my ferrari fling is over! i bought a 996 turbo today!

while returning from test driving 456 and 335 ferrari coupes i stopped by my local porsche dealer. he had just accepted an arctic silver 2003 coupe back in trade for a gt2. it has 10 k mi and included a porsche extended warranty for 5 more years and 90k more miles. the car was pristine, with the new nav system standard. it also was much quicker and more agile than either ferrari. suddenly $110k didn't seem so expensive, especially considering that the 30k mi service for either ferrari was $7k! don't get me wrong--both ferraris were very appealing--especially the wail of the v12 on the 456. i just cant justify the maintenance expence of either ferrari when the 996 turbo is so reliable, fast and nimble. nothing like a ferrari to make a turbo 996 look cheap. btw, except for the modena 360 all the current model ferraris depreciate like mad! i drove a 2002 456 with 3k mi. asking price was $160k and i suspect they would have gladly accepted $150k. thats a $100k depreciation in 1 1/2 years! that works out to over $33 per mile just in depreciation! scary, huh? i'll try to post some pictures next week after i take delivery.

Congratulations, Ignacio. BTW, in terms of Ferrari depreciation, the cars which do depreciate the most and fast are the 12-cylinder models. Ironic, because most Ferraristi believe a Ferrari is not one unless it has a 12-cylinder engine. As to the F355, it is where it should be given the demand for the 360. The time will come when the 360 replacement will cause its (the 360's) values to go slightly down and follow the footsteps of the F355 and older V-8 models. Nothing but the results of supply and demand.

congrats! what's your first mod? OMG! 7k for a 30k service? other than an oil change, spark plugs, various filters, what else is serviced? do you get a new paint job included ? new tires at least? i am very curious as to what is actually performed.

Congratulations! I was reading your other thread the other week since I was also looking in to f-cars before I bought my 993

Ignacio, I believe you made the right choice. My problem with choosing an Fcar was the same as yours. The 360 does seem to be more solid , and as Viken said in a few years a slightly aged 360 may look very attractive pricewise.

Many of the Ferrari's require engine drops to perform simple task such oil changes and belt replacements, thus the labor charges are much of the cost of the service. Additionally the service intervals are shorter than with Porsche. In the world of Ferrari the price admission is not the killer it is the service cost. You can find reasonable prices on some 348's and 355 but the up keep is where you need the $$$. Although some of the newer cars are starting to improve on this and do not require engine drops to perform some of the rountine maintenance.

Congrats on the new Porsche!!

Just saw the show RIDES a week or so ago. $700.00 for an oil change on the ENZO!!!!!

yeah apparently ferrari has taken its "exclusitivity" horsechit to a new level with the enzo. the oil is only available through one company (shell maybe?) and is either $60 or $90 qrt (i forget). the brakes pads are similarly silly.

On the same show the owner wanted to replace the wheels at a cost of $30,000.00!! Think I'll stick with Porsches.........

thank you all for your kind words. i picked up my turbo tonite and its awesome it amazes me that such a capable car can be so comfortable! even though now is not my time for a ferrari i'll bet i look into it again in a few years--perhaps when the 360 modena is replaced. those who ordered modenas early are big winners. introductory price was $122k. those cars now sell for $140 to $160k depending on mileage. waiting list is still 2y for a modena coupe -- 3 1/2 y for the spyder. the 360 modena is also more agile and dependable than prior ferraris. it is just not a very good value for a daily driver compared to a turbo.

In the US, 360 Modena introductory base prices were as follows: 6-speed manual: $138,225.00 F1: $147,725.00 Add to that options and taxes.

thanks for the clarification, viken. my neighbor obviously misinformed me. he has a fly yellow 2000 or 2001 modena that he ordered 2 y earlier. his only option was power seats. i didn't like the f1 shift--too jerky for the road--perhaps ok on the track. overall, the turbo was a much better option for me. still it's easy to lust after ferraris. the devil has a pleasing shape!