| Author | Message | ||
| Ron Dallas (328infoseeker)
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Yank-I told you that you would start a fire! I must ad that my nieghbors 21yr. old kid with a Mustang and striaght pipes sounds real nice ripping 1st and 2nd gear leaving the nieghborhood. I do have fun reading about a the nerves being struck around these parts. Good Luck. Save your money a little longer and buy a 328. My opinion. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
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Sorry, the winding roads you speak about in NY are getting really crowded, at least near the city. I have to drive to greenwhich,ct for automotive fun, but when im there i usually get distracted by the huge houses and nice cars driving by. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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Anthony; nop harm done. I love the very old Mustangs as well. Love the old Model A and T as well. My warehouse next door neighbor has 3 Model T's in his warehouse that he takes to shows. Once is all original, except the 4 tires it was standing on, but the spare is still from 70+ years ago. I truely apprechiate vintage cars. If the question is an old 1969 Mustang Convertible or a 308 Ferrari, well my answer would still be the Ferrari but to us Ferrari Freaks it would not sound so far off like a new Mustang. But then we trash every car comparison that is made. 328 vs NSX, TR vs Corvette etc. There had been many posts started like yours.... Where do you live? I guess NY area. If that is the case you can enjoy the winding roads of the country. A Ferrari will give you much more pleasure than a 1/4 Mile Mustang. I owned both (not the new SVT) there is no comparison! | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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I know what you're saying (despite what some people might say, Bret can read), I once thought it as well but with a Corvette instead. There are pros and cons to each. If would also be hard to compare them because they are so different. To be honest, the only time I ever really want a different car other than the Ferrari is when I'm sick because that's when the loudness and vibration and all aren't so appealing, but this is why I have another car. If you get a Ferrari you'll love it, if you get a Mustang you'll look back and still wonder about what it would be like to own a 308. Like I said about a Shelby Cobra, it's the only other car (American) that I can think of with the racing/club mentality of the Ferrari which is why I like them a lot too. If you've taken the time to look into 308s and post here and all then I think the Ferrari would be the car that would make you the happiest. | ||
| Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
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Bret , it was never meant to be a Mustang vs. Ferrari COMPARISON. Please read my last post to Martin for clarification. Anthony | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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I agree above 5000 RPMS is just awesome (same for the TR)!!! | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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I don't think I was drinking today, but I could've sworn that I saw a Mustang vs. a 308. I must be going crazy. Seriously though to stop ragging on you, the Ferrari can be expensive, moreso than many people understand. Even a good one can cost you a good amount of money, especially if you get caught by the go-fast bug and you start buying go-fast goodies for an exotic car. I would think a Cobra replica (Shelby Cobra, not Mustang) would be a better American comparison for the Ferrari type of life. If you're worried about prices etc this might be a better way to go, and it would definitely be a lot better than getting a Mustang Cobra. The Ferrari may cost money, but it's usually quite spread out so providing that you have an income you should be able to stay ahead of it. | ||
| Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
|
Anthony, as you've heard from all of the other responses, once you drive a Ferrari, there is nothing that comes close to the experience. When you find one that has been mechanically well taken care of, it makes the reliability issue much less of an issue. I happened to find an '84 308QV in which the two previous owners were fanatical about upkeep and maintenance. These are fantastic cars and the driving experience is nothing short of awesome above 5000 rpm. Just like Bob Campen, sometimes I also go out to the garage just to look at it. | ||
| Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
|
Hi Martin. That's okay I understand. I also don't want you to think I thought both cars are in the same league - I know they are not. I was just trying to cover all bases with my sportscar budget - one car can be a run-of-the-mill daily driver with traditional musclecar performance, ordinary(kind-of-ugly)looks. The other (the Ferrari) a classic work of automotive art, to be used on weekends, etc. Two totally different cars for different applications. The problem with me is I like many things automotive. I appreciate old American V8s and I love fine Italian machinery. This is the way I am in most aspects of life. I feel just as comfortable dining out in a tuxedo as I do eating in a college bar with a sticky floor. Although I am an engineer, I am also a musician and fan of fine art. So, I am pretty well-rounded. I probably should not have even brought it up on this site! I do not know what got into me. Sorry if I have offended you in any way. Thank You, Anthony | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
|
