First post, so any opinion is greatly appreciated. I have begun the search for my first Ferrari and plan to buy soon (yet patient for the right deal). After spending a ton of time on this forum, FChatters have caused me to think about many things and I have learned quite a bit. Many thanks. The result is that I find myself torn. Hmmm... which FCar will be my first? It's like picking which beauty queen will be your first. I have a rough budget of $100K. Doesn't necessarily mean I need to spend that much, and could run a little over if it made sense. I began this process thinking 355... definitely 355. Then I started looking at older models... researched the idea of older models - 512s, TRs, and 3XXs? I have even thought about buying two - perhaps a 3X8 and a TR, for example. Next (this is when I really became torn) I took a hard look at 360s. I began thinking that I extend my budget 5-10% and pick up a good 360. Hmm... Should I? Curious as to everyone's thoughts on my dilemma? At the end of the day, whether I spend $50K or $100K, I just want as good an experience as possible. Right now, I am thinking its a 355 versus 360 decision. While I am certainly ok with the costs of owning a Ferrari (as I am much more educated about thanks to you all), I am looking for something on the less costly/timely side of maintaining. My concern is that I live in Austin and there is no Ferrari dealer. From what I can tell- I would have to haul it to Houston or Dallas to get it serviced. Many thanks and look forward to chatting with you all.
Boxer if you want it as a weekend toy. A 550 if you want to use it more like a daily driver type car...
i know it isn't on the list, but a 246gt coupe. best chance for appreciation compared to the others, and it isn't depreciating.
Id probably try to buy, or build a realistic 288 clone, or maybe try to find a early V-12 project car. Another desire would be a 12 cylinder 308. If a 166MM Barchetta clone could be had for $100K with some kind of tiny 2.0 V-12, and I had the $$$$, its mine.
550 certainly does fit the price range, as does the Boxer if you hurry. wspeer I think the Dinos have passed him! The 355s are not aging well enginewise, so a 360 is better but the problem with 360 is again would consume all the money and not leave enough for maintenance. A happier time might be had in a 328, 348, TR type thing with money to spare for high dollar Services when required!
All of the belt drive cam cars need periodic belt replacement based on time as well as mileage. this can be expensive..very expensive on BB and TR as motor has to come out. If it was my dough a 365GTC\4 or 246 Coupe. C4 valve adjustments are not simple or cheap, but interval is 15k miles and not time dependent.
Sorry, Speedmoore! They are DA MAN in Austin, they have worked on my Ferrari, Dana Gribi's, many others, a race oriented speed shop they do excellent repairs, he's also hooked up with FCA and gives the occaissional Tech Session.....look in the phone book and tell 'em The Art Car sent ya! Good luck have fun! Dana's Boxer would have been a nice one, SOLD last year....
Depends what you want, modern easy to drive or a old school race car experience which is a Boxer especially carbed, I have both a 355 and a BB and if 1 had to go it would be the 355. I have seen some say they wish their would be a way to stuff a 12 cylinder in a 355or 3x8 thats what a Boxer is built around the motor Ferrari couldn't make the car any smaller than it is. The Boxer still offers modern performance and will appreciate in the future, Dinos while they still may appreciate don't offer perfomance or 12 cylinders, 550 will depreciate and have expensive services and issues as well, they are a heavy GT car not a sports car. A daily driver or road trip car I would get the 355 or 360.
With 100K you might still just make it to the real stuff... 1) 250 GTE or 330 GT 2+2 (if you can find a good one now for 100K) 2) 308 GT4 3) Carb 308 GTB Cheers, Julio P.S. You don't need a Ferrari dealer to fix them.
I think the 250 GTE's are past that! But EXCELLENT suggestion.........can you get me one at Gstaad?????? LOL! Happy Holidays to you , Mr. B.
You can BUY a Boxer for $100k but you'll never be able to drive it with that budget. Or at least not for too long. I'd get a black Mondial 3.2 Cabriolet. If I get to keep the change, I'd get a carb 308 as well. (Or, I'd get 6-7 Lotus Europas so I could always have a couple that run *S*.) Ken