Main dealer prices 458

[JayP1]

Hi guys

I’m having early stage feelings of wanting to buy a 458 - just a cursory glance on AT shows quite a wide spread of prices. Obviously mileage has a big impact but there also seems to be a big premium £15k-20k for main dealer vs independents which doesn’t seem to be as pronounced with the 488 for example.

I suppose my question is, is it worth paying this premium to get a main dealer car with the 2 year warranty or am I best off clipping the saving and putting the difference into a reserve pot for unexpected repairs.

Would welcome any thoughts or experiences people have

[Chad_Hugo]

I was in this position in 2022 and from my experience then and since the answer is a resounding 'YES'.

Got a stunning, low miles, low owner car, in probably the highest spec I had seen in well over a year, full PPF already applied (lucky I suppose) and ceramic coating too done by the dealer. The communication, preparation, and attention to detail and handover were all first class, I am still in touch occasionally with the supplying dealer to this day several years on. You don't buy a Ferrari every day and the experience being as stress free and enjoyable as possible definitely has a value to me.

I paid a bit more, but it was definitely not 20k more and I always felt happy with the deal I got considering spec/miles/warranty condition of car. The standard of the car, 2 year warranty, and peace of mind to me was more than worth it, close to 3 years later no regrets and would do the same again.

When buying I also saw the spread but did not bother me, there seemed to be also a two tier Ferrari market, there are plenty of people who will strongly prefer to buy a Ferrari from main dealer versus the various anonymous dealers that spring up and then sometimes disappear a few years later (draw your own conclusion) and and as long as the premium is justifiable and reasonable enough I think that will continue.

Hope you find the right car for you, and good luck in the search, you will love the 458, one of Ferrari's greatest hits for sure!

[JayP1]

Thanks Chad - appreciate the detailed comment!

[SarlechS]

Chad_Hugo said:

I was in this position in 2022 and from my experience then and since the answer is a resounding 'YES'.

Got a stunning, low miles, low owner car, in probably the highest spec I had seen in well over a year, full PPF already applied (lucky I suppose) and ceramic coating too done by the dealer. The communication, preparation, and attention to detail and handover were all first class, I am still in touch occasionally with the supplying dealer to this day several years on. You don't buy a Ferrari every day and the experience being as stress free and enjoyable as possible definitely has a value to me.

I paid a bit more, but it was definitely not 20k more and I always felt happy with the deal I got considering spec/miles/warranty condition of car. The standard of the car, 2 year warranty, and peace of mind to me was more than worth it, close to 3 years later no regrets and would do the same again.

When buying I also saw the spread but did not bother me, there seemed to be also a two tier Ferrari market, there are plenty of people who will strongly prefer to buy a Ferrari from main dealer versus the various anonymous dealers that spring up and then sometimes disappear a few years later (draw your own conclusion) and and as long as the premium is justifiable and reasonable enough I think that will continue.

Hope you find the right car for you, and good luck in the search, you will love the 458, one of Ferrari's greatest hits for sure!

have you actually had to use the warranty?

[ollyh1988]

Another bonus with buying from a main dealer is some of the nice invites to events you get.
When we bought our car, we got a trip to Italy to drive the Roma spider, numerous test drive events, Silverstone hospitality etc. The dealers even show the F1 when it is on and will put on food and drink.
Those things might not be a deal breaker, but certainly nice to feel part of the Ferrari family.

[Trev450]

When searching for a 488 last year I decided if I found a car that ticked all of my criteria, I would persue it regardless of whether it was at a Ferrari dealer or an independent. I felt reasonably comfortable with the checks and warranty a main dealer provides not to need any further investigation on my part, but a PPI was considered essential if the car was at an independent.
I eventually found my ideal car at an independent, arranged a PPI and after negotiating a few little minor issues, concluded the purchase.

[supersport]

I’d say no.

Mine was a one owner car, front ppf and ceramic applied by the dealer, and they’re not main dealer.

Was easy to deal with and a decent 12 month warranty which I never needed. Two and a bit years later still wouldn’t have needed.

Personally I think low miles is a bad thing, although they are all, mostly, low miles anyway. Mine had 19k on which to my mind for a 10 year old car is low. 25k now mainly because I didn’t drive it much last year due to a new toy. This year it’s getting a fair crack at the whip.

I wouldn’t touch a 3000 miler, cars need to be driven.

[supersport]

Oh and get one they are gorgeous and great fun. Love it.