Anthony, nothing personal. I may have expressed myself wrong. English no mi first language! The design flaws, well, an engineer can creat the best things but if the company does not implement them because of cost issues...all that good engineering is down the drain. Happens all the time. I'll give you an example: When I was 19 and visited the US the 3rd time, my parents rented a car. A Ford Thunderbird (1989). An the A-holm the inside covering is plastic which is being held in place by 2 screws. Ford did not even bother to put these little screw covers on them to disguise them. 2 plain screws. Cheap. I am sure that their engineers have designed a clip on, no screw design (which may have cost $1.50 more to produce, but in the big picture at 200,000 cars made, there is a 1/4 Million saved! As to my 16 year old comment: The majority of drivers of Mustangs is Teenagers. It is a fast 5.0L and cheap to aquire car. For those that can not afford to soup up a Honda Civic with Nitros and other crap. I hope you will post soon that this was just a joke. If not I would recommend that you drive the 308 as well. That will answer your question in a second. As I have said many times before. Ferrari is a Virus, once infected you can only get rid of it by DEATH! Drive it, you'll be hooked and be as nutz as all of us here, you will understand. No hard feelings taken! | ||
| Bob Campen (Bob308gts)
|
I have been a Ferrari nut for over 20 yrs. About 8 yrs ago I really starting thinking I could own one and at that point started looking for a 308/328. Along the way I built a few cars including a prostreet 73 Vega, 73 MGB ( still have ) cafe racer 87 325is and restored about 5 cars for other people. I looked at Cobra kits, Lotus and many others, still kept the Ferrari dream in the back of my mind. 3 months ago a 79 308 turned up at a dealer close by, I went and looked/drove it at that point I was totally hooked. I did pass on that one but found another in Ohio and got it. It is the greatest thing just to drive it, the sound alone at 7000 rpm almost replaces sex. I owned it for 2 months now and the thrill is just as strong, I still walk out the garage just to look at it. Once you want a Ferrari NOTHING else will do!!! | ||
| Thomas Nehlert (Ferrarickx)
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Anthony, if you have to choose between a Ferrari 308 and a Ford Mustang you can't expect neutral comments on this site.A Ferrari is a Ferrari is a Ferrari ! Drive both and make your own decision. Only your opinion, only your feeling are of importance. And if you think a Ferrari has too many problems - try a Porsche 911 (as Mark C. Gordon suggests).I had only best experiences with four 911s. Thomas | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
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It's a simple equation Anthony. If you buy the Mustang, you'll still always want the Ferrari. Buy the Ferrari and you'll look at the Mustang and just smile. | ||
| Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
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I know the Ferrari is both a beautiful and classic automobile....I have ruled out the Mustang and will continue my 308 search. Thank you everyone for your input.....did not mean to cause a major stir here.... Thank You, Anthony | ||
| Allyn (Allyn)
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I had the pleasure of driving a Saleen Mustang covertible for a week in 1998. It was a fun, fast car and a blast topless. It had a few goofy design issues (Ford's design; not the Saleen package) and was very rattly for a new car. So a mixed reaction. But not junk either. | ||
| Joseph Buffa (Buffa27)
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Anthony, My first Ferrari was a 308 GTB. If it's performance only your looking for, buy the Mustang. But the 308 carb model is a classic sportscar. Just like most (not all) classics, it was a great performer of it's day. It is unfair to compare it to a modern sportscar with 20+ years of new development. The 308 will cost more to service, But if you follow the advice of this Chat site on buying a Ferrari (proper inpection, and so on...) you should not fall into a Money pit. It is true that you do need to look at the price of ownership when buying a Ferrari, it's not cheap. As for your comments on Martin, I've enjoyed most of his posts. I don't think he's rude, the comment about being 16, I think he was refering to alot of teenagers owning Mustangs, I would think that is Ford's Target market. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
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I agree with most of the others to stay away from the Mustang. And , Ferraris ARE reliable cars if they are well maintained. Its just when they do rarely break, it is almost always expensive. | ||
| Mark C. Gordon (Markg)
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NOT a Mustang! If you really want a sports car thet will give you 100k trouble free miles, go with a 911 Porsche. I had mine 8 years with no problems! My 308GTSi has cost me over $15k since I bought it 5 months ago (bad flywheel and broken timing gears + a VERY over-priced shop in town). The 308 has the best design of just about any car, and the quality of the body, fit, finish etc. is unsurpassed! DO NOT under estimate the cost of ownership though! Every time I think of dumping my 308, I look at it in the parking lot, and just can't do it...! | ||
| Allyn (Allyn)
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Anthony, may I humbly suggest you try a Lotus Europa Special or Twin Cam? My Europa Twin Cam does 0-60 in 7 sec. which is similar to a 308 and will out corner ANY Ferrari (sorry guys) which is much more important than straight line speed anyway for driving thrills. It's only a bit of a money pit but a 'perfect' Special can be had for $12-15k. Plus, you get the attention of a Ferrari everywhere you go. Just a thought. | ||
| Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
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A Mustang is $30K????? WOW!! That is about $25K overpriced... Ernesto | ||
| Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
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Glad I rustled a few feathers...exactly what I wanted to do...wanted you guys to snap me out of even thinking this..... To Mark and Peter: Your responses reflect the educated thoughts that were passing through my head as well. You both gave excellent, thought out responses - the kind I expected from this site. Thanks again. Martin: I am not 16. Are you? Your sophmoric wording was much like what would be expected from someone who is. Or are you always plain rude? I have a graduate degree in engineering and work for a major aerospace company. I know about the value thing, and like I said, I really want to go the Ferrari route. I am sure many of my hardworking engineer friends in the Big 3 would not appreciate your comments, especially if it is from someone who might not be technically minded. It's not always the incompetence of the engineers who design products that bring about problems, it's having people with little technical background trying to control the product's outcome. Thanks for your input though - no hard feelings. Anthony | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
|
Damn, I almost choked on my bagel! I have heard some weired things on this chat line but a 308 vs a Mustang. I am not sure if even a shrink can help here. How about a mortician, you have to be dead if you consider junk as an alternative. I have to admit I had a Mustang many years back. With all the problems that that car had I made a promiss never to drive a Ford again, period! It drives like junk, it is build and designed by incompetent people and the only thing fast on it is the rate it rusts. That is even faster than the rate it loses value! Spend $ 30K for a Mustang and in 2 years it is worth $ 12K Buy a 308 for $ 30K and it is worth $ 30K in 2 years. Spend an extra $ 6,000 in maintenance and you are still more than 10K ahead of the game while you were driving a real cool car vs a Teen-Killer! HOW OLD ARE YOU? 16? | ||
| Peter Boray (Gts308qv)
|
Magoo, that comment about whom you do NOT sleep with, sent my wife and I into hysterics ! Now as for Yank05; I own a 308QV and my best friend (Mustang nut) just bought himself a new SVT Mustang . I spent an afternoon driving this car. As far as raw power goes, yes the Mustang hauls ass and sounds great! Handleing was excellent on the roads I took, but did not give me that feeling of confidence like my 308 does. This may be due to unfamiliarity, but the 308 felt RIGHT straight away. The panel fit and finish is woeful. Clutch action/ travel spongey and way too long. Same with the shifter. Steering OK but not positive enough. Seats/comfort - bad news. Suspension - sits almost as high an SUV . All these things can be altered/ fixed (as Randy commented) but why should they need to be fixed ? In the end it's down to what you prefer or want from a car. I do love the early Mustangs but for me any NEW Mustang no matter who has tried to beat a little life into it, sounds like a dead horse to me ! | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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No problem Magoo, I have been happily called a lot worse.  | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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Sorry Michael for the incorrect spelling. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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Miles, You hit the nail on the head. I bought my wife a 500 SEC some yrs. ago, she loved it. Then I bought her a 560 SEC Black with tan guts. A knock out. She hated it constantly complained that the air bag steering wheel could not be adjusted to her likeing and the memory seat did not work for her. I tried telling her,other women would kill for this car. It made no difference. I finally traded it for a Jag. We have had Jags ever since, and she loves them. When the salesperson asked me why I traded in such a beautiful Mercedes, my answer was, "I DON'T SLEEP WITH THE MERCEDES." | ||
| Randy (Schatten)
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I agree with the suggestion of seeing a shrink. I wouldn't do it, not for that amount of money, the quality of a 30 year old F car surpasses the quality of new Fords. I've had a Mustang before, and know every bolt on that car very well. The fact that EVERY SINGLE PART on that car can be upgraded for something better out of MM&FF magazine, well.. that says it all. | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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If you have to think that much about the money -- then a Ferrari may not be for you. A Ferrari is like a wife who shops too much, you love'em anyway and shell out the bucks. Ain't much of a choice once you have 'em unless you want a cold bed and a cranky car. | ||
| Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
|
