[Italia1]

First, great site and thanks for letting me join. I have done some searches and gotten a lot of good info.

I have prided myself for the last 20 years on buying NOTHING but US sports cars. I have 3 Vipers including VIN 2 the second made and have 3 Ford GTs among other sports cars.

I looked at 430s and liked them. That car almost made me break my US only rule. Then the 458 came out and I was smitten .

I have the usual concerns. Maintenance--we have no dealers within 100 miles and I worry about huge bills.

Second, depreciation. I have been there with Vipers but my GTs hold well. The deal with Ferraris seems to be to know when to buy and sell.

Any advice for one thinking of taking the plunge? Thanks :

[Jimmy Chen Shiba DDS]

Welcome to FL, Italia1. Great to get a glimpse of your interest.

Personally, I cannot truly give you good advise on 430 nor 458 because my interest seems to have stopped somewhere far back. Nevertheless, if I were where you are now, I would consider the 458 Spider and think it over. These are subjective and purpose dependent too.

As for the depreciation, I do not believe these would drop like brick as in Porsche or MB, however they would drop quite dramatically.

I shall let the other FL members who are much more well qualified to make comments than myself. Good luck with your search and decision. w/ smiles Jimmy

[355dreamer]

No worries. All new Italias come with a 7 year unlimited mileage warranty. Your all set!

[champagne612]

Welcome to FLife

I have a friend in St Louis who had a similar interest - you may know him.

Steve W - financial guy.

Owns Vipers and some nice muscle cars - truly a speed / car nut.

Anyway - he was in a similar thought process and decided to attend the Ferrari driving school.

Came back and ordered a red Italia - he also liked the Scud but felt there was an extra thrill in the 458.

I wouldn't worry about anything cept the Ford GT getting jealous

[wetpet]

didn't even have to read your post. yes. if you want confirmation, drive one if you can.

[tazandjan]

Italia- Welcome to Ferrari Life. Ferraris are kind of like real cars now with a 36 month warranty and seven years of transferable routine servicing. In general, the cars only need service about once a year, and you are lucky to have a dealer only 100 miles away. My nearest dealer is closer to 400 miles away. For warranty work, they may even be willing to come get the car from your house.

Ferraris are different from the Ford GT or Viper. Do yourself a favor and go drive one. All three are entertaining, just different on how they deliver the goods. If you were to order a new Spider with retractable metal roof, depreciation will be fine for at least 2-3 years, if you can get one delivered relatively quickly. As mass produced models, they will depreciate eventually, and there will probably be 20,000 458s and derivatives produced.

[StefVan]

Welcome to FerrariLife The latest the best BUT...if depreciation is one of your concerns, than you may look at a 430 or Scud. Here in Switzerland, some 458's are now getting cheaper than some Scud's! That's a huge depreciation on the 458. As Terry said, these cars are now mass produced and together with a turbulent economical environment, you can expect quite a quick depreciation on the 458.

[355dreamer]

Thanks for the correction Taz. 3 year warranty, 7 year service.

[Italia1]

Great info and honest opinions. When will the 458 be replaced?

[RossoVeloce]

Ferrari V-8 models have a lifespan of 5 years usually. So I think it would be safe to say 2014-2015.

[Barry]

Welcome to Ferrari Life Italia1.

Can't add an awful lot to the good advice aready given, except to echo that if depreciation is a primary concern then I would look at a Scud (or even 360 CS) as well as the 458.

Either way, a pedigree Italian Stallion will certainly compliment your all US collection.

I say go for it. It will add a new dimension to your driving experiences.

[Tio]

Welcome to FerrariLife!

Have you considered a scuderia?
If not, please drive one first and then let us know your impressions.

I think that would be a safe bet for you ( well...as safe as cars can be)!

Welcome again and its nice to have you here with us.

[tazandjan]

I- Here is what we know from the 2010 Five Year Plan. Looks like an M and/or Scud version in 2013/14 and a replacement in 2017/18. Long life ahead.

LC- We knew what you meant.

[RossoVeloce]

That's interesting. Heard of the California M but but had no idea they were going to do that for the whole range, wonder what a 458M would be like.

This year were going to get a new 599 and a new Enzo, well that's just........

[Granucci]

Welcome Italia: The 458 as I understand it, will be a dealer only serviced item. You should direct complicated servicing issues to them. As for regular maintenance items like fluids etc. that is less an issue.

