I Am Newbe: Opinions Please

...pulling up a chair ...

 

Actually I was referring to the likelyhood of you receiving some less than constructive criticism for this thread.

I suspect there may be a fair share of folks willing to enlighten you to the joys of the 'search' feature of fchat. This topic is one of the more frequent ones from new members. After a while they start to get a little old.

It is, however, a legitimate question. I would suggest you search and review the many threads that already exist on this topic.

Welcome to fchat.

ps - you may also want to fill out your profile info. This encourages more responses as well.

 

Go for either a 308 QV or a 382 very daily driver and very reliable.

 

can i get a link to the 382?

 

It's next to the 327

 

LOL!

 

Best choice IMHO, would be a good 308.

Unless you can find a 327 with perfect documentation from the factory, I would avoid them all together.

 

Buy all the Dino and "Daytona" tool kits you can?

 

You're looking for an investment, not a car?

 

you guys r terrible

you are almost into 348/355 money and if you want a "driver" a higher miles car has already been proven "drivable"

best

 

If you can get a copy of Sports Car Market Letter read the article by Mike Sheehan.

Basically dont look as cars as investments. If you are lucky you may get your money back (inflation adjusted)

That said I have made money on Ferraris (old ones) that I had for 30+ years, but probably not as much as if I had bought the DJIA. But you cant drive the DJIA!

 

The consensus here is a 328 generally, but I'd go for a fiberglass 308. I saw one recently advertised for $50k. Rare and a classic good look will make it a good investiment for the next 10-15 years.
BT

 

bullfighter ought to be rolling out of the sack soon.
let's see what he has to say.

 

+1

he has great comments, and especially in the 'cars that work for' you.

However, as a daily driver, and cost wise the 348/355 items are too expensive unless you are a DIYer, to make a daily driver affordable...unless you are more inclined about looks than costs.

Your 'work for me' models are better daily drivers IMO. AND still stunners in looks.

I'd search those models first. THEN ask more questions.

 

Buy a 308 or 328. Can't go wrong with a galvanized (later) QV. The most beautiful Ferrari ever made, with performance and reliability to keep the experience happy, and less prone to self-decay.

If you want something uber-rare, find a 1980 GTBi -- only 24 built* -- then you can blabber on eBay about this extremely rare and therefore valuable it is, and Corvette/muscle car owners will flock to you!


* I read this somewhere on a chart on a 308 fan site on the interweb!

 

My first Ferrari was a 1988 328 GTS. Great car.
Highly recommend it. It was completely reliable.
It was the last year of the concave wheels (88 1/2 and 89 had convex wheels and ABS brakes).

Make sure you drive it before you make an offer on it (do not buy it over the web).

Get one that has had the engine service recently (by a reputable shop) or build that cost into the price.
Get a PPI done (pre-purchase inspection) by someone who is an expert. Well worth the money to do.
You can post in the regional sections of this forum for PPI recommendations.

Good luck.

 

I wouldn't recommend any 'driver' Ferrari as an investment -- I think the 308/328 are slowly rising in price, but with a $4K major service every 3-5 years you won't be making money on them. If you buy and hold for 10 years, and keep the miles off, maybe you'll come out ahead. The plus side is that you will spend zero on depreciation with these models.

For under $50K, I'd look for a very nice '84-85 308 GTS QV. In fact, I think the 308 and 328 are among the biggest bargains in the sports car world right now -- very underpriced. If you're outside of California, a Euro version would be my pick.

You could get a 348 TB or TS for that money, but IMO the 308 will retain its value better and be less expensive to service/repair.

Obviously I like 328s a lot, being an owner, but for under $50K you're likely going to have to settle for high mileage, weird colors or deferred maintenance. If I were in your shoes, I'd try to accumulate $60K of Ferrari budget and look for a pre-88.5 328 in black or red. IMO, those are the best modern-ish Ferraris (and arguably the best looking).

Ordinarily I hate people telling me to stretch -- you said $50K and I'm telling you $60K, which is kind of a weasel answer, especially when you'll want some cushion (maybe $10K) in the bank for service and unexpected stuff that may come up -- but I think the 328 is a gradually closing window of opportunity as they age -- much admired style, the most reliable (by Ferrari standards) Ferrari tested over time, built during those brief pre-airbag but post-5mph bumper years, and a proper sports/drivers' car.

 

+1

 

Yawn/stretch.

Actually it's the work thing cutting into the FChat duties. Is there no justice in this world?

 

Use the $50K on a good 308 QV 84/85 and use the rest of the $50K for parts, maintainance, or misc. stuff that the car may need.

 

bullfighter... gettin' up a little late today aren't you?

 

I like your item # 2. At least it sounds like you’re aware of some of the pitfall$.

As most have said here, I’d say go with a 308 or 328.
Personally, I’d go with a 328 for a little more power and a nicer looking interior.
The newer models, 348 or 355, are still deprecating, or at least the 355 is, and don’t seem to have the dependability factor and lower cost maintenance of the 308 or 328.


Fine print disclaimer;
This is just my personal opinion and is not meant to incite a war between the different model owners. Other posters opinions may vary.

And welcome to F-Chat,
John