| Author | Message | ||
| Dave Goldman (Dave328)
Junior Member Username: Dave328 Post Number: 224 Registered: 11-2002 |
Irion, The best thing to do first is join the FCA.(The Ferrari Club of America) here's the link: www.ferrariclubofamerica.org/pages/join.cfm (you don't need to own one to join!) From there you will be added to the Louisiana member list. That will allow you to be contacted for different events. We also have numerous informal events during the year. (track days,sunday drives,etc) This web board is helpful to keep up on the activities as well. If you'd like, drop me an email with your phone number and I'll give you a yell when we have another get together. [email protected] Dave | ||
| Irion Bordelon (Ibordelon)
New member Username: Ibordelon Post Number: 9 Registered: 6-2003 |
Thanks for the info Dave. Sounds like no matter which model I decide on, someone here will be able to advise me. Sorry for taking so long in responding to you, but have been out of pocket. Does the club hold monthly meetings, and if so when and where? I would love to meet with some of you lucky guys. | ||
| Dave Goldman (Dave328)
Junior Member Username: Dave328 Post Number: 198 Registered: 11-2002 |
Yes there is a local chapter of the FCA. If I had to guess I'd say there were 75-125 Ferrari's in the New Orleans/Baton Rouge area, although not all owners are members of the club. There is quite a diverse spread of cars here. 308's,328's, a few 348's,TR's, 355's and 360's,plus a few 550's and 1 or 2 456's. Not to mention a F50,F40,288GTO, as well as the Breadvan and the 330 TR/LM. I think there are also a couple of 246 Dino's as well. So we have a little bit of everything. Good luck with finding the perfect car. Dave | ||
| Irion Bordelon (Ibordelon)
New member Username: Ibordelon Post Number: 8 Registered: 6-2003 |
Thanks Paul. Yellow does look good on this particular 355 spyder. I think I will look a little more before making the plunge. So, how many club members do we have in the New Orleans metro area? I guess I should first ask if there is an F club in the New Orleans area? What do the bulk of them drive and do any use an F car as a daily driver? | ||
| Paul Wehmer (Pwehmer)
Junior Member Username: Pwehmer Post Number: 172 Registered: 10-2002 |
Buy the color you like. Personally I like colors other then red. A red car is generally better for resale. A 355 would be a great car to start out in. | ||
| Irion Bordelon (Ibordelon)
New member Username: Ibordelon Post Number: 7 Registered: 6-2003 |
Thanks Lyndon for the advice and the link to your brothers car. It is a beauty. I saw a really nice yellow 355 on ebay. I don't know if yellow is a very desireable color for a F car, but this one was striking. What do you guys think about colors for an F car, especially for holding value and resale? | ||
| Lyndon Saia (Ljsaia)
New member Username: Ljsaia Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2003 |
Iron: I just bought my 355 GTS in October from Jim Spiro. He was a great resource and made the process very easy. This is my first Ferrari and I love the car. You should buy the best Ferrari you can afford and the best of a certain model. Most people stay away from the first or second year of a model. The latest models has the latest technology. If you can afford it, the 355 would be a great first Ferrari! Good luck on your hunt. PS. Check out my brother-in-laws car it really is a beauty. Lyndon Saia | ||
| Lyndon Saia (Ljsaia)
New member Username: Ljsaia Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2003 |
My Brother-in law bought a 1997 355 Spider, black on black, in Febuary from the Ferrari dealer in LA CA. The car has around 6,000 miles, after market sterio, tubi exhaust, new $500 mats with ferrari horse. The car is perfect and had the 6,000 mile service from the dealer. He just traded it for a 2003 360 spider. (Lucky SOB) He sent the car to the auto toy shop but it is still titled to him and is on consignment. He would trailer it back to NOLA if someone would buy it here. He is looking to get around $100K which is a great price. To see pictures of the car click on this link. http://www.thenewautotoystore.com/product-v.asp?0=205&1=212&3=152 If you are interested click on my profile and send me an email. Lyndon Saia | ||
| Irion Bordelon (Ibordelon)
New member Username: Ibordelon Post Number: 6 Registered: 6-2003 |
No Paul, It is a black 328 on ebay. Very low miles...don't know if that is good or bad for an older model F car. Sure looks nice though. What is the deal on the car in Baton Rouge? What would you guys think is a good price for a 1999 355 spider with less than 10000 miles? Would this be a good starter car or a little too much car for a first timer? Thanks for the info. | ||
| Paul Wehmer (Pwehmer)
Junior Member Username: Pwehmer Post Number: 167 Registered: 10-2002 |
Are you referring to the 328 that is at Brian Harris BMW in Baton Rouge? | ||
| Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member Username: Tifosi1 Post Number: 662 Registered: 2-2002 |
Engine is like a rock. Just get it inspected before you buy. Kelly | ||
| Irion Bordelon (Ibordelon)
New member Username: Ibordelon Post Number: 5 Registered: 6-2003 |
Thanks guys for all the great advice. It is especially interesting to get your comments on low mileage F cars. I have been watching a 1988 328 on ebay that has a little over 5148 miles on it. The car looks in pristine condition. What do you think of this particular model and this amount of mileage? Please keep up the advice. Thanks. | ||
