What was your original Ferrari budget and what did it change to?

First budget was $100K. Spent almost exactly $75K to get the car off the lot, and about $19K to sort it to perfection. I needed the $6K remainder for small things.

That's my MO: 75% for the car, 25% to sort it out.

 

I have a spousal cap of 120k, which means I can spend that much but I better spend less. If it were up to me id be looking at 458 spiders. SO id say if the guy wears the pants it could happen a lot if the wife controls the purse strings not so much.

 

Was naively hoping for 60-70K. Pretty soon I was looking at 430 Spiders in the low hundred teens and took a road trip to LFSC where I could basically try anything on my short list. Pretty early in the game, I realized that the options were seriously limited for someone 6'4" with a general preference for a traditional front engine V-12 and a financial "sweet spot" and I started focusing on 612's. I dropped about 88K on a well optioned Gen 1 with 13K and spent another 10 or so on a major and getting it sorted. I love the car and have not the slightest regret.

 

For the 360 Spider, I set an upper limit with a very specific list of requirements. Found an immaculate car listed at $15K over. I had been given the advice of not to let $5K stand between me and the car of my dreams. Sage advice it was. For the 456M, I had a strategy similar to George's. When all is said and done, I'll be about $10K over that. I'm over the moon happy with each result.

 

My first car was a 456M, and the 612 is next on my list. Nothing like a front V12 Ferrari. Congrats.

 

Interesting question. My experience came from the opposite side.

I was looking for something fun in the $100k range, but Ferrari wasnt on my radar as I figured it was way above my price range. I was at the Lotus dealer and they had a 355 spider priced right at my range (this was many years ago). I couldnt believe I could afford it...so I bought it.

 

My budget ebbs and flows according to whatever I'm currently thinking about, but never goes over $200k.

I can pay cash right now for anything $100k or less, but nothing excites me. Can easily finance another $50k but same story.

The exciting cars for me are all in that $175k to $200k area.

 

In 2003, I was looking hot and heavy to buy a Daytona for a buck twenty five. Then somebody told me Maranellos were coming down in price. I kept beating up Joe Manichi until I got my Maranello for a buck twenty five. Loved the car, but took a financial bath. I sold it for around $75k. Always wonder what would have happened if I had brought a Daytona instead. Knowing myself, I would have figured out a way to lose money.

 

I had $20,000

So I offered the guy $10K for his Mondial 8

He said “Ok, but you have to buy my race trailer too for $4K”

My wife said WTF!!! Lol.

So I said yes. And that’s how I bought my first Ferrari at 27 (in 2014).

 

My budget doubled within a few months. Never owned a Ferrari before and looked at a 355 B then a 430 coupe and bought a 458 Spider. So much for sticking to a budget!


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In the $100 to $150k range:
550
599
Porsche 993 Turbo

$150 to $200k range:
458
Huracan
LP 640 Murcielago
570S
650S Spider
Gallardo Performante
R8+

Maybe a couple of strange outliers for under $150k:
12c Spider
New NSX

 

More like tripled.....LOL
If I did that, the wife would come home with 10 karats of something

 

You're right - triple plus budget. It's a funny feeling walking into the garage and seeing the 458.
It's not a funny feeling when I drive it though. That description would require several pages of writing!


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You know a friend of mine and I had a discussion sort of about this subject just this last weekend. I said that large several carat (insert whatever jewelry) was 1) worthless and 2) only cost you way more money down the road. At least a ferrari can get you from point A to B so it had immensely more value. He then reminded me that if i bought no carats it would cost me at least half my stuff............ OK he won.

 

About 15 years ago, my budget for a 246GT was $60K. Bought one for $40K, spent twice that over the years painting, restoring, etc. Sold on to another FChatter a few years later.

Took the money and went shopping for a 355 stick/coupe. Max budget was about $80K, spent $115K on a 360 instead.

D

 

I'm pretty much the same: 2002 budget for a 308GTS (only thing I wanted) was $80k; I found an orphan for $50k and spent the rest on fettling and the first 12 months ownership.
And for those who say why didn't you wait for a sorted one to become available - to my knowledge, another one didn't change hands in Australia for the next 2-3 years... There are only around 40 known in the country.

 

£18k for my first, a Mondial. I spent £15.5k
£36k for my F355 and if you ignore all the work I had done before I even drove it, just £32k
About £70k max for my 360 and I spent about £63k.

Hey, hey, hey I should be in credit