Whether you’re buying your first Ferrari, or your seventh, the path to purchase is always intriguing, yet potentially overwhelming. Ferrari have a vast range of intoxicating cars, everything from iconic mid-engined supercars that give that classic Ferrari experience, to classy front engined GT cars that you’d be hard pressed not to drive each and every day. Let’s look at some scenarios…

1. Your First Ferrari: This is a special time for you. You now have the chance to own a vehicle from one of the most iconic and historic brands of all time. So, what do you buy? Well, assuming your budget is between let’s say $100K-$150K, you have three really solid options. 

The Ferrari 360 is a sub $100K mid-engined V8 Ferrari built from 1999-2004, and is quite a popular ‘First Ferrari’ thanks to it’s more easily usable 400 horsepower. It’s a solid introduction to what the Ferrari experience is all about, emotion, passion and a glorious high revving engine soulful enough to make a grown man cry. Now, this being an older-gen supercar, it does use a single-clutch F1 paddle shift transmission. This means the gear changes won’t be as quick or smooth as a modern automatic or dual clutch. However, I think this gives the car a bit of mechanical character, something lacking in most modern cars. 

The Ferrari F430 is the successor to the 360, and is a pretty substantial improvement in every single aspect. Horsepower has increased to a healthy 490, the transmission is quicker and more refined, though still a single clutch gearbox. The exhaust note is biblical, and styling (in my opinion) is more exotic. All of this comes with a price increase of about $30,000 on the used market. Very much worth it.

The Ferrari California can be found for the sub $100K price range now, and is leaps more modern than the previous two cars mentioned, as this was the first Ferrari to have a quick shifting (and more durable) dual clutch transmission. In terms of driving dynamics, the Cali is a more laid back, cruiser experience. It’s a drop top front engined Ferrari with a proper trunk and rear seats (if you don’t have any legs). It even has a comfort mode. But this isn’t to say it’s slow, it is still a 483 horsepower, glorious sounding sports car with a ton of potential, and is a fantastic first Ferrari if you want something a little more relaxed. 

The Ferrari California T brings turbocharging to the California platform, making it noticeably quicker with an 80 horsepower increase to 560. Like with each new Ferrari generation, the transmission is more refined and quicker than before. California T’s can be found between $130K-$150K on average, and luckily, EEC consistently has 2-3 in stock at all times! 

2. Mid-Level Ferraris: Between the $200K-$400K range, you have a ton of options. Anywhere from front engined V12’s to the next generation of mid-engined V8’s. Here are a few that EEC carries often:

The Ferrari 458, 488 and F8 are some of the most iconic modern day V8 Ferraris, each with their own pros and cons (Though I say cons lightly because they’re subjective). The 458 is the last of the naturally aspirated V8’s from Ferrari, giving it not only an incredible 9,000 RPM redline, but a significant chance of holding or appreciating in value over the next few years.  The 488 brings in an extra 100 horsepower thanks to the use of turbos, which means while significantly faster than a 458, it doesn’t quite have that high pitch scream from before. And then we have the F8, which just elevates everything to give otherworldly amounts of speed and even more surprisingly, refinement.

The Ferrari F12 and 812 are big front engined screaming V12’s that also double as excellent GT cars. Truly, if you wanted to drive an F12 on a roadtrip across the country, you could, and gladly so. But they’re big power, nearly 800 horsepower in the 812, to the rear wheels I may add. They are not for the faint of heart, but are incredibly rewarding.

The Ferrari Roma is quite simply, one of the most jaw dropping stunning cars to come out in the last 5 years. It’s “bite the back of your hand” design comes with a front engined twin-turbo V8 developing 612 horsepower, and it contains a perfect blend of luxury and sporty driving elements. A proper alternative to Aston Martin. 

3. Classic Ferraris: If you’re more of an old school guy and don’t mind working out your left leg a little, or maybe you just miss that truly mechanical feel of the 80’s and 90’s, you have a few options.

The Ferrari 308 and 328 provide that analog feeling that is dearly missed in the current age. If you’ve ever watched Magnum P.I. chances are you’ve thought about owning a 308 and chances are, you are now old enough to potentially afford one. 

The Ferrari Testarossa is one of the most famed supercars of all time. The crazy cheese grater styling draws just as much attention now as it did in 1986. While maintenance is certainly more costly then the modern cars, it’s coolness and road presence are undeniably unmatched. Lucky for you, however, EEC services these old school icons as well.

The Ferrari 550 is a gated manual V12 with elegant styling and brute power, which is why it’s nearly doubled in value within the last decade. A fantastic choice for a spacious and classy Ferrari.

Of course there are still additional models not discussed here, but these are just the main Ferraris that EEC proudly carries. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any vehicle in our inventory, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (813) 582-5202.