| Author | Message | ||
| Philip Airey (Pma1010)
Member Username: Pma1010 Post Number: 291 Registered: 7-2002 |
Frank Did you use any of them at the track? I absolutely concur the 12 cyl cars have a level of romance beyond the 8s. However, for my intended usage (which has changed since I bought my 308), I'm thinking a more track proven car is the way to go. A TR (or boxer) would be great fun, but (my local FofX dealer tells me) they are likely to run out of brakes after 2 laps of Road America. While great on the street, the cars are simply too heavy for a lot of track use. On Mike D's comment. Mike, as my aspirations evolved, the money went into the car. I like to get it "right". No, it is absolutely not sound economically. Emotionally, it's nourishment to get it right. A dedicated track car? No, I'd still like to get some road usage out of it. We don't have room for a 4th car at home and I'd hate to organize a trailer etc. Maybe in a few years... | ||
| Jeff Edison (Euro308guy)
Member Username: Euro308guy Post Number: 379 Registered: 7-2002 |
You could give James at Norwood's a call and see if they know anyone willing to part with one of their turbo cars. BIG fun for the $$. But then again, I'm biased  | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2549 Registered: 9-2001 |
If it is your first Ferrari or will be your only Ferrari, go with a 12 cylinder car. IMHO, from my personal experience having owned two 8 cylinder cars(328GTS & 348 Spider) and four twelve cylinder cars(400GT, TR, 330GTC & BB512i, you will not get the true Ferrari experience from an 8 cylinder car. Sure, the 8 cylinder cars are great, but there's something about a 12 that the 8s just can't duplicate. Drive them both and see for yourself. | ||
| Russ Turner (Snj5)
Junior Member Username: Snj5 Post Number: 217 Registered: 2-2003 |
For me, like Frank, would go with a black GTC/4 or 512BB. If anticipating track use the BB would win out. But listening to that GTC/4...... | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Member Username: Modman Post Number: 647 Registered: 11-2001 |
Damn, picture people like this... Saving thousands to prepare for breakdowns so settle for a cheaper model since you know it's more likely to happen. Why would anyone think of buying a car knowing it's gonna cost thousands in repairs? I could have all the money I needed but in reality why the hell would I buy a car knowing it's gonna need a lot of repairs, it's really inconvenient if you think about it. | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Member Username: Modman Post Number: 646 Registered: 11-2001 |
The best Ferrari for 60K is a 355 spyder in silver or red with blk interior, good shape,recent major service, care less of miles and ready to buy now, that's the best Ferrari for me, may not be to anyone else but it is to me. So the best Ferrari for anyone is the one that fits in your range. | ||
| Mike Dawson (Miked)
Junior Member Username: Miked Post Number: 103 Registered: 2-2001 |
"A 355 would be great but falls outside the investment budget." INVESTMENT ??? The money that you sunk into "upgading" a 308 (or similarly with your next purchase) could hardly be called an "investment" other than in personal satisfaction. It sounds like you would be much happier with a dedicated track car instead of trying to make a heavy GT car into a racer. Just my 2 cents. | ||
| Barry A. Freda (308barry)
New member Username: 308barry Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2003 |
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| Kelly Hayes (Khayes)
New member Username: Khayes Post Number: 13 Registered: 4-2003 |
I found myself in your very shoes last week. I was looking at 348ts's and Testarossa's and couldn't really decide which way to go. I even looked at a 355B. In the end, I purchased the Testarossa this past weekend because when I drove it I liked it the best and I was more comfortable with it than the other cars. It didn't come down to how much either car cost to buy or how much either car would cost to maintain. It is all about what you are the happiest with when you close the garage doors at night. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 950 Registered: 5-2002 |
I agree with you on the electrical problems.. They always say, don't buy 1st generation... | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2546 Registered: 9-2001 |
Ron, I would prefer the TR as an exotic with the occasional track event. If the main reason for the car is to track it, I would go with the 348 or 355. You would have to spend too much money on a TR to make it a great track car. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 949 Registered: 5-2002 |
Frank. Which of the two would you prefer. 348 or TR providing the maintance costing the same.. | ||
| Philip Airey (Pma1010)
Member Username: Pma1010 Post Number: 288 Registered: 7-2002 |
