So I got the new Excellence magazine yesterday ...

[Johnny Danger]

Nice vehicle, but the starting price for an "S" starts to climb into the range of a low mileage, pristine 360 Modena .

[Jager]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

Nice vehicle, but the starting price for an "S" starts to climb into the range of a low mileage, pristine 360 Modena .

Maintenance costs to own a 360 Modena??

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by Jager

Maintenance costs to own a 360 Modena??

After spending considerable time speaking with F-car owners and lurking around forums like F-chat, I've been able to dismiss a lot of the myths and rumors surrounding the ownership and maintenance of these vehicles. Factors like how much the vehicle is driven annually, and where you have it serviced are key in terms of maintenance costs. Moreover, higher production figures over the years has resulted in the increase of available pre-owned Ferraris considerably. As result, there's been a significant increase in the number of independent Ferrari specialist as well. So, gone are the days where a person was held captive by dealerships who could essentially charge whatever they wanted . For someone such as myself who drives on average 3k to 4k per season, I could probably keep my annual costs down to around $1000 or so a year . As far as major service is concerned, the cam belts, along with a few other adjustments, have to be changed every 3 years or 15k miles. And, even that can be kept under 2k if it's done by the right facility .

[Topless]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

After spending considerable time speaking with F-car owners and lurking around forums like F-chat, I've been able to dismiss a lot of the myths and rumors surrounding the ownership and maintenance of these vehicles. Factors like how much the vehicle is driven annually, and where you have it serviced are key in terms of maintenance costs. Moreover, higher production figures over the years has resulted in the increase of available pre-owned Ferraris considerably. As result, there's been a significant increase in the number of independent Ferrari specialist as well. So, gone are the days where a person was held captive by dealerships who could essentially charge whatever they wanted . For someone such as myself who drives on average 3k to 4k per season, I could probably keep my annual costs down to around $1000 or so a year . As far as major service is concerned, the cam belts, along with a few other adjustments, have to be changed every 3 years or 15k miles. And, even that can be kept under 2k if it's done by the right facility .

Dare to dream Johnny. We have a lot of Ferraris around here... and a lot of independent Ferrari techs. The Ferrari techs live very well... and drive Porsches. $1K per year might just cover your tire expense. They are very finicky, high maintenance birds those F-cars but I do love to look at them.

[ChrisZang]

Originally Posted by Topless

Dare to dream Johnny. We have a lot of Ferraris around here... and a lot of independent Ferrari techs. The Ferrari techs live very well... and drive Porsches. $1K per year might just cover your tire expense. They are very finicky, high maintenance birds those F-cars but I do love to look at them.

About the "cheap" Ferrari maintenance:
A friend of mine has a Maserati Grantourismo, which basically is a Ferrari and which gets serviced at a Ferrari/Maserati dealership down the road from me.
He can tell you a story or two about "cheap" maintenance (I usually give him a ride for pickup and dropoff and then get the story fresh from the horse's mouth). To add insult to injury, you can get many of the exact same parts with either a Ferrari or Maserati badge, but the "Ferrari" part carries an extra premium (I guess we're used to it as many P-parts also exist from Audi)
But last not least: Don't forget that Ferraris are not meant to be driven daily, P-cars are.

BTW: Mr. Topless: Will I see you in Buttonwillow end of May?

[Topless]

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

BTW: Mr. Topless: Will I see you in Buttonwillow end of May?

Sadly I will miss this one. Family obligations that weekend. Dan and I will be running the prior weekend on the new SoCal track "Chuckwalla" CCW out in the Mojave desert. It should be cool and breezy there in late May... NOT!

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by ChrisZang

About the "cheap" Ferrari maintenance:
A friend of mine has a Maserati Grantourismo, which basically is a Ferrari and which gets serviced at a Ferrari/Maserati dealership down the road from me.
He can tell you a story or two about "cheap" maintenance (I usually give him a ride for pickup and dropoff and then get the story fresh from the horse's mouth). To add insult to injury, you can get many of the exact same parts with either a Ferrari or Maserati badge, but the "Ferrari" part carries an extra premium (I guess we're used to it as many P-parts also exist from Audi)
But last not least: Don't forget that Ferraris are not meant to be driven daily, P-cars are.

BTW: Mr. Topless: Will I see you in Buttonwillow end of May?

I experienced the same thing when I owned an Alfa. If you bought Agip oil at the Alfa parts window it was $$ . If you bought the same oil at the adjacent Ferrari window, it was $$$. In any event, for the type of driving that I would do with a 360, the costs factors could be greatly mitigated .

[jacabean]

I bet the 981 S model would spank the crap out of a 360 modena . I did see a black 360 today and it did looked real bad ass .

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by Topless

Dare to dream Johnny. We have a lot of Ferraris around here... and a lot of independent Ferrari techs. The Ferrari techs live very well... and drive Porsches. $1K per year might just cover your tire expense. They are very finicky, high maintenance birds those F-cars but I do love to look at them.

I can't imagine needing to replace tires every year; especially if one only drives his or her vehicle 3k to 4k seasonally . And, annual maintenance such as oil and fluid changes are not that disproportionate for another high end vehicles. Keep in mind, I'm referring to street/pleasure driving, not tracking the vehicle .

[pothole]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

Nice vehicle, but the starting price for an "S" starts to climb into the range of a low mileage, pristine 360 Modena .

I was sniffing round a 360 Spider the other day while waiting on a new rear window.

It's a bit of a chintzy lash up compared to a Boxster, has an almost kit car air to it. I also suspect a 981 is a much better drive. Haven't driven one, but would guess the only advantage is bragging rights and badge. it's not like the 360 is beautiful like Ferraris used to be.

If you were' talking 308 GTB, I'd be with you. But the 360? Meh.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by pothole

I was sniffing round a 360 Spider the other day while waiting on a new rear window.

It's a bit of a chintzy lash up compared to a Boxster, has an almost kit car air to it. I also suspect a 981 is a much better drive. Haven't driven one, but would guess the only advantage is bragging rights and badge. it's not like the 360 is beautiful like Ferraris used to be.

If you were' talking 308 GTB, I'd be with you. But the 360? Meh.

Cars like the 308 almost put Ferrari out of business . LoL ! You've been watching too much Magmun P.I. .

[pothole]

Originally Posted by Johnny Danger

Cars like the 308 almost put Ferrari out of business . LoL ! You've been watching too much Magmun P.I. .

Sure, but what's that got to do with beauty? Anyway, Magnum's was the GTS, big no-no!

Modern Ferrari's are designed to please sports stars and the super wealthy from oil--rich and BRIC nations. They're intolerably tacky.

[Ghostrider 310]

That assessment seems a little stern pothole, after all there are many people who judge Porsche drivers too, fact is no matter what we drive or don't drive someone will always have an opinion about it one way or the other.