Best Used Ferrari Value in today's market

Have you ever thought about the front engine v12 vehicles? The 456 may not be the most desirable features but it is essentially a 550 for quite less. The least ferrari that comes in for a service is the 456/550/575 and when it does, the labor isn't as much as a 355. Most common issues we see with those types of cars are fuel pumps going bad because the fuel eats the rubber when the car isn't driven.

Between 360/430 both are great cars but there is a night and day difference between the two in terms of performance. 430 will have less service maintenance due to timing chains and when it comes to brakes, unless you truly drive the car (which is hard to do on the streets) you'll never use the carbon ceramics the way they are intended. Plus they are expensive to replace if time comes you need to. 360 is still a great car just requires a little more service.

Some common issues to consider on the 360/430 is the trans mount (if it hasn't been updated) usually fails and will cause engine mounts to fail prematurely. With the f1 trans cars you can usually tell this when shifting because it will feel as if the whole engine/trans is moving/rocking the car. Fuel pumps usually crack right where the fuel pressure regulator is attached into the plastic along with the fuel vapor/roll over valves tend to crack. Important to replace them asap especially if you start smelling a lot of fuel coming from car. There are other common issues from car to car so its essential that you have a PPI done on what ever vehicle you choose. Just remember that there was 18,000 360s built so hold out until you find the right car for you.

Jon

 

I think the 308/328/348/355 are all close to the bottom of the depreciation curve but do have the engine out service costs. 360s/430s will probably still go down a bit more, but don't have the engine out service. At this point, it's really about which one you personally like and how much cash you want to put up front.

I agree the with the above poster about considering the 12 cylinders. You can get a nice 6 spd red/tan 550 for around 70-80K these days and they have had fewer maintenance issues. They are also almost fully depreciated.

My estimate is all of the above cars average between 2-4K per year for running costs.

Good luck with the search.

 

I suggest the following models for you, given your input:

550 or 575

360 or 430

Whether you go the 12 cylinder route or the 8 cylinder route is something you'll have to decide for yourself. You can't go wrong with either model, but they really do accomplish different things. The key is to find the right car, and to take your time finding it. I bought a 328 about 9 years ago, and it took me about a year of looking until I found "the one", so do no dispare if it is taking you a while to find it. That said, I would expect there to be a much greater pool of possibilites with these four models, and they are much younger than the 328 was when I started looking, adding to the likelihood that you'll find a good one sooner.

Best of luck to you. If you buy the right car, you will not regret it and you might even ask yourself why you didn't buy it earlier.

Remember: Life's too short to drive a boring car.

Alberto

 

I would do both a 328 and then, a few years later, sell it and buy a 430.

I used to own a red/tan 88 328 GTS. What a great car! I miss it still.
270 hp is just right for that car. A stunning design and when you're driving through the curvy mountain roads it is a real joy. Plus, on sunny days, take the targa top off and go for a cruise through some small towns.

Then, after 2 or 3 years later, you'll probably sell it for the same price you bought it for.
By then, the 430 prices will have come down another 10% or so.
If you can find a stick shift 430, I'd buy it. If not, the F1 trans is good.
I used to own a black/tan 06 430. Incredible car.
You'll feel every one of those 483 horses when you do some high rev shifting in it.

By buying 2 cars over a 6 year time period, you'll only be putting 15k miles on each one.

Good luck.

 

Agree on the choice of a 550 or 360.

I'm also a "senior citizen" (62 in November). My first Ferrari absolutely had to be a Vintage 12 model, and I bought a '64 330 2+2 right after I turned 53.

My current ride is an '83 308 GTS, purchased in December '07. It's a great car, but at this age I'm finding myself missing stuff like adequate A/C, power steering, and other comfort amenities. I use it as a daily driver as much as possible, and my wife worries a lot about the lack of airbags and other more advanced safety features.

We have only two cars, the 308 and a 4Runner with with auto trans, and she can't drive a manual shift Honda Civic, much less the 308. Neither of us like the idea of her being stranded with a car she can't drive when I'm gone in the 4Runner. (We had a third car with auto trans, but due to lack of space at our present house, we had to sell it)

At this point, I can't see giving up Ferrari ownership, so I'm looking down the road to a 360 or 550/575 with F1 trans. These models have the safety and convenience features, and in a pinch she could drive in full auto mode. They're also faster!

 

IMO, I think the 550/575 is the best Ferrari value.
It is obviously a personal preference, but I would suggest you drive all the various models; if you want to find out what looks and feels right for you..........that is what is most important.

 

I think you should go shopping and see what floats your boat. Generally, any model that's ten or more years out of production will be fully depreciated. Later miles like 360s and 430s have a lot more performance and probabl overall cheaper to maintain than older ones but are destined to depreciate some more.

Dave

PS: I have a 328 and a 430. Great combo.

 

I agree. Best VALUE = 550, no question. V12, classic platform, and you are getting the premier model of it's time for 1/3 it's original price. Low maintenance costs, reliable, etc. etc.

328 is the best VALUE in a V8 Ferrari. Timeless lines, reliable, great classic feel. Only drawback is size (a little small for bigger people).

For all the other cars you have to feel the passion such that value is not part of the equation. Or you'll go crazy

Oh, and don't be fooled into thinking the 360/430 are going to be cheap to maintain in the long run. They are simply too new to have as many issues. But it will catch up with them, and they have more depreciation in them too. The 550 and 328 have virtually no depreciation in them, only running costs.

 

550, 360, or 328.

Also consider 550 barchetta.

 

Agree with the 550 comments also.

The 550 is a complete pleasure to own and drive. In my earlier post, I got the sense though, that the OP was probably lusting after the mid-engine look of a V8 Ferrari.

He should probably test drive several different Ferrari models before he buys one.

.

