| Author | Message | ||
| Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
|
Dave, after reading that and all you have on your plate, I guess you don't want a relationship with a car like the one you have with your ex.. Well I can't promise you that, but I can tell you that a Ferrari provides enjoyment, excitement, and a sense of pride that only a Ferrari owner can experience. Go ahead take the plunge and live a little. | ||
| Dave Wapinski (Davewapinski)
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Yes and no. I just spent 6 months in Las Vegas consulting with the Las Vegas Valley Water District. Sometimes after work I would take the Beagle dog down to look at the Ferraris at Dream Car Rentials. I fell in love with their beauty. It brought back to memory all the fun I had with the Healey (and the time I got stopped for doing 130 driving across Georgia). Had lots of fun with that car. Made a mistake when I sold it. However, also thought about the problems my friends have had with some cars, particularily Jags. So I was trying to get a feel for what I was getting involved in. Like a lover, I want to know the good and bad sides. I am involved in many other things also. I have a new airplane being built, a Maule M-7, scheduled to be delivered in January. Also I am rebuilding a Mercedes Unimog into an unstoppable 4x4 motor home. Plus I am paying off an ex-wife. So there are some limits to time and money. I already know the great sides of Ferraris. Now I am trying to look at the down side so I can make a realistic decision if I should act on this passion. One does not have the time or money for all the passions in life. But I do love Ferraris. I am just trying to make an informed decision. Does this make sense? Dave | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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Ferraris r tough cars, if u maintain them well they will b faithful. On a 308 u might want to replace the fusebox with something not quite so crappy  if u plan on driving it hard change the stub axles for race units immediately & just b careful when running modern sticky rubber on an older car, Good Luck | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
|
Before I took delivery of my Modena, I tried not to expect too much from it in regards to its reliability. I've heard plenty of horror stories about Italian cars. So if my car turn out to be a lemon, it would not be a total surprise. I used to drive a couple of 1980's XJ6 Jaguars so I'm familiar with problematic cars. Anyway, after putting on 3000 miles since May, the Ferrari is practically bullet proof and it didn't need constant maintenance (keeping the car clean is another matter). Also, the car is more fuel-efficient than I expected even when driven hard (20 bucks on gas per week isn't bad). I'm sure something may pop up as the car rack up more mileage. But this is true for all cars. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
|
Dave, we all understand your concern for reliability based on your previous British car experiences (many of us started this passion with British sportscars). Waterpumps for Ferrari's won't cost you $90 and you can't replace the clutch for $200. I'm not trying to scare you away but the newest 308 is still a 16 year old Italian car. | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
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If you are not deeply in lust than don't go any exotic.A love affair with a Ferrari has many blips but it sure is worth it! | ||
| Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
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Dave, Dina has a point. We've tried to give you a insight into our experiences with Ferrari and how we see it. It seems though your responses are negative. We can only tell you how we feel. We can't make up your mind for you. BRGDS WARREN | ||
| Adelina V. (Dina)
|
Hey Dave, are you looking to own a Ferrari or looking for a reason not to. It sounds like you are not a real enthusiast with a passion for the most beautiful cars ever to grace our roads. Every Ferrari is different, even cars of the same model. Each owner has a different experience with his/her car. Strict maintenance is essential, but even so, there are many surprises that await an owner. Basically you have to just love the car and not worry about what may or may not happen. If you can't cope with that, go buy a Toyota. It's all about passion ! | ||
| Mark C. Gordon (Markg)
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My 1982 GTSi has spent 5 of the 8 weeks that I have owned it in the shop to the tune of $10k ... new belts, timing gears, flywheel, clutch, valve adjust, AC charge, emmisions, gaskets and seals, misc electrical, windows, door latches; the shop I use here in Colorado Springs ( Concours Cars )told me when I took it in initially that it was not running up to par; it seemed fine to me, then I got it back last Friday and it feels like a whole different car!! I am doing something risky and maybe stupid - I'm driving it to Arizona in a few weeks! | ||
| Doug Meredith (Doug308)
|
