Trade an Aston for 360 Spider

When I picked up my 360 Spider, I was expecting to front thousands of dollars a year in maintenance, but realistically with services and replacing parts I've put in around $550 or even less. It's really not that bad.

I personally picked up the 360 Spider because I found a great example with a 6-speed manual and couldn't resist. It's an absolutely great car and I can't tell you how many people think it's a brand new car

Go with your gut. If you'd like to jump in an Fcar right now, you'll have ZERO regret picking up a 360. And maybe down the road when you're ready, you can throw in some extra cash and bring home a 430.

Good luck with your search!

 

My Aston cost far more to maintain and repair than any of my Ferraris have.

 

For a 360, if you want to budget between $2,000 and $2,500 per year for maintenance and banking the unused balance for the regular belt changes, you'll probably be fine. This will probably be offset to a reasonable degree by the elimination of maintenance costs on your Aston and the bike.

360's are great cars - if you got one, you'd probably be happy. It will be quite different from your Aston and bike though.

 

SOS, I think that a guy with your concerns needs to purchase smart. I doubt a well purchased and then well maintained by you 360 would depreciate as much as your other toys but things happen along the way that could keep you out of that 430 for awhile (if your car fund is slow to fill). I could have squeezed into a similar spec 430 when I bought but then I would have been out another 40K. I was going for gated manual coupes though which are much less prone to surprises so I am not sure I am helping. Mine has been a great experience so far. I still feel that the 430 is an awesome car but I don't loose any sleep at all over my choice because mine is so incredible to drive!

 

My Aston V8V (07) has cost almost nothing in maintenance. Tires, fuel, oil. Period. I've had it 2+ years.

That said, I would like to move to an F430.

 

This is just my opinion, and I mean no offense by it, but one should never buy a Ferrari, any model, with a larger part of the purchase concern being cost of maintenance. I hate coming across cars that are deferred in maintenance because the owner thought he cost was too high or could not afford it, these cars deserve better and were never designed to be a low cost ownership piece.

Now, with that said, Aston Martin Vantage ownership is similar, overall a bit less but it is just as exotic and challenging around routine maintenance. So I think you're well prepped for Ferrari ownership.

 

I have a 2007 Vantage and a 2004 360. Totally different cars. Both have about the same horsepower and both are 3 pedal cars. The Aston is more suave so to say and the Ferrari is kind of like on Steroids as a comparison. Both are fast, handle well and have excellent brakes. The Ferrari does have a bit more leg room if you are tall. The Ferrari feels faster and attracts a lot more attention as no one seems to know what the Aston Martin is until they see the badge. Different cars for different occasions. I do my own work on the cars (my profession) and the Aston is the better built car quality wise. Neither are difficult to work on though and both have been very reliable. Depreciation is only a concern if you are looking to sell. If that is the case, don't buy. Get the car because it is what you want. Keep it and enjoy the ride.

 

360's are pretty bullet proof and so much fun to drive!

 

I have a 1999 360 6sp. 5 years of owning and 30,000km of driving. I have replaced the water pump, alternator, fuel pump, acceleration sensor, oil pressure sensor and all rubber vacuum hoses. quite reasonable to me.