| Author | Message | ||
| Jerry Slagle (Slag_328gts)
Junior Member Username: Slag_328gts Post Number: 57 Registered: 9-2003 |
Love the color David! Enjoy. | ||
| David Mcguire (Matkat)
Junior Member Username: Matkat Post Number: 79 Registered: 3-2003 |
I am writing this from the comfort of my office in Switzerland,I have been working here for the past 18 months and going back to Scotland every 2 weeks,and only being able to drive my 328 then.My contract is finished here on Oct 11 th so I am returning home on Oct 2nd and returning on the 6th with the car,I will be arriving at the port of Zeebrugge and driving directly to Basel,working for 3 more days and then returning to Scotland via the same route I should cover in the region of 1000 miles during the trip and am really looking forward to it.My only real concern is overnight parking but have been offered a secure garage slot in a hotel in Basel so that swung it.My point is the car is there to be driven and that is what I will be doing with it. Best regards Dave McGuire p.s.Gregory please check my profile mine is not red either.Does anyone know how many R.H.D. GTS cars were made in chiaro (pre&post abs)? | ||
| Bill Randazzo (Scuderia47)
New member Username: Scuderia47 Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2003 |
i totally admire all of you guys who drive your Ferraris daily and as much as you can. they are meant to be driven! when i own a Ferrari, i will be sure to drive it as often as i can. also, the guys who drive the vintage Ferraris regularly are to be commended. about two months ago, i saw one of the happiest guys in the world....he was driving a Jaguar D-type (thats right, the 1950's LeMans racer) down rt 80 in new jersey. drive your sports car regulary, it will make you a happier person Bill | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 772 Registered: 4-2002 |
Morrie, Please reread the last paragraph and sentence from James. "I always looked at it like this.... Enjoy the drive man. Time is far to short to not enjoy the simple pleasures in life." While there is a 1985 308GTS as a daily ride here, she is indeed a **daily** ride. Who wants to look back on their youth and wonder where those years have gone? If you are going to worry about dings, then will you ever be **truly** relaxed when with her? It's just a car and they made MANY of them. Enzo made her to prance on the streets, not stay in the stable. And while she is out prancing, let the young kids see her, touch her, sit in the drivers seat. Allow others to fully enjoy what Maranello has to offer. She is not a selfish love, but one to be shared with others. Smile, be humble, and remember how grateful we all are to have the opportunity to bask in the glow of Enzo's creations. What truly matters in life is YOUR happiness and satisfaction. Life is too short to worry, so get out there and enjoy the drive :-) "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye" -- Antoine De Saint-Exup�ry "All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be" -- Pink Floyd Enjoy the Drive (and Enjoy the Music... "Vehicle" by The Idea Of March right now), "I'm a friendly stranger in a red GTS Won't you hop inside my car. I got music, got candy I'm a loveable man And I can take you to the nearest star. I'm your vehicle baby I'll take you anywhere you wanna go. I'm your vehicle woman But I'm not sure you know That I love ya, I need ya I want ya, got to have you child. Great G-d in heaven you know I love you..." | ||
| Dave Wapinski (Davewapinski)
Member Username: Davewapinski Post Number: 608 Registered: 8-2001 |
Everything in life has advantages and disadvantages. These are just my thoughts and what is right for me. Some people buy things like Ferraris because they like to own beautiful things even if they never use them. That is OK, but it is not my life. I used to own an Austin Healey 3000 Mk III. Had much fun with it. Used to do such things like grab a beautiful woman, bundle up, put the top down, turn the heat on full, and go driving in snow storms. Also ripped an exhaust system out driving down a gravel road in W. Va. A woman convinced me to sell the Healey, a mistake but I learned. Got interested in Ferraris while consulting in Las Vegas. Most mornings while driving to work passed a woman in a VW convertible. She always had a smile on her face - she was enjoying the drive to work and the morning. Then saw the beautiful cars at Exotic Car Rentals. Started considering Ferraris. On here and in chats, one person told me that no matter how hard the day, the drive home in the Ferrari made him arrive home with a smile on his face and relaxed. It was cheaper than Prozac (sp). Another told me that Ferrari driving was worth whatever one had to pay for it. When Frank Parker wrote words to the effect that he liked how the Ferrari made him feel - that made sense. Of course there is the prestigue (sp). I LOVE the BMW M-3. However, I found Ferraris more exciting to drive, although the M-3 is more practical (and confortable). At work one guy has a new 12 cylinder Mercedes. Most people consider it just another Mercedes. It is an event when I bring the Mondial to work (most days). It is easier to keep a car looking new when it is not used. Ships are safe in port, but that is not what ships are made for. About 2 weeks ago, I was leaving work about an hour late. A guy walked up and asked if that was my car. He had many questions. He said he was waiting to see if who ever owned the car came out. He told his friend that there was a God when he saw me walking toward the car. Took him for a ride. He said that he had to have a car like that one day. One thing that impressed him beside the performance was how well the seats held one when agressive corning. So you have to decide what is important to you. To me the rewards of driving are more important than the wear and tear. But that is just me. | ||
