308/328 in South Africa - the search for my first Ferrari is on

Hi Guys & Gals
I am in Cape Town South Africa and ready to purchase my first Ferrari. My first choice is a 308 QV, but I am hearing lots of good things about the 328. Would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Also, if there is anyone out there that know of one that is in a good nick that is looking for a new owner.

 

Are you looking for a right hand drive ?

 

Can you live with LHD? Even with the exchange rates, you might have better luck sourcing a USA-based car and shipping it to SA. All things being equal, the prices in the USA are cheaper than UK/Europe (And SA, based on Autotrader.co.za). There are plenty of cars in America for $30K to $40K. Just a thought.

 

Yes Ragtop1, looking for a RHD. Will be driving it here on our beautiful roads in the Western Cape.

 

We unfortunately cannot import LHD to SA, it is simply not allowed. I am though in discussion with a freight company to get prices, but our weak Rand and high import duties make importing difficult.

 

I kan both à 328 and à 308 qv
In short:
Powerdifference noticeble but not realy obvious
Looks: i sometimes like QV over the 328. Sometimes THE other way afkunt
Interior. QV wins due to the more classic look
Quality overall: 328 slightly better



But the best ons you van afford and Emily Chapman's pike
drive!!

 

Obviously there might be someone in Australia or the UK who might help - so check those subforums and make the requests there - that might make it easier but would not get you around the importing part.





PDG

 

Jan,

GTB or GTS?
There was a pretty looking, very, very late production 328 GTB, chassis 82463, low mileage, Right Hand Drive yesterday on E-bay UK...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Immaculate-Ferrari-328-GTB-1989-20k-miles/321125463403?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D7669935136849496791%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D321125463403%26#ht_633wt_959

(no affiliation to the seller whatsoever, besides, i'm stricly a LHD driver...)

By the way: been to Capetown way back in 2003...I would love to drive either my 328 GTB or GTS on your roads! (even if my two cars are LHD...)

Rgds

 

Jan,

Good cars are very thin on the ground. You may want to give Ferris a call, they usually have a decent selection. I don't know of any really good cars for sale in CT at the moment.

I had a 308 GTSi 2-valve for 6 years in CT, the perfect companion on our roads. It now lives in Jhb and I still miss her badly.

Best,

Jack.

 

Thanks for all the info guys. Went to see my freight guy today, waiting for some info. Did find a QV84 GTS but in Jhb. Am having someone checking it out for me. Will keep you posted. Hopefully there will be a pic posted soon.

 

Hi Jack

You might not remember, I phoned you about a month ago for advice. Your beauty was still on a website. You gave me some good advice and the most important was that I must buy the best I can afford.

Regards

Jan

 

Btw, I saw Duck.co.za's Gtb today. OMG, he did a brilliant job and his commitment to doing a good job the right way is impressive to say the least.

 

Hey nerofer, the roads here in the Cape is spectacular with lots of windy mountain passes. Made for a Ferrari...

 

Yep Jan, I known only too well...managed to drive a bit on those when I was in Capetown in 2003, (stayed at the "Mount Nelson" hotel) going south to "the Cape" itself and back by the other side. By the way, I think it was the only time in my life that I drove a RHD car...not that difficult, but having to reverse the "priorities" (to the right for us, to the left on RHD) is weird. Hope to be able to come back one day.
Good luck with your search!

Rgds

 

Thanks nerofer. Well, I can see why you had such a good time in Cape Town. Apart from driving on our beautiful roads, you stayed in the most beautiful hotel in Cape Town as well. The Mount Nelson is iconic.

You will just have to come back.

Cheers.

 

Yes, its a very nice place indeed! and it was actually purely by a stroke of luck; we were in South Africa for business, and had to do a totally unscheduled three days visit to Capetown, so we flew there, but of course we needed an hotel.
It simply was the first on the list, had rooms and even the prices were not outrageous.
Had a few glasses at the bar, which is very nice, dinner in the restaurant; breakfast on the lawn...life can be good sometimes. With the beautiful roads to the Cape itself and back, it still makes fine memories.

Regards,

 

There are usually plenty of 328s for sale in the UK on Pistonheads.com. Whether they are any good or not is another matter. I am not sure how you would do this remotely, buying a car is a minefield even if you are in the same country. I think getting on a plane might be necessary.

I have seen a couple of the ones on sale, in particular one of them which is highly priced by a reputable dealer is actually quite shabby, the targa top is even cracked and damaged.

There is a 328 which I have not seen, at a dealer a couple of miles from me which I am happy to look at although from the pictures it seems poorly presented and overpriced.

It would be possible to drive around and see every 328 for sale in the country in a couple of days if you wanted to. Then you would need to try to get PPI done. Thats a whole other minefield because many of the dealers know each other and there is no guarantee of unbiased advice. Its not an easy process unfortunately.

 

Hello Jan,

Yes, I remember our conversation, a good thing you are taking your time and are getting informed before taking the plunge.

Dave's car is very special, he built himself a beautiful engine for it

Good luck, if you need more info you have my number, if I stumble upon a real good car, I have yours.

Best,

Jack.

 

Thanks Andy, much appreciated. I might have found a 308 here is SA but am still on the lookout for a bargain.

 

Thanks Jack, much appreciated. Ferrari 360 Cs, did mention a GTSi like yours that is for sale somewhere, but I havent heard back from him yet. I was thinking that it might even be yours. Will let you know if it is.
Regards
Jan

 

Thanks Jack , coming from you that's a big complement . Do you still have your , if I remember correctly Kyalami ?

 

Found my first Ferrari - 308 QV GTS 1984
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thanks for all the tips, help and assistance.

 

Congratulations, Jan; welcome to the club!

Rgds

 

Awesome !! well done