I Am Newbe: Opinions Please

if you can find a good 328gts for 50k dollars, I suggest you strongly to buy. or also a 308 q.v. !
You would be lucky !
here in EU for less than 50k D. we have a more limited list, so we can choose between Mondial or 308gt4. Mondial 3.2 is a very reliable car , I got for 8 years without any
problem.
ciao
alex

 

Here is an ad for an inexpensive 1986 328 GTS.
Asking $47,000. Car is in Leesburg, VA.
Car has 65k miles, BUT it has a recent major engine service and supposedly a PPI report to inspect from the local Ferrari dealer.

The used car dealer is a known local reputable company that sells cars to enthusiasts (a step above the typical used car dealer, but not really a dedicated dealer like Sport Auto in NC or Sports Car Company in CA).

I provide the following link for your general education in looking at candidate cars.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/car/586062618.html

IMHO, this would be better than buying a 308 or 308 QV for about the same money.
Although, I'd buy a nice 88 or 89 328 GTS for more money, with fewer miles on it = somthing like 30k - 40k is better.

For example, there is a beautiful 1989 328 GTS at Ferrari of Washington right now, with only 20k miles, but they are asking $65k for it.

 

Another vote for a 308 here. Simple as that.

 

I don't think that is truly correct.

As per my info, 494 GTBi's were built between 80-82

That's an average of 164/year

It would be odd that they did 24 in 80' and then 227 81'/82' to make up the total run of 494.

There was however the 1st serial # GTBi on Ebay some time ago...that might be worth something to someone at sometime =)

 

If you want a driver for under $50k, the 308 is the way to go.

If the $50k is all you've got, then DON'T spend it all to get the car! Set aside about $10k for miscellaneous repair and maintenance. (Might sound like a lot to a "newbie," but even the very best of these cars are going to require that kind of money down the road.)

You probably can't get a 328 for $40k. My advice is to go for the classic, original 308. It's reliable, has classic lines, can easily function as a daily driver with little trouble, and handles great. Except for more horsepower, the "improvements" made with the 328 either aren't really improvements, or they aren't worth the extra money.

If you're looking for an investment, don't buy a car. Not even a Ferrari.

 

Found it: http://www.r-design.net/308/index_e.html -- click on "Production".

Frankly, I am inclined to believe those numbers for the most part, because 1) the site is for a (the?) GTB registry, and 2) have you ever noticed that "1980" is often not included as a year for the GTBi/GTSi? With regards to references and parts sources, they are usually listed as 1981-82. And carbed cars were made in 1980. I can't even find an owners' manual or parts book for a 1980 GTBi/GTSi; they are always 81-82. The State of Ohio has even decreed that my 1980 GTBi is just a plain old GTB. NADA blue book doesn't give 1980 injected as an option. etc. etc. etc. I'm willing to bet they are quite rare, quite possibly as rare as stated in the chart linked above (hey, they had to get that information from somewhere. . .)

I would simply assume that they started making the injected cars late in the 1980 model year? Calendar year? . . . it is not uncommon for makers of low volume and hand-built cars to change something without regard to model year.

If those numbers -- 24 GTBi and 29 GTSi were for the calendar year of manufacture and not model year, then it is possible there are even fewer cars actually imported and titled as 1980 models . . .

- Tony

 

I laugh when I see threads like these. There is no doubt the 308 is where its at. Early carbed cars are hot right now, the glass cars are on fire and even the early injected cars are getting some respect these days. Nobody mentions the GT4 though. Now, I'm 100% biased, but, if you step back and look at the selling /asking prices of these cars over the last 2 years.....they are on the move and they will go higher. How high, nobody knows, but they will and are.... The nicest cars are getting gobbled up and tucked away, while the average car now is well over $20K. It was well under when I started looking for mine 2 years ago.
Just my $0.02....
FWIW, YMMV

JIM

 

Meister -- as a follow up to my post above, this thread tells a different story: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=166461 (!)


. . . but either way, for an eBay auction, you can quote the factory and brag!

 

Welcome to Fchat,

For $50k,I would agree with most Fchatters to look for a 85 308. If you're looking for 328 GTS then you'll need to spend more then $50k for a lower mileage.

Good luck with your search and keep us posted with what you find.

 

1. Land
2. Market linked guaranteed bonds (or certificates)
3. Energy and natural resources stocks

 

Freudian slip?

 

All I can say is that we are a whole lot nicer to newbies than the Viper club!!!

Kai

 

Easy...check out the yellow fiberglass 308 on ebay right now. I wish I had 50K loose rolling around.

 

I have owned both a 78 308GTS and a 87 328GTS. Both were wonderful cars, but the 328 gets the nod in general drivability/use ability. More refined, more modern in feel and just easier to drive and enjoy. I have to admit I prefer the look of the 78 308GTS, especially with a set of 16" QV wheels mounted (which mine had).

The problem with 308's is it is getting harder and harder to find clean unmolested examples any more. You greatly increase your chances by looking at 328's just by the fact that they are a few years newer.

 

That yellow fibreglass 308 looks seriously molested, as far as I can tell from the micro photos.

 

The 348 is the only even semi-modern car available in your price range. The other cars being mentioned ARE old and FEEL old. I couldn't imagine rolling around in a sportscar with only 240 hp (308) or 270 hp (328). Not my thing.......

 

Well then, I'm sure that you would snub your nose up at a 246GTS then.

 

Good for you.

 

Did anyone mention a Mondial? Or, off in left field - (if you are looking past the Ferrari name), how about a FIAT Dino coupe V6? Or maybe an Alfa Montreal?

 

Does that reflect an actual increase in value, or just reflect the extraordinary devaluation of the dollar over the past few years?

 

Viper owners are just bitter from owning Vipers.......

 

Lol

 

Mondials today are the most bang for the buck in the Ferrari world. A nice 3.2 Cabriolet can be had in the $30k range leaving lots of room for maintenance. Coupes are a couple grand less but rare. You get the 328 package at a lower cost, and they are somewhat useable as a daily driver. Opinions on that will vary.

If you HAVE to have a 2 seater, I'd go for a 308 QV or carb car, depending on what your DIY skills are and your luck is in finding a good example. Neither make a great "daily driver" however due to their nature: low, marginal A/C, harsher ride, parking lot issues, lack of storage space...

Stay away from the 400 series even though they can cost less to buy than a 308 or Mondial, unless you are a GOOD DIY guy or you will go way over budget. Truly sorted 400's in the mid $30's are not a bad choice but I think they will still cost more in the long run than the other choices.

You can "afford" a 328 or 348 but that's more of a crap shoot if your budget is limited. Same with a Mondial T although they seem a little more reliable than a 348.

Ken