| L. (Testaroja)
Junior Member Username: Testaroja Post Number: 162 Registered: 5-2003 |
I had a '86 328gts and I used it daily even when I had to move to san juan p.r., that island is 100 by 35 miles and 4 million people living there, also the taxes to get it in the island was $21,000, but it was worth it. The car is back in florida and perfect, no scratches or dents, also more reliable than any porsche than I ever owned. By me its a proven everyday exotic period. | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
Junior Member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 200 Registered: 11-2002 |
While I don't own a F-car (Looking for 308), I did drive a Viper every day. I currently drive a Lotus Esprit every day. I have always been willing to forgo the comfort and modern materials of lux for the raw feeling of a sports car. I must say that cars love to be driven. I had zero issues with the viper, and have had none so far with the Lotus (knock on wood). I am a firm believer that keeping a car in good running order saves much pain in the long run. As for parking, I never tried to park way out in a lot, or take up 2 spaces. This just screams out "Here I am! Key me please!" in my eyes. I never once has anyone ding or disrespect the car in any way. Now, don't go parking next to a mini-van with soccer mom stickers all over it... but to attempt to park with the normal crowd I've seen an NSX get "harassed" because it was all alone in a Sams parking lot, waaay far out from the public and cameras. As for parking and the such, manual steering is fun huh? Getting in and out of an esprit... now THERE is an exercise in finesse LOL. Especially when someone parks very close to your door... yikes. I always looked at it like this.. When I wake up in the morning, It's yet another day of the grind at the office. Blah. BUT! For that short morning jaunt, I get to spend it in something special. Nothing like opening a car up on the twisties in the morning with no one else around. Makes the day go by much easier. By the end of the day, I'm tired. Driving the car home was the perfect pick-me-up, and made me forget about all the crap I dealt with for clients the whole day Enjoy the drive man. Time is far to short to not enjoy the simple pleasures in life. James | ||
| john w. houghtaling, II (Johnhoughtaling)
Junior Member Username: Johnhoughtaling Post Number: 231 Registered: 11-2002 |
Put 15K on my 89 GTB in 5 years. Used it as a daily driver for about 10 months last year. I agree with the comments posted. This cars are very reliable and very affordable to maintian. (IF you can afford to maintain a P-car, a good 328 is much cheaper). Not only are they beautiful and offer a real exotic "Ferrari" feel and sound, they are probably overall the cheapest Ferraris to own. Also, nearly zero depreciation, which ironically makes them affordable when compaired to any mid level sportscar. The only problem is that they are not as comfortable as a modern car. Ditto about the AC, above 100 is cann't keep up. Also not easy to drive, park, or get in and out of. Live with that and there is no problem using this as a normal car. And while we are on that subject. Forget the dings and scratches. When you figure that a very good 328 can be bought (and easily financed for five years) for 50K, and has zero depreciation, and is very reliable, a $37,000 new Camaro (which will cost $27,000 in five years in depreciation) is extremely expensive, and a $35,000 used Boxster ($15,000-$20,000 in five years depreciation and probably equal to higher maintence), a more expensive car. In this light, treat it like a normal car, and if it gets a dig or a scratch, repaint the nose, or the door, and it will be as good if not better than new. The only "cost" of real concern is the cost of creature comforts of a modern car. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Senior Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 6188 Registered: 5-2001 |
www.4Ferrari.com I have one for sale that is in exceptional well condition. | ||
| Dave Wapinski (Davewapinski)
Member Username: Davewapinski Post Number: 602 Registered: 8-2001 |
