Unless something more interesting comes out in the next four years, I plan on picking up an F430 in 4-5 years. If current 360 prices are a good indicator, I'm hoping I can pick up a 430 in decent shape for around $80K at that time.

My insurance quoted me $1100 for 6 months (full coverage) on a 430, which I don't think is too bad.

I'm planning on getting a base coupe since they're "cheap" and plentiful, although I could be swayed.

I'd likely put about 4,000 miles per year on the car. I'm mechanically inclined, so I'd plan on doing most of the maintenance myself.

I have not yet driven a 430, but from everything I've seen and heard, it's quite an experience. I do plan on renting one for a day from a nearby "dream cars" rental place.

Here are a few questions I was hoping 430 owners could answer for me:

• Are certain years of the 430 better or worse than others? I wouldn't mind saving some bucks and having an earlier one if there are no real downsides to it.
• I've never owned a car of that caliber. Is there anything special I should look for when shopping around?
• Would I be better off buying privately or from a dealer? Are there any specific dealers I should check out or maybe even avoid? Preferably in the northeast.
• From the research I've done, it appears that the 430 is a relatively reliable/low maintenance Ferrari. Would you agree with this?

Thanks in advance. Owning an Italian exotic has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I hope to make this a reality.

 

There are probably 10,000 people who said the same thing when they bought there houses 4-5 years ago (since they were doubling in price every 12-18 months)... Hate to be a Jerk off, but so MANY people come on here with the exact same statement (i'm thinking of buying a yacht in the next 30-40 years,yada yada yada)...

Life is a friggen roller coaster, work on your health and family for the next 4-5 years and when you are ready to buy something, go test drive the heck out of everything!

Welcome to the TEAM

 

what`s so wrong with him asking that?

I mean....everybody has dreams and sets goals to achieve.

I do that as well


of course it might be a bit early to think about the details,...but...again,why not?
it`s like thinking about our 5 car dream garage...something we all like and which motivates us

 

I guess being his 3rd post... Maybe this no longer applies, but it always seemed like TS was a "family" one where you get to know each-other first, then go into things like this.

Call me crazy!

 

I agree with ecb. It took me 2 years to buy the csl then another 2 years to buy the rs. You need something to look forward to and understanding the highs and lows before jumping on board is sensible.

The 430 is an epic car. We had one of the first 5 spiders in the uk and had zero problems. The f1 box is simply magic, as is the handling as is the noise. It really was an experience driving it, in some ways more memorable than the rs I currently have. You sit so low and your feet look and feel like they are at the very front of the car, you sit so far forward.

I would love a scud next.

 

nono..you`re absolutely right!!

 

I just built my 5 car dream garage.

I realize you probably think that I'm just another guy dreaming, but a 430 (or something else like it) is attainable for me. It's actually very attainable if I change my priorities around, but in the long run, it would be foolish of me to do that.

Anyway, I've been seriously thinking about this for some time now, and I was hoping someone here with some experience could answer my questions.

Thanks, gentleman.

 

Excellent! How long did you have it?

I'm happy to hear this, but the gearhead in me still wants to shift myself. I've only owned a single automatic in my whole life - my first car.

A couple of years ago, when I bought my 2008 Evo X (a car that I had waited 4 years for), I flirted with the idea of going with the SST (twin clutch) model, but eventually decided against it. I'm not sure how the SST transmission compares to the f1 box, but I can tell you that the SST trans is impressive.

It seems that most of the 430s out there run an f1 box. I could probably go either way.

Sounds like one hell of a go kart!

I can't blame you. But for the price difference...geez.

 

I think sst is a dual clutch jobbie? If so the f1 is miles more mechanical in feel, not computer game like. The car was actually my mums but at the time she had an sl65 and a bentley gtc so hardly used the fez. In the end th Bentley was all the car she wanted and the others went, so as you can see it's nothing against the fez, it's her problem I was cheeky enough to do virtually all the miles in the car and fell in love. I'm quite certain a scud or 458 will be the next car, probably scud.

Good luck.

 

Yep.

From what I'm reading, I like the concept of it, the only downside is that I couldn't go directly from say...5th to 3rd. I'd have to do two quick single shifts.

Electrohydraulic manual transmission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Either way, they're both outstanding cars.

What kind of mileage did you put on the 430?