| Author | Message | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
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Price of a Ferrari 308- around $30,000 major service-$3,500 replacing the clutch-$1,500 replacing the water pump-$600 The joy you get driving the car on a sunny day-Priceless!! | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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I got some great advice from Peter Lynch's book ONE UP ON WALL STREET. He says "Invest in something u like, cus u might get stuck with it" So getting stuck with a Ferrari isn't half bad  I think if u r Very careful about choosing cars u can make $, Hemi Cudas r going for well over $100k now & I think its only a matter of time till the Lambo Countach gets noticed & prices go way up cus they only built about 100 every year. 512TRs & 512M have better appreciation potential cus they were built in much smaller #s than 328s or Testarossas. But as Michael says, the maintenance & insurance can easily wipe out any potential profits. Besides the true value of a Ferrari is not $, its the pleasure 1 recieves from owning & DRIVING a fine exotic sports car | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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Yeah that was part of my motivation for purchasing a Ferrari, it doesnt depreciate at nearly the same rate as a normal car, but the added maintenance will set you back a little. I read a good book (yes, Bret can read) about investing that talked briefly on this, basically everything you own is a liability (house, car, stereo, tv, etc) unless it is making you money. A car, no matter what kind of appreciation it is going through will always be a liability. Things like apartment buildings are assests. It's a good way of looking into things, because it helps to really see what assets are worth acquiring. I bet William knows about this stuff, he's into investing or something like that. | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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I agree Frederick that is pretty good deal in itself. | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
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A good point but how many cars can you buy and have a good chance of selling them for what you paid. | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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Anyone that sees $50 - $100,000 Ferraris as an investment is fooling themselves. They are an expense straight and simple especialy ones that are driven regularly. It is not until you get to the $300,000 and up cars can you start talking investment. Mr Sheehan might be very correct in his analysis but by the time anyone holds onto a car long enough to realize any gain you would have spent at least the car's purchase price on parts, maintenance etc. And we all know the car will not double in value. So don't expect any money back or made. And even if you sell your car for what you paid for it, inflation also will guarantee you come out with 1/2 or less your purchase price in terms of monetary value. That's not an investment -- that's an expensive toy. So in this range, buy the toy that makes you happy and that will be money well spent. Let the fun you have driving be the return on the "investment". The other way is just spent money. Just my .02 | ||
| Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
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In this months Sports Car Market in Sheehan Speaks he addresses this very question. I'll let you read and decide but he favored the 328 because of classic styling, easier maintanance and in the future he thinks it may be worth more (I dont know about that but his reasoning is as the cost of TRs go down, the maintanance cost to cars value will become prohibitively high) | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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I have an 83 308GTS QV & a 93 512TR. The 512TR actually handles just as well as the 308QV but the brakes on the 308 seem much stronger, Maybe cus I'm carrying A LOT more speed with the 512TR The 512TR is truly an outstanding extremely impressive machine. When u r still accelerating so hard at 130mph that your back is still pressed firmly in the seat u know u r in a supercar If I could only keep 1 it would b the 512TR, no question | ||
| Robert Mann (Robertmann)
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Peter, I have been fortunate enough to have owned 3 TR's as well as 3 328's. All six were in absolutely perfect condition. Two of the TR's actually had less than 1000 miles on them when I sold them. The TR's and 328's are as different as day and night. True, the TR is a faster car and is built with more bells and whistles, is easier to drive for a lengthy period of time and is more comfortable, but I have gone back to the 328's because they are just more of a Ferrari with Ferrari styling. They are an absolute wonder to drive and so forgiving. Not to knock the TR styling because I still love them, but they , to me, just look more outdated (that is going to start some comments) than the 328/308. The 328 will always be fresh and look like a Ferrari and have the Ferrari styling that everyone loves. Both cars have their downsides (what does not ?) and both are fun to drive but you asked and I am going to stop here with my brief answer before I hurt someone's feelings that may own one or the other. Please feel free to contact me if I can help you in any way. | ||
| Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
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Hi Peter, I was able to spend 3 months of my life with a 86 Testarossa 2 years ago. The Testarossa in my honest opinion is one of the greatest road cars ever built, especially in 512TR form. It is extremely fast, very comfortable, quiet when you want it to be. It fit me like a glove and sounded wonderful. The car is very reliable, but expensive as hell to fix. We only had a problem with the alternator and its a pain to get to. I was also able to drive that TR on Roebling Road during a FCA track event. Incredibly fast in a straight line, you can reach the point of adhesion quickly in the car when the weight transfers and the tail will step out. I've been 165mph in a 512TR and it was rock solid and was begging for more. The 308/328 series is actually my favorite category. I have a 84 QV and love it. It is not as fast as the TR but it is just as flashy, and it handles lovely, sound fantastic. If you can afford an 86-88 TR ($65-$75,000), then you should save or finance a little more for a 92 512TR (I have seen them as cheap as $80,000). Or you get the 88.5 or 89 328 ($45-$65,000) with ABS and the convex wheels. To be honest, any of those mentioned would be superb road cars. If I can help in any way, just contact me. Best of luck! | ||
| Herbert E. Gault (Irfgt)
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The Tr will be more powerful and expensive. The 328, if it is a GTS will be more fun and a lot less expensive. There is just something about being able to have the top off. I do not drive mine unless the top is off. With the top on, it is just another car. | ||
| peter (Annarbor)
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I am trying to decide between an 88-89 328 or an 86-88 TR. Suggestions on which would be more fun and/or reliable. |