Perhaps I didn't do a good enough job with the specificity of my request. Here's the issue. I have a beautiful yellow 308 gtb. Carbs. P6 cams going in as soon as they are back from Dema Elgin (long story, not completely germaine [nor irrelevant] to this point). I have had the car about 16 months and am regularly doing track events. I have spent a large sum on fixing everything that needed doing (30K service, shocks, rack, chassis bushings everywhere, alignment plus carbs (2x), Tubi and so on) as well as some upgrades (seats & belts, cams [above], wheels/tires, adj sway bar etc). All this in a (vain? silly?) attempt to have the car perform equal to, or better than Enzo intended. It is great. It will be "different" with the hot cams. So, what next? a 12 cylinder mid engine would be nice, but the engine sits high (on the tranny) in a boxer which isn't a good track combination, and the Testarossa has brakes to die for (literally). A 355 would be great but falls outside the investment budget. If history tends to repeat itself (it does) I'll also end up doing many of "upgrades" to the next car that I've done to the 308. My thought was a 348 challenge or serie speciale car. 348 challenge were imported (AFAIK) as street cars and also has the track stuff pre-done. I also assume the challenge or SS wouldn't have some of the handing er, delights (challenges) of the 348 TS/Berlinetta models. However, I'd like to hear opinions. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2543 Registered: 9-2001 |
Ron, I think the 348 will cost as much in maintenance as the others. If you get an early 348 it could cost more than the others due to likely electrical problems. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 947 Registered: 5-2002 |
I feel the TR is one if the most beautful Ferraris created.. I'd go with the TR any day. bottom line is, I hold on to that car for 5yrs, which would cost me more $$ to keep.. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 946 Registered: 5-2002 |
Frank, But what about the maintance? | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2540 Registered: 9-2001 |
The TR,365GTC/4 or Boxer all beat out the 348 for almost the same money IMHO. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 945 Registered: 5-2002 |
YOur right Frank.. I put a thread out on V12 maintance and yes the 456 is expensive.. I guess you will have to go with a Yellow 348.. I say yellow because that and black is one of the best colors to get that car in.. my 2 cents | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2535 Registered: 9-2001 |
Ron, the 456 may now be cheap to buy, but it is very expensive to maintain. In fact, from what I've heard the 456 is one of the most expensive Ferraris to maintain PERIOD. | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 651 Registered: 11-2002 |
Go with the 348 and you will have money left over for repairs. I don't care how well you research a car, you will always find things out after you get it that you did not know before you got it. You should have some money in reserve for these situations. | ||
| Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Member Username: Ronsupercar Post Number: 936 Registered: 5-2002 |
For $10k more you can get a 456!!! Save the $$ for two more weeks and get the 456 | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2532 Registered: 9-2001 |
TR, 365GTC/4 or maybe a BB512 if you can find a good one for that low . | ||
| Mark Lambert (Mlambert890)
Junior Member Username: Mlambert890 Post Number: 100 Registered: 4-2002 |
Byron, Thanks! I had a Kaiser silver before the blue... Silver is a great color for the X. I badly want a 355... My wife and I have both always loved that car and I would prefer it to a 360 even if I had the cash to buy new (so I do understand the love people have for the 308/328). That said... I think the maintenance would be too much of a stretch for me =( Maybe some day though! =) That's one sweet 348! I love how aggressive the Challenge looks in racing trim. | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 788 Registered: 10-2002 |
Mark, that's a nice looking 2003 NSX... I used to have a 1993 Sebring Silver and absolutely loved it! Are you thinking about adding to the collection? | ||
| Mark Lambert (Mlambert890)
Junior Member Username: Mlambert890 Post Number: 99 Registered: 4-2002 |
Personally, I'd go for the 348 or wait a bit and see if 355 values keep dropping. I'm not a big 308/328 fan though. | ||
| Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
Intermediate Member Username: Stickanddice Post Number: 1178 Registered: 11-2002 |
I am very biased towards the early carb 308s. In European spec trim it's a fantastic car. My vote for the best Ferrari at 60k or under. Cheers | ||
| jeff ryerson (Atheyg)
Member Username: Atheyg Post Number: 295 Registered: 8-2002 |
Best in what way? Looks? value? maintenance costs? easy the 328 Why are 328s,348s and TRs all in a similar price brackett? TRs are very expensive to maintain, a cheap fix on a 328 is double or triple on a TR, the same with the 348 plan on spending double for engine out maintenance, the 348 has 30 more hp than a 328 stock, put a K&N and remove the cat and your looking at 15 more hp for the 348 but the 348 weighs 3207lbs vs 3160 for the 328 so its even less of a difference in performance, aside from looks dept | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1011 Registered: 5-2001 |
Agree with Byron. | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 785 Registered: 10-2002 |
348, with extra cash left over for tires and supplies... or Early model Testarossa. | ||
| Philip Airey (Pma1010)
Member Username: Pma1010 Post Number: 287 Registered: 7-2002 |
Opinions sought. Usage some road and 10+ track days per year. |