Sub £60k Ferrari?

flat-12

Member
Messages
120
I absolutely love any of the "analog" Ferraris. I had several Testarossas when they were considered "entry level". In fact I once bought a 1990 TR for $37k...those days are long gone! Did all my own work, very solid car and reliable car. It was decent to work on except for the CIS fuel injection system - had to buy a 4-Gas Analyzer to make adjustments. It's been almost 10 years now since I left the prancing horse world...and I sure do miss it. I see 360 Modena prices are quite attractive right now...very tempting.
 

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,958
I agree 360 prices are tempting to some, they all seem to be getting some readjustment if they want to sell.,especially the more modern models, the differences in price appear to be narrowing. I still wouldn't swap my old thing for a newer model tho. :)
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Is there a modern Ferrari with manual box that doesn't need loads of expensive belt changes every 5 minutes?

A 430 would make sense at a slightly deflated price but all F1 boxes unless you do a risky and crazy aftermarket manual box mod.
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
Is there a modern Ferrari with manual box that doesn't need loads of expensive belt changes every 5 minutes?

A 430 would make sense at a slightly deflated price but all F1 boxes unless you do a risky and crazy aftermarket manual box mod.

360, 612, 599, 430, 550m all available in manual but you’ll pay 20% more for the privilege. The main dealers told customers that the manuals would be worth less in the future and scared people into the flappy paddles. They were wrong!

Perhaps a left hand drive manual of the above is worth a look as the “wrong” side wheel readjusts the price.

For what it’s worth, there was a time when I thought only real men drove manuals and paddles where for the uneducated. I’ve changed my view and think that the right paddle shift, well matched, is superb too.

I bought a tiptronic 996 turbo after a manual one and hated it but that was because it was really a poor auto with button shift. Times have changed.

If you must have a manual, Aston and Porsche both stick them in several models these days. I suspect a manual db9 is probably pretty good.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Also DB9's are low priced at the mo! I've only driven one on a track so it was the wrong place. Always felt a Vantage would be a better or more suitable car.

The early cheaper DB9's seem a bit old tech though when I looked at power outputs. Must be a fair bit heavier and worse handling than a Vantage? I don't need any practicality.
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
I found the early manual vantage to be a disappointment, although I know others don’t agree. It seems the later, more powerful cars are much better.
 

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,958
In
Davide Cironi described the 348 as a dangerous car to drive especially on public highways, too much over/under steer. I don't think the build quality of any Ferrari's of that era were brilliant!
I certainly wouldn't describe mine as dangerous, scaremongering s*it I'd describe that as. Normal roads it's as docile as.. Do I need to look up David Cironi?
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,115
In
I certainly wouldn't describe mine as dangerous, scaremongering s*it I'd describe that as. Normal roads it's as docile as.. Do I need to look up David Cironi?
Nice thread revival!! The 348 & 355 where the last of the mid engine Ferrari that kept the identity (if you know what I mean)! Strangely, I love the back lights on the 348.
 

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,115
In
I certainly wouldn't describe mine as dangerous, scaremongering s*it I'd describe that as. Normal roads it's as docile as.. Do I need to look up David Cironi?
Sorry Allan forgot to say, on YouTube, I think it is David Cironi driving a Ferrari 360 and comparing it to the 355 & 348.
 

rivarama

Member
Messages
1,102
Is there a modern Ferrari with manual box that doesn't need loads of expensive belt changes every 5 minutes?

A 430 would make sense at a slightly deflated price but all F1 boxes unless you do a risky and crazy aftermarket manual box mod.

The 360 is very reliable and only needs a belt change every 3 years. They can be changed without dropping the motor. Main dealer charge £600-750 for that, on top of the regular service price.
550s are the same in terms of belt. Those cars aren’t more expensive than a GT to maintain.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
I would go for the 430 purely for no cam belt changes.
I've had too many cars in the past as toys that I have had to replace cam belts on, some several times with only 5k miles between changes. Never again.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
The 360 is very reliable and only needs a belt change every 3 years. They can be changed without dropping the motor. Main dealer charge £600-750 for that, on top of the regular service price.
550s are the same in terms of belt. Those cars aren’t more expensive than a GT to maintain.
Good to know, thanks.
 

Hurricane52

Member
Messages
1,211
This thread has brought back some memories. Back in 2007, I sold my Atlantique to fund a V12 with some rear seats, as the first of our two boys was on his way. Brought them both back from Haverfordwest hospital in it (2 years apart) at silly speed. Took an Italian road trip over the Alps to a mate's wedding in Tuscany, arriving fly spattered and with a molten credit card. All very romantic.

The reality, however, was for essentially a 2+2, it seemed a big car and with the auto box (I'd been put off by stories of clutch changes after 10k miles) journey times were longer than the Venturi. I lived in fear of the servicing hassle, belt change intervals and costs. I prayed the gearbox would never let go (£13K). I pooped my pants when the oil pressure disappeared one day (turned out to be the wires pop off underneath if you hoof it just to remind you who's boss). To be fair to Ferrari, the only bits that broke were either German (alternator and Bilstein shocks) or British (Jag seat potentiometers).

Its image varied, from those in the know - "Gentleman's Ferrari, Oh a proper one with 12 cylinders, not quite a 550 though is it?" (as I pulled out babies and baby kit) to the more usual comments "Bet that doesn't do much to the gallon, what's it worth? the tyres are how much?". I thought it understated and elegant, but I never did count how many prancing horse and Ferrari badges it had squirrelled away all over it.

Anyway, house purchase forced sale. I think I lost £9K in depreciation, but I took it from 19k to 34k over six years and survived to tell the tale.

Needless to say the QP GTS is a better car. With fewer badges.

5945259453
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,113
Fond memories of my first Ferrari too also a 456 GTA in TDF blue bought blind after reading the story on Piston Heads the guy who bought a 17 K 456.
I paid a bit more but got my money back and took part at Silverstone September 2012.
 

flat-12

Member
Messages
120
The 360 / 430 cars are very tempting...though I'm not in the market for one, I still can't help but browse the adverts and day-dream. Early 430's seem to be a good deal as they have pretty decent power and are a lot of car for the money. I find the 360 looks better aesthetically, but can't help but be swayed by the considerable step up in power of the 430.