| Author |
Message |
adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member
Username: Audionut
Post Number: 84
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 26, 2003 - 2:36 pm: | |
Dave, thanks for your thoughts. What do you enjoy about the 328 when you track it? Why do you prefer it to your M3? I had an E46 M3 and I loved it. Sold it because I did not want to keep it in the winter, and the dealer was willing to pay me what I had paid. Only time I made any money on cars!
I guess my concern is this...I already have the Dino246 which is a blast to drive, to enjoy the Ferrari legend and mystique, and I have always loved the look. I am concerned that the 328 will be a bit of a let down. The style is nice, but I prefer the Dino. If I eliminate the fact that it's a Ferrari, does it have other qualities I will appreciate and thus will encourage me to keep it for more than a season? Hate to lose money on it, especially since the stock market is doing such a great job for me!
What do you like about the 328? Qualities that you appreciate about it, especially if you remove the subjective/emotional aspects of it? Thanks for your reasoned response. |
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member
Username: Hardtop
Post Number: 566
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 11:08 pm: | |
Adrian,
I think like most Fcar owners I have looked at other brands to get better performance and reliability for less money. Unfortunately, I keep coming up empty. I also own a 99 M3 which can out accelerate, out handle and out brake my 328 by substantial margins (it can also wax a TR) but when it comes time to choose a car for a track day or fun drive.....the 328 always wins. If there was a direct correlation between performance and fun, hardly anyone would want a Ferrari. I have driven a WRX and there certainly is a lot bang for the buck there as well as other cars. I think a lot of people think 308/328 cars are bought by people who can't afford a faster car. In my case, I can afford most any Fcar made the last 35 years, but the 328 GTB is my choice.
Dave |
Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member
Username: Ferrariguy
Post Number: 201
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 5:14 pm: | |
Adrian, I bought it at Gentry Lane of Vancouver, who no longer exists there. So it was imported by them. They're still in Ontario of course. The only mods on the car was that it had a Borla exhaust other than that totally stock.
As far as I know you can't import cars from the US unless they're 15+ years old so I don't know how Gentry Lane did it but I was able to title and insure it. |
adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member
Username: Audionut
Post Number: 83
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 5:05 pm: | |
Lawrence, did you import it or was it already in the country? If you imported it, what did you have to do to bring it in? What mods needed to be done and what did it cost to do so? I checked Customs Canada's website and the Testa is not listed as a car eligible for importation! |
Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member
Username: Ferrariguy
Post Number: 199
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 4:34 pm: | |
Oh I forgot to add that I live in Victoria, BC right on the west coast of Canada |
Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member
Username: Ferrariguy
Post Number: 198
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 4:32 pm: | |
Adrian, I had a black/black 1988 TR with 17K miles and I sold it a couple of months ago privately. It was a US imported car meaning it had the electric mouse seatbelts (hated them). It had all books and records plus the 15K service was done.
If you want a TR I would recommend contacting your local FCA members plus this site of course! |
adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member
Username: Audionut
Post Number: 82
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 3:44 pm: | |
BobD...LOL. Did not mean it in any negative way. It is amazing to me that what used to be the exclusive domain of performance sports cars is now readily available with everyday sedans, and ones that are undeniably well built! With real racing background. |
BobD (Bobd)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bobd
Post Number: 1192
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 3:34 pm: | |
[[[does it bother any of you 328 owners that for similar market values, there are some seriously great performance cars today]]]
You mean I could dump the 328 for a Suburu WRX/Mit EVO??? No thx, not me. But then again, I didn't buy a 328 for practicality reasons. I've got another vehicle in the garage that's practical. |
adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member
Username: Audionut
Post Number: 81
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 2:56 pm: | |
Lawrence, what year was your Testa you sold? When did you sell? Private or dealer? Where are you located? Do you have any suggestions as to source for a car?
Thanks for all the input.
