What to buy?

348


Nuff said! Under appreciated but a super starter ferrari!

 

348 is also a favorite. Don't forget you'll need to maintain the car which can be rather costly. I think a 355 is a little more than 50k, more about the 75k area.

 

What are your mission parameters?

Do you have a slush fund for maintenance in addition to the 50K?

Would you be willing to make payments on a car?

50K would be a good downpayment on a 360 or 550, could buy a 456 beater (don't!), a nice 328, a pair of Mondials, a driver 348.

 

For under $50K, you can still get a very nice 308 Quattrovalvole or 348. If you're on a budget -- well, don't get a Ferrari, but the 308 will generally cost less to service and repair than a 348. 308 is the smart buy under $50K, IMO.

Raise it to $60K and you could get a nice 328 or a decent 355 with some miles on it.

None of these cars are new or anywhere close to it, but they are the sweet spot in Ferrari pricing right now.

 

I will sell you my 1987 red/tan 328GTS that is in the shop in Florida undergoing a major service.

 

348 mate..

 

+1000 $50K should buy you one with a recent major. You can drive 2-3 years with minimal maintenance unless something goes wrong. Here is a pic of one to whet your appetite
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have fun....

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/items/348_W0QQ_nkwZ348QQ_catZ6000QQ_scZ1QQ_sopZ3


Antony

 

Interesting that no one mentions the Testarossa.

 

308 qv or 328. If I'm not mistaken the 348 & 355 are engine out services....
costly.Going to be next to immpossible to find a 355 for 50k that's in decent shape.

 

It is interesting isn't it.

I would go for a 328. Beautiful car. No vices. Maybe have a little money left over.

See the pics in "my 328 has arrived" in the 328 section to be convinced.

 

It depends on what is most important to you. I started looking for a 328, but decided I wanted even more performance and more modern design, so bought a 348. I've had it for 3 months and love it, and do not regret it. But I still feel the 328, being the ultimate development of the 308, will be considered a more classic design in the future, and more collectible IMO. But collectibility is not the reason I purchased my car. Good luck with your searching and decision.

 

348!!!!!

Cheers!

 

If your budget is $50k, you're not talking Testarossa. At least not if you want to drive it as opposed to it sitting in your garage. I would be very doubtful you can get a well sorted one for $50k; they are big boy cars.

The Mondial 3.2 would come in under budget, plus you can get the serives up to date and have a rainy day fund left over. If that's not your cup of tea, a 308 (any version) makes the msot sense, although it seems the 348's have dropped to where $50k is enough.

Ken

 

I forget who the owner was, but wasn't there a freshly serviced low mileage Testarossa that sold for 58K here? I also know of another one that went for 54K, 35,000 miles with a year old engine out service. Those two are close to 50K. There was also the black one that sold on ebay for 40K, but it needed an engine out service and wouldn't pass California emissions. It was also a poor quality repaint. Does that count? Then there was the high mileage red example that went for 50K on ebay, but I understand that car had stories.Testarossas don't seem to be moving when priced over 60K. I see lots of them for sale, but the sellers appear to be dreamers when pricing them.

 

I don't think Ken doubts that a Testarossa can be had for 50k. But what he doubts, is the ability to afford this vehicle if 50k is your max budget. Even those that are close to 50k leave no wiggle room for a repair or two if 50k is his max.

 

This is exactly the reality of what I found in the market after looking for over 2 1/2 years. You need to reserve about 62.5 K to 67.5 K in order to get a good example (I refer to the single mirror early cars) at around 50 to 55 K and do what services will be needed.

Or, about 12 to 15K over the budget poster first mentions.

Having said that, this is still a great Ferrari bargain if you just must have 12 cylinders.

 

Exactly. Any used Ferrari is going to need a certain amount of work, and Testarossas are famous for that work costing way more than on a 308, Mondial or even 348. If I was buying a Ferrari and had $50k to spend up front, I'd TRY and get a 328 in the 30's and hope I'd have it sorted at $50k; this would be a difficult task! A 308, Mondial, GT4 or seemingly a 348 make the most sense to me with that budget. Or, a 400i can be had in the mid 20's but then again, you may be up to $50k before you know it.

As I said, you MAY be able to put a Testarossa in the garage for $50k but I would assume it's had a ton of deferred maintanence and you'll be substantially higher by the time the car is sorted. Old Ferraris that are "undervalued" like the Testsrossa never come in premium condition at a non premium price.

Ken

 

I will defend the 348 service in advance of the detractors. It is roughly $1000 more per 3 (if you follow the factory recommendation) or 5 (if you follow most independant mechanics advice) years. That is not much difference. My experience in a little more than 3 years ownership is that I spent around $4k for the major service and another $2k chasing down A/C problems. Otherwise it has been all 'elective' surgery. Changing some electrical items before they become issues and such. The reputation for a 348 being expensive to service is undeserved. One of the big upsides of a 360 is supposedly cheaper major service costs due to the access to the timing belt through the firewall. Check the quoted prices on www.eugeniosferrariservice.com . They cost the same as the 308 / 328, or about $1000 less than the 348. The 355 and TR are the most expensive of the modern ferrari (other than the obvious Enzo, etc...). The 348 is a great starter Ferrari, and it includes all the sounds, smells, and thrills you can expect from a great Italian machine. I do not regret buying mine at all!!!

BT
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So are you in sales or do you work for the government?

 

Neither. Just a car shmoo.
Seriously, I have been watching Testarossas as I am also considering the Ferrari leap as soon as my Shelby is sold. But, unless it is a 246, I gotta have the 12 cylinder symphony...

 

Based on what you indicated, I would consider a 308 that already had a recent major. You could enjoy the car for about two years and move up if you decide you want to move up.