I use a Mondial t cab as a daily driver. I generally do NOT pay any special attention to where I park it. Just park it like any car. One thing I have noticed: so far people have respected the Ferrari. Where people would think nothing of banging a door into a Mercedes, they do NOT bang a door into the Ferrari. Do not fully understand why. Am going to try to keep it looking new while using it as a daily driver. This will involve more time and $. It is harder to get out of than most cars. However, it is more exciting to drive than any other car I know. So far, like holding and kissing a beautiful woman, it may not be as exciting as the first time, but it is still exciting. Ferraris do need to be driven. When I picked up the car, it had not been driven for several months. The engine sounded rough - belt noise and other not good sounds. Was concerned. Then I drove it for about 2,200 miles in a weekend. At the end of the drive, the engine was "purring like a kitten". Was shocked at the difference. | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 1863 Registered: 5-2001 |
I put around 9 to 10k miles in 12 months on my 328, and that is with use on evenings and weekends only. Yes the car can be used as a daily driver, if you are up to it...Why not? I found my Honda Accord much more confortable for daily use, but no where near as much fun...so it is really up to your priorities. I recently got a BMW 540 and it is even MORE comfortable, but still not even close to the 328 in fun factor! | ||
| Gregory (Prugna_328)
New member Username: Prugna_328 Post Number: 16 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mule yours is also beautiful, didn't see it at first. | ||
| Gregory (Prugna_328)
New member Username: Prugna_328 Post Number: 15 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hey Crawford, nice to see another 328 thats not red. Mine is Prugna.(Prune color.) Only 10 made in 86. At least thats what FNA told me.(No offense to owners of red ones, I just like to see I'm not alone) | ||
| Dave Quick (Davequick)
New member Username: Davequick Post Number: 24 Registered: 5-2003 |
For 3 and a half years the 328 was the only car I owned. Once I sorted out initial problems with the car (took replacing basically any hose inthe car... and refurbishing radiator) it's been great. About a year ago I added a 2003 MINI Cooper S and they now split time. :-) Door dings? Get on with life... use common sense (park further out, not next to a yugo with dents, etc.) and if a nick happens here or there just remember that Enzo thought all the road cars were crap and hewouldn't disapprove of the patina. -dq | ||
| V.Z. (Ama328)
Member Username: Ama328 Post Number: 265 Registered: 11-2002 |
Morrie, i used to have one of the rubber insert things you mentioned; used it in a 308 several yrs ago. If you don't turn one up, post a msg here or pm me & i'll dig around a bit...don't remember if i save it or tossed it. Having said that, these rubber side 'bumbers' don't work 100%, as a lot of vehicles today have the most protruding part of their doors at a height that would come in above the side 'slit' in a 328...might catch some doors, but don't count on it catching 'em all. | ||
| Crawford White (Crawford)
Junior Member Username: Crawford Post Number: 156 Registered: 3-2003 |
Good to hear about so many high mileage 328's. Looking at eBay and DuPont makes you think that all these cars have 22,000 miles. '86 328 56K; have put 4k on it in the 4 months I've owned it.  | ||
| Mule (Mule)
Junior Member Username: Mule Post Number: 64 Registered: 6-2003 |
I drive mine usually 5 days a week. 46,000 miles on it. Use common sense based on where you live and plan on driving it. I bought the front end cover due to the heavy amount of rocks and trash around here.  | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2003 Registered: 12-2002 |
I agree with everyones posts here about driving it. If it shouldnt be a problem in your area, go for it! You only live once, and like others have said, door dings can be repaired easily. If I were to have any Ferrari as a daily driver, it would be a good late model 328. | ||
| Morrie (Morrie)
New member Username: Morrie Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2003 |
Gentlemen, Thank you so much for those tips. I won't use the car in really hot weather, so the air should not be a big problem. My regular car now is a Miata with a turbo clutch which is very heavy, so the manual tranny in the Ferrari will seem light by comparison. I have never owned an automatic transmission car. I would thihk it would be possible to stick a Pep Boys curved mirror over the one on the passenger side. I have a pair of those on my motorcycle and they help a lot. I pick up the car in a couple weeks when all the service is done. | ||
| Julio Valladares (Jbanzai)
Junior Member Username: Jbanzai Post Number: 53 Registered: 2-2002 |
I have a 328 GTS with 68000 miles. I bought it in Ventura, CA with 47000 miles and it was my daily driver for 2 years, until I brought it back to Europe. Now in the US I lived and worked in Orange County in the Costa Mesa/Irvine/Newport Beach area, just a block away from the Orange County Ferrari dealership. There it was easy to use the 328 as adaily driver; a prety safe place, lost of space to park everywere, people used to expensive cars, and almost no hooligans in the streets. Never had a big problem with the car except the normal maintenance 'findings'. Now I live near Madrid, in Spain. It will be almost imposible to use the Ferrari as a daily driver here, although I try from time to time. Traffic is bad, driving the F in a traffic jam will kill you, specially in summer with over 100 F, there are tons of youngsters, teenagers and hooligans that have no respect for private property, and there is almost nowhere to park the car when I leave home. So what I am trying to say ist that it depends where do you live and work. INMHO the car is reliable enough to be a daily driver, but it is a tiring car to drive for a long conmute in traffic, and too risky with the amount of accidents that occurs daily in those comutes. BTW, I decided to return to Spain for many reasons, but this is one reason that make me wish I were at Orange County again. Julio. | ||
