First Supercar Dilemma!
Discussion
Hi all,
I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where I’m finally looking to buy my first supercar. I’m 31 and have a maximum budget of £250k.
My dream cars have always been the 488 Pista or 458 Speciale, and long term I think one of those would still be the ultimate goal. However, I feel the market has moved beyond where I’m comfortable spending at this stage.
I’m considering a 458 Spider, Huracán Performante or 812 Superfast. I’ve driven the Performante and loved it, but haven’t driven the other two yet.
The car will be purely for weekends, occasional European tours and some business networking. I want something that feels really special, sounds incredible and that I’ll be proud to own.
Depreciation/value retention is a strong consideration, as ideally I’d like to enjoy the car for 2–4 years and then use it as a stepping stone towards the Pista or Speciale.
Part of me thinks I could buy the Lamborghini now, enjoy it for a few years and then move into the Ferrari I’ve always wanted. The other part of me thinks I should just buy the Ferrari now, even if it isn’t the Pista/Speciale I ultimately want.
I’m not necessarily limited to those three cars, so I’d really appreciate opinions from anyone who has owned or driven them, particularly what you would choose in my position and why.
Thanks in advance!
Mike
I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where I’m finally looking to buy my first supercar. I’m 31 and have a maximum budget of £250k.
My dream cars have always been the 488 Pista or 458 Speciale, and long term I think one of those would still be the ultimate goal. However, I feel the market has moved beyond where I’m comfortable spending at this stage.
I’m considering a 458 Spider, Huracán Performante or 812 Superfast. I’ve driven the Performante and loved it, but haven’t driven the other two yet.
The car will be purely for weekends, occasional European tours and some business networking. I want something that feels really special, sounds incredible and that I’ll be proud to own.
Depreciation/value retention is a strong consideration, as ideally I’d like to enjoy the car for 2–4 years and then use it as a stepping stone towards the Pista or Speciale.
Part of me thinks I could buy the Lamborghini now, enjoy it for a few years and then move into the Ferrari I’ve always wanted. The other part of me thinks I should just buy the Ferrari now, even if it isn’t the Pista/Speciale I ultimately want.
I’m not necessarily limited to those three cars, so I’d really appreciate opinions from anyone who has owned or driven them, particularly what you would choose in my position and why.
Thanks in advance!
Mike
Tough one…. These cars are so different you’re going to have to try and drive and make your own mind up.
Have had an 812 for 6 years and also owned 488’s and a couple of 458’s.
The 812 and 458 couldn’t be more ‘chalk and cheese’.
458’s were nice but didn’t sound that great to me and I think would likely feel dated and not that fast these days.
488 Pista was (I thought) my dream car, but some time in the seat left me really disappointed sound wise.
812 is a bit of a beast and demands respect. An early one (pre gpf) is probably the pinnacle of V12. A car you need to grow to love and then rewards like no other I’ve ever had.
A nice spec one is now £300k though so pushing the budget. Carbon seats transform the ambiance.
Can’t see any if the cars you mentioned losing you much money (although imo the 458 spider are overpriced for what they are and I’d have a 488 over a 458).
Enjoy your search.
Have had an 812 for 6 years and also owned 488’s and a couple of 458’s.
The 812 and 458 couldn’t be more ‘chalk and cheese’.
458’s were nice but didn’t sound that great to me and I think would likely feel dated and not that fast these days.
488 Pista was (I thought) my dream car, but some time in the seat left me really disappointed sound wise.
812 is a bit of a beast and demands respect. An early one (pre gpf) is probably the pinnacle of V12. A car you need to grow to love and then rewards like no other I’ve ever had.
A nice spec one is now £300k though so pushing the budget. Carbon seats transform the ambiance.
Can’t see any if the cars you mentioned losing you much money (although imo the 458 spider are overpriced for what they are and I’d have a 488 over a 458).
Enjoy your search.
Having driven a 458 spider when they were available from £125k I'd feel gutted to have to spend a shedload more now to buy that same car. Just felt "old".