 

IMHO, far from being overpriced, the Testarossa is way undervalued right now. The Testarossa is old school in the same way a Dino or Daytona are old school. It is a classic and so much car for the money. True their service costs are high, but to me it is the quintessential Ferrari.

When you factor in maintenance costs, reliability, future depreciation, and asking price, the best "value" in the Ferrari world right now is definitely the 550. The 360 is very close, but I anticipate that due to its lower production numbers, the 550 will start appreciating at some point down the road, and by most accounts they are stone cold reliable.

Another car to consider is the Mondial. I had the pleasure of owning one for a few years and they are incredible cars. The driving experience is very similar to a 328 without requiring the same practicality sacrifices. It also allows you to take three people with you. A superb 3.2 cab can be had for the low to mid 30's right now and major services can be done with the engine in the car.

Just my .02

 

Without question, the best Ferrari value is the 250GT. What other car can you buy in rough unrestored condition, not running (no upkeep required) keep under a tarp in the back yard, and double your money in 10 years?

 

550 at $60-70k is probably at the bottom of its depreciation curve. A more or less modern car that should be reliable and usable for years to come.

I hesitate to say the 328 because it has already seen appreciation and now is priced about the same as a decent 355, with lower 360s approaching higher end 328s. If you wanted to collect, find the nicest 328 and pay your $70k and polish it with a diaper. If you want to drive, a 360 is probably a better choice. But 360s will also continue down a bit more IMO, so perhaps it isn't the best choice. IMO, the very very best 328s might see some additional appreciation, but most will not. They might be worth as much as they ever will at the moment.

If you are a DIY guy and know what you are doing, and willing to invest the time and capital to competently service the car, it is tough to beat an early Testarossa either. If you can work on them yourself they represent great value. Where else can you get outrageous looks, a screaming flat 12, and 180 mph performance for $50k?

On the very low end, find a beater 308GTSi (2 valver) for $20k and drive it all you like, then likely sell it for a little under $20k.

On the high end, anything made before Enzo sold to Fiat is likely to at least keep their value going forward.

 

Best value hands down 360 VERY close second 550 . both are cheap to buy in but the 360 is cheaper to maintain . and the 360 is easier to work on for the DIY guys.

 

+1

456 is not essentially a 550 as hypothesized. Much more expensive to maintain than the 550.

The Testarossa IMO isn't undervalued....its service costs and 80s handling put it where it is.
328s are good cars, but for $45k+ for a clean example I'd spend another $25-30k and get a nice 360 or really nice 550.

 

By that argument, the Countach should be similarly priced, but its not.

Not to get too far off topic,
but the Testarossa is the victim of supply and demand, put bluntly, the Testarossa's extraordinarily large production numbers (10K if you count all variants), are the reason for its current value. Consider for a moment that the limited production 512M is still fetching over 150K.

Over the next twenty years, fewer testarossa survivors will remain, and even less in top flight condition...when that happens, you will see Testarossa prices rise substantially.

I think the 550 has nowhere to go but up. Like the 328 it has a reputation for being bulletproof, it is an elegant, albeit conservative design that is likely to be considered timeless, and its performance will still be respectable twenty years from now. Its a fantastic car.

 

My estimate 20 Years from now

250 GTO Seris 1 60MM
250 TR 50MM
P4 60MM
412P 50MM
250 LM's/P's 30MM
NART 275 25MM

Best Value today F40

Best afforadable 308 GTB

 

the same could be said about the 360, too many made which keeps the current value low but also known to be bulletproof .

Testarossa, a car which I love can have some very costly repair bills ie the rear differential .

between the 360 and 550 it's a matter of taste and I do believe it 360 is slightly cheaper to maintain

 

I agree

 

I agree with those saying the Testerossa is going to appreciate .

You know what's funny though, for being such an overproduced car - I rarely see 360s. In fact, I haven't seen one in years. See lots of Californias around here and 430's.

 

Agreed except 360s are now 12 years old and 430s 7. I think the gremlins have been well documented. All cars get needier with time and miles but I doubt any more design problems will be discovered.

Dave

 

I'm a few years older than you, and I've had Ferraris for a decade or two now. I would consider two things: What use you'll put the car to, and how much you wish to spend, which would include maintenance costs.

If you are looking for a GT car, then you've got to look long and hard at a 550. If, on the other hand, you are looking at a Sports Car, your choices are the 328, 360 or 430. The 328 is a great car, and it's relatively simple to maintain. The hard choice is between the 360 and 430. They are similar cars, with one large exception: the engine. The 430 makes quite a bit more power, and more importantly doesn't have belts.

The lack of belts means that you don't have a huge 3 year bill for major service. To me that means quite a bit. Depending on your desires and needs, you can get either an automatic or a manual 430. The automatic has clutch and service issues, which are more expensive to keep in proper condition than the manual, however, the automatic may suit your needs better than the manual, an individual choice.

I've put 30k on my 430, and other than items covered by warranty, have spent less than 5k on service over 5 years. For a Ferrari, that is one cheap car, and I certainly haven't deprived the car of any maintenance that was required.

I guess once you've read this far, I am in favor of the 430. It's a later car, and as with all Ferraris, the latest one is generally the best one that they've made to date.

Art

 

Agree with Art, it's a coin toss between the 550 or a 430, depending what you use it for, and what the heck , the last of the 6 speed manuals, I'd better get one of each!!

Add a carbed 512BB boxer along with my early 308GTBs and the back row of the barn can stand for "the way it was" back then..

 

The low end currently for a high-mileage (30k miles) F430 Coupe is still what, $110k? Newer model spiders can go to asking prices well over $200k.

It seems the F430 still has quite a bit to fall in depreciation. Just my guess but in five years you will be able to buy a coupe in average condition for under $75k.