Exactly what I wanted to hear....money cannot make your decision.

 

I currently have a 2015 C7 but, I bought a new F430 in 2005.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-ferrari.html

Please see page 3 of the above post for my impressions. I'm amazed how some people think they know about Ferrari's but have never owned one.

Good Luck,
Caholo1

 

Well, this IS a C7 forum so my bias come to the surface and I would go with the C7. Lots of good reasons up there ^^ if you need them.

 

I love these threads. Should I buy XYZ car or a Vette. Dude, you're on the "Corvette Forum". What do you think everyone will say?? Ferrari or Ford!!! LOL. go on the Ferrari forum and tell them you're thinking of s Corvette. See how far you will get.

 

If money is NOT an issue then get the 430.

 

I drove an F430 on a race track. Awesome driving car. I still find my C7 has better handling and acceleration (e.g. broader torque range). I vote C7.

They for some reasons didn't want me paddle shifting

 

There's a recent Jalopnik article on the costs of owning the Ferrari -it's a 360 Modena, but interesting and objective nonetheless.

More to your point, OP, think if the C7 as a 'regular' car, you can drive from point A to point B. It holds luggage, golf clubs, gets good mileage, and is reliable. You can use one as a daily driver (many, including myself, do) or take it out only on nice days or for weekend getaways. The Ferrari, on the other hand, is a point A to point A car - no luggage space, not practical for a DD, and would be mostly driven from your garage, around the neighborhood, then back into your garage. I can't imagine taking a Ferrari to the local grocery store, or piling my wife and 2 sets of golf clubs for a trip down the coast in one.

They are totally different cars, and likely would be used for very different purposes. DOn't get me wrong - Ferraris are beautiful, but unlimited resources aside cannot see myself ever own one. I have a friend who has 2 of them (a Daytona and a Lusso), and they never get driven. What's more, he had to install overhead sprinklers in his garage as the insurance company would not insure the cars without the fire protection. Granted, these are both collectible Ferraris, but my point is he doesn't drive either one, and is now looking at a Corvette (he loves mine) so he can have a sports car to drive daily.

 

I was in the same dilemma. I opted for the F430. I always wanted a Ferrari and the timing was right. Mine is an 07 and it was fully serviced and had new Pirellis installed just before I bought it. Great road car and surprisingly comfortable on long trips. I've had it since February of this year and have put 3200 miles on it. I upgraded the exhaust with headers and performance x pipe, ceramic brake pads, and proper air horns. I did the work myself with a couple of friends.

I can always buy a Z06 convertible later on if I get tired of the Ferrari.

 

Mine had 18K on it and it does have luggage space in the front and some behind the seats. My wife and I took many long trips in the car and she loved it. In addition, I drove it everywhere including Walmart.

I actually could have bought and may still get a Ford GT and that fits your description much more than the Ferrari. But I would drive the **** out of that also. In the end, these are cars that are meant to be driven and enjoyed whenever you want as is any car. Never let your stuff own you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I've never heard it put that way, but that's spot on. Far too many people IMO own cars that quickly own them. They quickly turn into garage art for one reason or another. If you're into owning a car simply to walk into the garage and look at it, and drive it occasionally on weekends with nice weather, that's great for you. Not for me. I've owned literally dozens of sports, muscle and collectible cars in my life, and none has ever owned me. If I found myself not driving one for any reason I sold it and bought something else. My C7 is my DD and has been in lots of different parking lots, including grocery stores, malls and yes, even Wal Marts.

I too have been seriously considering picking up a Ford GT. If I do it will get driven hard, including track time and open road races. Life's too short to own great cars and not drive them.

 

The Ferrari is going to much much more expensive in the initial buy and then in maintenance and insurance. My money I'd still get the Ferrari though.

 

I’m very fortunate as I own a ’05 F430 and a ’15 Z51. They are totally different cars. Maintenance on a 430 is not like the previous models, should be around $1200 annually if you do all the required items and put on enough mileage to warrant it, which is basically just the fluids, as they no longer have belt driven cam systems.. I’ve owned F-cars for almost 20 years and Corvettes for about 40 years. Any car can have high maintenance costs if something goes wrong. A lot of folks like to sling figures around on the F-cars but most all of them do not have first hand experience owning them. The 430 is a dream to drive and exceeds all of my expectations, although I could upgrade to a 458 but see no added value unless you are soley going to track the car. The Z51 is also a great car but totally different in the way it handles. Let’s be honest here, Vettes do have their issues, they are not perfect, you do get a lot of car for the money. Both cars can be pushed to limits that few of us will ever require unless you track the cars. The Z51 is brutal (465 hp), and the 430 (just shy of 500 hp) is scarey fast and has more finesse. Again folks can quote specs, elapsed times etc, but few track the cars, and racing on the street is plain stupid. If you want a fabulous weekend car and can afford a F-car them do a lot of research and fine a well documented 430 and you will be thrilled and they hold their value better than a Vette.. If you want a great daily driver then get a Z51 an you will also not be disappointed. Both are world class cars, yet totally different. Insurance for both cars is nearly identical.

