CS or a Scuderia would be fun. But I'd prefer a 16M.. Those Bentleys are serious cars, but just a bit House of Lords for me. I liked the Conti GT V8 S convertible but it's very common in London and a bit footballer. I have a C63 AMG (6.3) wagon as my daily family driver otherwise an AMG would be on the list. Dinos are too expensive! Yes SA Apertas are a mad price but doubt if they will go down. I liked the AM V12 Vantage S manual convertible and that is definitely on the list, right price range too - but would you drive it over the gated 430 Spider? If they had made a normal convertible Maranello at a normal price...
How about a 3x8? Several nice 308 Vetros around just now, rather more reasonably priced now than they were. Rare (only 150 or so in RHD), beautiful and should be fun to drive: https://www.slades-garage.co.uk/vehicle/ferrari-308-gtb-rhd-vetroresina-in-penn-buckinghamshire-c6e010fc-da16-4937-9510-a8d500eeb4a6 https://www.nickcartwright.com/car_sales/ferrari-308-gtb-fibreglass/ https://www.dkeng.co.uk/ferrari-sales/1012/prestige_cars/ferrari_308_gtb_vetroresina.html I fancy the yellow one myself.
What a shame to hear about this Darius, I remember seeing your posts. Now one less 550 in existence. It's good to hear the insurance company took care of it and I'm sure you will find something else you will be happy with. Seems to be a buyers market right now.
Open top Ferrari's:- The only issue with all of these are they are going to be another version of your manual 430 spider https://www.tfcgb.com/used-cars/9924457-ferrari-348-ts/ https://www.tfcgb.com/used-cars/6027140-ferrari-355-spider-manual/ Lovely spec on this 355 GTS https://www.tfcgb.com/used-cars/9486302-ferrari-355-gts/ California's do absolutely nothing for me at all. The new Portofino is still daft money used, despite the fact many are appearing for sale. No doubt entry ticket purchases to the next must have F car waiting list raffle at a dealer near you.
I liked 328s when I was a teenager in the 80s, and they are still cool looking, but slower and less fun than my gated 430 Spider..same argument goes for 348, 355, 360. Sure, the 355 has a different charm, but...not for me. 308s are just a bit old and slow for me now. And the Vetros are carb cars, can't imagine taking the car out for one of its occasional drives only to find it splutters like an asthmatic donkey because something's happened to the needle. But they do look cool. Alan, I liked the Cali 30 with Handling Pack quite a lot; much more than the standard Cali or the Cali T. As a 490 hp front engined Ferrari it's not that different a driving experience from a Maranello, plus two seats and a convertible (and phone connectivity). But what they gain in practicality they lose in specialness and I don't love them quite enough to be jumping on one. But, not to be sniffed at!
Sell all and get a 599 GTO (Perhaps) this is what I would (eventually) do (or not) It's a very difficult decision with a 575 manual. Daniel
I just love internet car browsing with other peoples money! Most of the fun is the hunt. I know you said no AMG's becuase of your current daily, but there is a tier above the "regular AMG's". https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mercedes-benz/amg-gt/2018-67-mercedes-benz-amg-gt-r-amg-4-0-speedshift-dct-s-s-2dr/9612064 https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mercedes-benz/sls/mercedes-benz-sls-6-2-amg-2dr/7899328 https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mercedes-benz/sls/mercedes-benz-sls-sls-63-amg-roadster/9521386
I know...these are all very good cars. I am personally not a great fan of any of the AMG GT series. Drove them all for review. Very good cars for sure but not my cup of tea. SLS was a bit darty. Actually the C63 estate/wagon with the 6.3 V8 was the most fun.. It's a personal thing though. These are awesome cars objectively.
Current shortlist with 550 money: (I have a 575 already so don't need another Maranello-style experience) 430 Scuderia (+ extra investment) Bentley Conti V8 S Mulliner Convertible Aston Vantage V12 S convertible manual 997.1 GT3 RS/997.2 GT3/996 GT2/991.1 GT3 997.2 Targa 4 GTS California 30 Handling Speciale Gallardo Performante Spider (my daughter's insistence) I've reviewed all these cars and liked them all a lot. Though the "I have enough cars already" bank account is also a strong option.
