Ferrari's as an asset class

Going back to cars that are PRE Pinninfarina is going back to the very early 50's You bet- not many people have them, because they didn't make them in the hundreds or thousands, but more like ten or twenty. Hopefully you're blessed with either a mechanical aptitude or there's a shop somewhere willing to work on something that rare and old.

Closing in on 40- reaching a stage in life where you don't DRIVE as much- HUH? Talk about a way to make a 71 year old guy feel REALLY old. I've OWNED a Ferrari longer than you've been alive, still enjoy them and currently have eight of them. At this point EVERY one of them appreciate- even the eighties models. Don't have to go back to the dark ages to get an appreciating Ferrari. While it MIGHT seem like a great goal to buy a fifties or sixties Ferrari, if you have been driving modern Ferraris, I think it's pretty challenging to get the older cars and be satisfied, unless you get a multi million dollar car. Maybe it's frame of mind, but the more modern Ferraris are MUCH easier to have fun in. One can romanticize about driving an old V-12 Ferrari, but the reality, there's a LOT of carburetors, and dual distributors with points that seem to screw up at most inconvenient times. The SOUND of the air getting drawn in carburetors is awesome, but there's a LOT of things that can ruin your day. I've driven 250's 330's 275 GTB, 365's- a lot of different 60's cars. I'm QUITE happy owning cars with fuel injection, and electronic ignition. And I KNOW how to repair the older cars, and have the equipment to do so. Finding someone that can do justice to the Webers in the older cars, has a VAST assortment of jets for them is getting harder and harder.

Never bought a Ferrari seeking attention. I bought them because they were some of the most incredible cars in the world. I bought a MODERN Ferrari 11 years ago, figuring I'd LOSE a ton of money in depreciation. Even that car, a 2013 458 Spider is REALLY holding it's own, value wise. Maybe when I'm EIGHTY, Ill think about NOT driving as much. Forty- you're still a youngster! So that's MY thoughts.

 

Nope, I view these for what they are. Cars that put a smile on my face every time I'm behind the wheel. fortunate to have the means to enjoy them but viewing them as investments, would take the fun out it for me . Imho, they are among the most beautiful cars and in that sense they are rolling art. l

 

If you bought the car for the attention, it's pretty obvious why you are losing interest.

 

if you're lucky enough to have had a ferrari in your 20's then it's absolutely going to be part of the appeal

I personally find myself drawn to older and slower models as I get older as I appreciate the simplicity of them and 900hp on the streets is completely pointless

 

I got mine in my 20s. It's the most fun car I've driven. If I wanted the attention instead of the driving experience I would have bought a lambo. I didn't post it on social media for 4 years and was super secretive about it. I still kind of am.

If you do something for the attention of other people, your experience will be shallow and empty.

 

same, it was incredibly fun to drive my first ferraris when I was younger but the attention was absolutely part of the experience and I also enjoyed that

now i'm older I actually dislike the attention

 

" Ferrari's WHAT as an asset class "
Something made/owned by Ferrari (Possessive use), or Feral apostrophe?

As others have already covered, if you got it for attention, you shoulda gone with Lamborghini.

 

Buy ’em to drive. If you want to invest=stock market.

That said, sure — you can come out ahead, but the buy-in’s pretty steep.

 

If you want a car that doubles as an investment, I think you need to go back to the classics. Those are timeless and simpler to maintain. They also tend to be timeless in their styling. e.g. a Daytona or 330 GTC.

I'm a bit older than you, but I view modern cars as fairly disposable. Too much tech, which is the fast path to obsolescence. I enjoy classic Porsches now, but if you have the means an Enzo-era Ferrari is a forever car and rare. A good bet to hold or gain value relative to inflation.

 

Ha! I've always viewed mine as complete sunk costs. My heirs will get to decide what to do with them.

As far as an asset, some of them have been serious money makers for people. The ones I can afford are common enough that they're not going to be a gold mine. Inflation may make them appear to appreciate, but that fails to consider maintenance costs and opportunity costs.

Buy them, drive them, keep them, if they make you happy. There's better ways to make money.

 

It makes me sick. I wish those people would leave the car hobby and go back to the art and wine circuit, or wherever they came from. But it's a free market, and their money makes for their options.

 

I definitely consider my sport cars to be investments: each year I invest quite a bit of time and money to keep them in good condition. I gladly do so because they bring me lots of joy and satisfaction.

From a financial point of view, cars are generally terrible investments. There may be some exceptions and even those are typically high risk and comparatively small ROI - unless you are talking about the scalping that's going on with new limited edition cars. I figure that stock, real estate, precious metals and crypto all have better investment opportunities than cars.

