I'm ruined...any thoughts? | Page 2 | FerrariChat
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I'm ruined...any thoughts?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Steve R, Oct 13, 2004.

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  1. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #26 Steve R, Oct 14, 2004
    kfhenry...yes, I am in SoCal, right here in Woodland Hills. Already I've hooked-up with a great group of F-chatters, friendliest group I've ever met, they each take turns giving me rides in their cars and seeing who can get me to scream in terror the loudest (it's so much scarier when your not in the drivers seat/control). When I get my ride, I'll be doing both fast with you: breakFAST and the ensuing driveFast. Thanks!

    Today I realized something as I walked out of my gym and starred across the parking lot. There seems to be two factors that work against eachother. The fancier, more exotic and beautiful car is more stimulating, interesting and awesome...BUT working against it is the nature in which you can use the vehicle. You just can't drive it many places safely. Sure, I can show up to events and group runs...but what about regular life? I looked across the parking lot and despite it being relatively safe, I knew I couldn't leave a 360 alone.

    I'm pretty set to move on a 355, seems to be the majority advice on the board here. I think I'll use it more and worry less. I know of one that has been in a mild accident and has been properly repaired by an F-shop. It has a few scratches and some issues, and the value no-doubt will be reflected in the price. If I can get the right price going in then I may just do it. I'll drive it almost anywhere and it's a great way to get into F-cars. Plus, it leaves room for an upgrade in a few years.

    I think the 355's and 360's may depreciate about the same. While there is more room for the 360 to go down, it's too similiar to the 430 and may accordingly hold up higher/longer.

    Who knows...there is no right or wrong: only Ferrari

    Thanks for all the help F-chatters!!!!!
     
  2. Kevallino

    Kevallino Formula 3

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    #27 Kevallino, Oct 14, 2004
    Good stuff - I know msage355 is up Woodland Hills way but not sure who else is up there. Glad to hear you are getting seat time in some different cars and look forward to meeting you on the 30th if you can make it. I will be eating but probably not the drive after as I will have a passenger...she wouldn't be amused I don't think!!

    Personally I think your thoughts on a 355 with a bit of a story but at a good price is a great idea as you will drive it whenever you want to. I don't even look at the odometer on my car - just run it.

    Cheers
    Kevin
     
  3. Kuhl328

    Kuhl328 Rookie

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    #28 Kuhl328, Oct 14, 2004
    I buy the cars I want when I want them. When I don't like them anymore or something else comes along, I sell them. Budget is always a part of the equation. If the the car is so expensive that you will be afraid to use it, then it is out of your price range. Been there, felt that. Took a pleasurable experience and made it a burden.
     
  4. Skindiver

    Skindiver Karting

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    #29 Skindiver, Oct 15, 2004
    I fortunately went through Porsches and Panteras and Lamborghini's before i bought a Ferrari. Fortunately because if i had bought the ferrari first i would never have parted with the marque and gotten to experience these cars.

    However within the marque itself, i would always buys the best i could afford.
    The chances of buying a 360 and then moving to a 355 or 328 are remote and then you dont get to experience those cars .. but the later models are bound to be better all round.

    As for worrying about parking the car in the street or gym lot. You are justifying the 355 because you feel you can park it and walk away from it into the gym for an hour and worry less than than a 360. I have news for you. when you buy the car whichever it is, and you give her, her first wash, clean under the seats and make it yours, it becomes your baby and you will worry equally much about the 355 of 360.

    You will end up no less tolerating a ding in the door or a scratch in the paint on a 355 than a 360.

    If you can buy a 360 buy it. If it will break the bank buy a 355. Mostly buy the one that was last in your mind before you fell asleep last night.

    Just so by the way, i can promise you you will end up with the 355 and after the first wash all the, " i'm ruined ' feelings will evaporate with the soap suds.
    Trust me. I'm really clairvoyant :)

    Skin.
     
  5. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #30 DGS, Oct 15, 2004
    For a first Ferrari, consider a Mondial 8 or a 308i. Really. Consider it for a moment.

    Run it. Thrash it. Drive it everyday, everywhere. It's "Ferrari" not "Fer Rarely".

    And when you pick up a wrench and approach the engine bay, you don't quail back saying "but it's a Ferrari".

    These are cars. Very nice cars, but cars.

    They're no fun at all if you don't drive them. And they stay healthier with exercise.

    As cLyDe would say, "Drive it like you stole it". I park my 328 at work. I even park the 328 at the supermarket. (Paint is a consumable. Even if you just let it sit, the paint picks up dust.) I love the classic 250TRs, but when would I drive one? The 328 I can enjoy rain or shine, for any trip.

    Ferrari cars are fun. Ferrari investments are worries. You choose.
     
  6. Steve R

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    #31 Steve R, Oct 15, 2004
    You hit the nail right on the head. The 355 I have in mind has some scratches nd the right-side has some paint issues from having been in a former accident. The notion of having been in an accident will be like poison when I later sell the car....so I'll just have to make sure the purchase price reflects an adequate discount accordingly. It's a '98 6-speed with 13k miles, the engine & mechanics are excellent...but the paint has some issues and there's nothing prestine or excellent about the body/interior. Maybe I'm delusional, but I'm thinking somewhere in the low 70's. IF it had no accident and was prestine, $87-$91k...yes....but will the accident (reparied to Ferrari specs supposedly).....it'll haunt the thing.

