| Author |
Message |
magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 3816
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 12:25 am: | |
Trevor, as a some of these guys have said is the early 308s are the less complicated to service. They still cost to have some of the maintenance done and require some tech. skills but are less than a lot of the 12 cyls. cars. However one 12 cyl that is not so bad to maintain is the 4001. Basically it is a front engine car and if auto., has a G.M. turbo hydramatic trans. in it. I would recommend that car as far as less maintenance is concernd. Bruno here on the F.C. has one and has made that statement a number of times and I tend to agree with him. Nice classy car. |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member
Username: Peter
Post Number: 2279
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 12:11 am: | |
Trevor, to answer specifically about the 400 and 412, it is the engine that is the main difference. An increase in both bore and stroke, resulting in the 12 extra cc's per cylinder (hence the name change to 412, 412cc's per cyl). Also C.R. was raised too, up to 9.5:1 (from 8.8:1).
But the car also had minor updates in body-work, plus introduction of ABS braking. |
William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member
Username: Countachxx
Post Number: 1664
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 9:01 am: | |
if you really want to keep maintenance costs down go to a technical school and learn how to rebuild car engines. The 308 is a great starter car as is the 308GT4 which doesnt have the Magnum looks but is still a nice car and can be had under $20k |
Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member
Username: Owens84qv
Post Number: 584
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 6:26 am: | |
Trevor...David is right. You are not going to find a Ferrari requiring Honda maintenance. The simplest of maintenancem an oil change, is more expensive. 10 quarts of oil (Mobile 1 Sythetic which is a very popular choice on this board) @ $4.64/quart is $50.00 with tax The oil filter is another $10.00...so you are at ~$60.00 for an oil change if you do it yourself. |
David J. Smith (Darkhorse512)
Junior Member
Username: Darkhorse512
Post Number: 84
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 3:47 am: | |
All repair & upkeep is expensive, new or old. If you want a ferrari and intend to run it "right"? You are going to spend some dough.
In the short run you may want to give give up a hobby to get behind the wheel. I know what you are getting at T. Is there a tade off between spending $140K+ for a primo techno Modena that might be more reliable than the bargain basement $24K 308 for which the factory no longer supplies parts? Just get the car you like and deal with it. |
Trevor Chowning (Raceamerica)
New member
Username: Raceamerica
Post Number: 4
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 2:15 am: | |
I am curious to know what some of you consider a good starter Ferrari assuming it should be an older model (for cost reasons) and relatively reliable with good parts availability? Bear in mind, a cheaper vehicle to buy that has exorbitantly high maintenance costs is less interesting to me than a more expensive, yet more reliable or less costly to maintain vehicle.
In the era I am thinking (1970's-1980's) I see many 308 & 328 for fair asking prices as well as the Mondial coupe but I am also partial to the 400i. (By the way, what is the primary difference between a 400 & a 412? Engine?)
Would one be better off opting for something later, say early 1990's and pay more to avoid troublesome repair & upkeep costs of older cars?
Any and all input is appreciated.
|