Budget bordering between 360/430 Spider

Hi all. I'm looking to purchase my first modern (to me) Ferrari. I recently relocated from Detroit to San Diego and I have been shopping around for convertibles to enjoy the weather. My budget is just a hair over $90k. My dilemma right now is that my budget would net me a very nice 360 Spider F1 (almost nets a 6MT). However, the current market for the 360/430 appears to be a bit slow and now I'm thinking I should try to wait a bit longer and get into a slightly higher mileage 430 F1 from 2005-2006 which should be a bit cheaper on maintenance.

I'm just wondering if it is even worth looking now with a ~$90k budget or if I would have better luck saving a bit more and purchasing in mid/late summer. Given the limited budget, I'm realistically looking for a driver in the 20k-40k mile range. I'm not super picky about the exterior colors as long as the interior isn't Bordeaux or similar. I have seen quite a few Spiders hovering stubbornly north of the $100k mark, but none seem to move closer to my budget. Is it worth shopping for a 430 F1 Spider with my budget in the current market?

 

Depends, what is your emergency repair budget?

If getting into a 430 means stretching into your rain day repair fund then you won't enjoy stretching and compromising into a 430.

Much easier on life to get a great condition 360, spec that you want, and with funds to spare


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I have set aside ~$10k for unplanned maintenance. Tires, brakes, fluids, etc. can be easily handled. I suppose I can always opt for a driver 360 Spider well under my budget and sack away the extra funds. I was just worried that with the slightly higher maintenance on the 360, it would justify getting into an entry level 430 to avoid spending more of my budget on running costs.

 

Unless you're terminally ill with only months to live, I'd wait, save etc and get a 430.

 

LOL great answer!

 

I went thru the same 360/430 decision. Tho affording the 430 wasn't the problem, it was going to almost double the price when the 360 and 430 look quite similar... plus the 430 is still depreciating where the 360 has slowed comparatively.
In the end it was what I consider a better looking interior & that damn yellow tach... just love that look.
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Obviously the 430 is the faster, more modern car, but....the 360 is pretty much at the bottom of its price curve. The 430 still has a little value to lose. So yeah, tough choice.

 

Go for 360 6MT right now. Rosso corsa with tan or black interior. Maintenance costs are on same level than 430 really. Then keep your 360 for 2-5 years and sell it for a +10k profit. Then put that money on 430 if you feel like it. But I doubt you don't want to let go of it.360 is such a great car and at it's price bottom right now. Only way is up.

 

I would bet you could find a 6MT 360 well within your $90k budget, maybe with a little to spare.

 

I was in a similar boat to you at one point. I wanted an F430, but could have had a 360 well before. I waited and bought an F430 and believe I made the right decision.

 

Hi. I've had both cars. The F430 F1 is epic. Faster and more modern. The 360 is a lovely car and beautiful but it's embarrassing when you get beaten up by a Golf R at the traffic lights! Milage is important so get lowest miles F430 you can find / afford and enjoy the performance. Spider is more of an event...

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the 430 would be cheaper maintenance wise.... as there is no timing belt that has to be replaced every 3 years...

 

if you are not into performance and stats i would get the 360. i had the same debate 420/458 and went with 430. whereas its not as new or fast its squarely within budget and i don't have to worry if i need new tires or a clear bra or clutch or want to track it. you'd probably drive the 360 more than the 430 too because its at the bottom of the curve

 

You are in a tough position...LOL. You are debating between 2 great cars. You can't go wrong with either.
I looked at both last year and could not find one that fit the bill...and drove both back to back and the 430 seemed like it was more of a car for me. Performance wise (as others have mentioned), there is quite a bit of difference, especially in the overall feel.
Either way, you can't go wrong.

 

Get the one you like better. Maintenance should not be a deciding factor if all other factors are equal. Condition, mileage. etc.

Unless it's truly about speed and acceleration the 360 will be a lot more bang for the buck provided you actually like the 360. I've had mine for ~ 3 years and even including replacing the clutch, Upgraded TCU, new brake pads, new master cylinder and ABS pump, rebuilt A/C compressor, full annual service and a Major with belt change and a new battery. I am pretty much right at the 3k per year in maintenance everyone told me would be the norm.

Now keep in mind my car now has a belt service lass than 3 months old, a clutch with 97% life left. brakes with over 85% life left and the new parts above. Provided something catastropic doesn't happen then the next three years should be MUCH less than the first three. Maybe even just 1k a year for the annual.....

People make WAYYYYYYY to big of a deal about the belt change. Especially if you are in SoCal now like I am. Great indy shops are plentiful and it's really no big deal at all.

It sounds like you are well off but not uber wealthy where money doesnt matter. I think IF you like the 360 then you will enjoy it a lot more as you will be in it for a lot less and can just care free drive it

JMHO

 

Hard to believe all of that cost you only $9k... Annual service alone for 3 yrs is around $4k.

 

You don't race with those Volkswagens or Subarus man! They are not worthy =)

Nothing to proove when you drive an F-car. Just enjoy the ride and let the others pass you if they feel like it.

 

Ha.. Good point... [emoji2]

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Isn't the Golf R a 5.1sec car 0-60 while the Modena can do it in 4.5? Not sure how the Golf can embarrass a Modena at the red light, or I may have missed something in this discussion.

 

I looked at both 360 and 430 when I was out shopping. Performance is only a issue if your gonna track the car, in public drivning the 360 has moooooore then enough power. I went with 360 Spider cuz I like the look moore then the 430 and the sound is just freeeeking amazing!!!!!! A hell of a lot Bang for the buck with 360. In Sweden the prices have risen some and I would prob. even make some money if I sold it today (about 5grand...) so thats sweeeet.


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I would also suggest getting the 360. Other than the timing belt, both cars have similar maintenance issues & potential problems. Most of your $10k fund could easily get eaten up with a blown heat exchanger issue which will soon start showing up in the F430s as they continue to age. Make sure you have full service records on the 360 to ensure that issues like that (& F1 pump, clutch, etc) were already taken care of & you are good to go!!


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You are right, i missed the last service but it still wasnt too bad it was ~12.5k
New Clutch - 5k
New TCU for 2004 model for my 99 - 1.2k
Rebuild AC Compressor - 0.6k
Annual Service - 1k
Major Service with Belts, etc - 1.8k
New Battery- 0.1k
New Master Brake Cylinder and Rebuild ABS Pump - 1.8k
New Brake Pads - 0.4k

I missed one of the charged so this is now ~$4166/yr but i have a car that will not need a clutch, brakes, belts, for at least 4 years

I anticipate just annuals at 1k and a new set of tires during this 3 year period so if i forecast that out it's about 4k over the next 4 years. Double that for BS that will invariable come up and that's 8k over the next 4. At that point i'd be into it for 20k over 7 years or a little shy of 3k a year......I may get lucky and only have to spend the 4k and then it would just be ~2300 a year

Anything can happen of course but i believe the 3k / year barring a true catastrophe is spot on. Then people whine about the belt service but here it's only 800 more than an annual and you only need to spend the extra 800 every 4 years so it's actually only 200 bucks a year. If that is considered a lot more expensive to maintain than a 430 then buying a Ferrari should not even be on your radar..............