To buy or not to buy... F430

I have been in the market for an F430 for a few months now, Im currently 25 and own an aston martin vantage roadster (Silver with red interior bought when I was 23) and really want to add a Ferrari to the line up. I came across this Ferrari below that matches my car exactly and looks quite impressive lined up next to each other. With that being said it has quite a few cosmetic issues such as the seat bolster worn out and the pipping damanged (that they said they would repair) and the Intake Manifold which had the red factory paint chipping off (also said they would repair). It also has the sticky interior pieces that I've come to see as being a common issue. I had a PPI done from my mechanic and he mentioned there was around $10k worth of work needed, ball joints, tail light brackets (2) that were damaged. Engine and clutch wise he said everything was solid and at least 50% left. Front end underneath super scratched up (during the test drive, I bottomed out twice, so that wasn't too surprising). From a few feet away the car is as glorious as any Ferrari and found myself with the biggest smile on my face starring at both cars and the thought of being the only 25 year I know with 2 exotic bought on my own. But up close there are a few little nicks here and there. Ive read in the forum that some actually recommend a F430 with so more miles on it so the prior owner fixed all the issues. Except that the dealer only showed me a car fax, and pretty much said if I wanted to get the records to do my work and find the info myself. The rep was super nice and no pressure. My concern being that its from a wholesaler and not a dealer and given its price etc,etc. I might run into problems down the road. There was one major thing during the PPI when it was done that they couldn't get a read or a certain error code that was coming up that they mentioned can be a big problem ( I will get the exact code, once he emails me the full details of the ppi). With my aston Ive gone through the $5k clutch and fly wheel replacement and the $1-$2k miscellaneous stuff here and there each year. Prior to my aston purchase I was terrified of some crazy $10k+ repairs and found that my Aston has been rock solid with the 30k miles ive put on it with over 60k miles on the clock. Given Im a 100% a newb when it comes to Ferraris, since Ive only driven 2, this $100k purchase after taxes (live in nj 7%) is a big commitment. This Ferrari has after market wheels that is a big no no to Ferrari owners among a few other things and was thinking I could use that to my advantage to try and get them to lower the price into the high $80s since the rims don't bother me. Any insight would be very helpful, the link to the Ferrari in question is below.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/679236822/overview/

 

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/679236822/overview/

That is the link of the Ferrari in question

 

Im a huge fan off all Red interior, the main reason I want to buy it lol, my aston is all red on the inside roof to floor. Other than some cosmetics and the front end being scratched up underneath from bottoming out, it seems like an ok deal. The guy who did the PPI said it would be great if I could get it around $84-$85 instead the current $92k that were at which is only a mere $3k off the asking price. Given its from a wholesaler, and has after market wheels, and winter creeping up, I don't think the car will be moving anytime soon and maybe could get a better deal if the dealer gets desperate.

 

I asked the same and it seems to be a common concern to everyone who sees it, which leads me to believe that, that alone can be a huge bargaining chip for me, even slightly used sets run a few gs up to $5gs on ebay for OEM wheels and tires. I personally don't really mind them but if it can help me get a better price Im all for it

 

Yea that was the main red flag from the PPI, was that they've seen that error code on 2/3 other F430s and they were always in to get fixed and could never figure out the error. Other than that engine/clutch wise was solid, and just cosmetic and ticky tack stuff that needed to be fixed.

 

All valid input and I appreciate it, think the 458 might be a little out of my price range currently but if the 488 is lowering the 458 and 458 is having the same effect on the F430s, I think it gives me more ammo in nego to get a better price since most (typically) Ferrari owners will be shopping for the newer models. My aston I don't think I would personally ever sell it, for what I would get on a trade in or even if I tried to sell privately, to me I would rather the car in my drive way since it is a timeless look. I had an older gentlemen walk pass the valet and over heard him telling his son the car (my car) was a 250k car, clearly he didnt know much about exotic cars lol.

My thought/gameplan is to get into a spyder for under $100k out the door, drive it/ enjoy it for a few years and sell it in the 70 range since it seems theres a certain level most models don't usually go below. Given this silver/red it will probably be lower than that 70k range in a few years so If I can get it under $90k out the door it seems like a decent addition

 

That seems to be very true, it seems when I was nego for my aston there was around 8-10% of wiggle room off the asking price from the half dozen I test drove,so far in my search with F430s all dealers say the same thing "my ferrari is the best and better than anyone else's" and we could take a few k off the asking price. A 1-2% discount isnt getting me too pumped to put 50k cash down lol

 

My mechanic who did the PPI noticed that as well and brought that up, saying he was so confused as to how the top got dented. He mentioned that the stock exhausts are quite heavy and a process to remove (a 2 man job) but was as confused as you were. I plan on getting an after market exhaust on it anyways so I wasnt to worried but I agree with you on not rushing into the sale.

With winter right around the corner and the mechanic recommendation to not really drive the car under 40 degree. It seems like I can be patient and go shop around more during the next few months and pick one up around end of feb/march. My prior car dealer mentioned that the winter has no effect on exotic car sales as much now as it did in the past years, but well see. Thanks for your input, Im new here so any input is greatly appreciated !