    355 now, 360 later. My only new observation is that the 430 is not significantly unique past the 360 and as such the 360 may not depreciate as fast as I had thought.

    Again, there is no perfect answer, but these continued thoughts indeed are interesting and help!
     
  7. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #32 DGS, Oct 16, 2004
    So you're not just comparing a 355 to a 360. You're comparing a driver's car to a "prestine showroom, musuem-like piece of artwork".

    So this is the point where you have to jot down your functional specifications. ;) Are you buying this car to drive and enjoy, or to show off in the "Museum of Garage Queens"?

    Would you take the 360 down to open track day to explore the limits -- where the Ferrari really shines? The 360's expanded limits are no use to you, if you're afraid to explore those limits.

    Never drive more car than you can afford to crash. The roads are full of crazies. Ask yourself how you'd feel if you were ever-so-breathlessly-careful about your museum piece 360, only to have an SUV pull out of a blind corner, straight across your nose? The "real world" is hard on vehicles -- and has little respect for your investment.

    There is a status element to buying a "prestige" car. But my take would be to buy the car you can push to the limits -- because it won't break your heart or your wallet if you get it a bit wrong on the track.

    But then, what do I know? To me, buying a Ferrari without exploring the limits is like buying an SUV and never carrying cargo, or buying a Hummer without ever going off-road. ;) But people do it.
     
  8. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #33 Steve R, Oct 16, 2004
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    Dude....you had to go there, didn't ya??? Just so happens I'm the founder/president of the Southern California Hummer Offroad Group.

    I'll tell ya, when the H2 first came out a bunch of us didn't hesitate: we got right out there and got into it. People thought we were nuts taking an expensive SUV and running black-diamond trails and hardcore offroading it. Many saluted us, but mostly it was shocking for people to see us doing our thing offroad.

    Exactly like the Hummer, I have every intention of using the Ferrari for everything: the gym, quick runs to Home Depot, errands, etc. And just like the Hummer, people will surely think I'm nuts driving around such an exotic vehicle as if it were my daily runabout. Didn't someone say to "drive it like you stole it"?

    I'm not going to take it into questionable areas or do anything stupid...but I sure as heck will not keep it sealed and museum'ed in my garage!
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  9. Steve R

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  10. Steve R

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  11. Steve R

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  12. Steve R

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  13. Steve R

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  14. Steve R

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  15. Steve R

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    #40 Steve R, Oct 16, 2004
    So here is exactly what I'm thinking: the 355 is basically like a used Hummer...if you are gonna offroad the thing you may as well avoid buying something prestine and then watch it get beat up. I think I should move on the 355 for several reasons:

    Save a bit of money
    gives me room to move-up in a few years
    gives me a perspective of different models
    and will afford a bit less of an intense feeling that I can't walk away from it in a parking lot...a showroom/prestine 360 is just not something you can leave much anywhere but locked in your garage (or so my thinking allows)

    Then again....this is all pre-Ferrari ownership talk. I threw in some pictures of the Hummer cause most people find them amusing. If anyone is interested in watching some of our club video's: http://www.h2club.org/socal/
     
  16. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
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    #41 robertgarven, Oct 16, 2004
    well I have a gt4 worth about 20k if that and it is as much fun if not more that either car you mention, if you like the old tech stuff. Buy what you can afford and have fun. I am thinking about getting a daytona some day but the gt4 is such a perfect drivers car and a good fit for me, plus I like the sucking sound of the carbs??????
    BTW I will probably never buy another car later than 1975 here in CA, as you can well imagine......(arnold + smog = :-( ) althought the 430 sure looks good :)
     
  17. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

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    #42 Perfusion, Oct 17, 2004
    Steve - I completely feel your pain! I'm currently in a search as well - the 355 crossed my mind - I just can't make up my mind. Some days I think, "Why don't you just get the nicest 3x8 on the market...anywhere," and other days I feel like, "Nah...maybe I should really get as much car as possible - DAYTONA!"

    It's crazy...these cars are *all* so beautiful. Trying to decide between just 2 (especially the 355 and 360) is tough - best of luck to you!
     
  18. noahlh

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    #43 noahlh, Oct 17, 2004
    Awesome pics Steve! You are officially the first Hummer owner I have respect for. :)
     
  19. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #44 Steve R, Oct 17, 2004
    Thanks Noah!

    We get out and do it all....from the beach in Pismo, the deserts, mountains & forest. Snow, mud, sand, rocks.....if it's the least bit do-able, we're there and doing it!!! My favorite event is our night-run, I pre-run about 14 miles of nasty terrain during the day and then the whole group returns and we use the GPS to re-run the entire trail in the dark: it's like an electric snake of marker lights slithering their way through the desert...awesome!!! The Hummer scene definitely rivals the Ferrari scene in terms of fun.

