Futch:
Gnil:
Futch , have you reconsidered the 918 now that we have the final specs and the first driving reports ?
With the LaFerrari , I understand that you secure some sort of investment ( at least you will not loose ) , but the 918 sets a new benchmark in technology and it is the first super car ''of the future'' , bringing real hybrid to high end sports car and demonstrating that even with more weight and hybrid it is fantastic to drive .
The 918 is really amazing, to achieve these performance figures with that weight, not many other car company could have done it. I don't discard buying one but I wanna see how they move first, my opinion is that, somehow, for whatever reason, the supercar buyers are not warming up to this car. I think it's down to a few reasons, firstly, I think Porsche showed it around too much, so even though it is beautiful, there is no mystique around it like there could be for a Laf, P1 or Pagani, I think... Secondly, it's a Porsche, it's the same brand that just announced 50000 Macan per year and sells more Cayenne than any other models put together, it's good for the balance sheet, it's not so good for the supercar image.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a Porsche guy, I own over 25 of them, the latest one I bought is the mighty GT1 (race car version) but for me, Porsche is making the same mistake than the 959, the 918 is sports car of the future, but buyers are not ready for it I think, and then there's the question of the price and numbers (at least, with the 959, they made only 250 or so).
They're making too many 918, just like they made too many Carrera GT and it's too expensive, almost 900k euros for a Porsche is silly. People who want the purest experience and exclusivity will buy a Laf or a P1 or a Huayra and people who want a hybrid sports car will buy a BMW i8.
I'm close to Porsche (I am racing with them next year in the WEC and ELMS) and they know how I feel about the 918. I have been invited to try drive the car and maybe this will change my mind. Maybe I would buy the car as a technology tour de force and a show case of the know how of the company, not as an emotional supercar purchase.
I will certainly post my driving impressions once tested, but whatever my thoughts, I will wait and see how the market reacts. At present they are struggling to sell them and this is not good news. The worst that could happen is late clients being delivered while the first ones are already on the 2nd market with a discount. That's what happened wit the Carrera GT and they decided to halt production well shy of their 1500 cars target.
At this level of price, for me, there is too much uncertainty about its future value. Maybe in a few years as second hand, we'll see. I'm certainly in no hurry. I have the luck of owning other cars (honestly Gnil, I would have never believed it, but I am haing so much fun with the LFA, this car is the most underrated car ever made, it's THAT good, I'm not kidding!!!) but so do most supercars owners and I am sure they went through the same thought process, otherwise the car would be sold out.
The LaFerrari, I think you're right, I don't know if they will go up, but I am also almost certain they will not go down. They are all sold out and rumors are that there were more demand than offer, so this can only be a good sign. Plus Ferrari is playing beauty queen a bit with this car, it's the opposite marketing strategy to Porsche, no testdrive, no pressday, nothing. This is a car for the best 499 clients and that's it. Like it or not, it seems to be working. Interesting fact, Ferrari is working on a full electric mode because a lot of clients have requested it, mostly for leaving their home in quiet mode or for city centers. It wasn't originally planned but it's technically possible and they're working on it. The option will be retrofittable and alow the Laf to drive a few km in electric mode only. It's pretty cool and definitely useful.
Well put Futch, exactly my feelings...