I'm in the market to buy a sports car for approximately 80% track, 20% local driving (San Francisco). I'd love to own a Ferrari but am petrified by the maintenance costs. Can anyone give me an idea of the actual cost to own and maintain a mid/late 2000's F430? I used to own a 2002 Maserati Spyder and the cost to keep it nice and tuned was about 18k for a year. The mechanic who worked on the car (tuned and replaced clutch) told me my Spyder shared parts with the 360 Modena - that it shared the tranny and (albeit detuned) motor. I'm not sure if my past experience was an aberration or in fact would relate to owning a 430 so I though I'd ask for some feedback on your guys' actual experience owning and maintaining a legit Ferrari.

If the Ferrari is too spendy to own and use I'm thinking of the new 991 GT3.

 

If your maserati cost that much expect a little older ferrari to be even worse.

First off just on a performance stand point the 991 GT3 will dust that car on the track. Its as fast as a 458 according to some reports already and significantly faster then even the last RS models. This GT3 model is just absurdly fast and amazing technology. I wouldn't even be thinking about a Ferrari at this point unless you can afford a 458 Italia because then you have a new car with the maintence covered by ferrari!!

 

Porsche GT3 if you are just using it in the track... F430 for everyday!! Lol

 

Right on, thanks for the feedback.

 

GT3 without question. I've had several 430's. Had a few 997 RS's. As mentioned above the 991 GT3 is a 458 rival now at half the cost. The F1 tranny in the 430 is garbage compared to the DCT/PDK's now as well.

 

Thanks again, especially Ryan Woon. What to do..gt3 or wait for the rs..

 

I would vote GT3 now. Keep it for 2-3 years, then upgrade.

My understanding is that the current 991 style, of course with "upgrades" to the body styling, will be around for next 15-20 years (reference from article about 1 year ago). So, you will be good to go for quite some time.

J

 

when is the new gt3 available?

 

New GT3's will first hit here in the states in Nov/Dec.

 

Have to agree that the 991 GT3 is a better choice for your intended use. $18,000/yr to keep the Maser rolling? That is insane!

 

Does anyone know when the GT three RS model is coming out? Also, what's the primary difference between the GT 3 and the GT 3 RS?

 

Gt3 RS is wider, and the f430 is way better than to its almost twin 360, but its on the same chassis and by then they have mastered all the issues the 360 Modena had. I say go with the gt3 2014 anyway, its a headache when you have to bring the f car in for service and get a bill for 2 grand, at least with Porsche oil change and replacement wheels, and your good to go, with the f car the warranty sucks big time, 5 grand for 1 year, and some cars dont even qualify... Im actually going to trade mine in for a R8 v!0, and keep my 991S.... Hoped I helped a little :-)

 

Right on, thank you that is a lot of help. Sounds like you have direct experience with both of these types of cars. I really do just want something that I could in theory drive every day then on the weekends at the track. I'm really close to Sonoma Raceway and Laguna Seca. How are the maintenance costs with Porsche in general? What IYO should I budget per year assuming I put on about 10,000 miles a year 50/50 daily driving in the city and the remainder at the track (assuming I don't wad it up).

Anyway, I put in a call to the dealer to find out what the lead time is for the GT3 and when the RS is coming out. Ill post what I find out. Getting excited..

 

Definitely not the 430 for track - more of a street car.
I traded my 430 for a 16M and I do want to try it out on track, but as all have mentioned, Ferrari track maintenance is through the roof $$$$.

GT3 should be great, or better GT2.....have you thought about a Lotus?
It's what I race in our LotusCup series - we just raced Laguna Seca and will do Infineon in September - you should check it out when we're up at Infineon.

 

plastique999, when is the race at Sears? I just looked at the schedule on-line but can't figure out specifically when the club will be there. I will be attending a couple of PCA, SCCA, NASA races to check out competitiveness. That's the other side of this...I want to compete in a legit club racing series.