Best First Ferrari

The F430 is the first to come back to cam chains - even though the 360 allows the cambelts replacement without putting the engine out, it's still more expensive to maintain than chains.
For $100K the F430 seems to be the best value to me - relatively recent but yet relatively simple, decent performance and reliability.
There are other Ferraris available in this ballpark or even at lower prices (355, 612, 456, 308...) but I guess the associated maintenance costs would be significantly higher, IMHO they are best suited for limited use.

 

Here is a gorgeous 2008 F430 Spyder CCB blk/blk with 36k miles at a dealer with a asking price of $95k

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-Ferrari-430-Spider/114642089694?_trkparms=aid%3D1110010%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.DISCCARDS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200220090753%26meid%3D6bf0f105aa5842849e791fb05282fb4e%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D264995746337%26itm%3D114642089694%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDiscOrganicBase&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

 

Agreed but not 355 spider manuals, u can get some for 70k. I should know I bought mine in September


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Its so very subjective. Ive owned a 355, 360 and California. If you can handle the maintenance and want a true go kart like experience nothing really beats a 355. Most fun Ferrari ive ever drive.

If you want something more old school and go kart like but you dont want to deal with maintenance hassles of the 355, the 360 is a perfect mix. not quite as tossable and go kart like as the 355 but close.

If you want something modern with low maintenance costs. Basically a bulletproof daily driver, then the California is an excellent choice. Its not the best looking car but I daily drove one for 3 years and it was no more a hassle than a Toyota.

Those are really the only 3 Id consider under $100k

 

I think 360 and F430 are good options. Both have reasonable maintenance costs and repair costs are well known so you can research all the pros and cons.

I know nothing about your finances but I have two recommendations which may be totally inapplicable to you so my apologies:

• Only spend about 75% of your budget on the car unless you've already figured unexpected repair costs into your $100k budget
• Do not get an auto loan if that is the only way you can afford the car (it is ok to get an auto loan if you'd rather put your cash to better use as long as you have the cash)

The reason I say that is because there will be nothing worse than owing a $1,000+/month car payment and then having a break down requiring a $25,000 repair that you don't have.

 

Tongue in cheek. I think I qualify as a California enthusiast!
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/our-first-prancing-pony.521936/

And, if Enzo were still alive, the last few years of F1 would likely have killed him!
T

 

In the 430 realm, if I could be talked into selling mine the buyer would get arguably the best running, best driving and most meticulously maintained 430 in the market. Considering that it’s a daily driver, the odometer reading is higher than the typical buyer would look for, but that’s part of why this car is so good. It’s driven, it’s cared for, and it’s (in my opinion) awesome. That said, this most awesome 430 with 50k on the clock, I think a reasonable selling price would be between $85 - $95k. If I were selling, that is.

Just my take on where the market might be for a higher mileage but completely sorted 430.

 

Hahaha, I love the Ferrari California. Drive in good health!

 

Totally agree. It's the new gateway drug to the Ferrari Lifestyle!
T

 

McLaren MP4-12C

Ducking.

 

Really, is there anything better for 100G's?

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f430
easy to buy, easy to maintain, easy to live with, easy to sell.

my 430 is my beater ferrari coz i can drive it anywhere, park it anywhere, and i dont really care what happens to it.
its fast, loud, and beautiful, looks tough and sensuous

 

Anyone seen OP ? Looks like the usual story of one post lots of helpful answers and no return or feedback

 

so you posted this about 5 to 8 years early?

 

Tons, but they're just not Ferrari's. lol

I love a 355 also, just not the rep. for being costly.




My Vote is a 308 / 328 because they are just SO Freakin Cool!!!
Classic, Easy to work on, Fairly decent to maintain, and plain Fun!!

 

Can you imagine how hard it must be for a Ferrari salesperson?

The term tire kicker would be rebranded as tire 'blower.'

 

Reminds me of the old TV ad by Porsche where a 10(?) year old kid is looking in the dealership window and the salesperson smiles and tells him to come in. Years later, he is driving a Porsche. Porsche was advertising a long term sales/marketing strategy. As a 13-14 year old in the mid-50s, I would go to the local "Foreign Car" dealership, Porsche, MG, Jag, etc., and sit in cars and pickup literature. The sales people were always very nice. I have owned 6 Porsches and a Jag.

 

I know my post was snobbish. I couldn't agree more that kindness is the only recipe for youngsters (i.e. 10 years old) interested in these cars.

Good on you! Looks like you got your priorities in order. I like your strategy and wish you every success. If anything, use my snobbery above as a motivational 'marker.'

 

"Well I'm not a 10 year old kid."
My anecdote was getting a little OT and had nothing to do with your quest for a Ferrari. Took me 40+ year to finally get "my" Ferrari. Dealership and owner "snobbery" is kinda fun, however. In my experience, employees at "high end" dealerships seem to get a sense of social entitlement from their job. The receptionist at an un-named Cal. Ferrari dealership, refused to let my wife use the coffee machine and told her to leave the lounge area. We had stopped there for an oil change and check engine issue during a road trip to Northern CA and were on our way to OR before heading home.

 

Stephen brings excellent points, and I do ask the OP to pardon my presumption We often get many non-serious folks that when somebody is genuine, I sometimes don't recognize it. I wish our future Ferrari owner nothing but fortune, and I have no doubt he will accomplish whatever goal he sets out.

 

Great plan.....mirrors what I do. The first exotic took 9 years of saving and the second one 6.

Hardly anyone has a plan these days....it's all about instant gratification even if it wrecks them.

Now if you have ttforcefed, Ross, or Paul Chua money my advice means nothing....if you have Shark01 money you're 9/10's screwed already so you have to be slow and careful.

 

No, to start chasing a carrot one must first identify what the carrot looks like.

I was doing this same thing in 2005 when my trip down the rabbit hole called exotic supercars began....