No love for the 456 or the Maranello series GTs? I thought about those when I started looking at an Aston.

Lol, _such_ a troll

If I ever had the coin for a 458 I think I'd hold out for the Spider personally. No performance or styling hit (well maybe execpt for losing some engine display) and loads of top down aural pleasure.

 

^^^ the front engine v12 Maranellos were good cars...the 550 was a hit when it came out. I do like the some front engine v12 Ferraris but in this catagory I love the older one's from the 50's and 60's ...like the GTB-4 cam and the Lusso those are striking...of the modern day front engine v12 Ferraris I would have to go with the 599 GTB or GTO

 

+1 to this. You have the bug so just buy one otherwise you'll never be happy. Enjoy it for 6 months and move on to the next thing.

 

Get a shifter cart and blow the cob webs out on a track.. You will be feeling better the rest of the week!!

 

I did a run up to Lime Rock Park with some of the guys from Rennlist a few weeks ago. Saw one of my classic favorites and one of my modern favorites:

 

If you like to rotate cars, why not? Go for it. I had my Aston Martin Virage for a few months before I decided to trade it in for a Ferrari. Love it to death - the car is another level. It depends what you're looking in a vehicle. Sometimes you prefer Pizza, sometimes you prefer a salad.

 

Bill ...that's the awesome Daytona Spyder doing what it was meant to do...be a great fast front engine v12 Ferrari GT car!!!

Dr. G... excellent pics and taste, thanks for sharing...the GTO looks great, is it one of the original 37? If so would you happen to know the history and ownerships behind that...each is a very special one! I love the 355 Challenge car also, it was with the 348 and 355 that the Challenge series really picked up steam here in North America. My good friend used to run one of those in the Early 2000's (maybe '01 - '02) looked identical to the one pictured...he had 2 sets of speedlines one white the other yellow...ran a 1:17.xx at SPR which was very fast for that time, back before the repaved the track in the late 2000's.

Nexlogic...excellent choice on the 458...it is a magnificant car. I have yet to drive one on the race track but that might change within a month. I am looking forward to that opportunity. I hope to own one myself in the somewhat near future, but in the meantime when offered, flogging someone elses on track would be a good bit of fun

 

Simple ... There is an unwritten rule. Aston owners can only buy Lambos ... Dunno why but it's true almost 100% of the time

 

To the OP,
Are you planning on DD this car or do you have a separate car for DD duty?
Having borrowed my friends Vantage for the weekend, and driving a scud on the track, you will be getting a different car all together. The only thing they have in common is that they will get a lot of attention and they are beautiful. The F430 is going to feel much faster, lighter, and more nimble around the corners. Your Vantage is going to be much more comfortable for DD or long drives. I have also tracked a 458 and it is not worth the extra 150k over the F430, even as great of a car it is.

 

Sunir, interestingly enough the car is actually rarer than a 250GTO in that it's one of the 330GTOs that Ferrari built with the larger motor on the slightly modified 250 chassis and body. I believe the owner said this was one of three built.

 

^^^ ah yes the unicorn of them all - the 330 GTO...there are only 3 you are super lucky to have seen one!!! WOW!! Ferrari made those in anticopation of the larger motor in the racing sanctioning body, they were early runs almost prototype exercise and purpose made. The car is exactly as you said a larger motor in the 250 chassis...I didn't list that on my list as it's incredibly rare and unobtainable unless one goes in auction, I know one wasa California car which has been restored, it had some owner modications that were re-altered back to factory. The car is values anywhere from $15 - $20 Million depending on quality of resotration or originality, in the right circumstances I would not be surprised to see a 330GTO go upwards of $30M.

 

This would not be my DD and would only be used a few times a week and definitely the weekend. I love the 458 (and its no where even close to attainable), but if the F430 truly is a run for it's money, maybe I'll consider. I guess I watched that Top Gear on the 458 vs. the F430 and thought Ferrari has made miles of progress ahead.

I guess I need to go and just test drive a F430. Hmm, great reason to play hookie at work.

 

I saw that episode too and was amazed at how the 458 just walked away from the 430. Don't be thinking, however, that the 430 is slow. It is really fast and it is amazing how quickly it will rip through the gears. It also handles fantastically well. I rented a 430 spider in Monaco a couple of years ago and it was absolute bliss carving up the twisty roads near St. Tropez with that car.

Any thought as to coupe or spider? Although I prefer the hard top when it comes to Astons, for some reason I gravitate to the open-air experience for Ferraris.

 

I was thinking the same thing. It was between the Ford GT and the 430. In the end I went with the V12 Vantage. They are more exclusive, more beautiful, not quite as sharp, but I think just as fun, maybe more.

To be honest the V12 Vantage is a bargain considering its peers.

But, honestly who could fault you for driving a 430

 

Elude,
You should speak with Fernando at Ferrari La Jolla, he may let you test drive. Most Ferrari or exotic dealers rarely allow test drives unless all the paperwork is done and signed !

So what do you want in this car:
amazing performance
visceral driving experience
great looks and attention getting
comfort and luxury
reliability

Shoot me a PM since you live in SD and you can take a look at my P-car. It is in your magic price range and ticks many of the boxes except comfort and luxury. Just to be clear, I am not selling my car, but there are a few for sale which are similar.