The price of an exotic performance car is just the beginning You may be focused on the initial sale price of a Ferrari when considering the costs associated with ownership. But the take-off of a $250,000 vehicle is truly transformed if in one or two years you’re only realizing a 30-40% return on your initial investment as a result of depreciation. Ferrari’s pedigree and unique pricing strategy make it an uncommon exotic performance car because it tends to retain a significantly higher percent of its original value with less depreciation to owners than many of its performance luxury vehicle competitors.
Learn more about Ferrari depreciation The other thing to learn about Ferrari depreciation is this it’s not all about age and mileage. Every kind of Ferrari model you can think of can sometimes diverge widely in price performance over the years based on the body and powertrain, build figures, owner and service history, warranty position, and Ferrari’s strategic importance as a brand and portfolio. From the 488 GTB and F8 Tributo to the SF90 Stradale, 812 Superfast and Purosangue, this every-possible-variant can provide a differentiated experience for the enthusiast.
1. Why Ferrari Depreciates Less Than Most Exotic Cars
Depreciation is a major issue to be taken into account when purchasing or collecting exotic sports cars. Although most luxury cars depreciate sharply the moment they exit the showroom, Ferrari cars follow a particularly unusual pattern. They retain 12% to 18% of their original value after five years of ownership, compared to 20% to 31% for Lamborghini, 28% to 40% for McLaren, and 30% to 35% for Porsche. This makes Ferrari a unique case within the high-performance car industry and shows why its cars are still so popular on the used car market.
Ferrari’s Remarkable Value Retention:
- Ferrari loses 12% to 18%
- Lamborghini loses 20% to 31%
- McLaren loses 28% to 40%
- Porsche loses 30% to 35%
- Ferrari retains stronger used values
We would also add that the reason why Ferrari prices have been so resilient is that Ferrari still competes within the same niche as Lamborghini, McLaren and Porsche (albeit they are likely to steer clear of the 812 or 488). Within this relatively niche arena, Ferrari has held rather well in the past five years and it is reflective of the fact that Ferrari’s values are often being held up much better than the Lamborghini, McLaren and Porsche counterparts. When considering an exotic sports car, it is a worth noting that there is a difference when considering something simply expensive and an exotic that holds much better value.
2. Ferrari’s Production Cap Creates Permanent Scarcity
The core reason for Ferrari’s sustained value is an extremely cautious business model that the company maintains by limiting supply. Ferrari maintains an internally imposed quota of 14,000 or so cars and trucks a year globally. This limited manufacturing provides certain availability for demand outside the company’s full portfolio, especially when contrasted with automakers that manufacture far more automobiles.
How Ferrari Controls Supply:
- Annual production capped near 14,000
- Lamborghini builds over 10,000 Urus
- Porsche produces six-figure totals
- Limited supply creates lasting scarcity
- Scarcity supports secondary market demand
The divergence is even more stark when you compare Ferrari’s production to that of its competitors. Lamborghini makes more than 10,000 Urus SUV per year, and Porsche makes six-figure total vehicle figures across its whole collection. That Ferrari’s far more confined production makes consistent market scarcity for its secondary market across its entire portfolio. It is an essential aspect of Ferrari’s preservation of value approach, since it implies less vehicles on offer to consumers even with the demand. Ferrari is trying to control the supply in order to preserve an even higher degree of exclusivity on its vehicles, which would earn them higher prices even after they have been sold for the first time at the dealership.
3. Waiting Lists and Certification Strengthen Ferrari’s Appeal
Ferrari’s tight dealer stranglehold also contributes to its appeal. Buyers of new models can find themselves on waiting lists between 18 and 24 months, which means they can’t just walk into a showroom and buy a new Ferrari. This friction has a significant impact on the pre-owned market, since it means a used Ferrari can be the only way of immediately buying a recent model.
Why Used Ferraris Stay Desirable:
- New buyers face long waiting lists
- Waiting periods reach 24 months
- Used cars offer immediate ownership
- Dealer allocation reinforces desirability
- Classiche certification adds provenance
Ferrari also maintains a presence in the pre-owned market through official programmes such as its Ferrari Classiche certification. This provides an official inspection and restoration procedure that in many cases offers a degree of provenance that far exceeds what will typically be found with pre-2000 models from rival marques. The combination of new car dealer quotas, long waiting lists and official certification all help to give Ferrari ownership a unique structure. This means that buyers who are unable to secure a new car immediately could turn to the pre-owned market to support the demand for recent models, while Ferrari owners and collectors of older cars could benefit from certification that offers a deal of official inspection and restoration provenance.
