Help pick a model to invest/drive... | FerrariChat

Help pick a model to invest/drive...

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by dreamcometrue, Aug 4, 2012.

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  1. dreamcometrue

    dreamcometrue Rookie

    Aug 4, 2012
    9
    Minnesota
    Hello, this is kind of my new user introduction, hoping the public forum has more readers and commenters and perhaps more points of view to share. I joined here to get a head-check while exploring an idea in my head (involving getting a Ferrari) to see whether this is something worth pursuing further in the near future, postponing, or cancelling. So this is a Research post at this point.

    There are probably alot of other threads like this, and I plan to be reading many of them, but i'm just jumping in and posting since my specific situation may be different than the majority of other people who have posted in the past, and i'm hoping others could help narrow things down. :) But if anyone wants to link good ones off the top of their head i'll read anything linked in this thread. If you just want to jump right to the recommendations scroll down to the ---------- line, i'm aware i'm giving alot of information to scanread otherwise. :)


    FIRST WHAT I AM: Late 30's, currently living off passive income, considering a medical career, and deciding whether a Ferrari is a justified part of my investment strategy or not either now or in a few years. I am guessing I am not "rich" by the standards of any of you fine gents (not living off six figures per year or anything close) but my expenses are so minimal, i'm not in risky investments with downside and i'm not paying huge mortgages on house, boat, plane and similar so it's mostly a question of restructuring capital to acquire something and how much monthly i'm willing to pay to play or hold something for awhile.

    WHAT I AM NOT: A flake, wannabee, or 20 year old working a low end job with unrealistic perceptions and dreaming with my head on the clouds. If I restructure investments I could buy a used F430 tomorrow, dumping everything and betting the farm I could get one new, but that's a little more risk in a collector car than i'm comfortable with at the moment. But i'm also not rich to the point I can write out a check and not care - to be blunt I can buy a $40k new car and watch it halve in value within 2-3 years, or I can buy a Ferrari and watch it probably sell for more than I got it for after driving it 5k miles a year 2-3 years on. So i'm trying to see if those extra expenses and other risks will kill the deal or not.

    EXPANDING A BIT, OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF: With all asset classes outside hard metals sucking right now (stocks, bonds, real estate) yet certain collector markets still going up no matter what depressions happen, i'm ideally looking for an ROI. If the real world numbers make that a break even, it still might be okay, since "parking" my money in a Ferrari that doesn't depreciate is a hell of alot better than government bonds. :) Even if there is a LOSS of money, it's probably less of the loss of a typical used car 2-3 years later, so the more I consider it the better the numbers look. :) (and would I pay to drive a Ferrari, of course, I just mean the investment ROI potential reduces it vs what other cars i'd pay to drive do valuewise.)

    As to why cars... well i've always loved and been obsessed with cars since I was young, and let's be honest... a Ferrari needs no introduction. If I show up at High School Reunion with an Aston Martin or a Lotus, sure people will know it's above normal classes but their eyes wont pop out of their head in disbelief. I like wines too but I can't invest and drink them at the same time. There's other things I like (other potential collector markets) some which can be used/enjoyed without depreciation, but i'm really liking the idea of something red and tan in the garage. :)


    One potential factor that could change things substantially in my favor is I actually can turn my own wrenches. I enjoy it. I'm guessing that's uncommon here, and a bit blue collar, but to me it's automotive intimacy... i'd rather change my own clutch than some guy I don't know at the dealership possibly making a mistake. I don't even trust anyone else to change my oil anymore, and I wouldn't want to pay what i'd have to have it changed at a Ferrari dealership i'm guessing either. However i've no clue how hard it is to get used parts if something breaks, what they run, or if there are artificial barriers put by Ferrari (like special lubricants you cant even BUY without being a dealer) to prevent someone working on their own car. I'm not afraid of pulling an engine myself if it's needed for some maintenance, as long as there are actually obtainable manuals on the specific quirks of the car to be aware of while doing it.

    Finally I plan to actually drive it. I'm not going to buy it at 10k miles and sell it 3 years later at 10k miles. I don't know whether I will drive it a little, or alot, that might depend on how bad it ruins the value to drive it alot, but I will drive it for sure. I hope to include some track racing with that at some point, maybe open it up 2-3 times per year ideally but at least once.

