Four Seater Convertible

Great comments guys - I'm enjoying this very much!

To be brutally honest, the car I want, the car that gets the juices going, the car I've dreamed of since I was in the womb - ok, maybe 8, is a Ferrari. F430 Spider to be precise.

But after talking to many owners, reading blogs, talking to dealers no less, I'm left with many concerns.

Specifically, things like annual maintenance costs, "sticky buttons" http://www.ferrarilife.com/forums/m...y-part-fix.html#/forumsite/21041/topics/20265

the car drawing lots of attention from everyone getting old real fast, comments like "this is a point A to point A" car. This isn't a car you would jump in and drive your friend Mark's in Georgia (from Florida).

http://jalopnik.com/owning-a-ferrari-for-a-year-was-a-disappointment-1668355120

But my God, the sound, the looks, the thrill.
 
If you have the coin and can handle the maintenance cost, get a prancing horse.

If your going to take trips, get something with a good track record for reliability and that's a 911.

If you just don't freaking care, and don't want to drive a car that you can see everyday around town and have loads of money and don't care and want to make people go "ah" when you drive by and you want to be one of the "special" few in the world spend a million bucks and get The Bugatti V Super Sport.
 
Mike - What are your top 2 or 3 at this point? Are you ready to pull the trigger? :rolleyes:
 
Ritmo said:
Mike - What are your top 2 or 3 at this point? Are you ready to pull the trigger? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

F430 Spider
911 C4S
M4

I got to visit the giant luxury auto mall here yesterday: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, McLaren, Audi, Maserati, Jaguar, BMW, etc.

I wanted to see certain colors and cars up close and all at the same time. The R8 Spider in dark gray is incredible looking. But I was most interested in 911 colors. The new Carmine Red is a stunner. I also like Agate Gray with Black interior.

I then went over to the Ferrari dealership. Compared the 360 to the F430 to the 458 and also played around with a California T. All got the juices going. Just WOW, WOW, WOW.

After visiting Jag, Audi and others, I then went to the BMW dealership and it was a frustrating experience. I honestly thought I was in the Ford dealership. Kids screaming, salesman all huddled around a computer in a closed office giggling and laughing at pictures on the screen, no on helping anyone. It was pretty chaotic. Finally after 20 minutes a VERY young salesman came out and I asked him to see any car or metal sample in the Sakhir Orange (it looks more red to me online) and I wanted to see any car in that dark gray. I got the "we have no cars in either color and we don't allow test driving of any M car." Well, you can imagine the strip I tore of the poor lad. "You expect a person to buy a $100k+ car without seeing the color or driving it? Are you out of your mind?" I just don't know what it is with BMW dealerships. The one near my house is even worse.

So, to answer your question, no, I haven't decided. I've been doing extensive research on all options. The M4 seems like the best "value" of the bunch and the best all 'rounder. The 911 C4S (I'm back to the AWD after realizing the used selection of C2S Cabs is pathetic and for resale, an AWD is best, plus, I like the wider ass end on the C4S) is the best for handling and stats.

Which brings me to the F430 Spider. The car that I initially started out buying. I got scared off by some reports of high maintenance costs, "sticky buttons", and a few other annoyances. My local Tampa Ferrari dealer has been outstanding at answering all my questions and told me how they deal with "sticky buttons" - if it happens - and it's $1200 for the entire car fix.

But since this is a "fun car" and I have my excellent big ass Yukon Denali for hauling hockey bags, kids and amplifiers around, the F430 Spider remains on the top of the list.

With the 488 out now, the F430 is now two generations old (behind the 458) and prices for mint 2008-2009 are falling like a stone. I'm looking at cars with original MSRP's of $407,000 (INSANE money), now selling for $100k-120k.

....but research continues.
 
I drove the M4 cab again today and man, with the right setting, the SMG tranny is excellent. It can go to rapid fire quick to buttery smooth and everything in between.

It handles and accelerates great.

Handling is terrific, and only eclipsed slightly by the Porsche, but it has a smoother ride.

The car isn't as nimble as the 911 and it feels "big" - like a muscle car type feel, but it has a useable trunk and useable backseat. Damn good overall.
 
Mike I'm guessing with the state of the stock market of late there might be a cheaper 458 around through someone that we know!!!!
 
bzr said:
Mike I'm guessing with the state of the stock market of late there might be a cheaper 458 around through someone that we know!!!!
Click to expand...

It's already happening....but still high. In 3 years, that will change.
 
go for the Ferrari!!

Is this a new 911 c4s vs. m4? They are 2 totally different animals. The design and total package is just so much greater with the 911. I wouldn't call the difference in handling slight especially after you've driven the 911 a while. It's really night and day. The service, build quality and satisfaction of the porsche will be a lot higher in the long run. I've owned M cars my entire life and they are great at the price point. I love them but they are no 911. Then again, the 911 is no Ferrari F430 either. If you've got the money..... You know the answer already. Stop wasting time and enjoy.
 
Re: go for the Ferrari!!

Hessec said:
Is this a new 911 c4s vs. m4? They are 2 totally different animals. The design and total package is just so much greater with the 911. I wouldn't call the difference in handling slight especially after you've driven the 911 a while. It's really night and day. The service, build quality and satisfaction of the porsche will be a lot higher in the long run. I've owned M cars my entire life and they are great at the price point. I love them but they are no 911. Then again, the 911 is no Ferrari F430 either. If you've got the money..... You know the answer already. Stop wasting time and enjoy.
Click to expand...

I'm not wasting time. I enjoy the research. I've owned a Porsche and M3 before. The M4 - if you've driven it - is not anything like the old M3. It's a beast. But the 991 911 C4S isn't anything like the 997 either.
 
My comments were meant to be light hearted. Ferrari-prestige/ show, M4- practical(within the context), 991-911- drive/show. 997-911 drive. These are good problems.
 
Hessec said:
My comments were meant to be light hearted. Ferrari-prestige/ show, M4- practical(within the context), 991-911- drive/show. 997-911 drive. These are good problems.
Click to expand...
....Ha! Exactly a bastard of a conundrum indeed! :D
 
So...What's up with this thread ? Did you get your dream car yet ?

images
 
Yup!

attachment.php


attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1439415483.246794.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1439415483.246794.jpg
    302.8 KB · Views: 53
  • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1439415497.285121.jpg
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1439415497.285121.jpg
    176.5 KB · Views: 53
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top