Thanks Mark. I wrote this light-hearted question/thought to see what kind of responses I would get. Let me be a little more specific as to where I am going with this. I always loved Ferraris, especially the 308 - it is, in my opinion also, one of the most beautiful vehicles on the planet. Now, I am at the point where I can afford to buy one - not for a daily driver, but I could see myself putting about 5K a year on it. I know, from this website and from the many people I've talked to, about the service required on Ferraris. They are not known for their reliability, and I am not sure if I am willing to accept that. I do not want to spend thousands of dollars per year keeping a Ferrari going. Now, the Mustang thing. I was always a fan of older Mustangs (Shelbys) and American V8's. Recently, I drove a friend's new Cobra and had a blast doing so. The fact that it was new, with the same price tag as a 308 and with very good performance appealed to me (as well as it's reliability). I am not that stupid - I know there is nothing like seeing a beautiful Ferrari and one can not compare the aesthetics of these two vehicles. I really would like to go the Ferrari route, but to be honest, I guess I'm kind of hesitant to take this step as I am worried about acquiring a money pit. Thanks, Anthony | ||
| Mark (Study)
|
I think the 308 is the best looking car in the world! Nothing will every top it. I think the Mustang is the uglyest (toaster on wheels). BUT.... what are you going to use it for? I just drove a BMW roadster at 313HP, and a NSX at 290 both a scream. SVT makes 320 HP I'm guessing (never drove one)... what's the 308 ? 250hp ? My point? I remember an Audi Quatro drive once say... I know my car is ugly but I can't see it when I'm inside looking out. He won the hill climb, which was sad for me becuase I was such an exotic car fan. This guy beat the tar out of a bunch of Ferrari's in his car that looked like a bread-box on wheels. I use to think a cars "looks" were most important... 308 wins (and the looks you get). Then I started thinking.. the way a car made me feel when I drove it hard was more inportant. If you are like me... A guy with $40k to spend on an extra sports car. You have to think about which is more important. You can't have both (until you can afford 150k and start looking at 355 and 360's) Just a thought to share with some-one in the same position as you. I get tierd of answers like.. "its a Ferrari and they are the best" Best at what? For what price? For what purpose? What are you trying to acompish in your next sports car purchase? Once you know the answer to that question you will know which car to buy. | ||
| Ron Dallas (328infoseeker)
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Yank- 1) What are looking for in a car? Speed,preformance,looks,value,road car,track car,new Tech. vs. older tech,etc. 2) Daily driver or weekend? You will have a better responce from this group if your questions are more specific unless you are trying fuel a fire. | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
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If you need disposeable transportation that you intend to use and depend on for daily transportation then get the Mustang as much as I hate Fords. A Ferrari is in my opinion a fun toy that is more than transportation, but an icon of pleasure and status. Anyone who argues this is kidding themselves. If you have to ask then you are not ready for a Ferrari. No one needs a Ferrari, they just want one. If you need a car, don't buy a Ferrari. | ||
| Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
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Yes, I have driven a late-model Corvette recently. A Z06 as a matter of fact. With is long-ass hood that you can barely see the road. With it mile-long shifts. With its incredibly weird sitting position. With its attrocious fit and finish and substandard plastics. Don't like it at all. I would rather buy a used Supra, RX7, or NSX. It is pretty sad that eight year old Japanese cars will look and feel better than a 2001 Vette. Ernesto | ||
| Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
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You're right William, I've thought about that. Thank you. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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Why get a Mutstang when u can get a Stallion ? U realize the 308 will hold its value very well now, How much do u think the Rustang will b worth in 1 or 2 years ? | ||
| Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
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Hey Ernesto, have you ever personally driven a late model Corvette on a race track? Have you? Have you really ever pushed a Corvette to it's limits? It's no Ferrari, but it's a little bit better than "sad". | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
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SHAME-SHAME -SHAME!! | ||
| Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
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Hey, I did say they were two different animals, didn't I? | ||
| Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
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A Mustang and Ferrari in the same sentence? Oh God help us... As far as I am concered, America makes only one sports car - the Corvette. And it is a pretty sad thing at that... Ernesto | ||
| Michael A. Niles (Man90tr)
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Go see a shrink, Dude. | ||
| Anthony Acunzo (Yank05)
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Okay, okay, maybe someone has to snap me out of this. I have been researching and looking for my first Ferrari (carb. 308, with many thank you's to FerrariChat members) for about three months. Now, one of my old flames is burning again - I am thinking about passing up the Ferrari for a new Mustang Cobra SVT! "How can this be?", you might ask yourself. Well, although these two cars are different animals (and the Mustang is not the greatest looking thing), the performance, the 32 valve V8, independent rear (finally), reliability, along with a new car warranty are swaying me. Tell me this can not be so! Maybe I'm still dazed because the Yanks lost the Series. Give me your thoughts, FerrariChat members! |