    -----------------------------------------
    So to resummarize and clarify:

    - I'm looking for a Ferrari to invest in, but also drive, if I can't drive it at all there's no point, i'd like the option to drive it alot. I'm not afraid of a few dings, they're inevitable driving it on the road, if someone else put a few in i'm less worried about adding one or two and it wont make me lose value. I don't want one that will lose all value if I put 10,000 miles on it either.
    - How much driving will I do depends how seriously it affects value. As little as 1000mi/year for years is still rewarding if the ROI is still positive, but eventually i'd love to take literal half-cross country trips in it multiple times per year unless it's so unreliable I expect stranding. Ie planning out to New York, out to California, down to Texas, every single year. It might even become a daily driver on top of that. How do they stand up to lots of miles? I'm not afraid of putting on 100k and overhauling it myself in the future unless it destroys all remaining value.
    - I'm able to work on cars myself and hope to maintain and repair it myself. I don't mind buying a "fixer" and doing a job that the dealership would charge $20k for and I could do for $2k to get a deal assuming I can get the parts (are exotic junkyard parts a buyer or sellers market?), but I wont touch an abused vehicle that needs everything repaired. (ie like the Top Gear episode on $10k exotics) More like "one major expensive job and everything else fine and in good condition" like it only needs a clutch or that and brakes maybe. I want to drive it, not fix it all the time, and i'd rather work in other fields instead of build in equity. But 20-30hrs of work in no problem.
    - When to buy as soon as 2013, no later than 2020. I have no need to buy tomorrow. If it will only go up that inspires me to get sooner. If it will stay low i'd rather wait as I think the worsening economy will create more opportunities. Informing myself of future opportunities part of the plan.
    - How long to keep, at least 3 years, but if I fall in love with it could keep a decade or more unless there's some good reason to "horse trade".
    - Ideal budget range $20-50k to acquire. More is possible but requires a good reason, like a radically better ROI in a few years. $70k or even $80k is pretty close to a ceiling right now but don't let that prevent you suggesting something $95k now but still dropping within a few years. Buying two at lower price possible if the right opportunity presents itself.
    - The month to month costs of insurance, maintenance, and the risk-costs of repairs and the rest DO matter. I want to race it on a track eventually a few times per year if I can.

    So far the main ones on my list are 308, 328, 348, 355, and Testarossa. I'm most in love with the Testarossa and consider that the end goal, but it's not the only Ferrari i'd ever insist upon. Where they will all be in 3, 6, or 10 years has more to do with it. Paying $10k more for something thats worth $20k more later is worth it. Paying more for a trailer queen i'm afraid to drive or race or travel with is not. Should I add to this list? Or plan for future depreciation in other models to bring them in range? What would justify one vs another?
     
  2. ztarum

    ztarum Formula 3

    Mar 30, 2008
    1,302
    South Jersey, USA
    None of those cars should be thought of as an investment. Those are cars that you buy and enjoy, and pray the enjoyment is worth the money you WILL lose on it.

    For any real chance on an investment angle, you need to be looking at older cars in a higher price point.
     
  3. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,272
    Seattle Area
    Full Name:
    Dave
    There really are very very few Ferraris that are reliably of "investment grade" and
    they are all WAY WAY out of your budget.

    Buy a 3x8 - since you can do your own work, they're simple cars, run great, look
    awesome and are a BLAST to drive. $35-$45k should get you a great "starter".
    But with belt services and other maintenance, you're never going to get out of
    it what you'll put into it. At least not in any foreseeable time frame, at least IMO.

    Jedi
     
  4. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,665
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    Mate no offence but you come across as a troll - I know you try not to be but all these questions have been asked and answered so many times - do some research first and then come back with more specific points
     
  5. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

    Oct 18, 2009
    8,254
    Worcester, England
    Full Name:
    Phill J
    It always niggles Me when one of the main reasons for buying a Ferrari is declared as being "an investment".

    That's not what these cars are supposed to be about! They're for driving, experiencing and enjoying.



    These parts I don't get:
    So you're worried about the affect that driving it normally will have on it's value but you'll service/repair it yourself and race it a few times a year?
    Chances are, DIY repairs and tracking the car will devalue the car more than than having the car serviced by an recognised expert and driving on ordinary roads.


    As for:
    Take your head out of your arse and don't be so f*@k%&g condescending!

    The vast majority of those "20 year olds working in low end jobs with unrealistic perceptions" who dream of owning a Ferrari, would at least cherish it for the great car that it is, rather than worry about it's status symbol or how driving it might lower it's value!

    People who make statements like the one you've made piss Me off!
    Tread on the little man and treat him with contempt! How dare he dream of owning a Ferrari - he's not worthy of such a vehicle!

    Here's a thought for you: In life, the guy who cleans the toilets is just as important as the guy who runs the company because no one else is going to volunteer to clean them and no one wants to use a dirty toilet!

    There are plenty of ordinary, hard working, average Joe's on here, who have grafted hard and saved up for years to buy their Ferrari's and they're not worried about re-sale and investment possibilities, because they genuinely love their cars, and you have no right to look down your nose at any of them!


    you want an investment? - go buy a painting!
     
