Considering another Ferrari

I will probably never sell my carb'ed 308 - first i am too far into it $ wise to ever remotely recover, but more importantly i just love the car, everything about it. Just finished the major, full brake rebuild, new steering rack, mini-valve job (see tech thread), new coilovers and more. Its got a homemade exhaust with test pipes and it rumbles, snorts and pops over over-run in an amazing way. I have been told there is too much air getting in aroudn the exhaust headers which is causing the excessive snorting, but i am not sure i want to fix it it sounds so raw (people leap off the sidewalk when i rip by)

Anyway, I love the car, but I also want a 355 spider BADLY- I think it is the best looking modern ferrari around, and the sounds are amazing. Its either that or a Jalpa - i have always wanted one of those, but not sure i have the consititution for one. I am probably a year or so away from saving my pennies, anyone else out there considering another Ferrari in addition to thier 3x8? If so, which one and how close are you?

 

I'm watching the prices drop on the 360s.

As much as I like the looks of the 355, the headers/valveguide/cat problems scare the hell out of me. I know too many local folks that had to drop $XX,000 to get those fixed.

I think the next car in my stable (if I get another Fcar) will be a hardtop 348 or 360 with a manual. I'm a couple of years out at best.

 

I konw, i have been studying those issues at length, adn there are some seriously scary stories on the 355 boards. However, there are also fair number of them out there for sale with these issues corrected. I just dont care that much for the 360's or the slats on the 348 stylistically. There is a black 355 at ferrrai of Seattle, also on ebay.......

 

I would go for a well sorted 355 any day the sound is awsome, not as pretty as the 308/328 but has looked better with age, still turns heads!!

 

I said it in another thread but I just pulled the trigger on a TR.
After a V8 why not a flat 12?

 

Problem is that the 308/328 are the only Ferraris that "make sense" in terms of looks, reliability, service costs and purchase price.

I like the 355s, but the 355 Spider is complicated beast, and as Tillman! posted these cars can spit out five figure repair bills any time you turn the key.

I thought about the 360, because I could buy a nice one tomorrow, but I really can't get past the front-end styling, and the interior has never impressed me: sticky plastic and digital displays don't belong in a Ferrari.

I think Carreaper on this board had a Jalpa and called it a "horror story". Also, IMO, it's a hunchbacked-looking design, but it does have rarity and weirdness to compensate.

The Ferrari on my watch list right now is the Dino 246 GTS, as prices have softened slightly.

 

Um, I don't agree with this fan club of the 3x8 series only. There are many example out there that make sense, look great and can be reliable.

But I'll have to say, an unsorted 355 is the worst of the newer lot in terms of issues, and engine out service. And before I get hit, that was the first Ferrari I ever wanted, ever drove [F1], and even carry is as my ebay moniker for over 15 now: Would not want one unless sorted out.

 

I agree with you the 360 sounds bad without a custom exhaust aswell, i pre,ferrr the 430 for looks, is the Dino big enough i went out in one on a track day at Silverstone, had bugs in my teeth after.

 

Dino is pretty small. I'm under 6'0" so not worried.

 

Wow, you sound like me as far as the 308 goes. I've done pretty much the same thing on my '78 carbed 308 as you. I love driving it and the sound is incredible although most modern cars willl smoke it. Who cares though, it's a classic Ferrari!

 

When I'm done playing with the GT4, I may consder selling it to help pay for a 456. Although that wouldn't be in addition to unfortunately. I'm just not that wealthy. uh..... yet!

 

Depends on the Dino. If you're talking a GT4, few people are too big for the GT4. Although, the PPO of mine was. So it depends. I'm just over 6'-1", (35"-36" inseam) and can't reach the pedals on the last two clicks of the seat.

 

Sound logic, but i cant get over the styling of the TR, which sounds odd as i love the jalpa as ugly as many ppl think it is. i would love to hear your compare and contrast, assuming you own a 3x8 as well, although i get its like comparing apples to sausages.

 

Carreaper did give me some advice a while back when i was thinking of buying a Jalpa in Texas, scared me off in fact. That being said, i am re-considering it until he scares me off again...

 

i love my QV, and will keep it if i dont get what i want out of it. i have been chomping at the bit for a euro 308 gtb carb car or a dino 308 gt4. i just cant seem to pull the trigger with so many other important things being unknown. part of me wants to " just do it", the other says" wait a bit ".

damn voices.....

 

If this is the only reason you guys want to change you should think about spending some money on mod's ... won't be cheap but neither's changing cars. A lot of modern cars smoke mine in a straight line ... wouldn't be the case with a supercharger though ... but even with my naturally aspirated motor if there's any cornering nothing will "smoke" my car ... that's the beauty of these cars and what makes the mod's worth the $$$ ... just my .02.

cheers

 

BTW I'm thinking about a TR just 'cause .... I don't know ... the engine compartment is sex to me!!!

cheers

 

two...... i had 2 of the damn jalpas!

i sold my super cool 308gt4 for $15k and i sold my red 76 308 gtb to " get a Lamborghini ".

i thought because the Jalpa was rare and in competition with the 911 and 308 series, that it would be a great yet different car. i was wrong, my 911's have been breathtakingly fun and reliable, and my 308s have all been fun. the Uracco was the only lambo i had that drove well. the Jalpas were both awful. i thought i would "love" the euro version better then the USA version with its stupid sealed carb airboxes. nope the euro car i had was a pile of coat hangars too.

the 348 and 355 do nothing for me, i am sorry to say. too many threads with expensive repairs that are defects Ferrari should have fixed in the first place. the general lack of customer service Ferrari has displayed towards its newer car customers will keep me from ever working to own a new one. eventually i will either get bored with the 308's, or their value will go up and i will move on to something as cheap and fun.

i do drool over the Testarossa's, but the diff issues and engine out scare me.


this is a great thread, it really has me thinking.

 

Yeah and even though I'm somewhat of an electronics geek I do not want to get that deep into stupid proprietary crap like alarms, power seats, misc servos controlling whatever all the new models have. It's one thing when you're writing or have the source ... sucks reverse engineering this kinda stuff.

I'd be okay doing it on F40 "black boxes" if they in fact have any??? LOL.

Cheers

 

I think the diff issue will be sorted soon. Newman's working on something and if he doesn't finish it IF I buy one some kinda diff upgrade will be a must for me.

Engine out ... that's reason for a party over here ... what's wrong with you? LOL.

cheers

 

my feeling on buying the lambo is the same as my love for vintage stratocasters (ferrari's). I have a modest collection of early 70 hendrix strats, but my son (13 years old) wanted a les paul, so i bought him a 73 wine red custom (lambo). you figure it out. for my whole life i was a strat guy, but you can not deny the les paul

 

I have no plans to sell our 328, however I am watching the 456 and 550 market. I think either would be a good addition. Any comments?

 

I'd like to add a late 328 GTS to accompany my 77 GTB..

How crazy is that???

At least then my Ferrarichat handle would make sense..



Greg

 

it would be great, but i have only one friend that is into cars like i am. the rest are far to busy. i also dont have a lift at home. that may change this year, as i doubt i am going to move.

cheers

ps, i saw what Newman has been doing, he is a real asset to the community.

 

i know!!!!

it depends on my mood... 911, or QV..............

Les paul, or strat .......


what do you want to drive today!!



i had to get a bigger fire safe!