Ferrari Alternative?

Ok here's my dilema. I have a 348TS that I've had for just under three years now. My problem is I never use it. I bought it when I was living in Wales (nice open roads, rural community, low crime etc), only now I'm living back in the city and can't take it out and leave it anywhere in case it gets vandalised and to get to any decent roads is a couple of hours drive in traffic at least. Not only that, but I do fancy a change...

I have another car I use day to day but that is getting a bit long in the tooth so I really need to trade it in and get something else too. My dilema is where to go from here. I have a shortlist of some great cars, but at the end of the day non of them is a Ferrari so what do I do... I'd love a 355 and could maybe just about use that day to day, but can't quite afford one just yet.
Don't take the 348 out in the rain because I worry about it rusting!

My shortlist currently is:
Lotus Esprit V8/Sport 350 - always wanted an Esprit but could never find the right one?
Noble M12 - Great car but absolutely No storage plus a bit kit carish/interior?
Maserati 4200 Cambiocorsa - mmh but still not a Ferrari (too discreet?)
Aston Martin DB7 - not that quick?
Mitsibushi Evo VIII FQ300 - Great car but bad image - Boy Racer
Subaru WRX Sti PPP - Great car but bad image - Boy Racer
BMW M3/M5 - Great Cars but bad image - arrogance (sorry BM drivers)
TVR Tuscan - still not a Ferrari :-(
TVR Cerbera 4.5 - getting old
Audi RS4/RS6 - Q car - too subtle
Jaguar XKR - Lovely but too subtle again
Porsche 911 (996) - Can't find any with Turbo body/low miles - don't like them without a fixed rear spoiler, why do they all have grey leather!
or the off the wall choice...

Hummer H1 - can't find one under £90K
Hummer H2 - LHD only in the UK
BMW X5 - still a BMW
Ultima GTR - couldn't get less practical.

To make matters worse, I'm a keen windsurfer/Kite surfer/surfer so I really could do with something that I can put a roofrack on. I mentioned this to my local Ferrari Dealer and he said it wasn't quite the image - well always thought surfing was pretty cool but I guess it wouldn't do much for the airodynamics but hey if Porche do a roofrack then....

As you can tell I'm torn between wanting something sensible that I can use every day, and something that has the looks and the charisma of a Ferrari.

I've also thought about going totally mad selling the 348, buying a Countach and keeping my old rustbucket day to day..

Anyone got any coments suggestions on other models I'd be grateful

 

If you are really worried about crime (enough so to get rid of the Ferrari), then stay away from the Lotus/Noble/Maserati/Aston Martin/Porsches. They are also hot car theft targets and exotics that are frequently hated on. A Mitsubishi or a Subaru will be a fun, more practical car, however there is no way it will measure up to the calibre of those listed above. Much less to your Ferrari.
-Cyrus

 

Although I didnt see it mentioned on your short list, might I suggest an Acura NSX?
A good example 91 -96 should run you alot less than your 348, with more than equivalant performance and certainly much better reliability and lower maintenance costs...looks are subjective,of course, but I consider it to be stunning...closer to a ferrari than any other car.
If you havent driven 1, do yourself a favour and take one out for a test drive...it might just be what your looking for.....

regarding the surfboard toting roof rack, however, all bets are off!

 

Hi Vyrus,
Not so much crime, if it gets stolen I'd be sad, but its insured. Its more just mindless vandalism like keying etc. I know that can happen to any car (it has happened to a number of freinds who have fairly "normal" cars), but nothing quite stands out like a Ferrari which can be good and bad.. :-( of course maybe I'm just paranoid.

I think its the eny factor as well. To the sort of people who would deface something nice, Ferrari equals money and so has to be vandalised. Ok we know thats not necessarily true, I'm by no means rich and ok older F's cost a bit to run, but can be bought quite reasonably, probably less than a new Scooby or Evo but to the general public they still have that exclusive image (which I guess is part of why we love them so much)..... Ah its a sad world..

 

What about a Porsche Cayenne?
http://www.car-roofracks.co.uk/watersports.htm

 

I have a solution for you: move to another country were vandalism does not exist or is not as bad. I leave my GTS open all the time, my worst fears are rain, birds, and sunlight cooking the leather.

Not sure how you will find a fancy car that will not be at risk of being keyed, if this is part of the local social culture. Maybe a trashy old M5 ?

 

Best all-around: track car / daily driver / bang for the buck / blends in / city driver

 

Not quite sure where Aber is located. I have to disagree with you. As much as I'd hate to say this on a Ferrari website, but the best bang for your buck and all the above including daily driver would have to be a Corvette. As much respect as I have for the NSX, why pay 80 grand (if you want a new one) for a glorified Honda that runs 0-60 in 4.8 seconds or so (except for reliability). Sadly we see Corvettes running all over the place, but 55 grand for a Z06 gets you high 12's in the quarter, 4.3/.4 0-60 and an amazing track car, and I see them around town most of the year. They don't really draw that much attention as compared to the other cars mentioned.