[Drl22]

Spec and condition is key really. If you love the spec and do some DD on the dealer, speak to them and you’ll get gauge on how they operate quite quickly. Most of the cars at non dealers will be SOR, so if the car isn’t right the cost to rectify should be on the seller or you walk away. Get a good inspection done either with Ferrari or a reputable Indy and, if the margins are as big as 15 to 20k, it’ll take you a long time to work through that, the cars are very reliable. Don’t marry a car, if the dealer isn’t sorting issues or won’t let you inspect then walk away and keep going with the search.

[elms]

You could be comparing apples with oranges.

Its not unheard of to find a car with £70k of extras for just £20k more than one without. Same as one owner car could be worth £20k more than a 11 owner.

Don't overthink it, compare each car exactly like for like rather than get fixated on with price.

[av185]

This Spyder just sold this morning. Good reflection of the current market. Many cars are grossly overpriced atm.
11 service stamps of which 10 main dealer.

[elms]

av185 said:

This Spyder just sold this morning. Good reflection of the current market. Many cars are grossly overpriced atm.
11 service stamps of which 10 main dealer.

This is what I mean, that one is now 11 owners, auction sale with FA come back and grade 3 condition

Put that into a main dealer or decent specialist and tell them to make it showroom retail ready and see how much you have saved over a retail car.

Edited by elms on Thursday 20th February 13:26

[av185]

My 2011 a few years back.
Great cars.

[av185]

elms said:

You could be comparing apples with oranges.

Its not unheard of to find a car with £70k of extras for just £20k more than one without. Same as one owner car could be worth £20k more than a 11 owner.

Don't overthink it, compare each car exactly like for like rather than get fixated on with price.

Rather depends if you personally value the extras as many are overpriced frippery and do little to add value and in contrast many are 'no brainer' options and like Porsche fairly essential for resale, exact model dependent.

[JayP1]

Thanks for all the comments guys - good insight. There could well be a big element of me not taking into consideration of extras and owners etc.

What are the essential options to have vs the nice to haves?

I assume essentials:
Carbon driver zone
Wing badges
Yellow brakes
Forged wheels

Nice to haves:
Race seats
Upgraded front lights
Other carbon

Correct me if I’m wrong

[MDL111]

elms said:

This is what I mean, that one is now 11 owners, auction sale with FA come back and grade 3 condition

Put that into a main dealer or decent specialist and tell them to make it showroom retail ready and see how much you have saved over a retail car.

Edited by elms on Thursday 20th February 13:26

Where did you get 11 owners from? that seems a lot

[elms]

MDL111 said:

Where did you get 11 owners from? that seems a lot

Did a quick check on it.

There is normally a reason or number of reasons why something like that is in an auction, and that is that dealers / specialists who get first dibs have turned it down.

Its like a plot of land, if you see it on rightmove you can be sure a dozen builders / developers who do it for a living would of been offered it waaaaaay before Joe Public gets a sniff.

Edited by elms on Thursday 20th February 13:57

[MDL111]

I would give a benefit to a main dealer car, but ultimately would look for the spec I want and ignore where it is sold unless I can find two +/- identical cars. I bought 2 cars from main dealers and 1 from an independent (was a race car though and the main dealers rarely sell those anyway). One of the dealers subsequently closed down, not sure why but must have been something dodgy going on as it was in one of the best markets for Ferrari.
Ultimately they are all car dealers, one just has a fancier showroom....

The events are very nice and certainly a benefit if you have the time to attend them. Nobody does a sales event for clients better than Ferrari imo.

[MDL111]

elms said:

MDL111 said:

Where did you get 11 owners from? that seems a lot

Did a quick check on it.

gotcha - that is a huge number and would make me a bit nervous tbh. Heck 11 owners would be a lot on a car built in the 1970s, let alone one from the 2010s ....

[maura]

JayP1 said:

Thanks for all the comments guys - good insight. There could well be a big element of me not taking into consideration of extras and owners etc.

What are the essential options to have vs the nice to haves?

I assume essentials:
Carbon driver zone
Wing badges
Yellow brakes
Forged wheels

Nice to haves:
Race seats
Upgraded front lights
Other carbon

Correct me if I’m wrong

Yes Carbon Driving Zone, Shields and Forged wheels as minimum. Colored calipers would not be a minimum. don’t like them if yellow caliper and red stitching and vice versa. For me I would pay the extra for the Carbon Race Seats, find them very comfortable and well worth the cost.