| Author | Message | ||
| Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Junior Member Username: Future328driver Post Number: 227 Registered: 12-2001 |
I agree with you Jim. Even for a perfect "10" 308, $47k is way out of line. | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 894 Registered: 7-2001 |
A 308 for $47k? What have they been smoking? | ||
| Phil Bryson (Phildo)
New member Username: Phildo Post Number: 31 Registered: 8-2002 |
Tillman, Beautiful car - badges add a nice touch! I admit I'm biased, but Grigio rocks! phil | ||
| Raleigh Smith (288gto)
New member Username: 288gto Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sorry, I didn't read the top 5 postings. Congrats on the car. | ||
| Raleigh Smith (288gto)
New member Username: 288gto Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2002 |
The 328 at ECW has been sold. They do have a real nice 85' 308 QV with 28K for $47,000. As far as financing goes, goto www.peoplefirst.com. They will send you a blank check so you can buy what you want with no questions asked. | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 92 Registered: 10-2001 |
Tillman - Great looking car. I've never seen the 328 in that color, and with the tinted windows and chrome wheels, it looks awesome. Congrats on the purchase! | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
Junior Member Username: Tillman Post Number: 103 Registered: 11-2001 |
Sorry everyone, I forgot to mention it in this thread. Yes, I got my 328 on Saturday. I bought it at Exotic Car World, and I'm very very happy with it. Pictures are here, courtesy of the previous owner: http://www.strahan.org/ferrari/ You can also see it on the end in the pictures of the Carson's gathering. Thanks to everyone for your advice and suggestions. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 353 Registered: 7-2002 |
Tillman bought a 328 Sat. from our title sponsor ECW. Great car grigio/black from another board member. I turned him on to peoplefirst also by another board member. This is agreat place for advice! | ||
| Brad Hescock (Bradh)
New member Username: Bradh Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2002 |
Tillman, There are banks that will finance a person-to-person transaction with no hassle. I've bought a few cars through www.peoplefirst.com, including my current Porsche. They are super easy to deal with, their rates are some of the lowest out there, and they will finance based on your credit, not the vehicle you are buying. The really don't care if the car is a 2-year-old Camry or a Testarossa. That may help expand your search... Brad | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 87 Registered: 3-2002 |
My short term menory fails me again. We indeed did meet. | ||
| Phil Bryson (Phildo)
New member Username: Phildo Post Number: 29 Registered: 8-2002 |
Al, I've been planning to be there - and I'm not afraid of the rain - but the forecast of 8" in the next two days may keep me away. Did we meet at the Track prep event at Moorespeed earlier this month? phil | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 86 Registered: 3-2002 |
Phil, You'll have to come to the next HCFCA breakfast or event. | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 85 Registered: 3-2002 |
Yeah, I got a snotty attitude from FoD when I inquired about a pre-purchase inspection. I was HIGHLY impressed with Barrett(sp) Motors in San Antonio when we went there for the USGP party. Great people. | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 84 Registered: 3-2002 |
I got mine from an original owner in Dallas. Found it on eBay but bought it from him directly after the auction expired. | ||
| Phil Bryson (Phildo)
New member Username: Phildo Post Number: 26 Registered: 8-2002 |
Tillman, This spring, I also made the decision to buy. I assumed I would find something in TX (live in Austin). I looked for a number of weeks before expanding my search and locating my 85 QV in the LA area. It is grigio/tan and in pristine condition. I took a Saturday and flew out, drove the car, bought it on condition of inspection, and flew back. The cost to ship it in an enclosed carrier was a thousand bucks. There are a lot of them out there, but finding the diamond in the rough may require you to go outside Texas. Buying the F-car was the best decision I've made in a long time! Best of luck. | ||
| Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Junior Member Username: Future328driver Post Number: 219 Registered: 12-2001 |
They even apologized for stepping away from talking to me to take a call from a guy interested in buying a McClaren F1 from them. No customer it unimportant to them. | ||
| Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Junior Member Username: Future328driver Post Number: 218 Registered: 12-2001 |
ECW guys were great to me when I went in there looking for a 328. They told me about Dan's Grigio 328 before it even was in the showroom. When I am in the market again, I will definitely go through them. | ||
| Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Junior Member Username: Future328driver Post Number: 217 Registered: 12-2001 |
