85 308GTSi QV price and color question | FerrariChat
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85 308GTSi QV price and color question

Discussion in '308/328' started by Bullfighter, Jan 26, 2005.

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  1. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,594
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #1 Bullfighter, Jan 26, 2005
    I'm considering an '85 308GTSi QV, black/red, 17,500 miles, being offered by Marshall Goldman in Cleveland. The car's listed as "The Finest" (shock!) in a current eBay auction as well. Asking price is $44,900. Expensive, but it does look like a time warp car. Carfax is clean.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4521758809&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

    I'm not a Ferrari expert - have always owned German cars - but have been told repeatedly to buy the best one, with complete service recs (which this one has). Also have been told that '85 308's, along with 328's, are a good choice for a first-time Ferrari buyer.

    Questions:

    1. Is $44K ludicrously expensive for a potentially show-caliber late 308? Not looking to make money here -- I really would be driving this on weekends here in dry and warm San Diego, year round. But I don't want to get led to the slaughter, either.

    The dealer is very reputable - my brother's been in the car business for years and knows several of the higher-ups there.

    2. Is this kind of low mileage going to mean that every bushing and seal has dried out? The car had just under 10K miles in 1993... so 7500 miles in last 12 years.

    3. Red interior. In my opinion, it's very sharp, if somewhat jarring, with all the red carpets. With a black exterior, it's definitely not something you walk by without stretching some neck muscles. I have never seen a 308 with a red interior before. Is this going to turn a lot of people off when I go to sell the car, 5-6 years down the road (maybe)? Of course I was told it is rare which makes it more desirable. Probably no answer to this, but interested in your opinions and experience.

    Thanks! I really appreciate all the earlier postings on this site.

    Jon
     
  2. Jerrari

    Jerrari F1 Veteran

    Jul 24, 2001
    5,469
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Jerry Wiersma
    #2 Jerrari, Jan 26, 2005
    The red is not personally my bag but the car is obviously very nice. When was the major last done? Any oil leaks? Has it been serviced by a Ferrari garage or independent? If independent, are they reputable in the F world? I think the price is about $7,000 too high, even if it has just had a majot at an F dealer, and bigger discount if these parameters have not been met.
     
  3. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,594
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #3 Bullfighter, Jan 26, 2005
    No oil under the car, but I haven't yet seen it up on a rack. Service was done at Midwestern in Columbus, Ohio which is the nearest Ferrari dealer to Cleveland. Seems to have been done on time, and the car looks like it sat in someone's living room for the last 10 years. Other than having sat around an awful lot, I don't see any kind of neglect.

    It is a 3-owner car, seems to have spent its whole life in Ohio but out of the weather there.

    I think you're right, it's priced high. I tried to convince myself that at that price it won't need anything once I take possession, but realistically I don't know any 1985 cars that don't need something.

    I guess I'd feel better about buying it from a Ferrari dealer, or in a city where I could have a PPI done. Kind of a leap of faith not to, even if all the signs on this car point to a show queen.

    Jon
     
  4. bearduke1

    bearduke1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2004
    26
    South Carolina
    Full Name:
    Bubba Joe
    #4 bearduke1, Jan 26, 2005
    In aircraft and with Ferraris, worth (value) is only established by whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it. There are a lot of notional "highly valuable multi-engine pressurized airplanes" for sale right now at rock bottom prices. They are all great deals and well below what people paid for them only a few years ago, however no one is presently buying em at these low prices.

    If you think its worth 44K for the superb condition its in, who's to say you aren't right in paying that if its near one of a kind. Maybe you're establishing the price level of what a "perfect" 308 ought to be bringing.

    Personally, 44K does seem a bit high, however I haven't seen the car and that 7K delta is probably due to dealership overhead...etc. You could look at that 7K as insurance for some period of time.
     
  5. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,294
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #5 hardtop, Jan 26, 2005
    With 308's, the total mileage is not so much a concern as how much has it been driven the last few years. I once bought a QV with 30K on it, but, unbeknownst to me at the time, very few miles in last 10 years. I bought it cheap, needing service, but the sitting caused problems that took a lot of money to put right. If this car has been driven regularly the past few years, then probably OK. Nevertheless, all 308's are at least 20 years old and with that age comes deterioration of some parts.
    Red interiors in QV's and 328's are not very popular because it was a pretty bright color compared to the burgandy in use the last 10-15 years. I once passed on a very nice silver 328 GTB because of it's red interior. Most people just don't like it. I rememer a black/red 328 that was on the market for a very long time and finally sold pretty cheap. If you like it fine, but I would try to get a good deal on it. 44K sounds pretty high even if perfect mechanically.