| Wade Nunez(FortuneMotors) (308nut)
Junior Member Username: 308nut Post Number: 228 Registered: 7-2002 |
Welcome Irion, you will gets lots of good advice hear and none I have read so far would I say is bad, good luck with your search and if I am needed please do not hesitate to call. Alot of 308's and 328's come through me and there are good ones bad ones and just horrible ones be sure to get well educated and like John H said get the best one you can afford not the latest. Wade www.fortunemotors.com www.308qvregister.com | ||
| Paul Wehmer (Pwehmer)
Junior Member Username: Pwehmer Post Number: 163 Registered: 10-2002 |
Welcome Irion. Not sure what your budget is- but regardless find a car with recent service and get a pre-purcahse inspection done. Don't go nuts and let your enthusiasm overrule your brain and buy something you're not 100% confident in. Lindsey Automotive in Kenner is the place to go to get Ferrari service and advice in our area. Jim Lindsey is one of rarest breed of automotive techs who will give you honest advice and prices. 504-466-2744 I bought my car from Jim Spiro. Zero regrets. In fact I think I'll go drive it right now.... | ||
| john w. houghtaling, II (Johnhoughtaling)
Junior Member Username: Johnhoughtaling Post Number: 149 Registered: 11-2002 |
Irion: Suarez's referal is a good one. Jim Spiro has a tremendous amount of contacts and pull in the Ferrari community. There are other helpful people in the local club as well that could help you find a car. You should take the money you have and buy the best car you can (read: not the newest model you can afford, but the model in the best condition). That is the cheapest way. Spend more on the front end and you will come out way ahead. The model you should begin with depends upon the amount you have to spend. IF you have 35k-40, buy the best 308qv you can find. If you have 45-55 buy the best 328 you can find. Dont fall into the trap of trying to buy the latest model you can afford. For example, 55K can buy you a 328 or a 348. An '89 328 is bullet proof. I've driven and raced one for 15,000 miles over 5 years and its never broken. An early 348 is VERY expensive to upkeep and will break. Always buy a car that is "perfect" mechanically. It WILL cost much more than comparable models, but it will cost you much less in the long run. Ferraris of the same year and model range tremendously due to this factor. You can find 308 from 22k-40K. The 40k is the "cheaper car." Sounds crazy but anyone who knows Ferraris will tell you this is the golden rule. Follow it and you will have no problems. Break it and beware. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 684 Registered: 3-2002 |
Irion, I can't speak from personal experience, but from my time here on F-Chat it seems that any 3x8 car is a great "starter" F car. Not sure if that is because of their relatively inexpensive price(both in initial purchase and upkeep) or what. If it were up to me I would get a 348 to start off with, but it is a purely subjective matter. The 328 and 348 are vastly different cars technologically and stylistically. I think my only recommendations would be to drive the various models and to trust your instinct. Additionally it is a good idea to find the best possible example of what you are looking for, even if it takes considerable time to do so. Keep in mind that older cars with estremely low milage may end up costing you more than you expect in order to get the car back in proper order. These cars like to be driven. So lower milage does not equate to a better vehicle. If you search the archives you can find endless discussions about the differences between the various models, what its like owning them, and the sheer joy these cars provide. Best of luck with your search! Keep us informed | ||
| Irion Bordelon (Ibordelon)
New member Username: Ibordelon Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2003 |
Thanks John for the welcome. I think you are right...so much info to absorb and so little time. Any recommendations as far as a starter F car? I look forward to the chatting and possibly having a "rally crawfish boil" with all the F car folks in Louisiana. We may even get some of the out of state owners to join us. | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 683 Registered: 3-2002 |
You will probably want to check out www.fantasy-motors.com See the thread called "Fantasy Motors" for more info. Welcome to this site! You will find it is rather addictive!  | ||
| Irion Bordelon (Ibordelon)
New member Username: Ibordelon Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2003 |
I just found this site the other day while cruising the internet. It is a fantastic site, lots of helpful F car owners. I have not purchased my first F car yet but I am in the process of trying to decide which model would be right for entry level. Once this is decision has been made, it will be balls to the wall looking for it. I can't wait! My first thought is going with a late model 328, but I am open to any and all advice. Owning an F car has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Any input you fellow cajuns could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and look forward to joining the world of the Black Horse. |