Im writing this experienced Forum for some advice and help in finding the Ferrari I've decided I really want. First, a story... This past April, I was able to purchase a 1999 550 Maranello. This was 35 years after being smitten with Ferrari through my introduction to the marque in a 1974 Dino 246 GT (which then were relatively affordable and not even really a Ferrari!). It was owned by a dormitory neighbor while in professional school, which astonished me. I told myself that someday I would own a Ferrari, and when I decided to purchase the 550, it truly was a dream come true. However, after being told by the selling exotic car dealer that the car would be ready in about two weeks after a full service and belt replacements, odd little issues would crop up and the delivery date kept getting pushed back. Eventually, after three months of waiting, I felt this car was not the one for me, so I gracefully exited out of the deal. Ive been in a discouraged state for quite a while after this, especially knowing that joining in all the upcoming fun FOC events in my area wont happen now. This experience prompted me to start looking again and, of course, I was reminded how looking for a car is actually more fun than buying one! In my research, I really connected with the more more modern design of a mid-engine V-8 than a front-engine V-12, and of the many models from Ferrari, it seems the F430 is, for me at least, the best compromise of performance, features, appearance and price. (Well, maybe not price since the 550 Maranello I found was under $100K, and 430 examples seem to be much more than that right now.) Also, to further torture myself, I really would prefer a 6-speed manual transmission, and it appears from the knowledgable people in this Forum that finding a manual transmission 430 is a very difficult task. Thats the background. I really would appreciate hearing from members here whether there is any consensus on the following: Is the 430 still depreciating? Is there any hope they will come down into 550 Maranello prices and, if so, what sort of wait in years do you think that will take? Also, any advice on how best to find a good example? Any ideas beyond Autotrader would really be appreciated. Ive even thought of looking in Europe where they seem to be more plentiful and less expensive, especially in Switzerland, but then the challenge of having it inspected properly to get to know the state of the care, and whether it could be registered in California, where I live, is completely unknown to me. Thank you for any helpthis is a great resource!
Buy a properly sorted 08 F430 F1 - carbon brakes were standard, upgraded gearbox components and software - smoother and some say faster gear shifts - this really is a visceral car - you won't regret it!
Only about 10 % of 430s were made with a manual transmission. So they are out there but obviously it will be more difficult to find with all the colors and options you want. The depreciation question is a common one here but no one knows what prices will be in the next few years. 430 prices will continue to fall but how much and when no one knows. Good luck with the search. You won't be disappointed. I love my MT 430. Check out my profile for pics.
Good luck with your search. I was shopping for one a couple of years ago also and the gated manual cars have not depreciated one cent (in two years!!!). Checking cars.com and filtering for manual it looks like a few are available. You have to click each link though to see for yourself since "some" of the selling dealers like to call all the cars manuals.
Why aren't you also looking at 360s? I think that you will have much better chances to find a 6MT in a 360 than a 430.
So, I decided in June I wanted to buy either a 360 or 430 coupe with a 6 MT. Here were my expectations: - 360 fully depreciated - 430 much more depreciation to go - search for a clean car in a color I wanted would take up to two years, I needed to kiss some frogs and be willing to fly around the country When I started, there were maybe 4 cars on the market. A very nice 360, two 430's in the color I wanted but with questionable histories (seemed unloved to me), and a very clean 430 actually maybe 20 miles from me but in red. I started inquiring on the 360 and as it was not close to me, realized it would be 3 weeks before I could go look. I decided to call on the clean 430 and the day I decided to do that (after thinking for a week), it had been sold that am. 3 days later, get a call about a very clean well documented 430 6MT at an F dealer 5 miles from my house. It is in my garage now. I never plan to sell it so depreciation is irrelevant. I have seen 2 cars come on the market since then as coupes that look like they could be candidates. I have also seen what looked like a couple of good 6 mt spiders come on the market. So what is the point of all this. Start watching the market so you know a good car when you see it and what a reasonable price is (I paid a full price for mine but still market correct for what it is). If you do not plan to sell soon, depreciation is irrelevant. If you do not plan to hold long, personally I would stick to the 360 as I think all the depreciation is out of them and I think the 430's have a ways to go. With all that said, they built 500 F430 6MT's. It is the end of a breed. Drive a 458. It is a phenomenal car and one day I will add a ferrari paddle car. Point is, if you plan to hold it (a 6MT car), buy the best and do not worry about depreciation. They will not build more but if you are patient (and in my case that was 3 weeks) they do come on the market. All my opinion of course. But that is my experience and thoughts. Good luck. The car is phenomenal (by the way, as I was buying mine I was helped by an f chatter who bought nearly the identical car 4 weeks earlier - they come to market).
All-- Thanks to everyone who has responded so far. In answer to the question of why I am not looking for a 360, I think it was the experience of the 550 purchase--the required regular belt service and attendant engine tear-down now scares me a bit compared to the different design of the 430's engine with a timing chain. It was very interesting to learn that only about 10% of 430 cars were MT. That is discouraging. I will keep looking, and if anyone has other ideas of how and where to look, please chime in. Thanks again to everyone.
PS - just re-read my post, point on the 458 is Ferrari is building and will continue to build GREAT paddle cars. If you like the paddles today, you will like them more tomorrow. The 6 MT is end of a line and a long term keeper (I also have a '89 328 which I also think marked the end of an error - '89 Testarossa also probably last of a breed). More great paddle cars will be built.
I was in Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro NC yesterday getting my annual state inspection and while waiting I trolled the showroom. They just got in a nicely optioned 2004 Spider manual in red with black interior. Very nice car. I don't think it will sit there too long. Alan
Realistically don't even think about it - federalisation reregistration and other forms of compliance are effectively insurmountable at almost any cost
There looks like a nice one with CPO at Ferrari of Long a Island. May not be "the one" but seems worth a look.
Howl and English Boxer--thank you for the leads on available 430s. The one in North Carolina is an F1, so it's not the one for me. The one listed at Ferrari of Long Island (though actually in Florida, apparently) is essentially perfect--but I can't stretch to $149K, sadly! But thank you both for the listings, and to everyone for your insights. I really appreciate it.
The one I mentioned is a 360 manual at FCI in Greensboro NC. I thought you were looking at both 360s and 430s. Alan This is their 360 Spider manual http://www.foreigncarsitalia.com/Used-2004-Ferrari-360-Modena-Spider-Greensboro-NC/vd/22027270 This is their 430 Spider manual. http://www.foreigncarsitalia.com/Used-2006-Ferrari-F430-Spider-Charlotte-NC/vd/22250589