488GTB probably not going up in value like 458 perhaps but a far better drive imho.
Definitely go drive a few cars you've a great budget to get something special.
488GTB probably not going up in value like 458 perhaps but a far better drive imho.
Definitely go drive a few cars you've a great budget to get something special.
I think I would look at one of these for the Supercar weekend experience with probably decent value retention.
Edit to add: I have not driven one, but do have a Murcielago which feels very special every time I drive it.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18568474
Edit to add: I have not driven one, but do have a Murcielago which feels very special every time I drive it.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18568474
SydneyBridge said:
McLaren seem to be much better value at the moment, I assume a 675LT is more than £250k though, 600LT or 750?
OP didn't mention Mclaren but the LT range are certainly holding values/increasing, and are tremendous to own and drive. You might not get a 675LT in budget but you'll have change with a 600LT and be very pleased you bought it imho. Best car I've owned.WCZ said:
firstly congratulations for being in this position at such a young age!
i'd consider a 296/675lt and even an mc20 (great value) too
a speciale is going to cost a lot of money and realistically you can't drive them without it affecting the value lots
MC20 is great shout, love them.i'd consider a 296/675lt and even an mc20 (great value) too
a speciale is going to cost a lot of money and realistically you can't drive them without it affecting the value lots
Trev450 said:
The op states that depreciation and value retention are are important so I think that would rule out both a 296 and an MC20.
personally I think they're at the bottom and the mc20 even has potential to appreciate one sold for £130k on collecting cars which imv is crazy value
Thank you for all your responses. It’s appreciated!
I think I’ve more or less ruled out the 458, mainly because of its age and current price. As much as I love the car, I don’t think I could bring myself to pay what they’re commanding now, especially knowing what you could have picked one up for not that long ago.
The supercar market seems pretty crazy at the moment and, to me, it just doesn’t feel sustainable at the current pricing!
Obviously, you can never time the market, but I’m likely going to bite the bullet and purchase whichever car I choose around December.
I think the Performante at around £200k represents a very interesting buy, particularly given the rarity of the model and the fact that it’s the last naturally aspirated V10 Lamborghini. I’ve driven one several times and absolutely loved it.
Ultimately, though, the dream has always been a Ferrari. The 812 I think suits my intended use well, as the car would be a weekend toy and primarily used for driving tours and longer trips.
I’m not sure the Performante would be quite as suited to that type of use.
The real dilemma is whether a good spec 812 will be within a he price range around £230–£250k when I decide to go for it.
I’m just not sure whether that boat has now sailed, or whether there will be opportunities if I’m patient and wait for the right car.
I think I’ve more or less ruled out the 458, mainly because of its age and current price. As much as I love the car, I don’t think I could bring myself to pay what they’re commanding now, especially knowing what you could have picked one up for not that long ago.
The supercar market seems pretty crazy at the moment and, to me, it just doesn’t feel sustainable at the current pricing!
Obviously, you can never time the market, but I’m likely going to bite the bullet and purchase whichever car I choose around December.
I think the Performante at around £200k represents a very interesting buy, particularly given the rarity of the model and the fact that it’s the last naturally aspirated V10 Lamborghini. I’ve driven one several times and absolutely loved it.
Ultimately, though, the dream has always been a Ferrari. The 812 I think suits my intended use well, as the car would be a weekend toy and primarily used for driving tours and longer trips.
I’m not sure the Performante would be quite as suited to that type of use.
The real dilemma is whether a good spec 812 will be within a he price range around £230–£250k when I decide to go for it.
I’m just not sure whether that boat has now sailed, or whether there will be opportunities if I’m patient and wait for the right car.
WCZ said:
Trev450 said:
The op states that depreciation and value retention are are important so I think that would rule out both a 296 and an MC20.
personally I think they're at the bottom and the mc20 even has potential to appreciate one sold for £130k on collecting cars which imv is crazy value
Mikey1402 said:
Thank you for all your responses. It s appreciated!