| Darryl - TR&328 (Tr328)
Junior Member Username: Tr328 Post Number: 100 Registered: 6-2003 |
328's are good daily drivers and pretty sound cars. There is only one way you can enjoy the car and that's by driving it. I wouldn't worry much about door ding, just find good parking spaces. Enjoy your car. | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
Member Username: Tillman Post Number: 958 Registered: 11-2001 |
I use my 328 daily. I've put almost 10000 miles on it in the past 11 months. Here's my thoughts: 1) stop and go traffic bites. My commute is against the traffic flow, so I don't have many problems, but I wouldn't want to drive any manual tranny car in true rush hour traffic. 2) You'll end up with favorite parking spots at your regular destinations. If you look, there's usually a spot that's next to a handicap spot, or at the edge of an angled line of spaces that will provide a bit of cushion against the door dings. 3) Maintenance has not been expensive (yet!) on my car. The services are by time and mileage. At my rate, I'll hit both limits at the same time. Perfect! 4) The AC system is marginal at best. Keeping it properly charged will help, but once it hits 100 it just can't keep up. 5) Windshield cracks and vandalism is the reason why we carry insurance. I haven't had a problem yet, but I'm not too stressed about it. 6) Rock chips are a way of life. When I get my front end resprayed, I'm going to try those stoneguard clear treatments and see if it helps. Be prepared to catch flack about brake dust and rock chips from those people who never drive their cars except to shows. Laughter works well to defuse them  7) The car won't melt in the rain, but you'll probably have some small leaks around the targa. Check the archives on the site for ways to correct this. 8) The stock driver's side windshield wiper is really too short. I have a 22 or 24" Bosch installed on mine (I forget which), works great. Go ahead and use RainX on the windshield, it helps out the sloooowwwww wipers on the car. 9) The passenger mirror is not convex. Sounds like a small deal, but it will really affect the way your mirrors are set up. It can be adjusted to remove the blind spot, but it will be angled much further out than you might initially expect. 10) Thou shall not race rice. It only causes problems Hope this helps | ||
| jeff ryerson (Atheyg)
Member Username: Atheyg Post Number: 470 Registered: 8-2002 |
I don't think a 328 would make a good daily driver. They are hard to get in and out of, and everyday wear and tear will be expensive if you want to keep the car nice, a simple chip in the windshield that leads to a crack = $3000.00 for a replaced windshield, you also will need to be carefull driving for dips in the road or entrances from smacking the low front end. Also the thought of duking it out being stuck in traffic would take the fun out of it quickly. Sooner or later someone will ding it or hit it if you park with other vehicles in a general parking area, If you need to park just put it far from other cars and walk it will be okay Daily drivers are what Hondas and Ford trucks are for, they are comfortable, have good air and who cares if something happens to them | ||
| Lou B (Toby91)
Member Username: Toby91 Post Number: 315 Registered: 4-2001 |
I put 60000K on my 328 as a daily driver, track car, rally car or whatever. Still have it and will never sell it(was my "first born"). Essentially bullet proof with regular service. Don't go crazy about dings etc. They are cheap to fix and life is too short. Don't end up on your death bed wishing you drive your Fcar more: your heirs sure will. | ||
| Morrie (Morrie)
New member Username: Morrie Post Number: 6 Registered: 9-2003 |
I�m hoping my Ferrari will be a practical daily driver, but won�t know until I have it for a little while. I bought a 328 because I thought it was the most refined of its era. It has 12,000 miles and a fresh major service, so I hope to get at least 30,000 miles from it if I decide to use it that much. The main problem for daily use, as I see it, is from parking-lot door jammers. I have seen some moldings, which fit in the recessed channel and protrude about � inch. They are black and don�t change the appearance of the car, while offering some protection. I have a parts guy looking for them now. I have also considered some radical solutions, such as a padded blanket, which can be quickly fitted to the sides when parked. I�d be interested to hear from others on this matter. The car is currently on a classic-car insurance plan, and I will limit its use accordingly, but can change to regular insurance if it proves practical. Replacement value could become an issue, but my regular insurer�s rates are not much more than for a regular car. I�d like to hear from anyone using a 328 regularly.  |