What's the "real" cost of ownership? | FerrariChat
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What's the "real" cost of ownership?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Wragtop, Aug 5, 2025 at 1:18 PM.

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  1. Wragtop

    Wragtop Rookie

    Dec 31, 2020
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    Full Name:
    Raymond Stabilito
    #1 Wragtop, Aug 5, 2025 at 1:18 PM
    I've been circling the wagons for decades now, and I have finally come to the realization that at my age (a young 80) it's do or die for me as far as Ferrari ownership is concerned. I have been considering latter year California T's as viable practical replacements for my C5 Corvette convertible but, from what I can gather, maintenance appears to be outrageously frequent and costly. As an example, I'm considering a 2017 T with less than 3,000 miles on the clock. I'm sure it still smells new, but according to the service records, this car has already had three oil changes, two brake fluid flushes and new tires installed. Is this usual, or was someone simply being taken advantage of by a dealer? I place Ferraris in the same category as fine jewelry and I'm not opposed to proper and reasonable maintenance but, if this is "normal", I can visualize my remaining years spent in a service department waiting room! I would appreciate any candid and honest assessment in this matter. Thanks in advance!
     
  2. MacNugget

    MacNugget Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 12, 2007
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    Tejas Hill Country
    #2 MacNugget, Aug 5, 2025 at 1:29 PM
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM
    The oil changes seem excessive, modern synthetic oil doesn't really age out the same way old dinosaur oil did and clearly mileage was never sufficient to require it. I don't know what the maintenance warranty was like in 2017, but for newer cars you get a free oil change every year for the first seven years (whether you need it or not) which could explain the frequency. You're, of course, under no obligation to service it at that pace. It's just an engine and it needs oil sometimes, exactly like every other engine you've ever owned.

    Tires definitely age out, though, and there's no way I'd own or drive any car on tires from 2017. That seems reasonable to me.

    Brake fluid, similarly, is hygroscopic and will need to be replaced periodically just due to age and not necessarily from use.

    If you're planning to drive this car -- I mean actually drive it -- you should also anticipate all sorts of deferred maintenance issues that will crop up as the car starts to see actual use. It seems likely that there are many issues waiting to reveal themselves once the car actually moves for a change. As a cost-sensitive buyer I'd encourage you to find car that's been driven more. Low milage, old cars like the one you describe are for people who want to bubble-wrap their car and never use it. An 8 year old car with only 3k miles almost certainly has some problems which remain hidden due to non-use.
     
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  3. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #3 GrigioGuy, Aug 5, 2025 at 1:45 PM
    Don't worry about waiting in the service room. Uber fixes that. ;)

    I personally am a fan of the "higher" mileage car. Ferrari isn't known for extreme QA or pre-release testing, so cars that have been driven tend to get the bugs worked out by the first/early owners. Go look for the T with 30,000 miles and owned by a conscientious owner. Bonus: you should pay less as well.
     
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  4. Wragtop

    Wragtop Rookie

    Dec 31, 2020
    4
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    Raymond Stabilito
    #4 Wragtop, Aug 5, 2025 at 1:49 PM
    Thanks for your immediate and incisive reply, Friend. While I agree with your assessments in general, I failed to mention that all the services I cited appear to have occurred within the first few months of ownership!
     
  5. LVP488

    LVP488 F1 Veteran

    Jan 21, 2017
    5,936
    France
    #5 LVP488, Aug 5, 2025 at 2:04 PM
    The seven-year maintenance program was already established in 2017; an oil change every 2-3 years on a car that's barely used does not seem excessive to me. The same for brake fluid, 2017 is already 8 years ago after all. And of course, tires should be changed after not much more than 5 years to be on the safe side.
     

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