458 or GT4 RS. Heart vs. head.
Discussion
After 2 years in a 997.1 Turbo, I'm ready for a change. I think I've made up my mind but I thought I'd put this out there and hear some opinions.
The 997 has been great. Fast, practical, fairly under the radar, but lacking in excitement, other than out and out speed. On a Sunday morning blast, it's just not doing it for me. The manual gearbox is fun to use, but I'm looking for something with more drama. I'll be trading in the 997 as a deposit then finance the remainder with a residual value. I should mention I'm in Sweden, so values here will differ from UK values for the same cars.
Initially I had my eye on a GT4 RS. I can get in to a 18 month old, 5500 mile, Weissach pack car with PCCBs and Porsche warranty. These look well priced compared to 992 GT3 or 991.2 GT3 RS. But I have owned a 981 GT4 and as much as I enjoyed that car, it feels like I'm going back to another Cayman - I appreciate an RS is a completely different beast, but still.
Then I started looking around and for slightly more money (+£10k) there is an option of a well specced 458 Italia. The one I'm looking at is a 2011 car, Rosso red, full carbon driver zone and wheel, carbon alcantara racing seats, carbon sills and diffuser, ppf since new, forged wheels, 2 owners (last owner for 11 years), full Ferrari service history, just touched 30k miles. I don't mind this mileage as I want to use it, around 1500 miles per year. I still have to do a PPI but on the face if it, it's a stunning car. A dream car for me. But, it's a 13 year old Ferrari and I know that's not a decision to be taken lightly.
So, do I go with my head and get the Porsche with a warranty and sensible running costs. Or do I let my heart rule and buy the Ferrari?
I plan on keeping it for at least 3 years. It's not a decision maker but I think 458 values are pretty solid and GT4 RS values will continue to soften as they are still in production. Does that sound about right?
Also, I should mention that I haven't driven either of them yet. I have been a passenger in an RS and my ears are still ringing. I don't plan on doing any track days in the 458 but I will if I buy the Porsche. Another consideration was a 991 GT3 Touring, just for the manual.
The 997 has been great. Fast, practical, fairly under the radar, but lacking in excitement, other than out and out speed. On a Sunday morning blast, it's just not doing it for me. The manual gearbox is fun to use, but I'm looking for something with more drama. I'll be trading in the 997 as a deposit then finance the remainder with a residual value. I should mention I'm in Sweden, so values here will differ from UK values for the same cars.
Initially I had my eye on a GT4 RS. I can get in to a 18 month old, 5500 mile, Weissach pack car with PCCBs and Porsche warranty. These look well priced compared to 992 GT3 or 991.2 GT3 RS. But I have owned a 981 GT4 and as much as I enjoyed that car, it feels like I'm going back to another Cayman - I appreciate an RS is a completely different beast, but still.
Then I started looking around and for slightly more money (+£10k) there is an option of a well specced 458 Italia. The one I'm looking at is a 2011 car, Rosso red, full carbon driver zone and wheel, carbon alcantara racing seats, carbon sills and diffuser, ppf since new, forged wheels, 2 owners (last owner for 11 years), full Ferrari service history, just touched 30k miles. I don't mind this mileage as I want to use it, around 1500 miles per year. I still have to do a PPI but on the face if it, it's a stunning car. A dream car for me. But, it's a 13 year old Ferrari and I know that's not a decision to be taken lightly.
So, do I go with my head and get the Porsche with a warranty and sensible running costs. Or do I let my heart rule and buy the Ferrari?
I plan on keeping it for at least 3 years. It's not a decision maker but I think 458 values are pretty solid and GT4 RS values will continue to soften as they are still in production. Does that sound about right?
Also, I should mention that I haven't driven either of them yet. I have been a passenger in an RS and my ears are still ringing. I don't plan on doing any track days in the 458 but I will if I buy the Porsche. Another consideration was a 991 GT3 Touring, just for the manual.
Many years ago I debated Porsche (996 C2) Vs Ferrari (355 GTB) when they were the same price (£35k). I went for the 'safe' Porsche option and always regretted it (I'm in a Ferrari now though). To top it all, 50% depreciation when I sold it and it wasn't even reliable. Heart all the way.
Oz83 said:
But I have owned a 981 GT4 and as much as I enjoyed that car, it feels like I'm going back to another Cayman - I appreciate an RS is a completely different beast, but still.
I think you’ve answered your own question, or at least know deep down the answer. I moved on my 981 GT4 because despite the theatre it provided, and despite its limpet-like performance, it felt like a track car that was a fish out of water spending most of its time on the road. And as you’ve moved from yours into a 997 turbo, I’m guessing your thinking isn’t a million miles from that assessment. A GT4RS would be a great thing to try and to drive, but I think you’d end up back in that same conundrum even quicker. It’s predominantly a track car that you can use on the road, as you know.
Get the 458. And I say that as someone who isn’t really much of a Ferrari fan.
ANOpax said:
Ferrari is not for everyone. Only you can tell. Drive it and you will know.
This is so very true. Before I bought my F430 I was dead set on a 911 of some kind but I wasn't really truly excited about it and I was also singularly uninterested in Ferraris. Until I drove one and then all bets were off. I know Porsche has history and pedigree but Ferrari seem, to me, have emotion chucked in as well. Hard to describe without someone rolling their eyes!CountyAFC said:
In your dotage you'll look back and regret the time you didn't buy a Ferrari when you had the chance.
In 25 years time, when we are all getting ferried about in self driving personal transport cubes, do you want to look back at the time you *almost* bought the last normally aspirated mid-engined Ferrari?Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff