Prospective Dino buyer cross shopping a Countach? | FerrariChat
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Prospective Dino buyer cross shopping a Countach?

Discussion in '206/246' started by /five, May 9, 2023.

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  1. /five

    /five Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 2, 2014
    60
    Rocky Mountain west
    Full Name:
    William S
    #1 /five, May 9, 2023
    Hi everyone,

    This is my first post on this sub forum although I check it daily. A few months ago I bought my first Ferrari, a ‘78 GTB in Grigio ferro and had it shipped to Scuderia Rampante in Denver. A highlight of my very brief Ferrari ownership has been getting to know the Helm family and the fine crew at SR. They’re getting the 308 completely sorted and I intend to keep this as a driver and scratch a teenage itch that many of us probably had.

    As I tend to do, I’m jumping in with both feet into the Ferrari world. I detoured from our Italy vacation to Maranello a few weeks ago and have been reading everything I can on Ferraris. While a smidge before my time at 47 years old, I have long admired the Dino and it’s beautiful lines. I briefly looked at the more modern Ferraris but I’m just more of a vintage car person than anything else. I’ve got a Compendium ordered and waiting on what I hope to be the right 246 gt to present itself.

    This will be a big purchase for me and I’m okay with that. Because I intend this as a long term buy and hold, as an exercise first I’ve asked myself in roughly that price range is there any other car that I’d want as much?

    The only dalliance would be a Countach possibly. The low body cars are probably out of my reach but an Anniversario would be attainable. I think my heart is with a 246 gt but I thought I’d ask you Dino owners. Anyone own both or can give me your insights?

    I live in Wyoming so have wide open spaces to run a car like a Countach but equally enticing I live at the base of a mountain that I think would be great fun in the 246. My previous cars have included a Porsche 930 and a 997 GT3. I might put 1-2k miles a year at most on the car maybe as little as 500 depending on how busy I am and our weather with a very short driving season being the norm. For service I’d of course stick with SR in Denver. I’m not sure who works on the older Lamborghinis in this region. If there’s any other background that I should add, please let me know.
    Thanks!
     
  2. mccand

    mccand Karting
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    Mar 17, 2020
    121
    San Jose
    Full Name:
    Greg McCandless
    #2 mccand, May 9, 2023
    We are in a similar age bracket and so grew up with similar poster cars.. My uncle had a Dino (black, red Daytona seats, GTS) and that forever influenced me even though it was before “our” time.

    re: countach vs Dino, while I have not driven a countach, and while I see the appeal, I think you will find the driving and ownership experience entirely different. The Lambo is not a driver’s car. By all accounts it is built like a kit car, and the shifter a bit like a truck, and virtually impossible to see out of. Service/reliability would also be much more of a concern.

    if you are seriously considering both, I suggest trying to find a way to drive both and make the decision. For me at would be Dino hands down for lots of reasons.

    As for other cars, I was going to suggest a longhood Porsche, but that too is a very different car, very “alive” driving experience, though not as achingly beautiful as the Dino. I am fortunate to have a 246 GTS and a ‘72 911S hot rod share the garage and I love them both dearly for different reasons.

    You may find the Dino too similar to the 308 and so perhaps that should be considered.

    512s are quite “affordable” and maybe another to consider?

    Best of luck in your choice, and of course in the end follow your heart!
     
    Martyt likes this.
  3. Ferrari Tech

    Ferrari Tech Formula 3

    Mar 5, 2010
    1,213
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Wade Williams
    #3 Ferrari Tech, May 10, 2023
    As a long time technician I have worked on and driven both cars you refer to. They could not be more different. The Dino is an agile fun car that can be flung around with great fun. The Countach is the exact opposite, it does nothing in the flinging range. I have really enjoyed driving the Countach but driving one is more of an event than a sporting drive.
    As far as service, it is the same thing, totally different. The Dino has room to work and fewer things to work around when trying to do anything. The Countach has everything packed into spaces you can't get to with ease. Just getting to the engine bay is a process.
    I don't want to discourage anyone. They are both great examples of a wonderful time in car history. They are just very different. If the Countach is what you are looking for, then you will not be disappointed. If the Dino is what you want, again you will love it. You can even have both, but they is very little comparison between the two.
    Enjoy the hunt and the thrill once you find your dream car. Just remember to drive them and keep them exercised, they will reward you for your efforts.
    I am glad you have found a shop you trust and have a great relationship with. I believe it is one of the most important aspects of owning a classic sports car.
     
    rynoshark and Ferraripilot like this.
  4. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,417
    #4 Shark01, May 10, 2023
    Another direction you could go is a Diablo, which fixed all the shortcomings of the Countach, great fun to drive, a definite driver’s car, and are very much undervalued. You might even be able to have both a Diablo and a Dino.
     
    buddyg likes this.
  5. /five

    /five Karting
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    Feb 2, 2014
    60
    Rocky Mountain west
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    William S
    #5 /five, May 10, 2023
    Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies. You’ve given me some things to think about.
    I keep coming back to the Dino-I don’t think a better looking car has ever been built and if I don’t get one now, it’ll forever be a regret. I worry too that if they continue to appreciate in price they’d be forever out of reach or at least more painful to buy.
    Cheers
    Bill
     
    mccand likes this.
  6. buddyg

    buddyg F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 20, 2004
    6,218
    Naples, FL
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    Buddy
    #6 buddyg, May 10, 2023
    Dino or Diablo. I had a Countach and it drives like crap. Gorgeous to look at but that’s about it.

    I had a Diablo SV and loved that car!

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