  6. ame262

    ame262 Rookie

    Jul 3, 2012
    20
    I will have to cosign,you come across as a troll.
     
  7. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 13, 2009
    16,526
    Charleston, SC
    Full Name:
    Curt
    To begin, I don't even know what the above means. Does it mean that you have about 300k in inheritance sitting in various investments that you're using dividends, etc. right now to pay rent and utilities? Do you have a job? Are you on unemployment? Is there any "constant" income in the future. If the answer is No. Then aside from perhaps a 308.. don't buy a Ferrari.

    A Ferrari is cheap to buy and expensive to maintain. EVEN IF YOU DO YOUR OWN WRENCHING! I do alot of my own work on my car. I enjoy it. But a Ferrari is not cheap to maintain at all compared to any Honda, VW, Toyota, even Porsche and Mercedes.. Parts are very spensive'

    In general as well the more "impressive" Ferrari's are more expensive. The 308 is really cool and really classic. But to get beyond the magnum PI factor, you've got to pay to play.

    If you're asking if you can buy a 348 without a major for $35,000, do the major yourself, drive it for a few years and put 10k miles on it and then sell it for $38,000. No.
    It doesn't work that way. Will you be able to minimize your loss and not loose half? Sure. But to make money and buy a modern ferrari. I seriously doubt it. The closest "investment" Ferrari I can think of is the 512bb. And that will set you back six figures. Can you do a belt service on a 348 or 355 or Testarossa? Sure you could. But the expertise to do it right.. that is what you pay for. Two things that I won't be doing on mine are timing belts and clutch. Expertise prevents valve meet piston and separate engine and transmission clutch.

    If you really want a testarossa, then get the testarossa. Read the stickies on the threads here. Download the manuals. Search should reveal both these answers.

    $20-50k for a ferrari to be sold at a later date for more money.. everyone wants that. Very few get it. I want a sure fire equity that will quadruple in 3 years time with a 10% Dividend that has no risk. I don't see any out there.

    Good luck with your search.
     
  8. drftfan

    drftfan Formula Junior

    Jan 12, 2011
    357
    Orange County
    Full Name:
    Jamie
    I was that low paying job 20 something year old with my head in the clouds. I now am turning 37 in a few weeks with a hot as balls fiancé who is ten years my junior with a black 348 in my garage I just got a week ago. And my own small business on the weekends and a regular job during the week. I am half blue collar and half white collar.
    You not only come across as arrogant but obviously uneducated about ferraris. Actually uneducated is probably not the correct word. Ignorant would be more appropriate.
    Investment? Are you kidding me? You want an investment you can turnaround in three years buy $30,000 worth of Air Jordan's and resell them on eBay.
    Or anything else semi limited that the normal guy wants.
    Seriously a Ferrari is not for you at all. You have to have passion for something... Your looking for something you can look good in then resell later at a profit. No passion in that at all.
    Must thank you for coming on the board and insulting probably half of us. Find something you give a crap about that you actually want for what it is, not for what you "think" it will do for you.
     
  9. sanchezdds

    sanchezdds Formula Junior

    Aug 15, 2009
    336
    California
    you want an investment? - go buy a painting![/QUOTE]
    I love this one!
     
  10. DriveAfterDark

    DriveAfterDark F1 Veteran

    Jan 1, 2007
    9,148
    Norway
    If you want investment, go buy a mint 1991 NSX, an M5 E28, a 964 Turbo 3.6 or cars like that instead. But if you drive them and maintain them properly, your spendings will likely be bigger than the increase of value over time.

    Just buy a Ferrari within your budget + 20.000 as a buffer on the side for potential surprise repairs, and enjoy life.

    End of thread.
     
  11. schumacherf2006

    schumacherf2006 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 22, 2010
    9,042
    Full Name:
    Chris
    Oh my...

    So what I gather is that you have received X amount of funds from inheritance or something of that matter, and to use those assets to buy a used car as a status symbol at your high school reunion ... if you need it that bad just rent one for the evening and leave it to that. And enjoy the feeling of being a complete tool for 48 hours.

    Every person has dreams, and dreams are what drive people to accomplish goals they set in life. Stomping on peoples aspirations is foolish.
     
  12. up4speed

    up4speed F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 16, 2012
    3,693
    Long Island, NY
    Full Name:
    Chris
    I'm pretty sure that it is a fancy way of saying "unemployed at the moment, but I have aspirations". Regardless, I never like using the word "car" and "investment" in the same sentence. Yes it's possible, but it's unlikely. Also, the few times it actually turns out to be an investment, your money would be way better off invested elsewhere most of those times.