Thank you Juergen. I remember our buying experiences, both in Italy, almost at the same time. I hope your 550 serves you well.
Bearing in mind what you already have in your collection, I would go for the Bentley, 911 Targa or the Aston.
I think given the position you're in I'd sit tight until something jumped out at me and you get the "that's it!" moment. Just sit and browse. It's quite a depressed market right now.
Bentley depreciates like a rock. GT3's are nice, can't say a bad word about them. 997's likely to hold value since it's last of the manuals. California...never liked it. Gallardo, unless a manual not interesting at all I'd say. Manual Murcielago yes. Like the Vantage V12's. Scuderia big plus from me. Doubt they'll go much lower than they are already and surely one of the most exciting cars in your line up. Money in account, boring
I’m sorry for your loss Darius. Although with just 316 kms recorded over the past 4 years to April 2018, your on-paper financial loss / IRR may be harder to swallow than any actual loss of utility or sense of bereavement? Personally, I still feel a sense of loss after having parted with my car in 2017 which I had hoped to use extensively. Although ironically, I did do rather well out it financially - but other than selling it privately into a good home, I cannot take much credit for the favourable market timing. P.S. Finally, a post that is worthy of addition to the “Maranellos are Disappearing” thread but a picture would be worth a thousand words here. Presumably as a Category B write-off, there would be some value in breaking it for parts, even if the chassis will need to be destroyed.
Darius, surely you must be tempted by a barchatta, I know they cost a lot, and it rains an awful lot in the UK, but you would probably the most desirable 550 and 575.
A true connoisseur! I am completely enamored with my 996 Turbo, which I've built in my OEM+ vision. I literally cannot stop driving it. The special 996 variants are some of the best drivers cars.
Mogulboy! Welcome back, we've missed you. Your acute fact-based analyses were one of the best things about this board (although you have moved around 950km northwest of your previous location?). I wish I could say I did well financially out of the 550. I didn't lose money, but even with racking up a few more km last summer on a tour of nearby counties, it wasn't a long love affair. One of my (not) problems is working in the media where I have access to car companies press fleets for review. It wasn't just a question of 550 or 575, it was that or an F12 or DB11 or whatever. The mileage on my cars is racked up slowly, but quickly. Buy another 575 F1 HGTC and come back!
sorry to hear this darius. that car is a perfect candidate to be made into a cabrio. would have bought the car back and done just that.
Darius, thank you, my car is doing very well, still appreciate every spring, when I can start this wonderful car again for some spirited drives. Actually, I`m quiet busy to insure most of my cars accordinng to their actual values, some cars are, according to their actual market value, underinsuranced, some are overinsuranced.... Unfortunatly, my Maranello has been in the second category. Valued by the insurance company at 180.000 € in 2015 I have to correct it's actual value. Sure, no service issues, no leaks, no shrinkages, first paint, regulary maintainted by a Ferrari specialist, all tools and keys and service documentation. Actually, according to my opinion, most of the cars appearing for sale have their issues…. There's another issue, valid for Maranello's by now, the fact in which region a possible buyer/seller is located… I can recognize (...at least) three regions to taken into consideration…. First of all, Central Europe, LHD cars, well used, well maintainted in most of the cases, higher milage comparable, used quiet frequently, in general, the conditions counts, no or very low additional value of almost any kind of acessories... Secondly, the RHD cars, mostly based or imported to the UK, RHD cars shows a higher value here, a lot of imported european LHD cars, milage is important, but as well service history. High sales figures only for RHD examples with low milage and corresponding history. Accessories don't add any important value to the car….. Last, but not least, the US market, including Canada. Demand mostly for very low milages, original local. Very low milage cars (below 10.000 mls.), which are, in practically, don't exist in Europe (...mayby some in Japan). A lot of cars offered in not well maintainted condition, like timing belts, not regular serviced. High appreciation of a fully equipped car, in comparison to the rest of the world. On the opposite, some cars with a incredible service an maintainance history….. New brakes, a new clutch a 10.000 miles, all new hoses and other service parts…. A lot of shrinkage & sticky issues... All the best, Jürgen #I