 

I have an '08 430 coupe with one of the last of the 6-speed manuals and had it since new. I agree with everything said in the above post. I'm thinking of adding a Stingray to my garage in the near future. Some people drive it anywhere with no fear but I just cannot see myself leaving it in a parking lot to go shopping, even after over 6 years of ownership. It is for me truly a point A to point A car. That's why I'm considering getting a C7 so I can drive a sports car anywhere I want without worrying about parking it anywhere. I've had three Corvettes before and I liked each one of them. From what I've read and heard on this forum, the C7 really is a huge improvement over previous generations and the looks remind me of the Ferrari F12. The 430 has been pretty much bulletproof since I've owned it and maintenance costs is not bad at all if you go to an independent mechanic. The sound and instantaneous throttle response is fantastic and I'm still not tired of driving it or looking at it since owning it. It is just not as practical as a C7 so that's why I'm hoping to add one soon.

 

Care to elaborate? I'm curious considering the cost of replacing each one is a bit different if the car were deemed a total loss due to some sort of accident.

 

[QUOTE=Nosferatu:
I see that you live in Tampa, I live in St. Pete, have NO driving record, that is 40 years of no tickets, full high coverage on both cars via State Farm. When I removed my '13 370Z and added the Z51 my rate went down $16.00 year.

 

If I had deeper pockets I'd own a Ferrari. Love the cars.

One of the main reasons I got into a 2015 C7 after a 20 year hiatus is because it reminded me of the F12 Berlinetta.

 

Whats faster?? F430??

 

[QUOTE=Cat Daddy;1588471139][QUOTE=Nosferatu:
I see that you live in Tampa, I live in St. Pete, have NO driving record, that is 40 years of no tickets, full high coverage on both cars via State Farm. When I removed my '13 370Z and added the Z51 my rate went down $16.00 year.[/QUOTE]

You are certainly correct as I too own a Current Ferrari. Insurance is cheap provided right carrier and good driving experience. My out of pocket expenses currently are not bad. The 430 is a beautiful car and an exceptional handler. Problem is the potential expenses can be astronomical.
I currently have an order in for the new Z06 as it is a well engineered car, sorted, nice interior, beautiful exterior, great electronics, handles. Have been a car guy all my life and do not identify with a particular marque. The warranty on the Z is great as far as 5yrs/100 k miles drive train /engine. Maintenance issues post warranty are more than reasonable. I certainly commend GM on the current Vette. What I don't understand is a the negativism regarding this car and the C7 when for the most part things go wrong. It is good to identify problem areas to determine pattern, but let it go cause GM comes through for the most part more so then many high dollar marques. If you think Ferrari paint jobs come in with no orange peel,dings,etc you are an uninformed consumer. Only you can make an informed purchase, I choose the ZO6 as my purchase, but I will keep the Ferrari!

 

I have owned 10 Vettes (2 C4's, 3 C5's and 5 C6's) including 2 Z06's. I have also owned almost everything else, including an 05 Viper SRT10, and 2 Ferraris, a 360 Spider 6 speed and an F430 Spider F1. I never own more than one car at a time and my cars are 20K per year daily drivers...no track. The biggest piece of junk I ever owned by far was the viper. The best cars were the Vettes and Porsches. As for the Ferrari's, as fabulous as they sound and as fun as they are to drive (love mid engine cars), they are not particularly well made and well engineered cars. When it comes to that, the Vette is far superior. And you can't compare cost to maintain the car. Take the Vette in for a general service and you will have it back in an hour for around $100.00. The Ferrari will be at the dealer all day and will set you back $350.00 minimum. Then consider the F1 tranny. The F430 did not have a dual clutch tranny, and what you will smell when putting the F1 in reverse and driving up the slightest incline is burning clutch material. I worked for Ferrari for 18 months in customer relations, and can say with much experience that both Ferraris and Maserati's are just not what I consider well made cars. As far as performance, my 2010 GS Vette was just as quick as the F430. Vettes are bullet proof. Lastly, give me a C7 with a 100K warranty any day over any used Ferrari.

 

Get both.