My '84 308 QV just left this morning with a new owner on it's way to Philadelphia from Louisville. In 7 months I put over 3000 miles on the car. The only time I had a problem was when it failed a part of emissions testing. That was caused by some fuel problems which were remedied with new injectors and a flushed fuel system. Car ran fine and didn't leave me stranded, just couldn't pass emissions. | ||
| Dave Wapinski (Davewapinski)
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Years ago, I had an Austin Healey 3000 Mk 3. When it ran fine, there was nothing like it. However, whenever I took it into the shop they took out their rubber stamp and stamped Sucker on my forehead, said that would be $500, now what is wrong with the car. Of course I now know more about cars than I did then and would do most of the work. I would do much of the work now, but the main purpose would be to drive it, not spend every weekend working on it. Some love to work on them, but my love is to drive prefer in the mountains on a nice day with a beautiful woman. The Healey had electrical problems (12 v POSITIVE ground) and seemed to need almost constant tune ups. Part of the problem was me - I used to run it in snow storms with the top down and the heater on full. Years ago on the East Coast I knew someone who had 3 or 4 Jags. He spend almost every weekend working on them. Rarely did he drive them. He said that they needed that much work. About 2 years ago, I worked with a man who owned a late model Jag. He said it was constantly in the shop. He was disgusted that such a car would have so many problems. It cut into his enjoyment. I have heard that Ferraris sometimes have electrical problems. I want to have fun with it. I expect to have some problems, and look forward to getting to know the car. However, if the Ferrari has constant problems like the people I have known with Jags, then it cuts down on the fun. Any thoughts, Dave | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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Sorry Dina, didn't see your other post you made on this car. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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Didn't you mention to us Dina that you knew of a nice 308 QV GTS that you wanted to step up to? | ||
| Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
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Hey Gal, Good to hear from you. What's new and what's on the horizion RE: another Ferrari? I think that anyone out there who has a good connection for Dina and a 308 Ferrari, preferably a carbed model,she likes the sound, should let her know. She is interested in one at the right price. C'mon Guys lets help out the "FIRST LADY OF THE FERRARI CHAT LINE." MAGOO | ||
| Adelina V. (Dina)
|
My biggest problem is that I sold my GTB. Yes, it had lots of small problems, but fixing them myself was one of the most rewarding experiences in owning an older Ferrari.Only then can you really feel as one with your car. | ||
| Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
|
Also Dave, As reliable as the 308 engine is, Any man made machine is not perfect. The 308 does have some head problems such as valve seals and valve guides which occur as normal wear in time for the 308 engine. The lower end of the engine is virtually indestructable. Otherwise the engine is very durable and if properly maintained and driven it will give many years and miles of good service. So all in all the engine is not self destructing as other exotics you have heard about. Frankly when you weigh the +s and -s the 308 rates high compared to other exotics. | ||
| Warren E. Smith (Magoo)
|
Dave, Don't buy a Ferrari unless you are so much in love with it that you can't stand it. There are times when you will say "WHY"? But the love and passion for the car will overcome your question. If you feel that way about Ferrari and you have to have one no matter what, then get one. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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What other 15+ year old car doesn't need a little thing now-and-then? Either example when properly serviced will be reliable. What other sports cars in the past did you own Dave, that you'd be comparing to? I betcha a good Ferrari will be better than them. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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There are always little random things that might pop up but are easily fixed. If you want a Ferrari and are set up in life than I think that either one of the cars you mentioned are excellent. I personally prefer the 308, hence I have one. My Ferrari has been really reliable. Examples of things I had to fix were a throttle cable, fuel accumulator, things like that. | ||
| Dave Wapinski (Davewapinski)
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I am thinking about buying a 308 GTS or Mondial. My experience with sports cars in the past is that many require constant maintenance (even with preventative maintenance). Many of the problems seem to be electrical in nature. This of course can cut down into the enjoyment. If proper 15,000 and 30,000 maintenance is done and the car is used frequently, are 308s and Mondials generally reliable and will not require frequent work? Besides things like oil change, what maintenance (and its cost) is normally needed between 15,000 and 30,000 service? Thanks, Dave |