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Daily Driver Ferrari?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by wildpig, May 5, 2012.

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  1. wildpig

    wildpig Rookie

    May 5, 2012
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    #1 wildpig, May 5, 2012
    So I've always wanted a ferrari. Currently have an E46 M3. So this would be a big step up. But was just wondering esp for those who daily drive a ferrari, what would be the best bet for a used one $75k or less. I mean, there is definitely one that's reliable enough that i can daily drive right? How much would the maintainance cost be to maintain one using indy shops? I drive about 10k miles/yr.



    Thanks
     
  2. G. Pepper

    G. Pepper Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #2 G. Pepper, May 5, 2012
    I had similar criteria, and my list was:

    01] 456M

    02] 550 Maranello

    03] 360 Modena

    All of those can be had for circa $75K, and well sorted examples are reliable enough to drive every day. The 456 has the advantage of kid-sized rear seats, and can be had with an automatic transmission, while the 550 is the same platform with two seats and a standard transmission. Both are comfortable over long distances. The 360 is a mid-engine car, is much less comfortable - and less practical - but is pretty racy.

    I ended up getting the 456M automatic first, and am now shopping for a 360 standard. I love it, and have put about 2K miles on it in just two months.

    Cheers,

    George
     
  3. Bas

    Bas Four Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 Bas, May 5, 2012
    Agree with the above.

    360 is perfectly able to drive daily, it is by far the flashiest of the above though, but you do get that fantastic 40 valve V8 noise as a trade-of!

    The 550 will hold it's value best of them all, and is a very capable cruiser/daily driver. Fantastic sleeper if you get it in the right colours. Stock noise is a bit bland though. Nothing a tubi exhaust can't fix though.

    456 speaks for itself, by far the most understated of the 3, marmite looks though (never been much a fan of the higher roof line, if only they could make it a tad lower!).
     
  4. wildpig

    wildpig Rookie

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    #4 wildpig, May 5, 2012
    I guess 360 would be the sportiest? 550 always seems a little heavier weight to me though I suspect flat out 550 would be the winner.

    How's the main cost for these if you use them as DD? I drive about 10k miles/yr. I will have another car so probably won't be much more than 6-7k miles on the ferrari.

    How much of the regular maint like oil change can DIY? Is there any "special" oil? or any real good synth oil every 7k miles will do? I know there's things like cambelts every 3-5 yrs needed done. How much would that be? Do you all bring yrs to ferrari dealers or is there indy shops you can trust?
     
  5. G. Pepper

    G. Pepper Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 G. Pepper, May 5, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    A 360 will beat a 550 off the line because it's lighter, and then the 550 will pull away because of the V-12... but these aren't drag racers. ;^) The 550 is a big, heavy car, so hustling it through really tight stuff is work, while the 360 has that light, mid-engine steering feel.

    Since the 360 is a mid-engine car, some of the maintenance requires the engine to be taken out of the car. This will add hours and dollars to the work, of course.

    The belt service runs about $4K or so for the 550, and a bit more for the 360, depending on where you get the work done.

    I do my own oil changes on my BMW bikes, but since ALL fluids in a Ferrari need changing yearly, no matter how few miles you drive, I haven't gone there yet. Probably will, though, and I'm looking at four-post lifts right now. There are many technical whiz kids on this site, so do some searches in the 456/550/575 section and you will find a treasure trove of info (Same goes for the 360 guys).

    Contra Bas, I think the 456M is the best looking of the three - it has that classic 365GTC4 2+2 look - and since I'm 6'2", I'm glad the roof isn't any lower. ;^) It is also less to insure than the two-seaters, which is no small thing.

    After a LOT of back-and-forth, I decided the 456M was the best bang for the buck, so that's what I got.

    Cheers,

    George
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