I had a similar experience when I went in to FoD asking about a 308 or 328. Cold shoulder. On the other side of the spectrum, in August I was in NC at Foreign Cars Italia looking for a 328. The salesman was all over me. He was a real a-hole, implying that I did not know much about the Ferrari market when I said $60k for an less than ideal '86 328 was too much (not in their showroom, but he offered to broker through FML). Plus, he looked like he just got busted for selling cocaine by Crockett and Tubbs (no offense to F-Chat's Miami clan). Grease ball all the way - last I heard, he was running an Internet raffle for a Modena (kidding). | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2522 Registered: 12-2000 |
Jonathan, James, Mike, and the models do rock at ECW! | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 331 Registered: 7-2002 |
FoD just gives me the impression that if you aren't a mega rich guy buying a new car or getting your 4 cars serviced each month then they don't want to mess with you. Seems they don't care about growing their business and they don't respect the cars or the owners. Reminds me of big airlines not caring about southwest or big oil not caring about QuikTrip or RaceTrac until they stole all their business. On the contrary I had a great time at ECW just looking at the cars and Jonathan took the time to tell me what he knew about the cars full well knowing I would not be buying a $200K diablo or a Danny Sulivan racecar. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2521 Registered: 12-2000 |
I got the same thing 4 years ago when asking if they had 308/328's. The answer was never and they didn't have as many back then as they do now, so there's a little truth to that. My first FerrariChat.com event I ever organized was a get together at the ALMS race at TMS. There were only about 4 Ferraris that showed up as it poured down rain all day Saturday. I actually had about 9 on the list. James Dunn after the fact made a snide comment about how few people I actually organized, but I think his beef was with FCA and not FC. Since he has been OK, especially when calling for Greg wanting to buy a TR. Word on the street is FOD/FOH were a little upset with how treated by a select few during the annual FCA Dallas event. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 330 Registered: 7-2002 |
well also consider that you are now a bonafide buyer. You have a lotus, you can afford a ferrari, you were looking at the maserati and not drooling over the red ferrari so you probably appeared more legitimate. Plus you may have gotten a cool employee. | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 89 Registered: 10-2001 |
I always had bad experiences at FoD as well, starting about 4.5 years ago when shopping for my first exotic toy. I was interested in a 308 and got brushed off very quickly by them. Then about two years ago before trading up to the Esprit V8, I was considering a 348 and was surprised about being dismissed by FoD as another kid just looking. But, when I went in a few weeks ago to check out the Maserati, I was pleasantly surprised. I spent most of the time with the service manager, who was really cool and spent a good hour with me talking about the car and Ferrari's in general. I mentioned to him that I really wanted to get an old 308 GT4 and he spoke positively about it and bringing it by and such. I figured they wouldn't want to even deal with something like that (not even being a "true" Ferrari, right?). I don't know if the ownership changed or something, but I just got a completely different (positive) impression from their operation than the last few times I had been in there. Maybe with the soft economy, they are realizing they can't just be a bunch of a-holes. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 329 Registered: 7-2002 |
Years ago I was looking at a TR inside FOD. I asked why he didn't put the cars outside anymore and he said as he scowled at me "it attracts the wrong crowd". He meant guys like me who were just day dreaming. What they don't realize is that day dreamers grow up and become buyers. I vowed to never buy a car from them if I ever got one. Now I am going by at lunch to view a 328. Kind of fun now because I could buy it today if I wanted to, but I don't care. That is half the battle! | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 706 Registered: 3-2001 |
Jim, same thing happened to me at FoD. I was told they didn't sell 308s, just 328s. The guy wanted absolutely no part of me... and they had a ratty 328 in the showroom. It was the roughest looking 12,000 mile car I had ever seen. They didn't even detail it... the interior was filthy. | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 869 Registered: 7-2001 |
When I went into FOD when I was shopping, I told them I was looking for a 308QV. The guy there sniffed and said "We haven't had one of THOSE in years"! I guess my lowly aspirations didn't fit their business model. | ||
| Sean Ruckel (Sruckel)
Junior Member Username: Sruckel Post Number: 88 Registered: 10-2001 |
