2008 Ferrari F430 Coupe

Highlights

• 4.3-litre V8 capable of 490hp and 343 lb ft of torque
• F1 gearbox with new clutch installed in 2022
• Carbon ceramic brakes
• Extensive service history
• Lovely condition

Overview

Who amongst us has never dreamed of owning a Ferrari? The heritage, the styling, the speed, the handling, and, of course the noise, they all form a seductive cocktail. If the answer is “not me”, then you may be in the wrong place. But for those still reading, let us present the Ferrari F430. Although it may appear as a development of its predecessor, the F360, the F430 was almost completely redesigned from the ground up, featuring an all-new engine.

Launched in 2005, the F430 also came with a revised version of the F1 clutchless paddle shift transmission which delivered faster and smoother changes and an E-diff to better deliver the power to the rear wheels. The 4.3-litre V8 was good for 490hp and, when equipped with the F1 gearbox, was able to dispatch 0-62mph in just 4 seconds and topped out at 196mph. At the time the F430 received rave reviews and it remains highly rated today. As well as being a stunning performer, the F430 also introduced a level of usability and, while it’s unlikely that you’d daily drive one, the combination of price, performance and ease of use mean that it’s a great place to start with the brand.

This car is from 2008 and, to state the obvious, isn’t red, which means that it stands out amongst its peers, although they do of course all look fabulous. The cream leather interior has really stood the test of time and, to increase its usability, it has an Apple CarPlay-enabled head unit and upgraded speakers. Some might say that the engine should be music enough but the reality of traffic surely mean that it’s a welcome upgrade. The original head unit is also provided if you want to revert it anyway.

Its lovely condition is backed by an extensive history and, significantly, a new clutch was fitted in 2022. While maintaining a Ferrari doesn’t cost peanuts, that at least is one major job that shouldn’t need doing again very soon. In all, it’s a very tempting prospect.

History and documentation

• Registered 3 Jan 2008
• Stamped service book with services as follows: Apr 2013 @ 14,012 miles, Jan 2015 @ 19,304 miles, Mar 2016 @ 22,632 miles, Feb 2017 @ 23,002 miles, Jan 2018 @ 23,115 miles, Mar 2019 @ 25,987 miles
• Invoices for the following services: May 2009 @ 2,633 miles, Jun 2010 @ 6,038 miles,Mar 2021 @ 27,072 miles, Aug 2022 @ 27,146 @ miles (also included air con regas, engine mounts, reconditioned rear brake calipers), Jun 2023 @ 31,394 miles, Mar 2024 @ 31,394 miles (mileage presumed not to have been updated from the previous service as the MOT history indicates 3,591 miles covered between May 2023 and Apr 2024)
• Invoices also present for the following work: New handbrake pads Apr 2020, Clutch replaced Sep 2022, new battery Oct 2022
• Showing 35,084 miles at the time of photography
• Full document pack
• Two keys
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 7 Apr 2025
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear
• The private plate, S5 DJX, is included in the sale
• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Providing a fine contrast to the black paintwork, the cream leather interior is a fine choice and has black stitching to reference the exterior colour
• No doubt thanks to the care of its current and previous owners, the leather remains in excellent condition with only minor wear evident on the driver’s seat bolster
• Electric adjustment is provided for the seats and they’re heated, too
• The 430’s leather steering wheel carries a Manettino dial to choose drive between drive modes, while stalks are present for other major functions
• A Pioneer stereo with Apple Car Play and fold out screen has been installed, and the original is also provided
• The sound system has reportedly been upgraded and there’s what looks to be a subwoofer behind the seats
• The carpets and headlining appear in very good order
• In the front, the boot is tidy and contains the original toolkit
• In summary, the cabin has worn very well and remains an enticing driving environment

Exterior

• Eschewing the default colour choice of red, this 430 instead opts for metallic black with yellow brake calipers
• The yellow also picks out the Ferrari badges on the wheels and (expensive optional extra) crests on the wings and in our view it looks fab
• 19 inch alloy wheels wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres all round which the seller tells us all have almost as new tread on
• The nearside wheels show some minor kerbing, while the offside pair look to be unmarked
• Although there are some minor stone chips to the paint at the front end, in general the paintwork is in excellent condition and shows some real sparkle in the sun
• The only blemish of note that we can see is a small amount of bubbling under front badge but if you were going to have the stone chips sorted then it would surely be straightforward to include this
• The owner reports that the underside is in excellent order
• Overall, it’s a real head-turner and in very good cosmetic condition for its age

Mechanical

• 4,308cc V8 rated at 490hp
• Automated manual F1 gearbox
• Rear wheel drive with E-diff which uses clutches to distribute power between the rear wheels
• Carbon ceramic brakes
• Extensive service history
• The owner reports that the car drives and sounds ‘like a dream’ and that he really enjoys using the F1 gearbox

Summary

Highly rated when it was new and still a firm favourite today, the F430 has aged well. This example looks to have been used enough to keep it healthy and has extensive history in the file. If you were picky, you might want to refurb the nearside wheels and blow over the front end but with a new clutch in 2022, it’s ready to be driven and the driving experience is surely the main attraction.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Sevenoaks, Kent.