    To the OP, you may want to stick to some very specific questions (logical ones) and you will get a better response than trying to place us in your shoes with your mindset, and have us try to make your decisions. That's just too complicated, keep it simple, and most of us will genuinely try to help out. Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Everyones situation is different, and you are the only one that can answer what is right for you. When you buy these cars, you have to expect to lose a lot of money. Between loss of value, maintenance and repairs, insurance, etc.
     
  13. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

    Jul 26, 2009
    5,401
    Ahwatukee, AZ
    Generally speaking, over $100K for investment grade. Everything else is cheaper to buy but can cost purchase price over two years of driving until it's fully sorted. It's not the labor that gets you. Parts prices are high.

    Read more sections. Your comment that we likely don't work on our cars but you can is highly insulting. I can't afford to have all the maintenace done to my car I do most of my own myself. Many people here work on their own cars. Many here are first and foremost car enthusiasts. I also like motorcycles and work on my own motorcycle as I don't have the income to send it to the shop.
     
  14. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    15,112
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Tom Spiro
    Investment Ferrari's are not new, and they dont start in the $50K range... more like $500K and up. and were most likey built before 1969 or are limited edition super cars.
     
  15. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 30, 2007
    99,776
    this. add a 964 RS America to that list

    of his list/constraints I think a 308 or 328 GTB might work, just don't expect to retire on the profits.
     
  16. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2008
    32,272
    Seattle Area
    Full Name:
    Dave
    hahahahahahaha!!! Good one Chas

    :D

    Jedi
     
  17. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,479
    Wow,impessive crash and burn intro....LOL

    IMO, to get an investment grade Ferrari,you have to be ready to pony up $200k (Dino) at least.

    OTOH, there are a few cars in the $100k to $150k area that would be buy and hold type cars, that will retain value now and start going up in 3-5 years. Ready?

    Ferrari Boxer
    Ford GT
    Porsche 3.6 Turbo
    Porsche 993TT (20k mile examples only)
    Any 365 2+2
    Lamborghini Diablo 6.0
    Lamborghini Diablo roadster
    Ferrari CS
    Ferrari 575 manual transmission
     
  18. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
    32,118
    Full Name:
    Jim Glickenhaus
    I'd reccomend a 250 GTO. They are good drivers and will probably
    appreciate.
     
  19. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    15,112
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Tom Spiro
    or a 250 Testa rossa or Ferrari P3/4.....I bet they will go up at least a couple grand this year.
     
  20. Mikey P

    Mikey P Karting

    Dec 1, 2003
    162
    San Ramon, CA
    Full Name:
    Mike Ponte
    Another "D" bag...you don't buy a Ferrari to impress your friends at your high school reunion. You buy a Ferrari to drive...
     
  21. BLAMPEE

    BLAMPEE Man Card Status: Never Issued

    The cheapest way you can do this is to buy a brand new 458 Spider at MSRP. Figure $350k. You can drive it for a year and sell it for what you paid...maybe even more.

    But then you would no longer get an allocation from your local Ferrari dealer.

    Want a car that you can drive that won't decline in value??? Start with the F40 ($400k+), or a 288GTO ($600k+), and F50 (750k+), or an Enzo at $1.1mm+.

    Nobody buys an $90,000 Ferrari and watches it appreciate in value.

    Sorry dude...this is real life. And yes, I own a 355. :cool:
     
  22. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
    Honorary Owner

    Oct 23, 2002
    32,118
    Full Name:
    Jim Glickenhaus
    The days of flipping 458's are over as many who are trying to return theirs to dealers against 458 Spyders are learning.
     
  23. spirot

    spirot F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2005
    15,112
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Tom Spiro
    Ferrari just make too many cars for the "ordinary" cars to be appreciable in the short term. if you hold a 458 for 40 years... probabbly appreciate a bit...who knows. I still remember my dad telling me that Ed Huges had a 250 GTO for $5800 back in 1965 for sale... and my dad thought it was too much for a used Ferrari.....
     
  24. Ettie

    Ettie Karting

    Aug 16, 2011
    72
    I wonder if the declining numbers of 308/328s will bring up their value over the long term? They are the cheapest to get into, and easiest to sell to customers who don't really have the patience or pockets for upkeep. Over time, the base of vehicles will be reduced significantly. Not enough to create a "less than 100" situation, but enough to make them truly rare, I would guess.
     
  25. simon klein

    simon klein Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Feb 25, 2009
    29,798
    North Qld
    Full Name:
    simon klein
    Aahem,er chaps,the originator of this and several other thread starters has suspiciously gone quiet.
    Do you(collectively)think he may have had the frighteners put upon him by a number of us who have questioned his integrity?

    Not trying to make anything out of this...just a thought.
     

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