2005 - F430 Spider
Discussion
I'm interested in a 2005 F430 Spider - I've had a few Ferraris in the past - 328/355/360 Modena & Spider but not a 430 although I've driven one when I was in a "Supercar club" some years ago and was very impressed with it.
I seem to recall reading something on here previously which detailed issues with the exhaust manifolds on early 430's - the car I'm looking at hasn't had the manifolds changed - is this something I should be concerned about ?
Additionally are there any other recognised faults I should be looking out for ?
Thank you
I seem to recall reading something on here previously which detailed issues with the exhaust manifolds on early 430's - the car I'm looking at hasn't had the manifolds changed - is this something I should be concerned about ?
Additionally are there any other recognised faults I should be looking out for ?
Thank you
cgt2 said:
430 is a good car but if you can raise the extra money, 458 is phenomenal in comparison.
Having owned both it is truly light years ahead.
I'd considered a 458, have driven a few of them and agree the difference is significant but at an extra £80-100k so is the cost ! buying one would utilise a lot of my reserve funds - the alternative would be to sell a one or two of my other cars but really enjoying my 356 and 911 at the moment !Having owned both it is truly light years ahead.
I am confused by the "430 is overpriced" brigade. OP has indicated he is interested in a spider so quick search brings up https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... at circa £80k. Enlighten me as to what other 490bhp convertible supercars are around at this level?
A 458 spider is going to cost another 90k https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... Are you saying the OP should more than double his budget? The "458 is such a step up" chorus is also amusing. Of course it is, it's a later model, that's how car manufacturers work. If you are chasing after the latest iteration then why stop at the 458, the 488 is another step up from that and the next model will be yet another step up.
For me at least the 430 at under 100k is a great option. Usable supercar performance, steady appreciation, full fat Ferrari theatre. And while the DCT is a faster gearbox, it does lose the raw kick in the back that the F1 brings to the table. Yes I own a 430 so I am biased but I have driven in a few 458s and followed/lead them around many tracks and nothing has convinced me that I should be shelling out another 90 grand to trade up. Stunning cars yes, but definitely not worth a 430 plus a 911 plus £40k change.
OP have the manifolds checked but outside of that there is not much of a list that would fall outside of regular supercar maintenance. I've had MKII manifolds in for the last 12k miles and if they go I'll simply have them welded up. Annual services by a reputable specialist will pick up issues with them before they cause any further issues. Depending on the year you may need to upgrade the F1 pump motor (£350), replace ball joints over time (£500 a corner), the odd wheel bearing if driven hard (£300), fix a rattling tail light (£20), etc.
A 458 spider is going to cost another 90k https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... Are you saying the OP should more than double his budget? The "458 is such a step up" chorus is also amusing. Of course it is, it's a later model, that's how car manufacturers work. If you are chasing after the latest iteration then why stop at the 458, the 488 is another step up from that and the next model will be yet another step up.
For me at least the 430 at under 100k is a great option. Usable supercar performance, steady appreciation, full fat Ferrari theatre. And while the DCT is a faster gearbox, it does lose the raw kick in the back that the F1 brings to the table. Yes I own a 430 so I am biased but I have driven in a few 458s and followed/lead them around many tracks and nothing has convinced me that I should be shelling out another 90 grand to trade up. Stunning cars yes, but definitely not worth a 430 plus a 911 plus £40k change.
OP have the manifolds checked but outside of that there is not much of a list that would fall outside of regular supercar maintenance. I've had MKII manifolds in for the last 12k miles and if they go I'll simply have them welded up. Annual services by a reputable specialist will pick up issues with them before they cause any further issues. Depending on the year you may need to upgrade the F1 pump motor (£350), replace ball joints over time (£500 a corner), the odd wheel bearing if driven hard (£300), fix a rattling tail light (£20), etc.
sng45 said:
I'd considered a 458, have driven a few of them and agree the difference is significant but at an extra £80-100k so is the cost ! buying one would utilise a lot of my reserve funds - the alternative would be to sell a one or two of my other cars but really enjoying my 356 and 911 at the moment !
Things may be different now but for me it was £40k differential from a 430 Coupe to a 458 Coupe two years ago and very well worth it. This is the car I was interested in ............
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
it would appear that a 458 spider is at least double the cost of this 430 and for something that would be used on occasional Sunday afternoons I'm having problems justifying the difference ! ( In fact the 430 is far in excess of my year old Lotus Elise which is mid engined/convertible/rwd and which it would replace and I've just come to terms with that !)
