Whether you want a V12, a mid-engine V8, or a grand-touring powerhouse, there are surprisingly affordable modern Ferraris to suit your desires.
by Braden Carlson
Publikováno 22. září 2023
Look, if you’re in the market for a cheap Ferrari, you’re probably not exactly hurting financially. So, given the opportunity, you’d likely prefer a little bit of modernity with your used Ferrari. Understandable! Older Italian cars aren’t exactly renowned for their reliability or, well, ability to stay at a reasonable operating temperature. So, here are the three cheapest Ferrari models you can buy without venturing too far back in time.
Ferrari 456 – 1990s Pure V12 Bliss
You didn’t expect the first car on the list to have a V12, did you? To be honest, neither did I. I really couldn’t believe how cheap these cars are selling for as of late. After all, the purest Ferrari form is indeed a front-engine V12 car with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. That’s just how it is! If you want to see why, check out our video on the Ferrari F12.
Just a couple of months ago on Cars and Bids, a beautiful example of a six-speed manual Ferrari 456 sold for just $67,500. Yes! Seriously! For less money than you can buy a C8 Corvette, you could, instead, have a manual V12 Ferrari. Of course, the cost of upkeep certainly goes up with the cylinder count. But who needs that negative thinking?
Plus, it has pop-up headlights. Need I say more?
Ferrari California – The cheapest Ferrari from the truly modern era
Many enthusiasts label the Ferrari California as a “baby” or “entry-level” car. While it certainly was the most affordable model during its run (around $200,000), its depreciation level is somewhat surprising. After all, it is still a Ferrari with a screaming 4.3-liter V8 and unmistakable prancing horse style.
As you can imagine, then, I was pretty shocked to find a 2011 Ferrari California Spyder for sale on Exotic Car Trader for just $75,000. While it’s a little more grand-touring-oriented and less on the side of performance, it’s still a lot of car for the price point. Besides, it’s not like most Ferrari owners do any performance driving in their cars anyway, right?
Ferrari 360 – An Early 2000s Icon
Being a mid-’90s baby meant that my love for cars started developing in the era of the Ferrari 360. By fourth grade, I was already berating fellow classmates for their inability to properly pronounce “Stradale.” So, I’m a bit biased here.
Like most cars, last year, the Ferrari 360 saw a decent uptick in value. However, it has dipped back down just a hair. Hagerty states that a good-condition example is worth $87,900. That’s about half what they cost new 20 years ago.
The Ferrari 360 is sort of the perfect middle ground between the 456 and the California. It’s from the same era as the 456, but upkeep isn’t quite as harmful on the pocketbook since you’re not feeding parts to a ferocious V12. Still, its mid-engine pedigree and godlike status from Need for Speed fans give it a bit more “true Ferrari” pedigree than a California.
Overall, if you’re shopping for the cheapest Ferrari model, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how affordable some of these cars can get.
