Worth going down the Ferrari route?

Silvercat

Silvercat

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Lavazza said:
I've had a lot of very nice cars for over 20 years, Porsche (964, 993, GT3 CS), Aston (V8V), Maserati(GTS MC) Lotus (Exige S2, S3), Mercedes (R129 500SL) and others...
I've never owned a Ferrari.
I feel a little torn as to whether I go down that route. Currently have: GTS MC, Audi TTQS, Exige V6, R129 500SL and 987.1 Cayman S.
So what Ferrari, up to £80k is going to be a real experience?
Do I go manual 360? 430? F458? (Just), FF? Or What...?
Or do I already have the bases covered?
Thoughts welcome...
Click to expand...
I've got a nice 'Shogun' you could buy...:saifi:
 
Doctor Houx

Doctor Houx

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Lavazza said:
So maybe I try a TVR.
But must be useable and reliable.
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Never possible to use the words TVR and Reliable in the same sentence!

Just like Lotus stands for Lots of Trouble, Usually Serious, TVR stands for Terribly Vague Reliability
 
allandwf

allandwf

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Doctor Houx said:
Never possible to use the words TVR and Reliable in the same sentence!

Just like Lotus stands for Lots of Trouble, Usually Serious, TVR stands for Terribly Vague Reliability
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Are you speaking from experience, or repeating same old?
 
M

marce

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I have a 550 sitting next to my gt sport.
They complement each other nicely, the gt is very modern, a sophisticated brute, but as you all know not quite a sports car. The 550 while also considered a GT is so very close to sports car, it's the last of the analog v12's, a car that you have to concentrate whilst driving, it's very rewarding.

In saying all that, I live rural, and can stretch out that amazing engine, not so rewarding in the city.

cheers
m
 
EnzoMC

EnzoMC

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the FF is meant to be a great car and usable, plus you get the v12 sound :)

oh ya the F355, one of the best looking cars...

what ever car out of your list you get, it won't be the wrong one.
 
rockits

rockits

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Doctor Houx said:
Never possible to use the words TVR and Reliable in the same sentence!

Just like Lotus stands for Lots of Trouble, Usually Serious, TVR stands for Terribly Vague Reliability
Click to expand...

Can't quite agree with that statement now though. When they were new....yes of course. Their quality control dept.....well they didn't have one!

Now though pretty much all cars except the unloved ones are much better now than when they came out of the factory. I am on my 3rd and had no problems at all. I have chosen the most common and most cost effective also least potential troublesome option in the Chimaera. Had 2 Chimaera 400's and now have a lovely fully rebuilt 500.

They are not for everyone but a cracking option for the money. Not much out there that raw with so much British V8 character for that money that offers so much. Big V8 with loads of torque, big boot, comfy ride, fast, convertible or targa. Lots it offers. I wasn't brave enough for Tuscan or Cerb and wanted a Rover V8 based model so the Chimaera was the obvious choice. I might get a lighter clutch at some point as mine is on the heavy side.
 
Wanderer

Wanderer

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rockits said:
Can't quite agree with that statement now though. When they were new....yes of course. Their quality control dept.....well they didn't have one!

Now though pretty much all cars except the unloved ones are much better now than when they came out of the factory. I am on my 3rd and had no problems at all. I have chosen the most common and most cost effective also least potential troublesome option in the Chimaera. Had 2 Chimaera 400's and now have a lovely fully rebuilt 500.

They are not for everyone but a cracking option for the money. Not much out there that raw with so much British V8 character for that money that offers so much. Big V8 with loads of torque, big boot, comfy ride, fast, convertible or targa. Lots it offers. I wasn't brave enough for Tuscan or Cerb and wanted a Rover V8 based model so the Chimaera was the obvious choice. I might get a lighter clutch at some point as mine is on the heavy side.
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Isn't the British V8 a Buick V8?

If I was to become Fezzafied I'd want a biggish mid-engine, for me that's a Ferrari though I'd bet they've done more front-engine ones in total. I think of think:

Maserati - GT
Ferrari - Mid engined status symbol
Lambo - Italian muscle-car
 
rossyl

rossyl

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I think it needs a bit more context.

What are you expecting from your car?

Live outside, start on the button, being more robust? I'd say definitely not a 355, probably not a 360 nor even a 430. Instead I'd go for a 550.

A sports car. Quick and nippy. Parked in a garage. Bit more pampered. Then a 360 or 430.
If you want this but don't mind it being temperamental, a 355.

For me, dependant on above, I'd either choose a 360 or 550.
 
Ewan

Ewan

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Back in the day I ran two 355 spyders as my daily cars. They didn't put a foot wrong. One lived on the street in London, the next in my garage in Dorset. Lovely cars and far more simple to work on than the later models with their more complicated electric systems. Not all that quick by todays standards, but plenty fast enough for collecting the newspapers, etc. Definitely worth a look.
 
Lavazza

Lavazza

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Rossyl and Ewan, good replies.

There are quite a few areas to consider. Simplicity, toughness and usability being key points.

Living in the Lake District, 'water-tightness' being important.

I have a garage, but would prefer a car that I can leave outside, at least over summer.
 
rossyl

rossyl

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Lavazza said:
Rossyl and Ewan, good replies.

There are quite a few areas to consider. Simplicity, toughness and usability being key points.