So if you or anyone else is looking for an investment, please do yourselves a favor and buy something else. These cars deserve to be driven and maintained well, not sit somewhere neglected in the hope of generating some profit. There's more to life than money.

 

I consider Ferraris to be in the “Lose Your ASSet Class”!

Seriously, though. You are in your 40’s now with two children and it seems very normal to me that you would spend less time with your hobbies because your responsibility is to raise these children to become responsible adults while navigating nourishing your marriage and creating a great family. Those are the priorities at this season of life. Perhaps you can keep your Ferrari Hobby going, or perhaps it is something you put on the shelf for this season of your life, and pick it up later. Priorities change.

I’m now enjoying the heck out of the modern Ferraris. I have a couple of older cars for nostalgia sake, but they are not as fun to drive. The one I keep thinking about is a 330 GTC. Perhaps if I retire or at least slow down, I will track one down and find someone to teach me how to keep it running. Then, keeping it running becomes another hobby.

 

Well, I've owned a Ferrari since I was 25, and had I been able to I'd have bought one at 16, I have always loved and lusted after a Ferrari. The ownership experience has had its ups and downs....but overall its been the best investment I've made. Here is why:
1. The people I have met, and now have as friends. we have a truly great group of people that we hang with who most all have Ferrari's or exotic cars, but we all enjoy the same things and have tons of fun.
2. fun of driving... if you are going to drive and love it, there is no better car to do it in than a Ferrari. from traffic jams, to race track... its so much fun.
3. The People.... did i mention that? just great people to be around, who do some amazing things.

The money part - meh.... I dont think I have lost much money on a Ferrari, but honestly over time I've "invested" tons in them, and not sure I have financially come out ahead... but in terms of life experience and the people I have met and count on as friends... its been amazing. The ROI is the life experience and people you meet....

 

Has my Ferrari's value appreciated rather significantly since since I bought it? Yes.

Has it appreciated as much as investing that money in a 401k, IRA, etc. Heck naw. At a ~10% return, you will basically double your money every 7 years or so. I've owned my car for 9. If I wasn't a DIY guy, I'd be upside down.

But...Can you drive a 401k? No.

Unless you are playing with rare/special models, you are playing a losing game, and you are talking about your late 30's like you should be in a nursing home. If the passion for the cars ain't there at this age, get rid of them, take your modest windfall, and take care of the kids/future grandkids and retire early.

 

Sounds like my story, I bought my first Ferrari on my 40th birthday a few years ago. I owned so many different brands and cars from Audi R8’s, multiple M3’s to 800whp 94 Supra that I never thought I would sell but nothing ever satisfied me as much as my 2003 360 Modena. Buying an older Ferrari is usually a desire and the older cars are much more unique and special. The 360 was really a car I always wanted when it came out. It’s also the only car I can’t seem to find myself selling. The analog feel and sound with my Tubi exhaust is just something no other brand or car can give me. I don’t really understand my love for the brand compared to Lamborghini or Porsche but there is something magical to me and more mysterious than all others. The new cars are boring to me and status symbols these days.. I would love to own a 308 but I know that car is going to require some real special care but I love them.

 

My 360 was my 35th birth day present to myself. I stil lhave her. She is a factory stick coupe with sport seats. I can guarantee that she has appreciated 100% in price.

Biut.. when I took her for a drive today, my heart didn't beat with excitement as I got in and started her. Instead it was like time with an old friend that fills my soul. I can relax and just be when I'm drivng her around. Each shift is perfect and *click click*.. fulfilling. The fact of the matter is I've changed. I'm now 50 and my family is what gives me pride and.. happiness.

As an asset class, unless you buy a special edition and pay 10 figures to buy.. it's a depreciating asset. Gonna loose money. Corporate Ferrari is going to build as many as they can.

 

Ferraris aren't investments, at all. For a few blips in time there were opportunities to buy/ hold a tiny handful of certain Ferraris and actually keep up with our even outpace the S&P.

The only cars I have seen that are increasing in value consistently are the newer GT Porsches, the special versions. A 991.2 Speedster has increased from high $300s to high $400s in the last 18 months....and when the new 992 Speedster is announced and those cars are selling for $$$$ its a safe bet that the 991.2 Speedsters will take a jump as well. 992 GT3 RS's are selling for $65-100k++ over MSRP.

Bottom line (for me), the not losing money (let alone making money) game with Ferrari is over. Ferraris are fully priced at MSRP and they are over supplying. If I were you, I would look into GT Porsches and invest in real assets like real estate, gold, equities....

 

Over the past 10 years the best Ferrari asset class has been RACE

Buy a car that makes you happy and won't break the bank

 

Yes and it can be monetized with a click of the mouse.