Buying a Ferrari is rarely a financial mistake if you buy a limited model and can afford the upkeep, but it is a poor everyday car: it is costly to maintain, hard to buy new without a dealer history, and mostly a weekend toy. We kept the original 15-point structure and updated it for 2026, including Ferrari’s 2025 results, the Purosangue and the Luce EV.
| # | Downside | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Hard to use every day | Mostly two-seaters; the Purosangue (four doors) and Luce EV change this |
| 14 | Constant caution on real roads | Potholes, curbs, scrapes |
| 13 | You may need a new garage | Secure, level, with clearance |
| 12 | Dealer costs and allocation | New cars go to loyal clients first |
| 11 | High maintenance | Service and tires cost far more than a regular car |
| 10 | Costly age-related items | Older models need big scheduled jobs |
| 9 | Recalls | 2010 458 Italia fire-risk recall |
| 8 | No longer the fastest | Luce EV claims 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 s |
| 7 | The F1 team has waited since 2008 | 16 constructors’ titles, last in 2008 |
| 6 | The EV transition | Luce unveiled 25 May 2026 |
| 5 | You pay for heritage | 250 GTO sales near $50 million |
| 4 | Scarcity is the business model | About 13,640 cars shipped in 2025 |
| 3 | Resale is not guaranteed | Only limited and classic models appreciate |
| 2 | More toy than tool | Most owners keep another daily car |
| 1 | Be ready for the attention | Every stop becomes a conversation |
What are the downsides of owning a Ferrari?
We rebuilt this list for 2026 and replaced anything that has gone stale, such as the 2017 Formula 1 season and the idea that Ferrari’s stock was in doubt. Points are ordered from 15 to 1, with 1 being the downside owners mention most.
15. Hard to use every day
People buy supercars because they are fast, and that comes with aerodynamics, low ride heights and cramped cabins. Most Ferraris seat two and have little luggage space, so group trips and grocery runs are out. Ferrari has widened the range: the Purosangue, launched in 2022, has four doors and four seats, and the electric Luce unveiled in 2026 has five seats. The classic mid-engine models, though, still work as weekend cars, which is why many owners keep them mostly in the garage.
14. You need to stay careful on real roads
You picture an empty winding road. In reality you drive on debris, curbs, potholes and distracted drivers. You will spend a lot of time checking mirrors, avoiding bumps and keeping extra distance. Parking is stressful too. Steep garage ramps can scrape the front, and you will think twice about leaving the car in public overnight.
13. You may need a different garage, or home
A Ferrari wants a secure, dry, level garage with enough clearance. If you live in a city and rent a space, expect worry about it. Some owners end up modifying their house or moving to a place with better roads, which adds cost on top of the car.
12. The dealer relationship is part of the price
Ferrari does not sell its best cars to whoever shows up with cash. New cars are allocated to dealers, and dealers offer limited models first to clients with a long history of buying Ferraris. Owners report that dealer labor rates and optional extras can add up fast. Expect to be sold personalization options, which are a major profit source for the company.
11. Maintenance costs much more than a regular car
Servicing a Ferrari costs far more than a normal car, even when you drive carefully. Tires, brakes, fluids and specialist labor all carry a premium. Ferrari offers a multi-year maintenance program on new cars, which helps in the first years, but once it ends you pay for everything. Out-of-warranty repairs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
10. Older cars hide expensive jobs
Age-related items matter more on older models. Some V8 Ferraris of the 1990s and 2000s need major scheduled services, such as belt changes that can require removing the engine, and exhaust parts have drawn owner complaints on certain models. Always get a pre-purchase inspection from a Ferrari specialist before buying a used one.
9. Recalls happen
Italian supercars have a reputation for catching fire. In 2010 Ferrari recalled all 1,248 458 Italia cars sold to that point after the adhesive used in the wheel-arch liners was found to be able to overheat and ignite. It was fixed, but the joke stuck. All recalls are free to owners, and no serious injuries were reported for that one, though supercars need respect given their speed.