Living in the Lake District, 'water-tightness' being important.

I have a garage, but would prefer a car that I can leave outside, at least over summer.
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I'd suggest a 550.

I was in a similar position. Discounted 355 on reliability when parked outside.
Then was set on a 360. Spent ages researching. But after having a done that research and talked to Tim at Walkersport (who is a guru in this area) I ultimately decided I'd be taking a considerable risk on the reliability front, and also aluminium corrosion, with a 360 parked outside.

The 550 was the recommendation from Tim, given my circumstances. But, I didn't get one due to it not being ULEZ compliant in London. A 550 is more of a luxurious GT drive.

I fully believe that the 550 will be the classic. They are stunning cars and check out the old Evo Magazine reviews, I think it won EVO Car if The Year.

575s will be cheaper, but mainly due to its F1 box which is less desirable. Still a great car. If a 575 ends up being your choice, due to budget, do NOT get one with a Fiorano pack. The car reviewers loved it, but real world it makes it too stiff for normal road bumps and potholes.

Hope that helps. That's where I got to after about 4 months of solid research!
 
Andyk

Andyk

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GeoffCapes said:
Bucking the trend of all the others, I would go for a 430. More reliable than a 360 but still old school enough to be raw.

Having said that, what about one of the best looking Ferrari's ever? the 355? Particularly gorgeous in the Spider format.

View attachment 70647

And it's got pop up headlights! :cool:

That one above is up for £73k.

Click to expand...

Now you are talking Mark...best looking Ferrari end of. Perfect proportions unlike the over bloated 360 after it. Just never got on with the shape of the 360 and when my brother in law lent it me for the day I didn't change my mind. 355 is old and the 360 maybe a better drive but just look at the 355.....Why wouldn't you. Ferrari have not made anything so pretty since.....
 
W

Wagons-Lits

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250
rossyl said:
I'd suggest a 550.

I was in a similar position. Discounted 355 on reliability when parked outside.
Then was set on a 360. Spent ages researching. But after having a done that research and talked to Tim at Walkersport (who is a guru in this area) I ultimately decided I'd be taking a considerable risk on the reliability front, and also aluminium corrosion, with a 360 parked outside.

The 550 was the recommendation from Tim, given my circumstances. But, I didn't get one due to it not being ULEZ compliant in London. A 550 is more of a luxurious GT drive.

I fully believe that the 550 will be the classic. They are stunning cars and check out the old Evo Magazine reviews, I think it won EVO Car if The Year.

575s will be cheaper, but mainly due to its F1 box which is less desirable. Still a great car. If a 575 ends up being your choice, due to budget, do NOT get one with a Fiorano pack. The car reviewers loved it, but real world it makes it too stiff for normal road bumps and potholes.

Hope that helps. That's where I got to after about 4 months of solid research!
Click to expand...
Hi, very interesting and thanks for sharing your research as I’m in a similar “quandary”.

Genuine question though with respect to your comment about “I'd be taking a considerable risk on the reliability front, and also aluminium corrosion, with a 360 parked outside.” - how would that be any different vs a 550 which also has an aluminium body ? I thought aluminium only corrodes when two different metals eg steel and aluminium (hence the sandwich on the 550) touch ?
Just curious to understand more/what I’m missing here ?
 
Oneball

Oneball

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Can’t comment on your question in particular but aluminium will corrode even without a galvanic cell being formed (the two dissimilar metals thing). The worst in this country is where you get a lip or seam that traps water and salt from the road. The paint bubbling you get on alloy wheels is an example, paint chip, water gets behind and sits there.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

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GeoffCapes said:
Bucking the trend of all the others, I would go for a 430. More reliable than a 360 but still old school enough to be raw.

Having said that, what about one of the best looking Ferrari's ever? the 355? Particularly gorgeous in the Spider format.

View attachment 70647

And it's got pop up headlights! :cool:

That one above is up for £73k.

Click to expand...

One of the guys who comes to le Mans with us has a 355 Spyder and I actually think it is hideous the roof looks like something we camp in - the Coupe on the other hand is stunning
 
W

Wagons-Lits

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Messages
250
Oneball said:
Can’t comment on your question in particular but aluminium will corrode even without a galvanic cell being formed (the two dissimilar metals thing). The worst in this country is where you get a lip or seam that traps water and salt from the road. The paint bubbling you get on alloy wheels is an example, paint chip, water gets behind and sits there.
Click to expand...
Sure and know what you mean; you get that bubbling which is cosmetic I believe (but of course isn’t great)

I guess all I wondered was how that would be any different for a 550 or 360 or any other aluminium bodied car. From what I’d gathered from the post above, it sounded the like 360 could be impacted worse somehow - but maybe I’ve misunderstood
 
Oneball

Oneball

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Wagons-Lits said:
Sure and know what you mean; you get that bubbling which is cosmetic I believe (but of course isn’t great)

I guess all I wondered was how that would be any different for a 550 or 360 or any other aluminium bodied car. From what I’d gathered from the post above, it sounded the like 360 could be impacted worse somehow - but maybe I’ve misunderstood
Click to expand...

If the metal is thin like body panels they can perforate just like steel but takes longer.

That’s what I was thinking too about 360/550. Hopefully someone will come along and explain if there’s a specific 360 problem
 
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