On a related note, does it bother any of you 328 owners that for similar market values, there are some seriously great performance cars today eg Subaru WRX/Mit EVO. I drove the WRX when it first came out and it is impressive performance and value. Plus practical for the winters we get here in Toronto Canada. I understand the STi version is even more stunning...300 hp, adjustable 4wheel drive. What do you guys think, aside from the Ferrari name and mystique (I already enjoy that with the Dino 246) |
Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member
Username: Ferrariguy
Post Number: 196
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 12:49 pm: | |
Adrian, I agree with Henryk. I had a 308 GTS and later a TR. The TR was by far my favourite. I did miss the open air motoring of the GTS but the power, torque and smoothness of the flat-12 of the TR quickly made me forget that.
The only thing I had to replace on my TR in the 6 years of ownership were the coils. I understand on TRs this was normal but other than that it's been bullet-proof.
Also 76K US for an 86 TR is definitely way too high a price. I sold mine for 92K CDN with 17,500 miles on the odo which I thought was a good price. |
Henryk (Henryk)
Member
Username: Henryk
Post Number: 729
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 10:38 am: | |
Adrian: I had a 328 GTS, and now own a TR. The one, and only, thing I miss about the GTS was the open top......I'm not a true convertible fan. The TR is much more unique, and wild looking.
The prices of GTS's are high......they can only go down. The prices wil be too close to those of 348's and 355's, as these prices drop.
The prices of TR's are at rock bottom. They can only go up.......or, it they go down more, they will become parts cars......hence, prices of TR parts will be lower.
Just my 2 cents. |
Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member
Username: Carguy
Post Number: 305
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 8:43 am: | |
Adrian...once you drive the TR you'll be hooked. These are more of an "niche" car than the 3X8 series in my view. They can be a hand full to drive around a parking lot, but once rolling they are great. If it was me I would get the car I love rather than the one I like. It's much easier emotionally to spend money and do work on something you love, and you'll probably do better quality work for the same reason. Start hitting the books about TRs and learn all you can. I don't think you'll be disappointed when you drive it. |
adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member
Username: Audionut
Post Number: 79
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 25, 2003 - 7:32 am: | |
Thanks for the feedback guys. I guess I am undecided because of the following:
1) The 12 cyl engine is very tempting in the Testa. All that torque! Since I don't plan to track, the feeling of power is probably very addictive.
2) The Testa seems more unique as I don't see one as often as a 3X8.
3) The consistency and reliability of the 328 is very appealing! Also the potential resale value.
4) Driveability. Various chatters have responded that the Testa seems no more difficult to drive than the 328.
5) Visual appeal. I LOVE the Testa and I like the 328. Just something very MACHO about it. Much like the fact that one day soon, I will have the Countach! Always loved the look!
Ah well, will try to drive a Testa next week to see what I think about it. Anymore feedback greatly appreciated. |
Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member
Username: Hardtop
Post Number: 561
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 10:51 pm: | |
Adrian,
I have not owned a TR, but I did own a 328 GTS and a 348 TB factory challenge car before going to a 328 GTB.
The 328 is simply a better all around Fcar than the others and it's value is clearly holding up better than TR's and 348's.
328's are generlly considered to be the most reliable, cheapest to service in the long run.
Acceleration tests show the 348 to be about as fast as TR's, but TR's have a lot of torque and "feel" more powerful.
I do have a bias in favor of small cars. The Tr's overall size and all those louvers and strakes put me off even though the basic lines are very appealing. They put a lot of people off which is the main reason prices have sunk so low.
328's have the same weak water pump as other models, but most systems are better than the others, especially electrical. For some reason, tachs often act up but can be rebuilt for 100. or so and be fine ever after.
If you like the Dino, you will probably like the 328 better than a TR.
Here is a couple of interesting anecdotes on point.
David Letterman's first Ferrari was a 328. He liked it so much he bought a TR thinking it would be like the 328 but "more". He soon found it was nothing like the 328 and sold it. Last I heard, he still has the 328.
Yesterday, I attended a one day track school/event. One of the instructors was racer Roland Linder (see recent Forza issue for story on Roland). Anyway, he was familiar with my 348 and when he saw my 328 immediately said "you'll be much better off with this car". He did race a 348 in the challenge series, so it is a car he knows a little about. He did pack his 6'3" frame in the car to help me out and commented on how well the car ran. Of course, it is down on power a little from his F40LM!