4. Ferrari 488 GTB and F8 Tributo Hold Strong Market Floors
Individual Ferrari models have their own depreciation curves too. The 488 GTB Ferrari’s turbocharged 488 successor from 2015 to 2024 has finally found its market bottom after taking its initial valuation hit. Vehicles from 2015-2016 sell for between $200,000 and $230,000, whereas more recent 2022-2024 production models are commanding prices from $280,000 to $310,000.
Modern Ferrari Pricing Benchmarks:
- 488 GTB reached stable floor
- Early models trade $200,000-$230,000
- Later models reach $310,000
- F8 depreciation remains 10%-15%
- F8 prices stay $280,000-$330,000
That 710-horsepower F8 Tributo also retains a less-than-stunning depreciation. From an original average MLSR MSRP value of $331,000, the F8 drops by roughly 10% to 15% and has managed to stick around in the low-to-mid $280,000 to $330,000 range. These valuation points are significant for those with their eye on Ferrari performance models, as it’s clear to see how they can absorb their initial depreciation before suddenly reaching a more stable position in the new/used Ferrari market. For those interested in Ferrari vehicles from the modern line-up, the 488 GTB and F8 Tributo showcase some of the strongest value-retention strategies among the brand’s offerings.
5. Roma and Portofino M Show Different Depreciation Patterns
The Roma grand tourer, and the entry level lineup overall, indicates that models don’t necessarily all shed value exactly on their listing price curves. The Roma grand tourer still holds an appeal, having depreciated by around 10% to 15% from a sticker of $220,000, and holds a relatively strong current value of somewhere between about $185,000 and $210,000.
How Ferrari’s GT Models Compare:
- Roma loses roughly 10%-15%
- Roma started at $220,000
- Roma reaches $210,000 range
- Portofino M loses 20%-25%
- Buyers favour different Ferrari types
First up is the Portofino M convertible, which has a steeper depreciation curve. It costs roughly 20% to 25% off from a $250,000MSRP, putting it in a price range of around $185,000-$210,000. Interestingly enough, each model depreciates differently, a result of buyer preference among Ferrari’s line up. Buyers tend to stick with expensive, daily-driving grand tourers (such as the Roma), or those with more of a ‘mid-engine performance car’ outlook (like the Portofino M), which produces a reasonably significant difference in depreciation between the two Ferrari body styles.
6. Hybrid Ferrari Models and the 812 Superfast Retain Exceptional Value
Hybrid Technology introduces another fascinating niche to Ferrari’s contemporary market. The hybrid SF90 Stradale, which produces 986 combined horsepower, depreciates only 5% to 8% for early 2019-2020 vintages. Ferraris are sold for anywhere between $350k and $380k, making this particular model an impressive sale in terms of holding its value, hybrid powertrain or not.
Strong Values Across Powertrains:
- SF90 produces 986 combined horsepower
- Early SF90 loses only 5%-8%
- SF90 prices reach $380,000
- 296 GTB loses 5%-10%
- 812 Superfast loses 10%-15%
Meanwhile, the V6 hybrid 296 GTB has taken only a modest 5% to 10% hit since its $330,000 starting MSRP. The naturally aspirated V12 812 Superfast has come down just a bit more, 10% to 15%, with its resale prices falling between $280,000 and $380,000 in anticipation of a new successor. Those models show how Ferrari’s values hold up well across different powertrain segments: The SF90 combines hybrid tech with high performance, the 296 GTB brings another hybrid powertrain to the table, while the 812 Superfast brings naturally aspirated V12 performance to the table. Despite those differences, all three are still part of Ferrari’s overall value story.
7. The Purosangue Shows the Strength of Ferrari’s Exclusivity
The Purosangue is arguably the best example of the brand’s exclusivity. Originally there was some discussion about a Ferrari SUV and many cars have been ordered but the number required to buy one has not been met with demand. Prices for used cars have only been just below retail pricing at about $430,000 to $480,000.
