I agree that the 458 has so much bang for your buck at that price, the reason I am not considering it is because I am specifically looking for a manual car. So either a manual 991.2 GT3 or a manual converted F430. Cheers, PB
Maybe a complete wildcard i just thought of since it wont be tracked, why not a 599 and convert it to a manual? that way you could maybe justify using the Ferrari more for weekends away? (although a F430 does that fine too in my opinion). Also it gives you that full on Enzo derived V12 up front
Hey Dutch, Thanks for the alternative suggestion. I have actually considered this route as well, but I think I would want my first Ferrari to be mid engine V8 over the heavier front engine V12. I think the F430 fits my use case better of primarily spirited canyon driving. I've also seen that from a maintenance stand point, the 599 might have more on the list to fix and more running costs. I may be completely off base on this so anyone feel free to correct me. Best, PB
Get an F1 F430 and convert it yourself, at least you know it's done properly. I did that, and if I could go back in time I would buy a scuderia
I just bought an F430 last week and waiting for it to be shipped. Then doing a 6sp conversion. I've never owned a gt3 but 2 997 turbo's and a 991 turbo. This is my 3rd ferrari and while I will always be a porsche fan driving a ferrari is a whole different experience. Cant wait to run the gears through those gates!
Congrats! Who's doing the conversion? Are you sending it somewhere or doing it yourself? Yeah, I keep going back and forth. There is something just intangible about the F430. A wow factor of sorts, that I keep coming back to. Best, PB
Congrats! Who's doing the conversion? Are you sending it somewhere or doing it yourself? Yeah, I keep going back and forth. There is something just intangible about the F430. A wow factor of sorts, that I keep coming back to. Best, PB Thanks PB! I had a chance meeting a month ago with a Ferrari tech that lives a half mile from my house that works from home. He was rated at one time by Ferrari as the #1 tech and competed with other tech's around the world at the factory in Italy. He worked at Ferrari of Seattle for 10yrs. He's going to do it for me. There are so many smart people on here willing to help I might get brave enough to try some of the maintenance myself. I've owned a 488 and an 812. My whole goal with this car is to hit 100,000 miles. It has 17k now. We are using the Dr S kit.
As a counterpoint it's worth mentioning that most 991.2 GT£ owners are likely very happy with their cars and would not consider a 430. And there are many times I'd prefer to drive a GT3 over my manual 430. But on perfect days, the 430 would win every time.
Not to hijack the thread but how did you like the 488 or 812? If/when I sell my F430 those two are my current replacement thoughts.
I liked both but kick myself every time i think about selling my 812. Its an epic car. I'll own another one day. Maybe by that time the 812 GTS will come down to my price range in the 300's haha.
This is a very fair point! They are very different, yet both aspirational cars. Even though there are the fortunate few who own both, I doubt people who own one aspire towards the other. Best, PB
