smokestack20

Fred,

Agreed.... That goes with any car I own. If its Valet only..... I keep driving!

GBoxguys

I would think just from a maintenance cost if you are looking for a real drivers car, then the decision would be considerably easier. I have always loved the look of Ferrari cars, but in doing some research I can not believe how expensive they are to maintain. I am not saying that the Porsche is bullet proof or anything but they do not seem to require quite as much as some of the Ferrari's that I have seen bills on.

The really funny part is that when I chat with F-owners and make mention of this, they always seem to say the same thing. "It's a Ferrari, what do you expect?" Well to be honest I guess I am not sure, but spending $15,000 a year for normal maintenance is not real high on my to do list. I am sure that there are exceptions to this number, but I think you get the idea. It really made it a lot easier for me to understand why there are a lot of Ferrari owners that barely ever drive their cars.

Just my thoughts.

Chaos

I spent time on the Fcar and AM ledges. I agree with the other posts but what swayed me also was those owners do not drive there cars.
Like dating Fergie but ... once a month instead of as often as possible.

98Boxster

$15k per year is WAY over what anyone can expect by a large margin. Internet gossip like this is what causes people not as much in-the-know to think this is true. However, costs of maintenance is really high, particularily on pre- 360's and pre 550's.

boolala

There are several reasons that these cars don't get driven much. First of all most Ferrari owners have multiple cars. You can only put so many miles on each car in a year especially if you have 5 or 6 vehicles. Secondly, if you live in a cold weather climate they have to be stored for 4 or more months a year. There's no drving a 430, 458, 599 in the snow (the FF was designed for that but it is a new, and controversial, model). Third many who are able to get allocations flip to a newer F car within a years time simply because they can. Unlike Porsche, Ferrari sells their entire production run. If you want a new 458 spider e.g., you will 1) have to have previously bought a new car from the local authorized dealer then 2) be prepared to wait for 2 - 3 years. Although Ferrari discourages selling NEW cars over MSRP there is no regulation, limit as to how much a used car can sell for. Therefore if you don't want to wait for your car you can buy a USED one off the dealer's lot for MSRP (or even higher depending on the desirability of the model).

boolala

Some of the older models (like the BB5 and TR) require engine out service or have expensive maintanence issues like belts instead of chains (360), modern Ferraris (430 and later) just require yearly fluid changes and that's it. In fact the E-diff and transmission fluid changes are every other year and the others are done on a yearly basis.

BTW new Ferarri's come with 7 year FREE maintanence. So if this is your concern for not getting one then you're going to need to come up with another rationalization (poor gas milage e.g.)

Chaos

I have four plus my wifes and I put 45,000mi on my 996. That # destroys resale on AM and Fcars.

MarkPcar

Went down to the Porsche dealer today, trade title in hand and ready to buy. They sold 'my' GTS yesterday! Ouch. Good news is, there are a handful of others around the country.

Looking for and must have:

New or used
White/black GTS cab
PDK
Sport chrono
Sirius/XM
All other options considered

Boo, 458 coupes can now be ordered by anyone and the wait is about 10 months.

boolala

Mark, I said spider not coupe. The spider is the retractable hardtop version.

MarkPcar

Oops, my bad.

simsgw

Unless it's a place that is so high end they deal in exotics all day long, I hand the valet a twenty and ask him to "leave it right up here if you can." Said with a smile, they either leave it literally right where I get out, or they say "We'll take good care of it" and they move it thirty feet down the curb to keep it away from new arrivals.

In those places that are used to exotics, like Four Seasons, I don't need to coach them. I just hand them a twenty and smile: "Take good care of it please." Those places have a special lot reserved for the big five: Astons, Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches, and McLarens. Or at least for such cars whose owners understand the cost of parking them.

The real secret of course is being friendly. I used to do that sort of work and a friendly smile and a quick chat about the car's nature go further than the size of the tip as long as you do tip up front. You can learn things also. I picked up a good story about Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe that way. The idea that you'll tip when you pick up the car and see how it's been treated is pretty much a guarantee it won't be treated as well as mine.

And, in case you wondered, I also hand the guy a five who brings it up for me when I go somewhere. By the end of the first day, I'm known as "that nice Mr Sims" for my conversation, and also as the guy for whom valets hurry to be the one who brings up his car. The car and I both have a good stay at that hotel.

Nothing like an open friendly smile attached to an open friendly wallet to get good service. On the other hand, don't try tipping a hundred with a scowl. Almost certain way to find a used condom in your car...

Gary

alexb76

+1... if you can afford the Ferrari without stretching yourself, then do it, if not, GTS is a fantastic alternative!

cvtbenhogan

Why not go with 991 S cab? Seems to have a bit of Ferrari styling and very upscale interior. It has Pcar practicality and is quick as hell.

MarkPcar

Hmm, that's a thought....

simsgw

Worked for me...