[tazandjan]

Rik- I already have a source for a 458 WSM, but not sure how much good it does you if you do not have access to MODIS. The Leonardo diagnostic tool works with the 458, as well, so there is hope for independents after the warranty and seven year service plan expire.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

there is hope for independents after the warranty and seven year service plan expire.

If they are still there after the 7 year service plan expires. But then I suppose that Ferrari SPA's plan isn't it? I for one certainly hope they are. I don't think a Ferrari dealer only monopoly would be good for anyone - those who get their cars dealer serviced and those who don't.

[134282]

The seven-year service plan only applies to 2012 models - and that's where you'll take the brunt of depreciation (though less so because the seven year plan adds legitimate value to the car). If your main concern is depreciation, look at 2010 models - those cars are the "oldest," probably have "higher" miles than newer cars, and offer prices that are more palatable than cars that have only been delivered within the last year.

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but all Vipers and Ford GTs came with three pedals - there are no 458s available with sticks. So if you're looking for that visceral, true manual transmission experience, you won't find it with a 458. This is another reason to consider another model. An F430 or an F430 Spider is plenty of Ferrari fun - especially if it's your first - and the price is way lower than a 458, miles are likely higher (which, in turn, means more gremlins have been sorted, more service has been rendered, and she's more broken in), and if you need to flip it in a jiffy, you won't birth your nuts through your billfold during the depreciation hit.

The only contemporary models available with a stick are the F430 and the F430 Spider, the 599, and the California (outside of the US). Older contemporary models (360, 575M, 612, etc.) can also be found with three pedals, and will likely only see a marginal depreciation hit over time (since they've taken most of the hist already).

Vipers and GTs make me think you're a torque junky. So wherever you go to test drive a 458, check to see if they have a 550 or a 575M. Those are some torquey V12 bitches whose performance and design belie their five-figure price tags.

[Granucci]

Originally Posted by tazandjan

Rik- I already have a source for a 458 WSM, but not sure how much good it does you if you do not have access to MODIS. The Leonardo diagnostic tool works with the 458, as well, so there is hope for independents after the warranty and seven year service plan expire.

Originally Posted by Barry

If they are still there after the 7 year service plan expires. But then I suppose that Ferrari SPA's plan isn't it? I for one certainly hope they are. I don't think a Ferrari dealer only monopoly would be good for anyone - those who get their cars dealer serviced and those who don't.

This is my point. IF the factory controls, then Indis will have a great probelm but agree that after the 7 year SP, IF qualified indies are still in that crowd, then yes, it can be a go. Perhaps factory will offer an 'package' to older models: Ya'....NOT!!!

This is in another thread, but there will be a tier level on mechs. OLD/classic, 70-430/599 timeframe, and then the rest with the newest diagnostics. The latter will be the NEW indis dropping out of the dealership employs. IF dealers keep changing hands and firing/letting go mechs in 'restructuring', then a new generation of indis will appear with 'some' training and all. Correct funding might get some in the door, but the risk and cost is not going to beat a normally run dealership: could be wrong.

But I am no authority on this....those in the trade will have a better take.

I would not own a 458 near its warranty end. Dump it. What a shame.

[Granucci]

Originally Posted by 134282

.....Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but all Vipers and Ford GTs came with three pedals - there are no 458s available with sticks. So if you're looking for that visceral, true manual transmission experience, you won't find it with a 458. This is another reason to consider another model. An F430 or an F430 Spider is plenty of Ferrari fun - especially if it's your first - and the price is way lower than a 458, miles are likely higher (which, in turn, means more gremlins have been sorted, more service has been rendered, and she's more broken in), and if you need to flip it in a jiffy, you won't birth your nuts through your billfold during the depreciation hit.

The only contemporary models available with a stick are the F430 and the F430 Spider, the 599, and the California (outside of the US). Older contemporary models (360, 575M, 612, etc.) can also be found with three pedals, and will likely only see a marginal depreciation hit over time (since they've taken most of the hist already).

Vipers and GTs make me think you're a torque junky. So wherever you go to test drive a 458, check to see if they have a 550 or a 575M. Those are some torquey V12 bitches whose performance and design belie their five-figure price tags.

599 comes to mind.

I agree on the stick as according to Ferrari there will be no more. Missing a fun experience, but the non-stick have great to offer, in not too 'medicinal' [IMO]....kind of like a new Porsche.

Sticks out, unless LM gets into Classic tributes -- don't laugh...I expect his SUV any year soon.