Starter Ferrari?

Was speaking with someone over the weekend who was asking me what a good "starter" Ferrari model was.

I was stymied

Normally I would have told him a 308 but prices for these seems to have risen sharply.

So what would be a good 2 seater starter to recommend?

 

At this point it seems to be the 360 or 430, then 612 if they want a 4 seater.. IMHO its whatever one you like and can afford to buy and maintain, even if its DIY labor..

 

Well it appears most 2 seaters are going up in price. My first was an 87 328 GTS, but they are going up real fast. Thinking a late 80s Mondial soft top or coupe, still very reasonable in price .... My 2 cents worth, seems 25K to 40K would get you a nice example.
Does have a back seat, but who cares.

 

Autotrader search nationwide shows 14 Mondials priced from $23-44K, some with mileage in the 20s ......

 

A good starter does not mean it's the cheapest you can get. For some, that will mean more expenses down the road, and they even might be discouraged as the car they got, did not fulfill their idea of what a Ferrari should be. If it has to be a mid engine sports car, I think the 355 is a good choice. It showcases what a Ferrari is all about. It has the looks, it's a great drivers car, and it makes the right noises etc. I find it to be one of the best Ferraris there is.
As for what would be the best GT? Ask someone else.

 

The one you want, work for, achieve, and enjoy.

Step out to events, meet all of us, take a ride or a drive (we will all let you if you are serious) and one will immediately know what one wants.

 

But your jumping past the 348/355

The 360 seems to be in the same ballpark as the 328 price wise

The Mondial would have been my choice also but they want a 2 seater

 

The ownership costs overall for the 348/355 are probably equal to the 360.

This ^^^[/end]

 

I suggest to consider the 365/400/412 series or the 308/328

 

I would think a 360 Modena Coupe with a 6-speed manual transmission would make a great first Ferrari.

It has enough horsepower at 400 hp and is a sleek beautiful mid-engine design.

If you could find one in a red/tan or red/black color combo, that would be even more iconic.

It might cost a bit more than a 348 or 355 but will hold its price over the first 2 or 3 years of ownership.

With the removable access panel behind the seats, it allows the engine belt service to be done without removing the engine from the car.
.

 

+1 it is my next choice as a second F car (but I keep my 456M) when the budget permit.

 

Good point I wasn't thinking about it that way

WOW I guess you guys are right. A 360 coupe would be the best starter Ferrari to recommend.

How things have changed. For some reason it's hard to get my head around that.

 

If you like the styling, then this is a good option. I don't think you'd lose much, as long as you don't buy an ultra low mileage car and drive the wheels off it. There seem to be more Spiders for sale than Modenas, so you might be able to negotiate a better deal on one of those, if it's what you want.

 

You guys are nuts. the best starter Ferrari is a 348 in good condition. A Mondial 2 valve next.

 

LaFerrari.

 

This, 360 or 612, boy racer or gentleman's ferrari. Though 612 is a better drive for the money, v12, torque, insane interior.

 

Not my first choice and not a two seater, but strictly from a maintenance cost point of view-
3.2 Mondial Spider.
Fairly priced.
Fairly decent performance.
Fuel injected.
Engine-out NOT required for belt service.
The running gear of a 328, not as good looking but least expensive to maintain out of the 348/355/360 realm.
Not a 2-seater but the back two can be used for other things, like luggage.

If you absolutely have to have a two-seater then I would go with an '84 or '85 308QV (better corrosion protection than the earlier ones).

 

We keep seeing multiple posts on basically the same thing: 1st Ferraris, Starter Ferraris, Entry Ferraris, Best Value Ferraris. Will it ever end?

As of now, my recommendations, as mentioned in the other posts, are:
1) 360 (MT)
2) 612
3) 550
4) 430
5) Sorted 348

 

The best starter Ferrari is the one you love most and can afford.

 

Right on the spot 👌

 

NO, it will not.
It's been going on for the more than 10 years I've been here and will continue until you are long gone.

You are spot on in your suggestion of a well sorted 348 as long as it's a '94 and the person in question can even fit in the car.

 

Adjusted for the wealthier buyers.

 

458 speciale for sure!

 

In absolute terms "Best starter Ferrari", for new, I'd agree.

For used, the "Best starter Ferrari" is the 288 GTO Evoluzione!

 

This thread is useless without a price point, but yeah, a 458 is a new car with a warranty, no-charge service, etc., so in a way it's the easy answer. You can just buy, drive and service it like a Porsche.

A classic collector car like a 288 GTO or even a 308 is going to require a different ownership mindset. More maintenance, more focus on ongoing refurbishment, etc. For someone just getting into Ferraris, I don't know that I'd recommend that route.