I've decided to pull the trigger and buy...

This post is partly motivated by a post from GrigioGuy ... I've been a lurker for too long.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/lurkers-come-out-and-play.47555/

In early 2020 I purchased a new 991.2 911 Turbo. Great car. Amazing car. We took road trips, a few track days, and used that car as it was intended to be used - no garage queens here. A few months back someone approached me, made me an offer to purchase it (that I chose not to refuse), and I sold it to them.

Prior to purchasing the 911, I had been considering a 458 and while I still love so much about them, their values have since climbed beyond my limit. So over the past few months I wandered back to the world of the F430 ... perhaps what was my first love that I lost sight of ... due to blinders of the 458 and of course my focus on the 911.

Well, I've decided to move forward with my search/purchase of my first Ferrari, a F430 spider - year not specific.

I'm searching the forums for suggestions about what to look for, repairs, buying guides, etc., regarding the F430, but if you know of a really great thread about the 430 feel free to share it with me, so I don't overlook it.

That's really all I've got for now

 

Hi James , I’m happy to help you with any questions that you may have, give me a call I’d love to work with you.
Here is one of my examples:
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/2007-430-f1-spider-black-tan-14-800-mi-really-nice.651191/
Mike 973-610-7111
PS-Welcome to the insanity
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/anyone-that-wants-to-buy-or-sell-a-ferrari-the-right-way.586271/

 

FORZA magazine had 430 buyer's guides in the August 2012 and June 2021 issues.

 

My $.02 : I've had a 328 GTS, 355, f430 spider, 458 spider, current car = 488 GTB and my F8 spider is on order.

f430 spider = AMAZING car and , if I'm really honest...one of my favorites. I would say the 430 and the 458 are both right up there for me. You simply can't go wrong here. PLUS - I doubt the 430 will seriously depreciate much, so you can always change out later if you want to. Win/win.

Good luck

 

At 2 years of F430 ownership and have loved every minute. No intentions to sell as long as I’m vertical. This may sound odd but you can learn a lot about F430s by reading all the comments on bringatrailer completed F430 auctions. You have to learn to filter out the BS though. I also watched all the YouTube videos I could on these cars and picked up a lot of good info. Plus, the 430 section has a ton of helpful threads.

Are you a DIY person? If so, this might be helpful. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/diyers-thread.632545/

What part of the country are you in? Maybe a local person might walk you through their 430.

Good luck on your search!

 

That is a super suggestion and so true - never thought of it that way though.

 

thanks! I’ll see if I can get a copy or at least find a link to the articles.

 

Mike - thanks for the links and offer! And that’s a gorgeous car you’re offering - GLWS! - James

 

thanks for the insight! It sounds like you’ve got a good relationship with a dealer; have you ever purchased from a non-Ferrari dealer or even private party - any thoughts on that? We are located in southern Mississippi currently (nearest Ferrari dealer is, Houston or Atlanta - about the same distance, 5-6 hours). So while I think buying from a dealer would help establish a good relationship for the future, I’m not sure it’s the most reasonable option currently.

 

Thanks for the link!

I never considered scanning the comments section on BaT - but I can see that being a wealth of knowledge and people asking the right questions to know what to look out for or consider during my search. And yes, some BS too … but it’s the internet, so we’ll never escape keyboard warriors.

I have done most of the work on my vehicles myself in the past, except the 911 (under warranty and maintenance was included). All my experience has been on off-road vehicles though - so I’m not sure how or if that translates to a Ferrari? Ha.

We are in coastal Mississippi, about halfway between Mobile, AL and New Orleans, LA in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

 

I purchased my 328, 355 and 430 from non Ferrari dealers. The 458 and 488 were bought used from Ferrari dealers and the F8 is the first one I've ever ordered new from factory (from a dealer that I didn't buy the 458 and 488 from...just due to geography really).

I wouldn't worry too much at all about buying from a dealer , private party or other exotic reseller etc. There aren't THAT many cars out there...so, find the one you want at the right price, and get a thorough PPI. Then I'd find a good specialist to work on the car that's close to you.

I have the same issue really ... I'm 5 hours away from the dealer (Hilton Head, SC).

 

That is really helpful information! Thank you very much - James

 

Word of advice: since you weren't dead set on a 430 from the get go and since youre coming from a 991.2 Turbo S its gonna feel like a downgrade in almost every aspect. Try to get yourself into something else (read cheaper and more reliable) thats gonna leave cash on side to grow it into a 458 or weasel your way into a 458 since its a giant generational leap in every way, hunt for clean title cars with some miles on them that haven't been used for supercar experiences. When you get the 430 Spider the clutch and roof mechanism will need replacing/work at some point and at that point its gonna become 458 territory. Since you got the turbo s new maybe talk with the dealer into getting a later GT4RS or GT3 allocation? Easy flips that will get you into a 458

 

Just make sure it's a manual

 

I found a converted F1 to gated that is within my budget, however all the other gated are far beyond my budget anymore! Although I guess they’re all manuals technically

 

this is a really interesting idea … I had hoped I could find a 430 that was well sorted, but even then something will break and regular maintenance (ex: clutch service) will increase the investment.

besides it being made known by the seller that it was used as a super car experience - is there a way to know?

 

Well as a supplement to my previous statement -- my sales agent has basically told me there is an inner circle of who qualifies for allocations far beyond where I stand as a customer and that it is out his hands. Which I do believe, since his goal is to sell as many cars as possible. So unfortunately I don't believe I will be getting an allocation any time soon.

 

Welcome James!

I very much look forward to your experiences. I would love to read about your compare/contrast to your 911.

Kind regards.

 

Thanks Paul! The search for the right car will certainly be a process, especially considering today’s market. With that in mind, I plan to document my purchase and ownership experience on this forum (not this thread). So keep an eye out! - James

 

I just bought my first Ferrari this week, I purchased a 308, last manual I had was a 996 911 turbo (great car). I did the same thing a fellow member suggested, watched a lot of YouTube videos, blogs and comments from different selling sites, BaT being one of them. Lots of great information that way! Good like to you.

 

Where the 458 shines over the 430 is that the 458 can easily and comfortably be used as a reliable daily driver in addition to being a track monster. If you don’t plan to daily drive the car, then I would be completely happy with a 430.


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I don’t plan to daily drive the car. multiple trips a week, yes … daily, I don’t see that being the situation. At least, not regularly.

As much as I appreciate the 458 and love it for what it is, I cannot justify the price premium it commands these days. The way I’ve considered it is … I can buy a well-sorted 430 (and still set money aside for maintenance) or stretch my budget a bit for a 458 that might have some gremlins and need to set aside even more cash for repairs or maintenance. I don’t know … maybe my way of looking at it is flawed though?

 

The 458 is cheap to maintain and any good PPI will catch any gremlins. The 458 is for the most part a worry free Ferrari. Annual oil change and you’re good, there is NO major service on a 458.

If you plan to do less than 4k miles a year, I’d go with the 430 and not look back. If you plan to put serious miles on the car, road trips, track days, etc. I’d go for the 458 because it can take a beating and be thrown away wet whereas previous generation cars will require more TLC. That said, I’d never pay the asking price for a 458 in today’s market.


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