I spoke to the selling company, who I think have a good reputation, and whilst they don't offer a warranty I was told they will "stand by" the car if anything goes wrong - although I'm not quite certain what that would mean in practice ! - I enquired re the exhaust manifolds and was told they "have been welded" and "wouldn't need doing again" - not sure if this is good ( or bad ?)
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
it would appear that a 458 spider is at least double the cost of this 430 and for something that would be used on occasional Sunday afternoons I'm having problems justifying the difference ! ( In fact the 430 is far in excess of my year old Lotus Elise which is mid engined/convertible/rwd and which it would replace and I've just come to terms with that !)
I spoke to the selling company, who I think have a good reputation, and whilst they don't offer a warranty I was told they will "stand by" the car if anything goes wrong - although I'm not quite certain what that would mean in practice ! - I enquired re the exhaust manifolds and was told they "have been welded" and "wouldn't need doing again" - not sure if this is good ( or bad ?)
I have visited Keys Motorsport while at a Silverstone track day about two years ago - they sorted me out with new pads. They were busy with an F40 rebuild and had a number of very tasty Ferraris in there. Other than that never dealt with them but they looked like a well established outfit and certainly knew what they were talking about and very helpful - I would have no hesitation buying from them. Ask them if the manifold was welded or the bracket and if they did the work - if so you should expect them to guarantee their work. As far as 'standing by the car' I'd ask them to clarify what that means in practise - e.g. what happens if the engine lets go a month after you have purchased it? (Very unlikely but worst case scenario) Other than that that car looks stunning and well priced.
Chris355 said:
"Stand by their car" means nothing so far as im concerned. I'd get in writing exactly what they are covering! People can have bad memories when serious and costly issues arise!
PS. Did I sell you a red 360 spider once upon a time?
No - I bought my 360 Spider from Carrs of Exeter ( unfortunately - horrendous to deal with !) although if I remember correctly I sold you an immaculate black 996 C4S cabriolet - and then bought it back from you a couple of years later !PS. Did I sell you a red 360 spider once upon a time?
thecook101 said:
I am confused by the "430 is overpriced" brigade. OP has indicated he is interested in a spider so quick search brings up https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... at circa £80k. Enlighten me as to what other 490bhp convertible supercars are around at this level?
A 458 spider is going to cost another 90k https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... Are you saying the OP should more than double his budget? The "458 is such a step up" chorus is also amusing. Of course it is, it's a later model, that's how car manufacturers work. If you are chasing after the latest iteration then why stop at the 458, the 488 is another step up from that and the next model will be yet another step up.
For me at least the 430 at under 100k is a great option. Usable supercar performance, steady appreciation, full fat Ferrari theatre. And while the DCT is a faster gearbox, it does lose the raw kick in the back that the F1 brings to the table. Yes I own a 430 so I am biased but I have driven in a few 458s and followed/lead them around many tracks and nothing has convinced me that I should be shelling out another 90 grand to trade up. Stunning cars yes, but definitely not worth a 430 plus a 911 plus £40k change.
OP have the manifolds checked but outside of that there is not much of a list that would fall outside of regular supercar maintenance. I've had MKII manifolds in for the last 12k miles and if they go I'll simply have them welded up. Annual services by a reputable specialist will pick up issues with them before they cause any further issues. Depending on the year you may need to upgrade the F1 pump motor (£350), replace ball joints over time (£500 a corner), the odd wheel bearing if driven hard (£300), fix a rattling tail light (£20), etc.
I don't entirely agree.A 458 spider is going to cost another 90k https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/... Are you saying the OP should more than double his budget? The "458 is such a step up" chorus is also amusing. Of course it is, it's a later model, that's how car manufacturers work. If you are chasing after the latest iteration then why stop at the 458, the 488 is another step up from that and the next model will be yet another step up.
For me at least the 430 at under 100k is a great option. Usable supercar performance, steady appreciation, full fat Ferrari theatre. And while the DCT is a faster gearbox, it does lose the raw kick in the back that the F1 brings to the table. Yes I own a 430 so I am biased but I have driven in a few 458s and followed/lead them around many tracks and nothing has convinced me that I should be shelling out another 90 grand to trade up. Stunning cars yes, but definitely not worth a 430 plus a 911 plus £40k change.
OP have the manifolds checked but outside of that there is not much of a list that would fall outside of regular supercar maintenance. I've had MKII manifolds in for the last 12k miles and if they go I'll simply have them welded up. Annual services by a reputable specialist will pick up issues with them before they cause any further issues. Depending on the year you may need to upgrade the F1 pump motor (£350), replace ball joints over time (£500 a corner), the odd wheel bearing if driven hard (£300), fix a rattling tail light (£20), etc.