 

I understand your dilemma completely, as I lived in Manhattan for many years and often had to park a series of bimmers, corvettes and porsches on the street (my wife grabbed our garage spot). All were vandalized one way or another, whether accidentally or purposely. One Corvete was stolen and totally trashed, only to be recovered on the 28th day of the 30 day insurance waiting period, and after repair it was never the same.

My daily driver is a Subaru WRX Turbo (upgraded the turbo, ecu and exhaust), or go for an STi right out of the box. I am amazed by its handling, versatility (4wd) and power: Remove the useless rear wing for stealth and street use. Remove the badging. Put on a roof rack or whatever. Drive right down the beach to the water (I'd like to see an F-car do that).

I have 4 F-cars and numerous other daily drivers, but the one I prefer is the Scooby. Goes all day long, maintenance-free after 28,000 miles, plows through snow and will run with any Porsche out there, and beat any 3x8 series Ferrari. I love this car, and for $27,000 total cost you can get a Lotus Exige (more fun than the Esprit) with the change.

 

Corvette's are probably a bit more pricey in UK (on the plus side- a bit more rare)

The reason I was thinking of a used NSX...because its a perfect trade for a Used 1993 348. Get a 1998 NSX low miles, plus some cash back.

I did not include the vette because I like to think F-cars, P-cars, and Lotus are all fun because they have the engine in the back like a F1 car

 

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Hows the insurance and damage issues ..ie. vandalism cost to an NSX..?

I'd imagine its quite high as the ferrari to repair skins..

I would suggest the Vauxall (sp)VX220 turbo..
http://www.crossedflags.com/nuke/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10870&highlight=vx220

I hear thats an absolutley amazing ride!

You asked for opinions so thats mine..

Vauxall VX220 turbo..

preowned is even better yet..

Drive it anywhere and enjoy!

Keep a few years and then move to a safer area and get a preowned modena for fun.

 

Sorry to disagree, but I rented an NSX for a week last year while on a business trip. Mechanically terrific, but sounds like a blender and has no soul. Basically a robot.

 

Disagree on the blender part. In second gear @ 7400 rpm, on a tight turn, the engine behind you is emitting nothing short of orgasmic moans that are usually reserved for 19 year old catholic school girl sluts.

Perfect solution, sell everything, and get a used 550. That way you have a Ferrari, one of the best out there, and its still discreet enough that it won't get vandalized. Get it black on black like Darth550.

As far as your roof rack, look at the pics of fellow member Dan.
View attachment NiceRack1.jpg
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i must have read the first post wrong. your selling a 348 because you cant use it where you live? and you cant leave it anywere? and you post a list of cars that you may want to replace it with?

are you just wasting peoples time wanting an answer
buy a Transit van

 

I thought the same thing.

 

A Honda VTEC emitting moans like a catholic school girl? Either a custom exhaust or an actual school girl in the car with you. I won't ask any more questions.

 

Having been a Honda owner for 25 years, an NSX would have been a logical choice for moving up to an exotic. But I agree, the car has almost no panache. So I bought a Ferrari instead: less reliable and less ergonomically sound, perhaps, but a car with a soul and a mystique. So what if it's 18 years old? It's still a Ferrari!

 

It was a bone stock car. 6 speed, 3.2 liter. All Honda VTEC's are not equal. The nsx does emit some very sweet sounds.

I never said the NSX has soul. I would take the F355 every day of the week over the NSX. However, the NSX does not sound like a blender, having used a blender and an NSX, personally.

 

Yes, but what about that catholic schoolgirl thing? I didn't notice her on the list of things you have used.

 

Glad to hear you bought a Ferrari can't go wrong.

But remember that MS and Ferrari still have not beaten Honda's record for most wins in a season. Senna and Honda built the NSX durring that season. The NSX will always be Senna's F1 car for the track/street/city.

No soul, mystique, panache sounds like Country Club speak to me, in-light of the racing history that is at the root of this car.

 

I was a big fan of Senna's, but did the f-1 cars use the NSX engine as it is in the street car? did they use the NSX engine at all? I don't remember many 6 cylinder F-1 cars.

 

'02+ z06 is low 12's/high 11's in the quarter mi. Fastest run(bone stock, stock rubber, etc) being 11.789s. Many drivers at 11.8's.



-DC

 

I'll do you one better....

I have always been a big fan of Solly,... and all the great cars you own

I don't want to debate anyone about the NSX...but I dropped in a few facts when it's getting beat-up. It was a good car. 348/NSX was what the early 90's were all about, and this guy is looking to get rid of his 348...so it had to come up. That's all.

 

I think the 'vette is great right out of the box, and an extra 50bhp for next model. That puts it even with the 360's at 400 bhp (but higher torque), although they are heavier. But- also easier to modify a small block bowtie for more power (a lot more power) than to modify a 3.6 liter 360 where almost every last ounce of push has already been wrung out by Ferrari engineers.

The 2005 Corvete should be very interesting. Looks pretty cool too with exposed headlights, and MSRP lower than the 2004's.