“More than you could afford, pal.” At least, that’s the way it used to be. But what if I told you that there were some bright red flashy Ferraris that you can afford? No, I’m not just talking about a pimped-out Fiat, but the real deal!
In this article, I’m going to show you some cheap Ferrari models that you can afford!
Kit Cars (>$20,000)
So, you want a cheap Ferrari, one that you could trade your MR2 for. Instead of doing that, why not just make your MR2 into a Ferrari? You can go out and buy a kit for your car to make it look like a real Ferrari, or you could go out and buy one that’s already been converted! And you can find them for $20,000 or less!
So, if you really want to own a cheap Ferrari, buying a kit car is probably your best bet, even though it’s like showing up to a formal event in a t-shirt and sweatpants. Speaking of, if you’re going to do that, do it in an Ideal t-shirt!
We found a Fiero converted into an “F355” for $13,000, and honestly, it looks pretty good. From a distance, you could totally fool your grandma into thinking you were successful. However, everyone else will know, and a kit car will never have the performance or driving feel of the real thing.
So, if you have a little more cash and the need for an Italian stallion staring you in the face, you can’t go wrong with a Ferrari 456.
Ferrari 456 ($50,000)
The 456 is one of the most forgotten Ferraris ever, but the thing is, I don’t know why! It has all the underpinnings of a car worth double or even triple the price, like a gorgeous Pininfarina design and a glorious V12 with over 400 horsepower.
Early on, they were even offered as a manual. And do you want to know the 456’s party trick? It’s got backseats! So, you and three of your friends can share the sights and sounds of a glorious ’90s Ferrari, one with a top speed over 190 miles per hour!
Back in the day, these were the most expensive models offered by Ferrari, but for some people, the exclusivity just wasn’t enough, such as the Sultan of Brunei who wanted to chauffeur his friends around in style. The two-door configuration just wouldn’t cut it. So, with some persuasion from his deep pockets, Ferrari agreed to make him some very special and exclusive cars, like the sedan version with four doors, or the even more special 456 Venice, which has to be one of the coolest wagons ever! He even commissioned Ferrari to build him a spyder version of the 456.
Mike Tyson might’ve gotten a bit jealous of the Sultan since he had a convertible 456 built for him, one of three aftermarket conversions by the R. Straman Company in California. Pretty cool if you ask me. But Shaq might’ve taken the cake on this one, because he had an aftermarket conversion 456 Targa made, one where the backseats were removed and the seat rails extended so he could fit his slender 7-foot-1 frame into the latest Ferrari of the time.
And thanks to our friend depreciation, the over-$200,000 original price tag has been slashed, and examples today are trading hands for right around $50,000! We found a beautiful silver one we found for sale! That’s an amazing deal when you consider what has gone into this car.
The same thing can be said about the Ferrari 328.
Ferrari 328 ($80,000)
As of today, the 328 is an absolute bargain! Do you know the 458 Italia? Well, it’s widely regarded as one of the best Ferraris ever and it has the 328 to thank because the 458 can trace its lineage back through five generations to get to the 328. While the 328 was a late-’80s supercar, it was really the final evolution of the 308 GTB that was released during the mid-’70s.
To this day, even some Ferrari fanatics can’t tell the differences in the 308 and 328 apart from the badges! But, trust me, there were a ton of changes, mostly to the engine. The 308 had a 2.9-liter motor, whereas the 328 had a 3.2-liter which upped the power from 230 up to 260 Italian horses. Sure, they might not be considered rocketships by today’s standards, but you have to remember this was the ’80s.,
And, honestly, that’s not what the 328 was about. I bet you’d be surprised to learn that many 328s have lasted over 100,000 miles without any major services! As long as you keep up with regular maintenance, a 328 has the potential to outlast your mom’s Camry! Most people tout the 328 as being the simplest and most reliable Ferrari ever built. Because of how simple it is, people have learned how to roll back the odometers on these cars quite easily. So, do your research, check the Carfax, and make sure that you’re getting yourself a little gem.
For years you could pick up a 328 for $40,000 or less, but these cars have started appreciating with no end in sight. Today, you’ll have to shell out nearly $80,000 for a clean and sorted example. We found an ultra-clean 1989 example, and that one really was on the cheaper end. These cars are honestly a great investment if you want to drive a true dream car and have it make money for you over time.
But, let’s say you want a more modern Ferrari. You’ll need to shell out a lot more cash, but I’d steer you in the direction of the 575M Maranello.
Ferrari 575M Maranello ($75,000)
Why? Well, how does a front-engine V12 pumping out more than 500 horsepower sound? Not only that, but their Formula One racing team took a fine-tooth comb to the 575, fitting it with launch control and an F1 paddle-shift gearbox that was space-age for its time.
