F40 vs 288 GTO

For me, I prefer the looks of 288 but it's a bit like trying to chose from two supermodels..... but the driving is all about the tyres.

The 288 has so little grip, but is sensational in it's progressiveness, forgivingness, feedback and drivability. The F40 is so much better in most if not all ways, but just makes you feel like you're not the boss the whole time......

They both have really strong good points and niggly weak points, but it's a choice I'd love to have the problem with.....one day.

I'm not a fan of the F40 construction. It's NOT carbon fibre or kevlar in the way you'd like to think it is, it just has a layer for appearance purposes, the panels are actually mostly fibreglass. It's entire structural rigidity comes from the steel frame, and when you see one with its bonnets and doors removed, there ain't much to make you feel safe. At least with the 288, you have some panels around you that give the impression of a tough car.

edited to say, that the F40 plastic panels are good for NOT being picked up by radar guns though........

 

They are both lovely cars from different eras and very difficult to pick one but if I had to pick one it would be 288GTO cause I love the body of 308 styling.

 

i vote for the 288gto. i have no clue what the operating cost are for either. best of luck in your quest!

 

As far as performance, isn't the F40 basically an improved 288? The same engine and frame? Making me wonder why anyone would want a 288 over an F40 other then looks and rarity.

 

Ease of getting in and out, hatred of the passive restraint system in US cars, the very heavy F40 clutch, inability to drive an F40 into a lot of driveways or streets with steep inclines or transitions. Probably more if I could think about it.. (not to slam an F40, as I would love one).

 

Get a Euro F40 with adjustable suspension then.....

 

I have owned both (F40 first, 288 now)

1. I prefer the looks of the 288. It is in my opinion the most beautiful Ferrari post-1970. I have yet to meet someone who thinks it is ugly. The F40 on the other hand is aggressive, functional, but not really beautiful

2. The F40 is significantly faster than the 288. Both cars are quick, but the F40 is absolutely explosive. Nothing prepares you for the first drive in one. Even today it feels like a rocket. The 288 is a quick car by any standards, but the gap is large

3. The 288 is a more practical car. It is easier to get in and out of, the ground clearance is decent and it is a really small car by today's standards. You can even have a stereo (although my car hasn't got one)! The F40 is tolerable with the adjustable suspension, but nowhere near the level of the GTO. Getting access to the engine bay and the front boot is easier on the 288. I found it difficult to lift the bonnet of the F40 on my own...Releasing the latch on one side and lifting the lid usually led to the other side locking! On the 288 it is a doddle...

4. I think the 288 handles better. Its smaller tyres allow much better feel, the steering is better and although it has much less grip, it is easier to drive as every reaction is more progressive than the F40. The F40 would demolish a 288 around a track, but once it breaks away, you'd better pray there's a lot of run-off space

5. I don't see a big difference in driving effort. Both cars have heavy clutches, although the F40 is heavier. Overall pedal control is better on the F40 in my view. Steering on the F40 is super heavy at rest, but that is down to the tyres. The gearchange is similar.

6. On standard exhausts, I prefer the sound of the F40. Slightly more aggressive wastegate crack, a more racy sound. On sports exhausts, nothing comes close to a 288 on megaphonos.

7. I think the F40 is a little more expensive to maintain once you factor in the rubber tank change etc. The 288 is pretty straightforward to maintain, however some parts are not really available (such as its injectors) and if they break you're in for a long wait. Neither car is massively expensive for what it is. Servicing a 959 is three times more, a Carrera GT, Pagani or an SLR is also a lot more.

8. I think the 288 has much more upside price-wise. It is considerably rarer, absolutely gorgeous, has the right name and is terrific to drive.

Overall I think it really depends on what you want the car for.
You'd enjoy driving both on a twisting country road...However you can drive to a restaurant in a 288 the same way you'd drive in any other car. My wife refused to get into the F40 to go anywhere!

The ideal situation is to own both. One can do that for similar cost to an Enzo which is remarkable given how special they really are... I miss my old F40, but at least I know where it is and its new Fchatter owner loves it even more than me! ...and having an Enzo next to the 288 makes me think I don't need anything else...

 

I'm working on it George! Just taking a bit more time than I thought. And if the prices of the 288 could stay still for a bit, it would help!

I told you already, we can always swap for a taste whenever you fancy.....

 

There are no cars out there...Joe Macari told me he could sell three cars in a day if he could find them... It is amazing how few owners are willing to sell. Plus dealers are getting too greedy...

 

what a rare first-hand observation between the 2 cars, both classics and similar in many ways, but yet so different!

...."My wife refused to get into the F40 to go anywhere!" LOL

 

So true.

 

Thanks for sharing your ownership experience George.

 

Excellent post George, thank you.

 

+1 Yet if I could choose it would be the 288 GTO, it is an icon imho.

 

Sigh then whatever will be the chances of getting to drive these beauties on Melbourne's fine roads- see y'all at sandown

 

George,

Very comprehensive, thanks for sharing your first hand experience.

-F

 

http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/find/4100_results.asp?bsubmit=true&lmanufacturer=10042&whatbutton.x=0&page=0&lmodelflag=12223


dont know how current these are!

 

They are current...
One is a high mileage car with a few owners, which puts off many people (not me). not sure if this is the car Bob Houghton had for sale a while back, perhaps he knows more about it. However I spent £20,000 on my car to make it perfect once I bought it, so once you factor in modest expenditure, I am not sure the car is cheap

The Chris Evans car is a repainted car in a colour combination that is challenging for most and far from cheap. Returning it to its original colour combination will cost a fortune, so unless you dream of owning a White/baby blue 288, you'll end up spending a lot

The Hong Kong car is very good as far as I know, but given what the seller wants for it and the fact that one would have to pay duty and VAT to bring it over, it is very expensive for a UK buyer. I looked at bringing a car from the US and Joe had some amazing examples on offer, but the cost of importing and registering them in the UK was $200k+ and at current exchange rates it made the cars too expensive

The DK car I have followed since its days in holland.I know the person who sold it to its first owner and I was offered the car 6 months ago. It was since sold if I am not mistaken to Mario Bernardi and then to DK. As far as I know it is a good car (haven't inspected it), but naturally it has followed the market's path and is nowhere near as good value as it was back in October.

Two of my friends are actively looking right now, but they are getting tired of chasing the price. Good cars that were £350k 18 months ago are now possibly for sale at £550k or more...

 

Great write-up George. I can add that the availability of excellent cars is severely limited right now and owners are unmotivated to sell for anything less that extremely high numbers.

 

Might it be somewhat safe to say the 288GTO is on the way to being the next Ferrari *it* car? It seems so. The design of the 308 is becoming more iconic with each year which I am sure makes the rediculously fabulous 288 look even more iconic and in a word, perfect.

 

I very much think so.

 

The 288 GTO is more desirable but it is simply too precious to drive very often, which defeats the purpose of having a legend. The F40 is just as legendary and a natural choice to be enjoyed---to the fullest.

If you buy cars only as trophies to later be resold, get the GTO.

 

You guys are probably familiar with Bob Norwood here in Dallas but he's got two of his GTO recreations for sale...think he's wanting something in the US$225k range, in case anyone is interested. That seems a little pricey to this country boy given what the real deal might cost you these days but that said, the workmanship is tip top. The 288 GTO is my dream car but unfortunately even the replicas are way out of my price range!