The 458 is a big step up from the F430, it's not an incremental change such as 360 to F430 or 458 to 488, so IMO justifies the big leap in price.
No one would chose an automated manual over a dual clutch. I've heard many people try to argue it's more charismatic (good old kick in the back), but really it was the best tech/price available at the time and is ultimately slower, clunky and not as reliable as a dual clutch 'box. If there was an option box at the time for automated manual or dual clutch no one in their right mind would pick automated manual. But of course there wasn't on the F430 so you are stuck with F1 (if you want two pedals).
Saying that, I think in the current market F430s do represent good vfm.
EpsomJames said:
I don't entirely agree.
Saying that, I think in the current market F430s do represent good vfm.
F430's might look good value versus 458's but in the general market they seem overpriced to me.Saying that, I think in the current market F430s do represent good vfm.
The F1 superfast II gearbox on a scuderia is sublime and a massive improvement ( fast and aggressive ) on the standard F1 so on that type of race/track car I would choose it over a DCT everytime. Best gearbox I've ever driven for driver involvement and feel including 458 Speciale and 675LT
sng45 said:
This is the car I was interested in ............
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
it would appear that a 458 spider is at least double the cost of this 430 and for something that would be used on occasional Sunday afternoons I'm having problems justifying the difference ! ( In fact the 430 is far in excess of my year old Lotus Elise which is mid engined/convertible/rwd and which it would replace and I've just come to terms with that !)
I spoke to the selling company, who I think have a good reputation, and whilst they don't offer a warranty I was told they will "stand by" the car if anything goes wrong - although I'm not quite certain what that would mean in practice ! - I enquired re the exhaust manifolds and was told they "have been welded" and "wouldn't need doing again" - not sure if this is good ( or bad ?)
Beware of any 2005/6 cars that haven't had the Mk2 maifolds otherwise this might happen - https://m18eut.wordpress.com/f430-spider-m18-eut/https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
it would appear that a 458 spider is at least double the cost of this 430 and for something that would be used on occasional Sunday afternoons I'm having problems justifying the difference ! ( In fact the 430 is far in excess of my year old Lotus Elise which is mid engined/convertible/rwd and which it would replace and I've just come to terms with that !)
I spoke to the selling company, who I think have a good reputation, and whilst they don't offer a warranty I was told they will "stand by" the car if anything goes wrong - although I'm not quite certain what that would mean in practice ! - I enquired re the exhaust manifolds and was told they "have been welded" and "wouldn't need doing again" - not sure if this is good ( or bad ?)
Now for sale at William Loughran - bet you could get it for £85K!!! Brand new engine in effect.
sng45 said:
This is the car I was interested in ............
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
it would appear that a 458 spider is at least double the cost of this 430 and for something that would be used on occasional Sunday afternoons I'm having problems justifying the difference ! ( In fact the 430 is far in excess of my year old Lotus Elise which is mid engined/convertible/rwd and which it would replace and I've just come to terms with that !)
I spoke to the selling company, who I think have a good reputation, and whilst they don't offer a warranty I was told they will "stand by" the car if anything goes wrong - although I'm not quite certain what that would mean in practice ! - I enquired re the exhaust manifolds and was told they "have been welded" and "wouldn't need doing again" - not sure if this is good ( or bad ?)
That spider looks lovely - if the colour scheme works for you get it bought ! https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
it would appear that a 458 spider is at least double the cost of this 430 and for something that would be used on occasional Sunday afternoons I'm having problems justifying the difference ! ( In fact the 430 is far in excess of my year old Lotus Elise which is mid engined/convertible/rwd and which it would replace and I've just come to terms with that !)
I spoke to the selling company, who I think have a good reputation, and whilst they don't offer a warranty I was told they will "stand by" the car if anything goes wrong - although I'm not quite certain what that would mean in practice ! - I enquired re the exhaust manifolds and was told they "have been welded" and "wouldn't need doing again" - not sure if this is good ( or bad ?)
Tom Keys knows 430s inside out - if he says he'll stand by the car, then he will. Ive dealt with Tom as a buyer, so happy to give my first hand views (all positive) - feel free to PM me.
Since when has 32k miles become "Very high miles"?
Why do people insist on talking such a load of tosh.? at that mileage the engine is barely run-in. A few maintenance items will have come up by then, most probably front end ball joints.
430 is a great car, but I couldn't justify an additional 40-50K for the step up to a 458.
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