Purosangue’s Exceptional Market Position:
- Demand exceeds production capacity
- Used prices match retail pricing
- Values reach $480,000
- Low-mileage examples command premiums
- Ferrari exclusivity supports demand
The low-mileage second-hand Purosangue examples regularly command prices close or above the original sticker price, making the model an exception in its class. Its performance shows the power of a strong demand in context of Ferrari’s supply strategy. Its key importance however comes in that it illustrates how this increased value applies across different types of vehicle, and that this has not been entirely driven by the company’s time-honoured supercar approach with naturally aspirated V12 engines. With twin-turbo V8 engines (and hybrids in the next few years), the rising pricing of the Purosangue indicates how the company’s prestige and limited production can support strong secondary-market prices.
8. Ferrari’s Collector Universe Rewards Exclusivity and Relationships
Enters the Ferrari collector world and will never leave you and the Ferrari world is, by default, one of exclusivity. A world where you don’t buy a new halo Ferrari chooses you. The factory in Maranello awards preferred status to buyers who have been a longstanding relationship with authorised dealer, and visited the factory and shown a high commitment to Prancing Horse ownership.
Inside Ferrari’s Collector Ecosystem:
- Ferrari controls halo-car allocations
- Dealer relationships influence access
- Factory visits demonstrate commitment
- Ownership history can matter
- Limited models attract enormous demand
Caught out by an ultra-exclusive limited-edition hypercar like the LaFerrari Aperta? Ferrari buyers who fail to get their allocation for the next big halo car can turn to the secondary market where premiums can skyrocket. Ferrari 599 GTO, 599 SA Aperta, Enzo and LaFerrari models are all collector-grade machines where demand always exceeds supply and can trigger record-shattering sales prices at public auctions. No Ferrari collector car market is so far removed from the type of normal depreciation calculations that we would expect, backed by those relationships and limited runs that add scarcity value, to inform our valuation calculations.
9. Mileage, Condition and Warranty Can Change Ferrari Values
Going up against a pre-owned Ferrari, physical and historical parameters can play the most significant role on the final sale price. You see, mileage has a unique range of $0-2,000 that can translate to market premium valuations. Beyond that, the mileage buckets accelerate in depreciation, which plays an integral part in the overall valuation.
What Determines A Ferrari’s Used Value:
- Low mileage commands premium pricing
- Higher mileage increases depreciation
- Minor chips can reduce value
- Major flaws cut pricing sharply
- Warranty coverage supports stronger prices
For smart buyers taking advantage of this mileage cycle means choosing a solid 10,000-mile Ferrari and holding onto it until the cost of ownership is offset by selling it prior to the quarter-century mark. And he or she will quickly discover a key reason why age is not the final word in the value of a pre-owned Ferrari the vehicle’s physical state can impact value to a startling degree. Slight paint chips, small scratches, or other cosmetic damage can be worth up to 10% off a vehicle’s value, while more significant cosmetic blemishes can result in a reduction of as much as 30%.
10. Smart Ferrari Buying Requires Timing and Maintenance Planning
What is a wise target Ferrari acquisition? Aim for the right place on each model’s depreciation curve The long-in-the-tooth 488 GTB has bottomed out at a very reasonable point, so 2018-2019 examples available for around $240K-$260K are a steal, with little headwind ahead. A handful of pristine used up 2019-2020 SF90 Stradale hybrids around $350K-$380K also deliver flagship performance without flagship prices.
Planning A Ferrari Ownership Strategy:
- 488 GTB offers limited downside
- Early SF90 retains impressive value
- 812 offers V12 opportunity
- Roma may become cheaper
- Maintenance requires careful budgeting
The 812 Superfast 789hp presents an excellent upside to purchase opportunity for those who have acquired a taste for a naturally aspirated V12 before the next version arrives. Conversely, in models like the Roma and Portofino M, a little patience may be wise as early depreciation in these models indicates more upside is possible over the coming 18-24 months. Include ownership costs into the equation also, routine service each year on oil, fluids and filters is $2,500-$4,500, Major 20 hour service $5,000-$8,000, exotic tyres $2,000-$3,500, brake pads $1,500-$2,500, carbon ceramic rotors $8,000-$12,000.
