Which V-8 car will become the most desired

I agree with you that performance doesn't matter in the long run. But:

1. When you say "harder edge", you imply performance -- if they were simply noisier and less comfortable they would not have been marketed as distinct premium-priced editions of the 360, F430, 599 etc. Given that they are being eclipsed in performance, future buyers will probably find few compelling reasons to pay a premium for a 360 CS that is faster than the 360 Modena, but not as fast as the F430. Great cars, but 'caught in the middle' of a nostalgia-to-performance spectrum anchored by the 308/328 at one end and (currently) the 458 Italia at the other. Presumably there will be a lighter 458 to take the performance crown soon.

2. The concept of the 'modern collectible' limited edition isn't all that compelling. The faster 348 SS is not a valuable car with only 100 made, and the 360 CS, F430 Scuderia/16M, 599 GTO, etc., are commoner and have by and large have been mothballed in mint condition as investments.

All great cars to drive, but long term, IMHO, they aren't investments in the way a fibreglass 308 would be. 328s aren't as scarce (7000 versus 700, IIRC), but they are better to drive and more reliable, and viewed as the ultimate refinement of the 308/328 formula, so I think there will always be an active market for original cars.

On the Porsche side, I question the 996 GT3, for example, as a long term keeper; it was eclipsed by the 997 and now the 991, and on the nostalgia dimension it lacks the charisma of the classic long hood 911s or the 993s. There is no doubt the GT3 is harder-edged, as you say, but in 996 flavor it is unlikely to be a hall of fame Porsche.

3. You say manual gearboxes will be worth more, and I think you're right. But, that supports the notion that increased digital technology will, over the long run, be less desired than mechanical technologies. The 355 F1 gearbox is already emerging as less desirable than the manual version, and it may be that the paddle shift technology in the 360/F430/599 likewise becomes obsolete and a maintenance headache.

Obviously I don't have a crystal ball, so who knows... the 348 SS may someday be viewed as a great rarity and widely sought.

 

Correct, as measured against the current breed though. In other words the performance version of the standard car. Like my Porsche RS analogy.

The SS is not on my list and is IMO a "cosmetic" not performance upgraded 348, I don't think there is a lot of difference in performance c/w a standard 348.

I actually referred to RS models rather that GT3 models because of rarity, I thought they were a better comparison given the rarity of the Ferrari "hard edged" models. eg there are more GT3's than 458's and the lesser 911's are hard to compare to Ferrari's I believe.

I'm sure it will but it wasn't on my top 10 list for the reasons I mentioned aove.

 

A 360 spider.

I am biased.

 

Well at least on my car anyway, smartass. Lol

 

but not as good looking .....;o) for me a 308 gtb dry sump poly will do ( and I would take a 288 gto over a F40 anyday but it is off subject)

 

I think it will be very interesting to see the poll results cross-referenced with age and F car owned. We may see some trends biased towards cars we personally own and cars of our youth.

 

Provenance and rarity are indeed past yardsticks for desirability, beauty should be in the mix, if not above the other two.

 

I had a thought that maybe the 458 will become a special car over the years.

I think it is the last mid-engine Ferrari to be designed by Pininfarina (now that they are going out of business).

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
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They're complicated cars and the technology will be outdated in a few years (and out of warranty).

When the newness wears off, I think they won't be as sought after as the classics.

That said, if I were leasing a new Ferrari, the 458 would be my pick.

 

That is all a given. But, what about being the last in a long line of cars designed by Pininfarina?
Anything special to that or not?

Maybe it doesn't mean much at all?
For example, what was the last car designed by Bertone for Ferrari? Was it the 308 GT4?
And what was the last car built by Carrozzeria Scaglietti? Was it the 1962 250 GTO?
Maybe these things don't matter over the years.
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In my opinion, not since the 355 has Ferrari produced a good looking car. That is until they built the 458. Very good looking car......FINALLY!

 

Hard to say. The cars aren't really coachbuilt anymore, or rare, and haven't been for decades.

I think it would be a hard distinction to sell to collectors.

 

Pininfarina are not going to disappear, believe me. World beating car design will continue to come from Pininfarina, from Italian car designers, in Italy. The current turmoil will result in just a change in ownership. Happened to Ferrari, too, remember?

 

True, the name/trademark is too valuable to really go away. I'm sure it will be bought and continued.

 

I personally don't think so. Otherwise, a 348 is special because it's the last non-power everything Ferrari. 355 is special because it's the original F1 gearbox roadcar. Challenge Stradale is special because it's the first and most limited of the new breed of lightweights. 612 Scaglietti because it's the last manual 4-seater, also probably the last RWD 4-seater...
With relative few Ferrari models, there are too many firsts and lasts to whether or not the Pininfarina badge will have anything to say in terms of desirability...

F430 could be on to something though, last manual Ferrari...

 

Had to vote 355 as I love the design/look and the step it took in evolution regarding the 5-valve design cannot be overlooked, I want them all though.

 

Yup, you can not ignore the immense beauty of the F355. If they built it like a F430 with the same power and reliability... now that's what I actually want
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Of the older stuff maybe it should be the Mondial because it is the most functional and useable of the bunch. Great little long distance touring car.


Probably not. I do enjoy it's versatility though.

 

I love the Mondial aswell so it was a tough choice for me.

 

You mean its not?

No sorry that would be the 348 GTC

I do agree with you on this one.

 

A) Yes it is

B) Is the 348 GTC directly comparable to the Challenge Stradale and 430 Scuderia? Evo Magazine had an article on the 348 GTC vs. 964 RS, really enjoyed that one.

C) 1 out of 3, hooray

 

Why? In the case of most of these, all you have to worry about is the ECU and if they're no longer available as replacements, they can be upgraded to a Motec or some other aftermarket engine management setup. You'd have the same problem with a 308 i, qv, 288 gto, 328, 348, 355 or f40 as they all have fuel injection. I don't see this as affecting desireability one bit either way unless it's performance related (ie carb or qv 308 vs. i).

If I were after resale value, a fiberglass dry sump 308 would be my choice. If I were after the most fun car that I'd want to have 20 years from now, I'd go (and did) for the 355. To me, the most desireable of all of the listed cars right now is the 355 and I don't see that changing 10, 20 or 50 years from now for me - and I could care less what the general public thinks. Well, maybe in 50 years if I can't get in and out of the 355 anymore I'll prefer a mondial T cab.

 

Probably, but wouldn't we desire, buy and also vote for the car we wanted in our youth? That's what I did...Though my 'youth' spanned from the 308 to the introduction of the 360.

 

I vote 308 and 355 a close 2nd
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I cant think of why it isn't? Same basic philosophy (lightweight, sharper suspension.tune, slightly more power) with the added prestige of being even fewer made (only 50) and the car that signalled a return to GT racing for Ferrari.