omnths ago I was in a similar position

1)Exhaustively search back posts on this forum to learn all you can about the brand: good, bad and ugly.
2)Use the search feature to narrow your questions and concerns.
3)Make decision that is right for you.

When I joined the forum in September I had little idea of what a 360 did and should cost, what I should be concerned about and whether or not I would be comfortable paying for issues that may arise with ownership. After a few weeks my questions were answered by simply doing my own research.

Search Search Search the forum then decide

 

From what I understand, the pre-"Montezemolo" F-Cars were high maintenance. The post "montezemolo" units were (supposedly) engineered to be "driven daily" and they were manufactured to be "low (maintenance) cost units" too! I read that in a Forza mag a few years back, I think it might be the 1st edition or maybe the 3rd.

Well anyways, for whatever its worth, dont be a slave to an F-Car or any car for that matter! Yes the maintenance needs to be done precisely and/or on a timely fashion but thats pretty much the same on any cars. As with anything expensive (including GF's and/or Wives), commitment is a must! If you worry too much about upkeep cost or reliability, buy the 600hp+ Benzo!

BTW, "Kung Hei Fat Choi" to all!

 

Those are really good points. I do think that the first money you earn free and clear of expenses should be applied to "pay yourself" and get some capital working for you. And a share of every doller clear after that should go to work for you. That said, in the US, public policy is so ainti-saver and ainti-investment that the hit for consuming is much smaller than it ought to be.

With 4% inflation you need to earn 4% to stand still. Investment income is taxed so you need to earn maybe 6% to clear 4% and that is standing still. All zero risk investments (money market funds or treasuries) pay much less than 6% so you need to take risk to stand still. I.E., you have to take risk just to preserve your capital, which is so wrong. To actually gain from your money you need to step out the risk curve further, equities earn on average about 10% but it would be a steel balled person who could go 100% equities. If you go half equities half lower risk you might get 6% - after tax 4% or nearly zero return.

Of course there are all sorts of gains to having some savings and investments, less interest expense, rebates on credit card purchases ratrher than interest charges, peaceful sleep, but there are disadvantages such as full tuituon at Harvard if you have college age kids.

The average upper middle class person has 50-80K tired up in their car and finances it at 12% to boot so the difference between that and an F-car is slimmer than it looks. Just realize that it is consumption and don;t consume to the extent that you can never invest. But the good ole USA lately really subsidizes consumption and punishes incvestment so it is easier to indulge.

 

I've driven all of the cars you mentioned... All are great cars in their own right, but the Ferrari is a substantially better and more complete exotic car than any of the others you mentioned.

The Gallardo is nice, but for some reason it is just lacking in soul. It's almost as though you are given anesthesia before you drive it, resulting in a sort of exotic car sensory deprivation. The engine note is not as satisfying. The acceleration is not as frenetic. The handling is not as precise, nor as responsive.

The Z06 is a fantastic car. But it will not give you that exotic car experience. It is fast, handles exceptionally well, and is very reliable and easy to drive. On the other hand, the engine is more NASCAR while the Ferrari's engine is more F1. The transmission on the Z06 is Craftsman Truck vs the F1 on the Ferrari (assuming you go with the F1). The Z06 exhaust note is Grand Am while the Ferrari exhaust note is American Le Mans. Bottom line, if you want an exotic car experience, the Z06 won't provide it. But, it is a very capable and all around fantastic car.

The Mercedes, well, its a luxury liner designed for long slow cruises. The modded Merc may be fast in a straight line. But, turn the wheel and you'll realize you have no no grip, too much body roll, squat, dive, and a thoroughly boring ride.

If the oil changes really cost 4K, then I'm buying a wrench and a drain pan... As for the clutch, I'll be kind to it and hope that it doesn't cost that much to repair.

Best of luck to you in your search.

 

If I were in your predicament, I would make sure that which ever F car you get, you are able to safely compensate for any problems that might arise. This of course depends on the model you select and also, if it's your dream to get a Ferrari, why even ponder of other cars? You won't be happy until you have one, just make sure you can afford it in a safe manner, financially speaking.

 

Thats because its an AUDI in bulls clothing!!! My brother owns one and terrorizes his neighborhood around in it. Very good daily drivers and apparently very easy to drive as well. But the fit and finish ain't that great.

 

Tough question and in my opinion cannot be answered.

YOU have to make your choice, we can not really help.

There is one factor regarding exotic cars... it is the "What if..." factor. What if I had chosen the other car? When the first thrill decreaes , you will find yourself thinking of what might have been if you had chosen differently, if you did not choose the one you liked the most. This leads to sort of unsatisfied feeling thus can ruin your experiences of owning an exotic.

When I first bought my bike I went with japanese muscle bike. It took me 4 more bikes and a lot of wasted money within 1,5 years until I found the real one (Ducati 999), that I have been riding for 2 years now and I am still blown away...

So try this. Pick the one you love the most and see if you can manage to get her financially. No matter what you choose, it turn out to be a massive pain in the ass regarding maintenance cost, it is a matter of luck anyway. The most important is to love what you purchase, so that your spending is worthwile!

This is not a question of compromises. This is about passion, feel, performance, thrill, love and experience. For a huge pile of money

This is what Ferrari is all about.

Wish you the very best finding your beauty!

 

++

 

If you start doing the maths you can never justify to buy any exotic. Don´t buy a Ferrari if you can´t cash it and don´t buy it for your last penny.

 

This is sage advice

 

i would get a nice 308,328,the 348 can be a bit costly if you not lucky (electronics mainly) and look at the bright side the Ferrari will never drop as fast as the Vet when you try to sell it it is a good investment,plus you get the looks.

 

Save a bit more any buy an F40. It's worth it!

But seriously,... if you are wondering if a ferrari is worth it,... the answer for you is probably no. These are irrational machines, bread from passion, not common sense.

If you try to make it into a rational decision you usually come up short. just my $0.02US

 

Dont forget the "engine out every 3yrs or so bit"! The early 308's would seem like a better option should one decide to buy as an "investment". Remember the 246's in the early 90's!?

 

They're lambos! They cost you money just for looking at them!!!

 

maybe the OLD Lambo's... but not the newer ones...

 

Are you counting depreciation???

 

Thats cause the newer ones are basically audis!