How Often Do Older Ferraris Need To Be Driven?

Here's the thing, everyone here agrees that he needs to drive the car longer. He needs to get in a complete drive cycle or he's better off not driving it at all. And everyone agrees that engines are meant to run or things go wrong. Someone else's repairs don't cost me money or downtime from my own driving so I don't care what they do. I don't think any of us do. But when people come on here and state "don't want to put too many miles on the car" as a reason for not driving them the way that is most beneficial, then expect others to have an opinion. Especially when you asked the question.

The general consensus is that mileage shouldn't be a worry and if it is, then you should reconsider your purchase. Most cars are not investments. Except for cases of very rare vehicles, things like mileage and depreciation shouldn't even factor into buying an exotic. It's not like anyone needs one to survive.

 

Well said.

 

So, just to be clear: you're a trader?

 

Yes, and he works 70+ hours per week.

 

I live close to NYC. Our tri-state area can surprisingly be a bit busy too compared to Miami. Yes, most have to plan trips well ahead and in my case even recon the roads before heading out for pot holes, cops, traffic,etc. Like I said, when I feel upkeep becomes a chore, it's time to trim the toys. He'll I gave up Track days as I just couldn't keep up enough days per year to keep in top driving shape. Yes, when you're at advanced levels in GT race cars, you shouldn't be doing just 1 or 2 events for your and others' safety.

 

My 355 sits for months over winter.

If it gets keyed up it doesn't get turned off until it reaches full operating temp.

 

Something can be rare and still not be valuable. But no, I don't think those cars are the kind of rare that are going to pull in high dollars later on. The market decides whether or not the car is going to maintain or increase in value and that's not easy to predict. I bought a GT3 last year and could sell it right now for more than I paid. Does that mean it was an investment? No.

I get that money is your thing. Trust me, I'm a former CFO so I understand money. However, cars are a passion for me so I let that go. If I want it and can afford it, I buy it. Hence why I have a brand new Huracan and have never once considered things like production runs or depreciation.

As to the original question, I answered it. When I take my cars out, I drive them at least an hour before putting them up, and that's on highways/interstates for part of the time so I can get some good speed out of them and really get the engines going. We live in Florida half the year and my husband returns to Texas once a month just to drive everything. The batteries are always fine and everything runs great with only once a month driving. BUT he drives them all for at least an hour.

 

Your driving it over to downtown over the McArthur Cswy right. I have been there a hundred of times but not in my Ferrari as it is in Sweden. But dreaming of it every time I drive my Jag there. Post some pictures please.


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There are 12 SLRs on eBay at the moment. If I can buy one on eBay any day of the week, I don't consider it rare.

 

When I bought My 1990 348 TS, the guys at The Ferrari Centre (a UK independent Ferrari specialists), advised Me to drive the car at least once a week, for a minimum of @ 30 miles, to ensure everything was fully warmed up up, including all of the lubricants and coolants, and to make sure that any water/moisture/condensation was forced out of the car.

When I asked about the winter months when it wasn't suitable to drive the car due to the salt on the road (the UK authorities love spreading salt at the slightest drop in temperature, even if it's not going to be freezing!), they told Me to at least fire the car up once a week, and warm the engine up fully, revving the engine rather than just letting it idle (they suggested gently revving the engine in 1000 rpm stages up to @ 3,000rpm), until the engine oil was at full operating temperature. This they advised, would keep the engine fully lubricated throughout the winter, and help prevent the seals from drying out.

 

You're completely missing the point, but that doesn't surprise me. I buy cars because I love the car. I love the way it looks and I love the way it drives. I don't care how much my cars are worth today or will be worth tomorrow. If I owned that SLR and it dropped 150k in value tomorrow, I still wouldn't care, but you would. See the difference? I think it's foolish to buy exotic cars for any reason other than wanting them because you love them.

NONE of that changes what everyone has said. You're not driving long enough. You'd be better off to put them on a battery tender and not drive.

 

I don't know what market you are a "trader" in, but there are two sides to the rare equation. Supply is one, but if the demand isn't there, well ..........

 

The topic of rarity shouldn't even be a discussion for the OP's cars if some people knew what they were talking about.

A drive once every two weeks for 30-45 minutes is more than sufficient if you don't have a battery tender. If I had a battery tender I would be driving every 4 weeks instead.

 

2 to 3 times a week is enough.

 

I drive my 360 at least once a week. every Saturday or sunday or both. I HAS to be long enough that your oil temperature reaches the normal part of the needle. Until then the oil in the engine, and by default transmission oil, isn't warm enough.

IMHO neither the SLR nor the 575 are investment grade. Cars for old guys. Those buyers gonna need the cash for the retirement home and medical bills..

 

I agree with this.

 

With local temps in the low 60s this weekend, got the 550 out of its winter hibernation. Went for about an hour-long drive, varied driving, nothing special. With the CTek batt tender connected during winter storage the car fired right up. Tire pressures were even spot on, and no flat spots. Car and all systems operated perfectly, smooth as ever, no issues. Topped off the tank (was full w/ Stabil added prior to hiberation), dusted/speed-shined, connected the CTek, covered it up until next time out. Hopefully in next couple of weeks, assuming no more snow/salty roads.

Question for those in the know (background info first): I have a 2013 Boss 302 Mustang, and it has a really useful feature with its ECU (or "PCM" in Ford lingo) for cranking the car to build up oil pressure after it's been sitting for a long time. Put the transmission in neutral, floor the gas pedal (it's a "drive be wire" throttle), turn the key to "start", and the motor will crank for about 7 sec, but not fire. You can repeat this for as many cycles as you want -- I usually do three cycles -- to get the oil circulating throughout the motor, prior to initial start up.

Does the Bosch ECU in the 550 or 575 allow this (I'm guessing not, but thought I'd ask)?

 

The issues with NON regular use include fuel pumps going bust, hoses degenerating and belts etc. Porsche (Till the mid 90's models) has a different seat of issues with seals going due to heat in places that are v hard to access. At the end of the day people drive these cars for a few hundred miles a year and it brings a smile to the face. That is what its about. If you are talking about reliability, then these cars are still years behind the Germans. Just look at the interior plastic for starters. These exhorbitant cars still have no solution to problems of melting plastic that leaves black marks on your fingers from switches and controls from designs of 2 decades ago. The problems of interior from the 348 still exist on cars that are currently 5 years old. Zero development or lessons learnt. I am sure Ferrari have the resources to have some research and developement on something so basic like this.

 

IMHO, the SLR is a 'rare' car. Only 2,000ish produced. Much rarer than say mainstream Ferrari models now which will be produced in the tens of thousands over their life cycle - add in the mid-cycle update and we could easily see 30K runs. Hard for any of us to say what will be worth a ton in the future and what will be worthless. We could all expect lower values if automation becomes the norm - I can see law made that all cars in certain areas must be in full automation mode. Then all these cars will be only allowed in certain areas - which I believe would drastically reduce their value for all but the most iconic and important models. Automation may also never come. I personally like the SLR, and wish you the best on your car and hope it goes up in value for you.

 

I've always believed condition and service records are more important than extra low miles.

Ferraris are meant to be driven.

 

No, but if it's not ever there .........

I have no idea whether demand for your cars will or will not be there. I'm just saying that low supply does not automatically mean high price if no one is chasing the supply. Sometimes things out of favor eventually come into favor. Sometimes one cannot hold onto an item until it comes into favor. Sometimes it may never come into favor. Who knows.