Apaprently, the 328 at FoD is real nice. I took only a quick look at it, but I was talking to the service rep while waiting for my turn in the Maserati, and he said the 328 was a trade-in and was meticulously maintained. This may have been dealer hype, but he knew I wasn't interested in the 328, since I was there to test drive something else. FWIW | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2509 Registered: 12-2000 |
Bought mine in OKC, worked all day, Jennie and I drove up there, arrived about 10pm. First time I had driven the car more than 5 miles and it was late. Crusing home on 35E over the southern OK mountains I tried to find the high beems and instead, turned the lights off. Well, it takes about 3 seconds for the lights to roll in the car and then roll back up again and turn on. Scariest 3 seconds of my life. Pitch dark 80 mph in MY new Ferrari! Tillman, if serious about looking and buying a FOD car, please mention FC and your FCA DFW involement. James Dunn knows me and Tony has heard of me before. FOD doesn't think FCA members buy Ferraris from them, that's why they're a little cold. | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
Junior Member Username: Tillman Post Number: 86 Registered: 11-2001 |
Just to answer a few questions: First, without reopening the annual financing thread, the lending institution requires that the car be from a licensed dealer. I would really like to avoid all the hassles of bringing a car in from out of state, so that's why I'd like to stay in Texas. I'd hope, as big as this state is, that I could find a great car that already had a Texas title and had passed the darned emission test. That's not a hard requirement -- I might go as far as Oklahoma  Thanks for all the extra eyes. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 704 Registered: 3-2001 |
Check with Community Credit Union too. They've always had low rates and will lend to anyone with good credit. | ||
| K. Wesley DeLoach (Wesleyd)
New member Username: Wesleyd Post Number: 13 Registered: 8-2002 |
Following up on what Chris wrote, if the lending institution is why it must be Texas, then you may want to check and see if someone (Exotic Car World?) will "broker" a purchase for a fee. Might help to bring in an out-of-state car and get past the bank requirements. Just a thought. | ||
| K. Wesley DeLoach (Wesleyd)
New member Username: Wesleyd Post Number: 12 Registered: 8-2002 |
One of my current addictions is searching Ferrari ads, in particular, 328s and 348s. I'll happily expand this to 308s and if I see anything interesting nearby I'll let you know. Also, think about if you were to buy in a neighboring state, you could get to drive it home. Talk to Jim E. about the fun he had bringing his 328 from Utah. Now, anyone up for a time-share on a 360. ;) | ||
| Chris Pounds (Eggman)
Junior Member Username: Eggman Post Number: 54 Registered: 3-2002 |
Hey, Tillman, finally taking the plunge, eh? I hope you find what you're looking for. As for Bob's question, perhaps it's because the lending institution requires this? I know that some insist on this. Regards, Chris. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 700 Registered: 3-2001 |
Tillman, why do you "have" to buy from a "licensed" dealer... just curious? It just seems dealers typically charge more. And you're severely limiting your search. What kind of condition car are you looking for? Seems several 328 owners were originally looking for late model 308QVs or 328s when they were ready to purchase their first F-car. I'm one and I think I read that Jim E was another. For what it's worth, I think a 328 will cost you less money in the long run. But I'm sure you've read that here plenty of times before. Glad to see you're ready to go! Pls feel free to email or call me if you have any questions! | ||
| William Huber (Solipsist)
Member Username: Solipsist Post Number: 447 Registered: 9-2001 |
I think there is a dealer in Arlington off of Division Street. He's set up in a warehouse & works by appointment only. I've seen that he's had many Ferraris in the past. I can't remember the name of the shop though. If anything else theres plenty of them here in Houston, some grey market cars. If you want, I can see whats available here. Let me know. | ||
| Ken Thomas (Future328driver)
Junior Member Username: Future328driver Post Number: 214 Registered: 12-2001 |
Tillman, the other obvious places to go are FoH or Barret down in San Antonio. I do not know if they have what you are looking for. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2496 Registered: 12-2000 |
There was a 308 GTB Euro in the DMN this morning. But it's prob not a dealers car. | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
Junior Member Username: Tillman Post Number: 85 Registered: 11-2001 |
Greetings all, I'm very seriously looking for a 308 or 328 GTS. I have to purchase it from a licensed new or used car dealer in Texas. Fortunately, I'm not in a hurry to buy. I am aware of the grigio/black 328 at ECW, and the red/black 328 at FoDallas, although I haven't looked at either yet. I'm hoping to check them both out this weekend. Does anyone know of any other 308s or 328s in the Dallas area, or elsewhere in Texas? Thanks Tillman |