I think I ve more or less ruled out the 458, mainly because of its age and current price. As much as I love the car, I don t think I could bring myself to pay what they re commanding now, especially knowing what you could have picked one up for not that long ago.
The supercar market seems pretty crazy at the moment and, to me, it just doesn t feel sustainable at the current pricing!
Obviously, you can never time the market, but I m likely going to bite the bullet and purchase whichever car I choose around December.
I think the Performante at around £200k represents a very interesting buy, particularly given the rarity of the model and the fact that it s the last naturally aspirated V10 Lamborghini. I ve driven one several times and absolutely loved it.
Ultimately, though, the dream has always been a Ferrari. The 812 I think suits my intended use well, as the car would be a weekend toy and primarily used for driving tours and longer trips.
I m not sure the Performante would be quite as suited to that type of use.
The real dilemma is whether a good spec 812 will be within a he price range around £230 £250k when I decide to go for it.
I m just not sure whether that boat has now sailed, or whether there will be opportunities if I m patient and wait for the right car.
£200k Performante?I think I ve more or less ruled out the 458, mainly because of its age and current price. As much as I love the car, I don t think I could bring myself to pay what they re commanding now, especially knowing what you could have picked one up for not that long ago.
The supercar market seems pretty crazy at the moment and, to me, it just doesn t feel sustainable at the current pricing!
Obviously, you can never time the market, but I m likely going to bite the bullet and purchase whichever car I choose around December.
I think the Performante at around £200k represents a very interesting buy, particularly given the rarity of the model and the fact that it s the last naturally aspirated V10 Lamborghini. I ve driven one several times and absolutely loved it.
Ultimately, though, the dream has always been a Ferrari. The 812 I think suits my intended use well, as the car would be a weekend toy and primarily used for driving tours and longer trips.
I m not sure the Performante would be quite as suited to that type of use.
The real dilemma is whether a good spec 812 will be within a he price range around £230 £250k when I decide to go for it.
I m just not sure whether that boat has now sailed, or whether there will be opportunities if I m patient and wait for the right car.
£250k is a nice budget to have although it would have given you a lot more options 12 months ago! The cars that in theory would be depreciation proof have unfortunately all moved above that threshold since January so options are more limited if that's a key requirement. You seem pretty set on an Italian of some description perhaps a Huracan Tecnica which have been pretty steady value wise over last two yrs while things like the STO have rocketed, I was looking at both 18 months ago and the delta was only £25-40k between them at the time so the rip in the STO seems fairly overdone imo. Can't see a Tecnica dropping alot from £220kish and its the last of line Huracan so a well sorted car. Personally I'd find it very hard to look past a McLaren 750S Spider tho at £230-240k (or coupe for £20k less), carbon tub monocoque, ballistically fast with beautiful balance and handling...better than any of the Lambos or Ferraris already mentioned. They seem to have been holding values well after the big hit in first 12 months and probably the last non hybrid V8 McLaren will produce. You could also save yourself some cash and get a nice 600LT, absolutely cracking cars at the money.
How exciting!
The performante is a great shout and an 812 would be incredible if you can.
991 GT3 touring is a rare car and rock solid residuals. Not everyone would consider them a super car. Perhaps more of a super car slayer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609156...
A left field choice:
https://www.theoctanecollection.com/cars/porsche-9...
You mentioned business networking. How lovely and interesting is one of the best restomods out there. It’s 350 plus the donor car to do this now. Tom Hartley have a similar one on POA.
Or the Ferrari F12. 95% of what an 812 can do.
The performante is a great shout and an 812 would be incredible if you can.
991 GT3 touring is a rare car and rock solid residuals. Not everyone would consider them a super car. Perhaps more of a super car slayer.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609156...
A left field choice:
https://www.theoctanecollection.com/cars/porsche-9...
You mentioned business networking. How lovely and interesting is one of the best restomods out there. It’s 350 plus the donor car to do this now. Tom Hartley have a similar one on POA.
Or the Ferrari F12. 95% of what an 812 can do.
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff