My first supercar

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Discussion

J77wck

Original Poster:

304 posts

21 months

Friday 25th April
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After a few years of enjoying Jaguars and Porsches, I’ve started the hunt for my first supercar. Last year, I came close to pulling the trigger on a Ferrari F430 but ended up choosing a Porsche GT4 instead. Looking back, I realized I was only considering the F430 because it was the only Ferrari within budget—not because it was the car I truly wanted.

Fast forward 12 months, and the itch is back. This time, I’m leaning toward either a Ferrari 488 GTB or a McLaren 720S. I’m also open to a McLaren GT or a Ferrari 458 if the right one comes along. Since I still have the GT4, there’s no urgency—I’m enjoying the process and waiting for the right car.

Just out of curiosity: how long did you search before buying your dream car? And did anyone here end up with something they hadn’t originally considered?

bennno

13,638 posts

283 months

Friday 25th April
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I went from a GT4 to a 540C which we sold as part of a move, I subsequently got a 720S.

In hindsight the 540 / 570 sport series is ballistic and a proper supercar, but without the complexity and wallet draining capabilities of a 720S so I'd strongly reccomend starting there.

Ferruccio

1,855 posts

133 months

Friday 25th April
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Long time ago but I wanted a sports car
The Ferrari 308 was a beautiful car but couldn’t afford it
Bought a Lamborghini Jalpa instead. Same thing basically but a targa and 60% of the cost.
38 years later I still have that car plus 5 other Lambos

DeejRC

7,403 posts

96 months

Saturday 26th April
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When it comes to buying your “dream” car or supercars or silly cars in general the search never ends. It doesn’t matter what you buy, what you own - the search for the next one always continues.

J77wck

Original Poster:

304 posts

21 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
DeejRC said:
When it comes to buying your “dream” car or supercars or silly cars in general the search never ends. It doesn’t matter what you buy, what you own - the search for the next one always continues.
I definitely get that feeling. I've gone through six cars in just under three and a half years, and usually, I'm satisfied for about three months before the itch to switch kicks in again.

Frankychops

1,345 posts

23 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
J77wck said:
After a few years of enjoying Jaguars and Porsches, I’ve started the hunt for my first supercar. Last year, I came close to pulling the trigger on a Ferrari F430 but ended up choosing a Porsche GT4 instead. Looking back, I realized I was only considering the F430 because it was the only Ferrari within budget—not because it was the car I truly wanted.

Fast forward 12 months, and the itch is back. This time, I’m leaning toward either a Ferrari 488 GTB or a McLaren 720S. I’m also open to a McLaren GT or a Ferrari 458 if the right one comes along. Since I still have the GT4, there’s no urgency—I’m enjoying the process and waiting for the right car.

Just out of curiosity: how long did you search before buying your dream car? And did anyone here end up with something they hadn’t originally considered?
650s, the you get the fancy suspension, rocket ship engine and rock solid residuals, likely the most reliable (including the 488)

bennno

13,638 posts

283 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
Frankychops said:
650s, the you get the fancy suspension, rocket ship engine and rock solid residuals, likely the most reliable (including the 488)
It’s the fancy bits that can be expensive, sports series is perhaps best.

J77wck

Original Poster:

304 posts

21 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
bennno said:
Frankychops said:
650s, the you get the fancy suspension, rocket ship engine and rock solid residuals, likely the most reliable (including the 488)
It’s the fancy bits that can be expensive, sports series is perhaps best.
I will check 570s or 570GT

davek_964

10,014 posts

189 months

Saturday 26th April
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bennno said:
Frankychops said:
650s, the you get the fancy suspension, rocket ship engine and rock solid residuals, likely the most reliable (including the 488)
It’s the fancy bits that can be expensive, sports series is perhaps best.
The fancy bits don't generally fail though.

I've had 2 650s over a total of 5 years and don't think I've had any failures that wouldn't have been on a sports series car.
Accumulators I suppose, but £1,500 for rechargeable ones from V hardly breaks the bank

mogg

335 posts

272 months

Saturday 26th April
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DeejRC said:
When it comes to buying your “dream” car or supercars or silly cars in general the search never ends. It doesn’t matter what you buy, what you own - the search for the next one always continues.
Absolutely +1 thumbup

DeejRC

7,403 posts

96 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
As for end up with something different, well I suppose that depends on how you measure the deltas…age, style of car, price, etc

So, my largest price delta between looking for and bought would be shopping for 599 at about £80-90k a few yrs ago. I missed out one around that price at Carrs. That lead to looking early F12s and in the end purchase was a late F12 at £175k. Basically double the price.

In terms of difference in cars…back in 2005 or so, things like 330GTs and 365GTs, the 4 seaters and 512BBs were all available for £35-50k. I was looking.
So what did I stupidly do instead? Spent £55k ordering a brand new Sagaris.

BigR

401 posts

176 months

Saturday 26th April
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mogg said:
DeejRC said:
When it comes to buying your “dream” car or supercars or silly cars in general the search never ends. It doesn’t matter what you buy, what you own - the search for the next one always continues.
Absolutely +1 thumbup
Unquestionably. It's like a sickness, obsession, compulsion...or perhaps FOMO. For me it started with a not very supercar 4.2 V8 GranTurismo. I've been through 3, then proper supercar entry with a Huracan, on my second, have a Temerarrio on order, have an MC20, 911... And I constantly look at what's next - got to try a Mclaren at some point, never been a big Ferrari fan but perhaps one day...and so on...

B3NJY

407 posts

125 months

Saturday 26th April
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BigR said:
Unquestionably. It's like a sickness, obsession, compulsion...or perhaps FOMO. For me it started with a not very supercar 4.2 V8 GranTurismo. I've been through 3, then proper supercar entry with a Huracan, on my second, have a Temerarrio on order, have an MC20, 911... And I constantly look at what's next - got to try a Mclaren at some point, never been a big Ferrari fan but perhaps one day...and so on...
How do you find the MC20? I’ve been toying with the idea of one for 18 months now, although I think they are stunning to look at, I think the soundtrack would be a huge disappointment.

Batfoy

1,128 posts

20 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
J77wck said:
After a few years of enjoying Jaguars and Porsches, I’ve started the hunt for my first supercar. Last year, I came close to pulling the trigger on a Ferrari F430 but ended up choosing a Porsche GT4 instead. Looking back, I realized I was only considering the F430 because it was the only Ferrari within budget—not because it was the car I truly wanted.

Fast forward 12 months, and the itch is back. This time, I’m leaning toward either a Ferrari 488 GTB or a McLaren 720S. I’m also open to a McLaren GT or a Ferrari 458 if the right one comes along. Since I still have the GT4, there’s no urgency—I’m enjoying the process and waiting for the right car.

Just out of curiosity: how long did you search before buying your dream car? And did anyone here end up with something they hadn’t originally considered?
About six months. I was set on a GT3 and realised that I was in Ferrari territory and so ended up with - an F430 Spider. It's not my dream car, that's too far away financially but it has been an absolute motoring joy to own. Four years now and can't bear to part with it.

bennno

13,638 posts

283 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
davek_964 said:
The fancy bits don't generally fail though.

I've had 2 650s over a total of 5 years and don't think I've had any failures that wouldn't have been on a sports series car.
Accumulators I suppose, but £1,500 for rechargeable ones from V hardly breaks the bank
Accumulators, other bits like the Glass roof panels are circa £9k on a 720, if the hinges go out of alignment….warranty is 5k year.

Frankychops

1,345 posts

23 months

Saturday 26th April
quotequote all
bennno said:
Accumulators, other bits like the Glass roof panels are circa £9k on a 720, if the hinges go out of alignment….warranty is 5k year.
We both said 650s……

RSbandit

2,896 posts

146 months

Sunday 27th April
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[quote=J77wck]

I definitely get that feeling. I've gone through six cars in just under three and a half years, and usually, I'm satisfied for about three months before the itch to switch kicks in again.[/quote

On my second McLaren and they really are superb pieces of kit...tend to keep my cars 2-3 yrs hard to get to know something in 3 months imo! My current 600LT Spider is so good and such great vfm at £130-140k mark that I'm not sure if spending almost double that on a replacement is justifiable. If I had to choose something I'd lean more towards the Huracan STO given the magical V10, the other car that appeals is the 765LT which is an incredible looking thing but mechanically it's just dialing the Mclaren formula up to 11. I passed on upgrading last yr and just put the money into a DBSS instead which is a much different car and complements the 600 well...always fun considering options tho so consolidating back to one v special car can't be ruled out. Enjoy the search!

mogg

335 posts

272 months

Sunday 27th April
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RSbandit]77wck said:
I passed on upgrading last yr and just put the money into a DBSS instead which is a much different car and complements the 600 well
Yes, at one point I had a V12 Vantage S along side my current 600LT Spider and I think those two have been the best combination so far. Closely followed by V12 Vantage S plus 991.1 GT3RS.

DeejRC

7,403 posts

96 months

Sunday 27th April
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V12 Vantage roadster is what I keep coming back to in my search for the next car.

bennno

13,638 posts

283 months

Sunday 27th April
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DeejRC said:
V12 Vantage roadster is what I keep coming back to in my search for the next car.
Although if you see a DBS superleggera then focus quickly shifts. But id suggest neither is a supercar per se.