help 84 512bbi or MY11 458

Sure. You might want to put on your fastest wheels, though. Just saying.

Two very different cars. Pretty much not two that anyone would do an either/or with. Having driven both a lot, I would do the Boxer and use the extra money to do a few light but significant improvements.

 

BB (not i) AND a 996GT2.
All the bases covered.

 

The differences between the two cars is so huge in every aspect I am rather perplexed?

 

New vs old school ?

 

Wow. Have some Christmas cheer!

He's not looking for a daily, he's looking for a weekender. He never said he was comparing his M6 to a 458. Lots of us have "big fat pigs" as our daily cars for lots of reasons. We know they aren't sports cars.

 

Nicely stated.

 

Pete, get out your bike and race the guy. He asked.

 

Boxer if its a keeper 458 if its a car to play with and trade in on the next one

They both say Ferrari but they are really from two different companies

458 is as good as any modern car the boxer is a play thing something you have to want to drive

Having driven both the Boxer is more pure Ferrari experience

458 is just astoundingly fast and pretty

 

thanks for all the good points. i like to buy and keep my cars, i'm leaning toward the boxer. I've seen some ads for boxers that say "totally DOT and EPA legal" / "approved". what does this mean? i'm learning some of these cars were came to the US in the "gray market" what does this mean...should I stick with a dealer rather than privite party to make sure there will be no problems with getting title work done?

 

512BB is a fantastic looking Ferrari, one of the best ever

I might do a 512BB restorod

Would have to equip it w a nice strong AC, a hidable GPS w Ipod dock, modern fuel injection w BBLM internals & big brakes

That would be fun and you wouldnt see a dozen a day like you see 458s in Miami

 

Yes sir and the obvious front-engine vs mid-engine aswell as one being more of a grand tourer and the other one in the sports car spectrum. I love both and would proudly own either one.

"Product Example: Automobiles, Vans, Trucks, and SUVs

Almost every single car, van, truck, and sport utility vehicle bought in a foreign country and imported to the U.S. must be modified to meet American standards. The vehicles must meet the fuel-emission requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the safety, bumper, and theft-prevention standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), as well as assorted federal laws, such as the Clean Air Act.

Passenger vehicles can be imported without alteration, on the condition that they will be modified within a specific time frame. They will be exported or destroyed, however, if the modifications are not found legally acceptable, and a bond may be required upon entry until these modification conditions have been met. Additionally, imported vehicles that do meet all U.S. requirements may nevertheless be subject to additional EPA requirements, depending where it has been driven prior to import (driven in some countries means additional protections exist).

For clients involved in the business of importing vehicles, violations of EPA or DOT rules and regulations can have devastating consequences. Civil fines, as well as seizing of the vehicles themselves, can fatally injure the most longstanding and established import enterprise.

Some prefer buying from a private seller because they can sometimes save a nice amount of money than buying from a dealership. Most of the time though buying from a reputable dealer gives the buyer a sense of comfort.

Good luck.

 

BikeRider,

Just curious, do you happen to live in California or a different state (or country)? Always a good idea to fill out your user profile with at least a general location like "So. Cal." or "Nevada", etc.

I'm no expert, but I think if you live in CA it might be a good idea to buy a Boxer that is already registered in CA (rather than trying to transport one into CA from another state and registering it for the first time there). Not sure about Alaska or Hawaii, but I think it is fairly easy to register a Boxer in the other 47 states such as where I live in Virginia.

Ferrari did not Federalize the Boxers for the US market - it was viewed as too costly for the few cars they would sell here. So, several shops existed that would import Boxers and add the safety and pollution equipment to them to pass the EPA/DOT regulations back then. I understand it is very important to get a copy of those original EPA/DOT documents when you buy a Boxer.

Remember the movie "Rain Man" with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman? Tom Cruise was an exotic car importer in that movie I believe. He was always yelling at people on his cell phone trying to get Boxers and Countachs to clear US customs.

Here's an old newspaper article about the end of those gray market years.
http://articles.latimes.com/1986-07-11/news/vw-19912_1_gray-market-cars

Good luck.

 

I thought that since the boxer is over 25 y/o now, they are EPA/DOT exempt;

except in cali

 

?? both cars discussed are mid-engine.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

One of the things that's worth adding to the OP:

Service is key on these. The difference between the right mechanic and the almost right mechanic can be some serious money, time and frustration. In addition to driving each car, you should probably see if you have anyone nearby who can work on a boxer with any real proficiency. Again, fill out your profile and people can help you.

 

My apologies I had a brainfart.

 

Updated profile - live in Maryland - i think there is a Ferrari shop in Owing Mills (Baltimore County) that could work on the Boxer. I'll check out the link as well.

 

You are thinking of Radcliffe Motorcars. They have a wonderful open house every spring.

 

As mentioned before you should really drive a boxer first. The ergonomics for some are awkward, for me, a deal-breaker. My back was screaming after 10 minutes. Which is why I am a 512TR guy...

 

What about Competizione? They have a very good reputation and probably do Boxers. I almost bought a car that they did extensive work on. When I got the records, I saw some red flags and called and spoke to the owner (Richard,iirc) and he was very good, to the point, and knowledgable and had excellent recollection of the car in question.

 

couple of yrs ago, i had a choice between vintage xke jaguar and lotus elise. i went with the jag because growing up i always wanted one. while it was fun to look at and bring to car shows and drew raves from bystanders, its driving capabilities left much to be desired in the modern world. unfortunately, it was totalled by hurricane and i will miss it but no doubt i will replace it with lotus.

your boxer/458 choice will be similar. the boxer is beautiful and be fun to show just like my jag was. 458 is also beautiful but is also one of the best driving cars of all time. easy choice to me

 

no truer words...

 

William.......I agree on the AC and brakes which will require bigger wheels than the stock 15s. Okay on the GPS and Ipod, but you won't hear much with the engine roar. MODERN FUEL INJECTION? You already have that in your TR. There is nothing like carby induction roar of 12 barrels sucking air and fuel right behind your ears.

Come over to Naples and you can drive my hot-rod BB by Carobu Engineering. HP up to 483 [stock 360] and 400 lbs of torque. It's seriously fast. I have thought about brake upgrades, but that will negate being able to use the stock mags. I plan to get into improving the AC like I did with my GTC.

It's interesting that the OP is looking 458 vs BB. I had a new 458 spec'd back in late 2010. When it came in I decided not to take it. Shortly thereafter I saw the perfect BB on FChat and bought it. To my warped mind there is a unique driving experience about vintage and classic Ferraris that the new electronic cars can't replicate.

But you have to be cut out for these cars. For example.....the BB has one of the worst AC systems that could have been designed. Start with the radiator in front circulating hot water through pipes acting as a heat sink running through the cockpit. Add in a huge windshield over a big black dash. Then place the AC vents so they cool the windshield before blowing whispers of air on toward the driver. Even funnier is that if you try to just crack the windows the shape of the car takes the hot air off the radiator and circulates it into the cabin. The BB is definitely not a hot weather car.

 

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic, but I think you're correct.

Valid point. Plus the hours of Ferrari shop labor to get those replaced are literally cut in half.

 

Mmmmmm....... But then again, 512 does require 4 extra spark plugs!