    Dave
     
  6. barbo1

    barbo1 Rookie

    Aug 21, 2004
    44
    Huntington beach ca.
    Full Name:
    gerald barbisan
    #6 barbo1, Jan 26, 2005
    BULLFIGHTER,
    I WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE MY 85 308GTSIQV THIS PAST JULY FOR $39,100. RED/TAN 26,400 MILES WITH 30K SERVICE AND SHIPPING FROM MISSOURI TO SOUTHERN CAL. I THINK UNLESS THE CAR IS A 10 YOU SHOULD NOT PAY MORE THAN 40K.

    WHAT I DID LEARN FROM MY EXPIERIENCE IS THAT YOU SHOULD SEE THE CAR FIRST AND GET IT CHECKED BY SOMEONE INDEPENDENT OF YOUR TRANSACTION.

    I DO THINK YOUR IN THE RIGHT YR FOR THIS CAR, I HAVE NOTICED THAT OVER THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS THE PRICES HAVE FIRMED UP ON THESE PARTICULAR 308'S.

    TAKE A LOOK AT DUPONT REGISTRY, THEY HAVE SEVERAL AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW, THIS SHOULD GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHERE THE MARKET IS . THE DEALER I PURCHASED MINE FROM WAS AT $42,900
    PRIOR TO NEGOTIATING THE PRICE, SO IF YOU CONSIDER SHIPPING AND THE COST OF THE SERVICE I REALLY PAID ABOUT 35K FOR THE CAR. RED/TAN IS ALSO THE MOST DESIRABLE COLOR COMBINATION SO CARS OTHER THAN THAT COLOR SEEM TO SELL FOR LESS. HOPE THIS HELPS.
     
  7. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,594
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #7 Bullfighter, Jan 27, 2005
    Thanks all for replying so quickly.

    Hardtop, your point is well taken: It's possible the car was driven fairly regularly, then passed from one collector to another without being paid much attention. As an Ohio car (and I have lived in Cleveland and Chicago at different times), there's a good 4-month stretch every year that ANY low, rwd sports car is going to have to be in hibernation. Even with that, 8000 miles over 11+ years seems less than optimal.

    Moreover, I think you're all right about the red interior. It is a bit overpowering, too much so for what is already a classic design. I actually did like the seats, but with the red carpets and door panels and mats and console -- well you just have like RED.

    Given the price, which turned out not to be very negotiable at all, I think I will pass on this one. With regard to red/tan: it's classic and hard to argue against, but I have seen black/beige, white/beige and blue (really!)/cream cars that are amazing. So, I don't necessarily need red/tan, but will continue the hunt for the right car. In fact I would be excited to find a nice one in some color other than red for a few bucks less.

    Best to all, your advice is much appreciated.

    Jon
     
  8. BigAl

    BigAl F1 Veteran

    Mar 17, 2002
    6,146
    TX
    Full Name:
    GSgt Hartman
    #8 BigAl, Jan 27, 2005
    Jon, my advice is to ALWAYS get a PPI from an independent. If the owner/dealer refuses, run away.

    Hey Gerald, turn off the caps man!
     
  9. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
    6,081
    Southeast USA
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    Mike Charness
    #9 Mike C, Jan 27, 2005
    Metallic blue with cream interior is a gorgeous, striking combination!
     
  10. dave80gtsi

    dave80gtsi Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,918
    Ohio
    Full Name:
    Dave Meredith
    #10 dave80gtsi, Jan 27, 2005
    Over Christmas break this car was at Nelson Auto Group, the Lambo dealer in Marysville, Ohio. I looked at it then, but the car was locked and I did not see a salesman to unlock or to chat about it. Their asking price was $44,900, and I said "yeah, right".

    All that I can say is that the black paintwork looked very nice, and that it has a Euro front spoiler on it. But that's a whack of money for any QV, in my opinion.

    Cheers - DM

    Oh, and it has BF Goodrich T/A tires on it, in what seemed to be the correct OEM sizes.
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,379
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #11 BigTex, Jan 27, 2005
    I recently bought a blue cream that had gone 5000 miles in TWENTY years..
    but they key point is it was used lightly, not shut up for that time.
    (78 year old owner)

    I drove it home 2,400 miles.........no problems.
    But I had stocked spares and extinguisher...ready for anything.

    But then I wasn't busy that weekend anyway! LOL!

    Definately go over and take a personal look at it, then talk $$$ if you are comfortable with the initial price range...

    I was a little nervous running with Enzos at FFQC on 12 year old belts, but lived to tell the tale!
     

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