First post, in need of first Ferrari advice on a $40,000 budget

I'm going to come across really rude as I've been drinking all night .... but what a stupid question . if you want Ferrari just for the sake of getting a Ferrari, get the absolute cheapest when you can . otherwise if you want to 308 get a 308 . if you want a 348 get a 348 . but don't ask other people what kinda car you should get if you want a car ....

okay blast me because I deserve it but like I said I've been drinking ......

 

308 of several flavors, maybe a high-miles 328

Mondial is the only thing in your price range. And gotta hope your rear
seat passengers are legless or under the age of five.



Good luck in your quest - they're all great cars

Jedi

Go hit P&R

 

My point was $40k can put him in a 308, 308gt4, Mondial, 328, 348:
355, low 456........ all very different.cars. at least have a.clue.what you want....... if.its.JUST a Ferrari (nothing wrong with that....-) het the cheapest thing you can afford..... otherwise figure out what YOU want and look accordingly. If you talk about your desires, people cam guide... if.you.just want a Ferrari, spend some money.....

 

F P&R section. I log on here for car related stuff not some pompous right wing left wing view
This is only a.car tech.forum to.me. I don't want the middle school chat.board crap.from it.........

 

Seriously, I think your approach is wrong. You have to find the car that appeals to you and work toward that goal, otherwise you are just looking for a status symbol and that will come back to bite you on the butt - possibly very hard.

Having said that, the cars listed above will meet your criteria. I have seen 355s sell in the mid $20s, BUT there are serious bills that can come with that which can leave your $40k GONE in a heartbeat.

My serious recommendation would be a 308 with higher miles and do a fresh service AFTER a solid ppi. Its a beautiful car that is absolutely timeless and has aged extremely well. It will have its share of issues just as any other 30 year old car would, but if taken care of and maintained will keep its value and possibly appreciate and most importantly, its almost bulletproof.


Just my thoughts...



PDG

 

Roflmao!!


You HAVE BEEN DRINKING!!!!

 

You are an automotive artist. You want a car with least complex mechanicals.

308 GTB/GTS without a doubt.

And for by far the best value within that model is the injected 2 valve, not the carb or the QV. You are sure to find one in good condition for a lot less than $40K, especially a GTS. That leaves you plenty of spare $ to tidy her up, do a service etc.

308 GT4 if you like the look.

They've all been creeping up in price in the UK. What was £20K a decade ago is now nudging £30K. Go search and buy, don't procrastinate.

 

I think Mondials are the cheapest right now but they do have a few more electronics. If you want to use the car the mondial will have more storage for your art supplies. A larger trunk and a back seat that can be folded down for storage. Just remember a 20K car can turn into a 40K car very quickly and in one visit to a shop if you chose poorly. Also, that 20K car will probably still be a 20K car even after you have 40K into it, much better to spend 30K, but no guarantees it won't become a 50K car. Choose wisely.

You didn't share what your additional annual budget is, that is important too. Can you afford to put $500 or 5K into it annually? If you have a good annual budget you have more freedom, if you don't have an annual budget I'd suggest a different car. You might get lucky or you might end up with an expensive piece of art you can't afford to use.

 

If I were you I would look here first http://ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php. You can find a well sorted car with a full service history, I would look for a Mondial Cab if I was in your position.

Good luck and the owners here are a wealth of free knowledge gained from experience so play nice ok!

 

Get a VERY NICE 400 model they are the best bang for your buck for a grand touring v-12 beautiful sounding F-CAR!

 

Another great choice accept for maintenance cost compared to a V8.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_400

 

(sheepish grin....) ha, ha, ha......

 

High mileage 355 with good service records.

It will change your life.

 

Find the best car you can for $30 or $35 and plan on using the rest for "issues". You can buy a pretty nice 2-valve 308 for that, or a Mondial, or a 308gt4. I think anything else at that price will soak up another $10k pretty quickly. Look for buyers guide tips here that will really help. PPI is mandatory!

 

V8 gets you the less complex mechanicals you asked for in your op. For sure.

 

What do you mean by best value? Most car for $40k is a higher mileage 355, by a long shot. Nothing else in the price range will touch it performance wise. That said, you need to be able to maintain it, so if $40k is your budget for a car and say a year of maintenance, stick with a 308, gt4, mondial or a high mileage 328 or 348, so you can set aside $5-10k on top of the purchase price for anything that might crop up. I don't think you'll have to spend that much unless you don't do your homework, but if you have a hard cap and something expensive happens to break, you don't want to have to let it sit or sell it at a loss.

That said, you should have at least some idea of what kind of Ferrari you want, an early mondial is incredibly different from a 355 in every way other than they both are mid-engined, v8 Ferraris but both are technically in your wheel house price wise. If you don't care, get the cheapest one in good condition with recent service. I like the idea of a mondial T hardtop if you can find one in good shape.

 

Depends what you mean by sensors.

If you mean sensors as electronic devices, they follows that of the car market in general. Pre 1980s there is next to nothing. Cars from around the mid 80's onward have some rudimentary electronics, Mid 90s onward start to get more complicated.

308s are decidedly mechanical, even the injection is mechanical. By the time of the 348 you have the usual equipment like ABS, map sensors and the like.

 

How long do you want to own it? Does the 40k include maintenance?

 

308 or possibly a high mileage 328 is in your price range and are the least expensive to maintain.

AFAIK, a 308 can be purchased for around $35,000 leaving $5000 for the first couple of years of maintenance, depending on when the next belt service is.

-F