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

I've seen in a bunch of different threads how people go in with X as their budget but it changes when they actually purchase the car they're looking for. Example I saw was a guy looking for a 430 around ~$125k then walked away with a 458 around $260k. Wanted to see how common this was and if there are any regrets in either following the budget or not following it. (i.e. buying the car you wanted rather than buying the one you set your budget at).

 

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.

 

Which cars?

 

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