get the 430. it's much more exotic and sounds better, especially with a tubi. just budget some funds for repairs and maintenance. make sure you have a dealer or indy that is honest.

between spider and coupe, no doubt spider is more fun w top down. coupe is better on the track and less things to break. top mechanism can break and requires more maintenance. both my brother and I have coupes now after soft tops. i still have a cab for those top down days because i miss that. you do feel better protected in a coupe though.

 

Very well said by someone who just drove them both, back to back. I have driven a few different ferrari's and porsche's. I would only trade in my GT2 for a 3RS 4.0 or CGT. I would love a ferrari but only if I can have it in addition to my car. The scud is 40% more powerful, louder, and stiffer then a regular 430 and it still can't keep up with a stock GT2, and since the GT2 is turbo charge it can get an additional 90hp/tq with just 2 mods and $7k. With an additional $8k for a new LWFW clutch and suspension it will literally feel like a go-kart that can do 0-100mph in just 6.5 seconds. Even the 458 I drove feels to slow and sloppy in comparison. But I still want one because it is a great car and was very fun to drive also. The 430 is great and has the pros the others have mentioned already, so get what fits your needs and desires.
Forget about the vette and stang. Was just out visiting my buddy with his very fast and modded Z06, it was a horribly built car. Confirmed that I would never buy one, even it was $5k. Sorry but after experiencing Euro cars I am truly a EuroSnob.

 

You cannot go wrong with any of the cars you are thinking about. But just dont get the ferrari thinking it is the fastest in the track. Everybody will tell you that a Ferrari, like a F430 or SCUD, will sound the fastest in the track but not really the fastest among the track cars.

But it is among the best bang for the money for a grin everytime you drive it. And the sound! Somebody said it is better than sex. Probably not,but you know what I mean.

I drive mine on a weekend for a spirited drive. I used it before for work but it gets too boring just to drive it to and from work with this beast.
Good luck on your search. You are so lucky.

 

[QUOTE=Apex Chase;3581836]If you are looking for something to extract max performance the coupe is the way to go. But if you are looking for a weekend toy like you are describing I love the Spider.



I love my spyder, its the way to go, just knowing you have that option on dropping the top...

 

Saw this car yesterday as I was passing Ferrari Long Island - 2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia for Sale in Plainview, NY 11803

Looks like it would be a lot of fun to drive.

 

great!