Do Italians do it better?

HassaanAbdeen · 04-06-2011, 08:47 PM

This could be my second step into the Ferrari world following my visit to Ferrari showroom two days ago. Didn't walk out with one yet... and it could take sometime before I do. Coming from the saddle of a Stuttgart Stallion, I need to sort out the facts from the hype about this Italian one.

I have a lot to learn about these Italian redheads that obsess me before I propose to one. As much as I love Lady Italia and Topless California but realistically I may settle in time for their older sister F430 Spider. And since she is no virgin; her naughty history and medical checkups are my concerns.

Granucci · 04-07-2011, 11:26 AM

#1: Obviously, as my name states: YES, Italians do it better.

#2: The CA I've heard needs a bit more sorting to get all the bugs out. The Italia would be my choice as it seems to be well in order, yet, for my case it would be the pricing. The F430 already is priced for an entry such as yourself [if I read you correctly] IF maintained well.

So: What is your desire as the CA is not an Italia and the F430 is a notch below the Italia. Is it price or performance. You'll love it over the Porsche IMO.

il Capolino · 04-07-2011, 03:30 PM

Get a late F430 Spider which has the fastest gearbox, the Superfast II. You won't regret it. Also, you can take your time since there is no shortage and prices are dropping consistently.

Have fun!

HassaanAbdeen · 04-07-2011, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Granucci

#1: Obviously, as my name states: YES, Italians do it better.

#2: The CA I've heard needs a bit more sorting to get all the bugs out. The Italia would be my choice as it seems to be well in order, yet, for my case it would be the pricing. The F430 already is priced for an entry such as yourself [if I read you correctly] IF maintained well.

So: What is your desire as the CA is not an Italia and the F430 is a notch below the Italia. Is it price or performance. You'll love it over the Porsche IMO.

Can you please elaborate on what do you mean by the California needs a bit more sorting to get all the bugs out?

Of course if it was my choice I'd pick nothing less than the Italia or the Spider Italia promised next year... but it is too far from my budget. Therefore settling for less would mean reasonably going for the F430 Spider. If I want to painfully stretch it, I'd go to CA.

Granucci · 04-08-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HassaanAbdeen

Can you please elaborate on what do you mean by the California needs a bit more sorting to get all the bugs out?

Of course if it was my choice I'd pick nothing less than the Italia or the Spider Italia promised next year... but it is too far from my budget. Therefore settling for less would mean reasonably going for the F430 Spider. If I want to painfully stretch it, I'd go to CA.

There are numerous reports on the CA having issues. It will take me sometime to get them and post from first hand accounts, but as in several Ferrari models, the CA seems to suffer.

As far as I know the Italia's 'flaming to cinder' problem has been resolved, and was very costly for Ferrari. One should make sure that fix is in place. IIRC it had something to do with the rear wheel well joining compounds making them subject to heat then fire.

As for he 'stretch' comment, that is not something one wants to do as acquiring an exotic is not the same as keeping it. There are budgets, although not as great as some believe and yet there are time one just constantly opens a pocket book. Really depends on the model and the care given to it's maintenance.

The 430, is well enough along to be a bit easier to maintain IMO but is most likely always out of warranty: not sure of Ferrari's extended warrarnty program on that, but that is something worth asking about and looking into regardless.

I would expect the maintenance on the 430 to be much less than the 355, or 360 [five valve engines. and on 355 out of bay servicing]. The parts seem a bit less on the bearings and items. The exhaust manifolds vs 355s are sorted and for the price the 430 would be my pick over the 355/360 models.

The Italia, as I state, is just out of my range.

So, for a summary: as your first I echo el capo's comment: Get a late F430 and you'll be very happy. Get the newer when ready....your F1 shifting practice will make you ready for the newer, NON-Stick Ferraris to come...unless you are going to older models.

HassaanAbdeen · 04-08-2011, 10:23 PM

I truly appreciate your informative reply, thank you.

A part of me is telling me to "settle" for the F430 and another is telling to wait for two to three years for the prices of CPO Italia to become reasonable. I have an appointment with my local dealer this coming Monday but somehow I am getting cold feet.

I agree with you, affording an exotic car is something while affording to maintain it is something else.

04-07-2011, 03:30 PM	#3
il Capolino Owner Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Switzerland Ferrari Life Posts: 1,023 Name: Capo	Get a late F430 Spider which has the fastest gearbox, the Superfast II. You won't regret it. Also, you can take your time since there is no shortage and prices are dropping consistently. Have fun! Salve, Capo The bad news: Time flies The good news: I'm the pilot You cannot make life longer but you can make it wider and also much higher.

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04-06-2011, 08:47 PM	#1
HassaanAbdeen Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Amman & Jeddah Ferrari Life Posts: 3 Name: Hassaan Abdeen	Do Italians do it better? This could be my second step into the Ferrari world following my visit to Ferrari showroom two days ago. Didn't walk out with one yet... and it could take sometime before I do. Coming from the saddle of a Stuttgart Stallion, I need to sort out the facts from the hype about this Italian one. I have a lot to learn about these Italian redheads that obsess me before I propose to one. As much as I love Lady Italia and Topless California but realistically I may settle in time for their older sister F430 Spider. And since she is no virgin; her naughty history and medical checkups are my concerns.

04-07-2011, 11:26 AM	#2
Granucci Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: far and away Ferrari Life Posts: 5,047	#1: Obviously, as my name states: YES, Italians do it better. #2: The CA I've heard needs a bit more sorting to get all the bugs out. The Italia would be my choice as it seems to be well in order, yet, for my case it would be the pricing. The F430 already is priced for an entry such as yourself [if I read you correctly] IF maintained well. So: What is your desire as the CA is not an Italia and the F430 is a notch below the Italia. Is it price or performance. You'll love it over the Porsche IMO. Guide to the Galaxy: Don't Panic Rik -- LAH ! Current: 1990 Mondial T Cabriolet : Red/Tan 1995 456 GT 2+2 : Roso Metalizzato [Fer 311/C] & Tan

04-08-2011, 10:23 PM	#6
HassaanAbdeen Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Amman & Jeddah Ferrari Life Posts: 3 Name: Hassaan Abdeen	I truly appreciate your informative reply, thank you. A part of me is telling me to "settle" for the F430 and another is telling to wait for two to three years for the prices of CPO Italia to become reasonable. I have an appointment with my local dealer this coming Monday but somehow I am getting cold feet. I agree with you, affording an exotic car is something while affording to maintain it is something else.