I'm finally on the hunt for a 328.

Congrats on your search !
Check the link above - FerrariAds.com there are several 328's for sale. It's a good place to start.
Enjoy the search , it's part of the Ferrari experience that you'll remember forever. The right car will change your life. Buy the BEST car that you can afford- NOT the cheapest, there are no deals on Ferraris, you get what you pay for.

 

I'd say you should cast a wide net. Keep checking cars.com, FerrariAds (link above) and Ferrari Market Letter. Unless you want a red/tan GTS, plan on looking for a while.

I don't think you'll pay more for a GTB, because more people want the spyders. (FChat tends to be the hardcore crew - more into coupes than the general Ferrari buyer.) But you will have a harder time finding one. Most of the 1,300 328 GTBs stayed in cloudy Europe, so you won't have as much of a choice unless you want a 308 (lots of 308 GTBs for sale). I'd say if you find a decent car in the colors you want and it's across the country, be ready to make a deposit and have a local tech do a PPI.

I'm in San Diego, but wanted a black metallic 328. Not many of those (maybe 50?), so when one came up in North Carolina I phoned a deposit in right away and wired the balance shortly thereafter. These are old cars, and unless you want a mint red/tan '89 they're all hard to find. It took me 10 months to find mine.

If an '86/'87 turns up, I wouldn't worry about it. The early 328s look better, IMO (wheels and armrests specifically), and they were pretty solid cars from launch till retirement. But I predict you'll find an '89 first, as most of those seem to have put away as investments.

Good hunting!

 

It will be rather difficult to find a 328 GTB. I was notified of a Black 328 GTB on the website below:

http://www.luxcarnet.com/searchVehicles1.aspx?make=Ferrari&model=328+GTB+('86-'89)&state=&minYear=1950&maxYear=2008

but I can't find it. I would call the guy and see if he can find one for you, though he seems to confuse GTB with GTS.

That seems to be how GTB owners are. They want a GTB period. Either for looks or for structural rigidity or for some other personal reason. GTB seekers are determined. An alternative may be a Black GTS as it has the unified look of a GTB but this is a rare thing to find as well.

A well maintained 40k car will be fine. You may want to consider a low mileage, good example of a 308 GTB for around the same money. But mechanically, the 328 is an improvement. Kind of like the difference between the 360 and 430. I think the GTB seems to be priced similarly to a comparable GTS.

In a year (I really mean a year) you will likely see 1 or maybe 2 come up for sale. Based on my experience I predict one will become available around the summer (maybe around say the Concorso Italiano in August) and one next spring. I'm just basing that on the rate at which they appear for sale.

The owner is restoring it and may offer it for sale in the future. I don't know of anything, I'm just offering a suggestion.

As Bullfighter said, cast a wide net. I mean wide (but keep it in the US). Start with the usual places. Put your name out there. Talk to FCA members and chapter heads. Look up the 328 GTB registry. Not the 328 registry but the 328 GTB registry. Type in "328 GTB" in Google and read through the first 10-15 pages. How badly do you want a 328 GTB? If you were like me you will treat it like a job hunt when you got out of college. Talk to anyone and everyone.

This is a good way to pass the time but it may only drive you crazy as you realize your dream may not become a reality for around a year. Patience is a virtue.

-F

 

I looked at many GTSs, mainly to familiarize myself with the car, but what I really wanted was a GTB. I spent about 18 months looking, then about 6 months of serious searching before finding my GTB less than an hour from my house. I was lucky, but also prepared to fly anywhere (in the US) to see a car that I thought could be the one. If you've waited this long, and really want a GTB, then be patient...

 

I agree with the other posters when it comes to availability, I too was on the hunt for about a year and I just bought my 1987 328 GTS Nero last week in Lubbock Texas. I didnt want red so I just kept looking, my budget was $45-$50k so I wasnt looking for the cheapest car but I actually ended up buying my car with all of the records, tools and books for under $40K. I will most likely spend around $5-$7K restoring the interior and fixing a couple of electrical issues but other than that it is an original car with 41K miles. Perfect paint with a decent interior that looks like someone tried to redye it on their own. Nobody else notices it but I do.

They are out there but you have to be patient and dont fall in love with the first car you see, take someone with you that you trust to be sensible to tell you to walk away and whatever you do make sure you have a PPI done...it will save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run.

GOOD LUCK!

 

There is 1 GTB on Hemmings, it is an 86 and they are asking $63k, yikes!

 

Richard,
It took me about 18 months to find the right GTB for me. Some people get lucky and find one pretty quick, but be prepared to be patient and when you find one that fits your criteria, act quickly. In my experience, the B's sell for the same money as the S's but are easier to sell due to lack of supply. I've had 2 unsolicitated inquiries on mine just in the last 3 weeks. There is an 89 advertised in the FML, 57K miles, original owner. Could be a nice car located in NY. I think they are asking 48-49K.

Good luck,
Dave

 

I've have my 86 Euro listed on Ferrari Ads

http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=2405&sort=1&cat=11&page=4

 

I found my GTB on the FML, but that was six years ago. The FCA monthly newsletter is also a good source...

 

I subscribed to the FML during my search. Actually, there are quite a few more items found in the FML that aren't found on the free sites. I would recommend subscribing for one year. Not only will it widen your search, it will give you an better idea of the price/milage ratio and will also give you a sense of how long cars can sit for sale.

The one for sale may be the one you're looking for. I would lurk around the New York section below, do an FChat search on the seller's name, do a Google search on the guys name, find out where he services the car and do all you can to find out about the seller and the car. Remember how I said searching for the car is like looking for a job? Now the table has turned and it's like hiring someone. Finding a vehicle may be easier than I thought but now the hard work comes into place. In a few days, I'll post the PPI list I created when I looked for my car which lists just about every conceivable thing to check when looking over a car.

Don't throw money on the first car you find but don't dismiss it because it is your first find either. Make an informed decision.

-F

 

I ended up buying the first 328 I looked at. Turned out to be the best of the bunch and exactly what I wanted.

 

Congrats !! Enjoy in good health !! When do you get it ?

 

+1,000

Great post!

 

Enclosed is a list of things to check for during a PPI, whether you perform the PPI, you take the car to an independant shop, or you discuss these items over the phone with the party selling the car.

This list doesn't cover everything but it is a good list of things to look for in 80's era cars, at least 328 and testarossa.

-F
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Thanks! I got it 8 months ago!