    My underbody has taken a few boulder shots, but the protection did it's job and all is well. The body has some brush-rake, but it buffs out pretty nice. The worst damage I have came in the parking lot of my gym...where some jealous bastard took his keys and deliberately dug a nice deep gouge into my door just to demonstrate his dislike for environmentally destroying, gas-hogging, brand-new vehicles...the likes of which he'll never own. Perhaps this gives rise for my concern in choice of Ferrari. Let's face it, the fancier the car, the more exotic and neat BUT the less practical to just drive around daily and park anywhere: and therein lies OUR dilemna.

    And guys, if anyone tells ya the H2 is just a Tahoe with a different body....it's NOT. It's more of a Yukon. Just kidding. But seriously, the H2 has a LOT more going on. Yes, the frame begins partially as a Suburban & 3/4-ton truck...but it's heavily modified, reinforced. Along with the rear locker, traction control, air-suspension, approach & departure angle...and a slew of other features....trust me when I tell ya it's very capable. The H2 is far more capable then most imagine...and frankly, the H1 is far less capable then most imagine. You think F's are costly to maintain? HA!!!! Every event we have there are about 20% guys with their rigs "down"...and they breakdown on trails constantly. Don't get me started!

    I think I've tangented.....sorry. I'm on the hunt for a 355. Ahhh Winter, the perfect time to score on a spider!
     
  20. xs10shl

    xs10shl Formula 3

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    #45 xs10shl, Oct 17, 2004
     
  21. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #46 Steve R, Oct 18, 2004
    Thanks. Excellent points, perfect thinking!

    In the short time I drove the F1, I did notice that shifting while in a turn was a slight bit precarious....fingers don't always fall in a position where you can easily whack the paddle! Then there's the cost of maintainance and gismo issues to boot. The tranny isn't the biggest issue for me, just color, miles and general condition.

    $60 - $80k (as a landing value) is just fine..just so long as it doesn't plummet into the high 20's or anything nutty.

    I think I'm over-analyzing this, trying to apply rational thinking. Time to get impulsive, passionate and adopt my new toy. Thanks.
     
  22. Pong

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    #47 Pong, Oct 19, 2004
    My friend in the US just bought '98 355 F1, with about 24000 miles and just done major service, at about $81K... I guess that's not too bad. The car comes with Tubi and challenge grill too. The bumper has been resprayed.

    He is very happy with it.

    F355, IMO, is the best F-car you can buy. It's freindly, it's not too expensive, there are a lot to choose with so many combination, it's proved to be quite reliable, people are used to its shape that you will feel safe driving it anywhere, and it's still 100% pure Ferrari. Not to mention, it's one of the best looking Ferrari, and for me, the best V8 sound of any F-car by far.

    I used to own the GTS and then moved to '98 F1 before I moved back to Thailand. I used it as the only car I had, and enjoy every minute in it. Now, I own 512TR but I think F355 is the best entry-level F-car. Don't ever think a V12 is better than a V8.....that's just crazy talk. It's just different.
     
  23. Steve R

    Steve R F1 Rookie
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    #48 Steve R, Oct 19, 2004
    Pong,

    First off...don't be tellin' Darth550 about the V12 not being better then the V8, he lives & will die by the 12-cylinder monster. By dying I'm more so thinking at the gas pump :)

    $81k for a '98 F1 with about 24k (serviced) miles on it: Provided it wasn't in a major accident and was in good/great condition...that was (by my current shopping) and EXCELLENT buy!!! I don't think I could re-produce that deal out here in California unless I bribed the seller with about $12,000. Wait: WAS THAT A SPIDER?????

    All my research points towards a '98 or '99 F1 Spider with relatively low-miles, serviced and in very good condition coming in around $100k or just barely under....$94k - $96k Hmmm...must be a west-coast thing?
     
  24. Pong

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    #49 Pong, Oct 21, 2004
    My friend's F355 F1 is the GTB version. It has never been in an accident. Its front bumper has been re-sprayed (the previous owner use it as a daily driver). The interior, IMO, is 95%...very little wear on seats and a few scratches on the paddles. I drove the car last week (went to the US for business), and the suspension feels thight, the engine runs fine, idles smoothly, and the tries are new. I guess $84K is not a bad deal.

    Even though I own a 512, I still think the V8 is a great car :). I never think 12 is superior in anyway except the power. Ferrari had built all kinds of engine, 4-6-8-10-12, and they are all Ferrari to me....;) just a different one.
     
  25. patpong

    patpong Formula 3

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    #50 patpong, Oct 21, 2004
    Frankly, I never had to decide one Ferrari over the other. I love the 308 since I was a boy. Never change my love toward others. Then, I bought it when I had a chance...
    To me, all Ferraris are pretty in their own ways. You cann't say one is prettier than the other. But of cause, the technology is different. Higher tech, higher speed. But technology die with time, not art. Tech never interest me. The 250GTO is gorgeous, so gorgeous that no one talk about its 40 years old technology. That's why I never fall on the patern of having to change car when the new model come along. Not necessary that the newer one pretty than the older model. The 250GTO is a great proof to that...
     
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