| Author |
Message |
Don Vollum (Donv)
New member
Username: Donv
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 08, 2002 - 10:57 am: | |
Personally, I think 400s are cool, and I plan to own one someday.
However, I can tell you that the maintenance will be high for two reasons: first, the cars are cheap enough that lots of maintenance has probably been deferred. Second, the parts are often either unobtanium or absurdly expensive.
So, expect a big repair bill at first, but once you get the bugs out they should be fairly reliable. That's been my experience with the 365 2+2, and they're pretty similar. |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member
Username: Peter
Post Number: 1767
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Monday, April 08, 2002 - 2:22 am: | |
You have to pull the carbs/FI intake manifolds off the engine for valve adj.'s (As the intake tracts are actually a part of the exhaust valve cover). It uses the same shims as the 308's, so therefore, you can use Fiat/Volvo shims.
I love the 400/412 cars, beauties. They've got it all, comfort, classy lines, big V-12, and low price. My next Ferrari... |
magoo (Magoo)
Intermediate Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 2295
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 10:14 pm: | |
Thanks Frank, I think the dual A/C is standard in those cars. Whether it was a GT or a Auto 400i, the maintenance doesn't seem that it would be that much one over the other or on either one. I really didn't think that car was all that high maintenance because of the design and the mechanics of how it is built. Thanks, |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 767
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 6:45 pm: | |
Mine was a 400 GT not a 400i. It had the six dual throat Webers where the newer 400i and 412i had fuel injection. It also had the five speed manual where most 400/400i/412i had the GM automatic. I never had to do anything to it other than oil changes, radiator flush and new tires so my maintenance cost were low. I do understand that you had to remove the carbs for a lot of jobs which was costly to do and have them retuned and calibrated. I believe the manual did call for a valve adjustment every 12,000 miles but I don't know how much that would cost to have done. All in all it is a great Ferrari that can carry the family along. Be sure to get the rear AC option as it helps to keep the interior bearable in the hot summer. |
magoo (Magoo)
Intermediate Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 2289
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 5:28 pm: | |
Frank, Did you find the 400i especially expensive to maintain? I don't see where the car would need a lot of extra maintenance. |
Tyler (Bahiaau)
Junior Member
Username: Bahiaau
Post Number: 209
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 4:22 pm: | |
I think the 400/412 are neat cars. I know the looks are not quite what some would expect of a Ferrari, but I think it's a great looking car. Very, very classy IMO. I also like the 456. |
BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bretm
Post Number: 2178
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 11:45 am: | |
That's what would scare me from a car like this. All this work is some how justified when being done for an ultra sporty, fast near race car. I would hate to do the same for my daily driver. Although the 308 was my daily driver in highschool (damn college) so maybe it wouldn't be so bad having a 400. |
Tim N (Timn88)
Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 655
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 8:44 am: | |
Frank, can you tell us how it was to maintain. How was it's reliability. |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 765
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, April 07, 2002 - 6:46 am: | |
I had a 1977 400 GT with a 5 speed and dual AC. It was a great car. It had plenty of power and made all the right sounds with the V12 and six dual throat Webers. I bought mine for $28,000.oo, drove it 15,000 miles and sold it for $28,000.00. |
BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bretm
Post Number: 2172
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 10:17 pm: | |
Magoo did hit a point with the greatness of American transmissions (for the most part). Ferrari can't really brag about theirs to be honest IMO. |
magoo (Magoo)
Intermediate Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 2272
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 10:15 pm: | |
Ken,I think as Bret says the 400i is a gentlemans' Ferrari. A classy piece. Imagine pulling up in front of the opera with your squeeze in a black 400i with red or saddle interior. The G.M. trans is one of the finest made it was the 400 turbo, a great trans. I think Rolls used the same one at one time. They also come with a stick trans also. I passed on one with 24,000 miles at $24,000 a 84 a few yrs. ago. The interiors are awesome. I wish now I had bought it. I'll pick the right one up a bit later. I really think it is a car of distinction and class. |
Ken Ross (Kdross)
New member
Username: Kdross
Post Number: 15
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 10:05 pm: | |
Some of the 400 cars did come with a 5 speed. They are hard to find and command a small premium. |
BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bretm
Post Number: 2165
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 9:40 pm: | |
Worse than that Greg, GM auto transmissions. I don't know why 400s are looked down on, I guess because they're not overly sporty. But they are the true gentleman's Ferrari so they do have something going for them. |
Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member
Username: Owens84qv
Post Number: 287
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 9:37 pm: | |
Ken, didn't these come with auto transmissions? I know one or some of the 400-series came with autos. That may be one of the reasons. |
Ken Ross (Kdross)
New member
Username: Kdross
Post Number: 14
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, April 06, 2002 - 9:32 pm: | |
While the 400/412 may not be as beautiful as the 308 or the Testarossa, it is perhaps the ultimate bargain in the Ferrari world. For as little as $18K to $25K, less than the cost of a VW bug, one can acquire a 12 cylinder Ferrari that is both comfortable to ride in and has room for the family. Now I realize that many people do not like the looks of the 400, and that they are very expensive to maintain, but why are these cars looked down upon and so cheap? Because they are so cheap, I would think that more people would be buying them and using them as a daily drivers. Think of it, drive the 400i daily to and from the office and use the Testarossa, 355, Boxer, etc on the weekends. Any thoughts on this? And while it may not have the Ferrari 12 cylinder, the same argument can be made for the Mondial. Right now, the idea of buying a 400i and replacing my daily driver seems to make a lot of sense. It will never depreciate and the cost of maintaining the car will still be cheaper than the depreciation of a new car. And best of all, I will be driving a Ferrari.
Ken R
1985 308 QV
|