Potential new owner

Get a PPI from a trusted shop. Sock away $100-150 a month, x 12 x 5 = $7,500 (took 125 a month avg) is reasonable for maintenance every 5 years. Beyond that, someone could crop up that could detonate that avg. but if the car was serviced regularly, has a firm PPI, and all known failures taken care of prior to your purchase, the rest is just ownership of a Ferrari.

 

Fast Cars, Redondo. I think they’re a sponsor here.

 

A couple of recent similar threads

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/best-first-ferrari.635922/

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/first-time-buyer-would-like-input-on-f430-vs-california.635551/

Essentially buy what floats your boat best and fits into your comfort zone based on cost of ownership suggestions already posted here

 

My 08 F430 has averaged about $5,000 per year for the last six years. That includes upgrades as well as a few repairs and routine maintenance. I don’t skimp on maintenance though as I like my cars to be “like new”.

Good luck in your search!

 

I think this is the honest and real answer. I know I pay about $6,300 a year on my 22 year old Lamborghini (4 more cylinders ).

Good luck OP....I would be curious with the crazy market bubble what cars are actually sub-$100k these days.

 

I have been fortunate to have one in the garage since '97. 348, 355, 360 & now 488. The first 3 typically cost $1K-$10K in any given year for preventative and unscheduled maintenance -- timing belt changes, fluid flushes, tires, brakes (pads/rotors), heat exchanger failure, CV boots, shock failures, etc. I haven't (and won't) total up the actual spend as it's simply best to not know the actual cost of ownership. The 488 has all maintenance included so those costs are hidden in the initial price.

Over the years I've heard it from many others and can confirm: Expect to pay ~10% of the cars value on maintenance in any given year and be happy when it's less. F-cars aren't wise financial decisions but bring far more joy than a pile of dollar bills. Life's short. Get the best car that fits the budget and go enjoy it!

 

I would say this advice is outdated......otherwise I would be spending over $20,000 a year on the Diablo, and my highest bill ever was $13k, and the next highest just short of $8,000.

 

If you are talking about just maintenance, learn to do it yourself. If you do oil changes on your other cars, you can do them on a Ferrari.
I’ve owned my 2009 F430, with 13,000 miles on it, for a year and a half and have done the following maintenance.

Engine oil/ filter change-$90
Air filter change-$100
Pollen filter change-$55

Every 2-3 years the gearbox oil should be changed-$50. I did buy a new filter and O-ring for $85, but this is a one time thing. Mine had some white silicone in it and I chose to replace it not clean it.

Every 2-3 years the brake fluid needs to be replaced/flushed-$65

Every 2-3 years the coolant needs to be replaced/flushed-$50

Every 2-3 years F1 fluid replace/flushed-$25. I did have to buy a Launch X431 in order to activate the pump. The Launch was $700. This was really easy to do when I was under the car doing an engine oil change.

Every 2-3 years power steering fluid replaced-$10

Every 5 years, new accessory belt-$40

Every 5-10 years, new spark plugs-$130

Just adding this up in my head, I’ve spent $350 for one year of maintenance, not counting the cost of the Launch. Another benefit of doing it yourself is knowing it’s done right.




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If you like the vintage models, 308, 208 and 328 have the most affordable maintenance. They are very simple, the engine belt can be replaced very easily, the parts are reasonably affordable. No major intrinsic defects or easy to wear parts that I know.
I have a 208 GTB since 2 months and before the sale her previous owner had the belt changed for 600€. Oil changes every 12-18 months are reasonable, and you are ready to go. I might be overoptimistic, but for the future I don’t see why she should cost me more than 1.000 €/yr, at most (incl. tires, about 1.400 € every 6-8 years for the use I do).
Btw, I warmly recommend you to ask about the models you like to a skilled and honest workshop to know in advance the weaknesses and the key risks of any model.
My final point, with your sum you will certainly be able to find the right Ferrari for yourself and for your pockets. There’s no reason to doubt there isn’t a single model out there right for you!
All the best.
Nic