This was one of the first cars ever to be faster when fitted with an automatic transmission. Ferrari designed the 575 to be able to be driven by anyone, at least, anyone willing to plop down the almost $250,000 that it cost. But, you just might if you had the opportunity. Just listen to this beast! Man, it sounds killer!
And we’ve got to thank the Ferrari engineers for giving us such a high-revving V12. Yeah, it redlines at over 7500 RPM! Magnifica! The 575 replaced the already pretty stellar 550 by adding displacement, power, and the addition of the F1 paddle-shift transmission. And while the 575 might not be anyone’s favorite Ferrari, it is quintessentially Ferrari.
The 575 was made during a time of true magnificence at the gates of Maranello, built alongside greats like the F140 Enzo, the 360 Challenge Stradale, and the F430. All those cars cost a premium compared to the expensive 575, which can be picked up for right around $75,000 today! We found one at auction for $76,500!
The 575 is considered one of the best daily drivers, but people often feel like it lacks some of the prestige. If status chasing is what you are all about, take a look into the Ferrari California.
Ferrari California ($80,000)
The California was first sold in 2008, which was a time of prosperity and new wealth for just about no one. But, despite the challenges the new Ferrari model faced, the California managed to sell well over the coming years, even though there were murmurs that the California wasn’t an actual Ferrari.
The California was one of the first Ferrari models that was never offered in a manual transmission, and it was front-engine. But that’s not to say that the California is a bad car. At the end of the day, it’s still quintessentially Ferrari. In fact, this was one of the first Ferrari models to be designed in-house.
Normally, Ferrari would outsource their designs to companies like Bertone, Scaglietti, and Pininfarina, but not with the California. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but I kind of like the simple sexy lines of it. Not only that, but it looks just as good with the top up as it does down. When the top is down, it’s a great way to hear its 4.3-liter V8 roar and watch your toupe fly away in the wind.
Let me tell you, this car might look understated, but its performance definitely isn’t. With 450 horsepower or more, the California ain’t no slouch. It’ll hit 60 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds and continue up to a top speed north of 190 miles per hour!
Most came equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, but a rare few were actually fitted with a 6-speed manual. Those examples won’t make this list because, when they do come up for sale, prices are over $400,000. Luckily, the dual-clutch models won’t cost you that much. They’ll only set you back around $80,000. We found one on Cars.com we found for $82,999. You’ll have to do some bargaining, but we believe in you.
The next car on this list is just as new as the California, but less than half the price. Now, I know it might be controversial to include a Maserati on a list of cheap Ferraris, but I’m going to do it anyway.
Maserati GranTurismo ($25,000)
The Maserati GranTurismo is one of the best bargains out there today. And before you start screaming at me in the comments, saying that a Maserati is not a Ferrari, this specific Maserati is nearly a Ferrari. See, it’s powered by a Ferrari motor, it has the exotic looks of a Ferrari, and it has the sound of a Ferrari. Yet, it doesn’t carry the same price tag as the prancing horse. Trust in the trident, and the Maserati will have you hanging with its brothers from Maranello.
The great thing about this Maserati is that it won’t cost you Ferrari money, because nothing depreciates harder than an Italian luxury coupe. Today, you can get early models for right around $25,000! Talk about a bargain! We found one for just over $24,000, waiting for you to hop in and drive straight to the mechanic. But, you might get lucky and get a reliable one. It’s a fun game of $25,000-roulette.
This next car is also a bargain Ferrari, and it comes with four seats! No, I’m not talking about the FF or the GTC4Lusso, but the 612 Scaglietti.
Ferrari 612 ($80,000)
Based on the 456, the 612 was longer and more modern. And made from 2004 all the way up to 2010, the 612 still remains one of the most luxurious Ferrari models ever made. Paired with a screaming V12, the 612 ain’t no slouch either.
Rip up the road, carve some canyons, and be reminded that you’re in a Ferrari. But, it can be tame and comfortable while sitting in traffic too. Who wants to do that, though? Turn off the highway and tear up the backroads, because that’s where any prancing horse really excels.
Sure, the 612 looks like a kitted-up S-Class, but that’s almost what they were going for. And, let me tell you, this is in a whole other class, with over 500 horsepower and a 7400 RPM redline! So, it’s fair to say that the 612 has drama, and a lot of it! That drama pushes the car to 60 miles per hour in just 4.2 seconds, and it’ll take the 612 to a top speed knocking on the door of 200 miles per hour, with four people in the car!
I bet you’re expecting a six-figure price tag, but you’d be wrong. Today, they can be had for right around $80,000 or less. We found a stunning 612 Scaglietti for just $75,000. For a fairly modern Ferrari, it might just be the ideal cheap Ferrari.
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