One thing I have noticed since I got my 328 GTB is that at track events and car shows, it always attracts admirers. The 348 never did. I have also been asked if I wanted to sell or where to find another. GTB's are rare in the US, my former GTS never got this much attention.
Good luck whichever way you go. BTW, 70K+ is a ton of money for an early TR.
Dave
|
Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member
Username: Agracer
Post Number: 157
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 10:37 pm: | |
That price is way to high for a 3-owner '86 TR.
If you decide you want one, find one that has a more reasonable asking price to begin with. Also, the 88 1/2 TRs are better with the 5-spoke wheels and standard ABS. Although, I think they have those "mouse seatbelts", but I'm not sure. |
Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member
Username: Carguy
Post Number: 303
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 8:57 pm: | |
Boy...this is opening a can of bad worms, but here goes. Like you I've heard the upkeep on TRs is high, but what makes it any higher than other Ferraris? I assume that the general meaning is the major services are more, but other than that TRs are just as good as any other fcar. But TRs are big, and that could be a factor in the "fun to drive" department. Horsepower of TRs are 380 for U.S. version and 390 for Euro version, torque...don't remember but somewhere around 340-370 ft/lbs. I believe these numbers are accurate as about 325hp at rear wheels on a dyno was reported recently. TR trannys can be a problem for those who beat the crap out of 'em or can't shift properly. The price you quoted on the '86 TR is a bit high as this car should be in the 50k to 70k range. I may be a bit biased because I own a TR and love the power and sound. But if the price is a good one on the 328 that would probably be the way to go. It may be a bit safer in the future value-wise. Just my humble opinion. The 3X8 series cars are easier to live with on a daily basis. Good Luck to you which ever way you go. |
pete (Pete_peter)
New member
Username: Pete_peter
Post Number: 36
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 5:21 pm: | |
1989 328 hands down.
Too many reasons for me to write...no time right now.
DO NOT BUY THE '86 Testarossa.
1989 328, a perfect machine. |
adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member
Username: Audionut
Post Number: 76
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 4:29 pm: | |
I recently struck a conditional deal for a 328, details below. Then I came across a fellow chatter who has a 1986 Testarossa. 3 owners and apparently has all history as well. I have not contacted him yet but will do so. Love the look of the Testa, but concerned it may be too big to drive regularly, and maintenance may be more than I am willing to deal with. Another fellow chatter has been very helpful in giving me some info here as he actually services Ferraris in Ontario. Apparently the trannys can be weak in the Testas. This car has 17,800 miles. Asking $72,600 US. Red/Black
1989 328 Red/Tan, 23k miles. Looks to be in mint condition. Currently being inspected by Lamborghini Canada for PPI. All books/papers/tools according to dealer. Car is consignment and documents still with client. Price has been agreed to and I am comfortable with it. Due to a tacit agreement with the dealer, I will not divulge the price. If the deal does not go through, I will do so if anyone is interested. Based on my research, the price seems fair.
So here are my thoughts. I like the look, though I probably would prefer the style of the 348. In any case, the reason I am considering another is because I'd like a car I can drive more regularly than the Dino 246, though I've been racking up some serious mileage on that car!
1)Will I be satisfied with the power of the 328? I have not driven it yet, as the car is still being inspected. I drove a few 348s and found them fast enough for what I want to do.
2) What things go wrong with the 328? What should I be aware of? Other than the usual maintenance items like belts etc?
3) I am not sure I'll be keeping this car, probably only own it for 2-3 years. Will it hold its value relatively well in your opinion? I'd like to get a 355 next as I like the look but I have not driven one yet. I understand it is significantly quicker than the 328/348. Prices of 355s in Canada still high relative to US options. Also not great selection at this time.
4) Putting aside the question of price regarding the Testa, what are your thoughts with the same questions as above? If the Testa turns out to be consistently reliable and fun, I would probably be keeping it rather than selling in a few years.
5) What is the actual HP/torque of the 86 Testa? I understand the factory had a bad habit of inflating specs. Anyone know for sure? Is the Testa faster than the 355, either in a straight line or on a track?
Thanks in advance for your input. Happy Memorial Day! |