8. No longer the fastest on paper
Ferrari used to own the acceleration headline. Now fast electric cars have changed the numbers: Ferrari’s own Luce claims 0 to 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, and fast EVs from other brands are quick too. If your reason for buying is a straight-line number, other cars, including cheaper ones, will beat you. People pay for sound, design and driving feel.
7. The Formula 1 team has waited since 2008
Ferrari has won 16 Formula 1 constructors’ championships, the most of any team, but the last came in 2008. Lewis Hamilton joined the team for the 2025 season, and in the 2026 season Mercedes has led the constructors’ standings, with Ferrari chasing. The racing record drives the brand, so a long wait for a title reflects on it, though road cars and race cars are very different things.
6. The electric transition adds uncertainty
Ferrari unveiled the Luce, its first fully electric car, on 25 May 2026. The Luce is a four-door, five-seat, four-motor model with about 1,035 horsepower. European deliveries were reported to start from late 2026, with US timing still to be confirmed. Reported prices differ, from roughly 550,000 euros in Europe to around $560,000 to $640,000 in the US, and one report said Ferrari shares fell around 6% after the presentation. Buyers of combustion Ferraris face questions on long-term values and rules.
5. You are paying for heritage
If Ferrari has flaws, why does it still sell? The answer is heritage. Enzo Ferrari, Formula 1 success and drivers like Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso built an aura. The 250 GTO shows the effect: one reportedly sold privately for about $52 million in 2013, RM Sotheby’s sold one for $48.4 million in 2018, and another private sale in 2018 was reported near $70 million.
4. Scarcity is the business model
Our earlier edition said shareholders were worried. That has aged poorly. Ferrari shipped 13,640 cars in 2025, earned net revenues of about 7.1 billion euros and a net profit of about 1.6 billion euros, and its order book runs to the end of 2027. The company limits supply on purpose and raises prices through personalization. For you as a buyer, that means waiting lists and little bargaining power.
3. Resale value is not guaranteed
Ferrari sells entry models in the low to mid six figures, and the Luce is reported from roughly 550,000 euros. Most cars lose value, with exceptions for limited editions and classic models, such as the 250 GTO. Buying for the badge alone is a risky bet. And restoring an old Ferrari costs time and money, which can wipe out the gains.
2. More toy than tool
Most Ferrari owners drive another car to work or the store. The Ferrari sits in the garage until a nice day. They are collectibles that you drive for pleasure. If that is the plan, go ahead, but budget for a worthy garage.
1. Be ready to be noticed
Owning a Ferrari means attention everywhere. People take photos, ask questions and want selfies. Questions about its price or what you do for a living can get old quickly. If you like privacy, this may be the real cost.
Keep reading
- levels of wealth, car edition: what cars say about money at each level
- dumb ways to spend your money: a wider look at purchases that cost more than they return
FAQ
Is buying a Ferrari a bad investment?
Most Ferraris lose value, except limited editions and classic models. Treat a normal Ferrari as a luxury purchase, not an investment.
How many cars did Ferrari sell in 2025?
Ferrari shipped about 13,640 cars in 2025, slightly below 2024. Net revenues were about 7.1 billion euros.
Is Ferrari still winning in Formula 1?
Ferrari holds 16 constructors’ titles, but the last was in 2008. In the 2026 season Mercedes has led the constructors’ standings, with Ferrari chasing.
Does Ferrari make an electric car?
Yes. Ferrari unveiled the Luce, its first fully electric car, on 25 May 2026. Deliveries were reported to begin in Europe from late 2026.
Why can’t I just buy a new Ferrari with cash?
Ferrari allocates cars through its dealers, with limited models going first to loyal clients. Cash alone does not guarantee access.
Can you use a Ferrari every day?
You can, but most owners do not. Two-seat models have little luggage space, and the Purosangue is the practical exception with four doors.
How we put this list together
We combined owner experience with company results and public reporting from 2025 and 2026. Prices and figures are approximate and change over time.
Last updated: October 2026.
