Found good home for my 328 GTS

Today (June 7, 2014), my 328 GTS has found a good home and new owner.

Took me 2 months on eBay, filtering out people who do not qualify as Ferrari owner. I am here to say: there is sizzling hot demand for 3X8 but only few good owners.

Carlo of Alfa of Tacoma went through the car the day before; oil, fluids, overall inspections (I paid this; the last time I can give her a pat on the head.) Good news is this final bill is $458 ..... (a hint)

Attached are four goodbye pictures!
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So when you bringing home the 458?


When all else fails read the damn manual. - wife

 

"When all else fails read the damn manual. - wife"

I tried, she said "mirror, mirror on the wall ...."

Someone interpret that for me; should or should not me get a 458?

 

How do you do this on Ebay when highest bidder wins?

 

Congratulations to you and the new owner. Is it staying in the PNW?
Jon

 

I presume you set the reserve high just to get a list a names.

What "qualities" did you require of a "proper" Ferrari owner candidate for your car (besides having the funds)?

 

Well done!!! IMHO buying and selling a 328 takes patience and planning if you want the best out of the deal.

I have seen people hurry dumping their 3x8 like an old Camry...and Camry money out of it

 

- How do you do this on Ebay when highest bidder wins?
- Is it staying in the PNW?
- What "qualities" did you require of a "proper" Ferrari owner candidate for your car (besides having the funds)?

On eBay motor, bids are not legally binding according to their policy. So when there is winning bid, I start a conversations with the winning bidder before he sends any funds. In this process, I can get a general sense of whether the car will be properly maintained and exercised. Without going into details, I would say if you treat your 3x8 as your daughter and you are talking to prospective son-in-law then you know what to ask.

The key phrase is: you can say "I am not selling my car"; there is no binding contract at this point.

The car is going to southern California so PNW will miss her.

Again on eBay, yes my reserve is not low. However, after the auction ends, I can look at bidding amount and know who is serious about buying. Those are people who I will talk to. I also respond to questions within 4 hours or less; people who never respond (e.g. thank you, how about ….) are lookers and I generally do not approach them even when they bid a serious amount on my car.

I can be wrong; it is possible that I missed one or two good people. I am at comfort that she is now in good hands.

 

"Took me 2 months on eBay, filtering out people who do not qualify as Ferrari owner. "

Filtering out people who do not qualify? What the heck does that mean? Anybody who has the money to buy something "qualifies" to own it.

 

Hello Mike, you are correct.

My one cent: I hope 3x8's will be elegant and pleasant "objects" whether on the road or in parking lot.

Did I help? Maybe not; at least I highly hope that I did not make it worse.

Damn what am I talking about ....

 

Good luck and for the new owner have fun

 

Anyone with money doesn't necessarily qualify. I sold my 328 on sat as well and took slightly lower than what I told myself I would. It's all because he is am f-chatter and I will likely have an opportunity to gain a friendship out of it. Keeping up with the car and seeing it down the road are two bonuses.

 

Plenty of people can afford a 308/328 these days but I think what the OP is getting at is he wanted to sell the car to someone who had a good idea of what Ferrari ownership entails...(expensive service, lots of love) and also to someone who will preserve the car....not some random dude who says "hey I can afford a Ferrari"

 

Personally, keeping my 328 but just put a deposit on a 430 6mt. Test drove 458 as well. 430 6 mt has clear DNA with the 328 only on extreme steroids. It has that Ferrari edge and excitement. The 458 is a fabulous machine and highly refined - my first choice as a track weapon. However, a very different feel. 430 6mt is the end of an error (much as the 328 was) and 458 is the start of the next error. As I keep my cars, wanted the high water mark and that "experience" for whatever it is worth. Congrats on the sale and good luck with your decision.

 

Actually the 458 is the last of an era (not error, unless that was sarcasm). It is the last of the normally aspirated V8s. Next generation will be the 408T, 4 L turbo charged V8. See Get ready for the turbocharged Ferrari 458 - BBC Top Gear

 

Unfortunately not sarcasm - phonetic spelling, my bad. You are correct on the last naturally aspirated. I was thinking driving experience. 430 can still get a 6mt and car still has a raw edge - you know it is a Ferrari from behind the wheel on normal roads. 458 is undoubtably an uber machine. Just so refined, when you drive it, if you did not know it was a Ferrari, you may think very sporty Mercedes. Of course when you step outside and look at it, it screams Ferrari. Was really comparing the driving experience. Cars are getting so good, that with normal road use, it is a very different experience. Now on the track, I expect that is a whole different story. The 458 begs for more and is highly intuitive. Just no raw edge.

 

I understand Steve's point... sort of like if you've got a beloved pet or litter of puppies that you want to go to a "good home" and owner that really cares.

 

Thanks Mike !!

 

An update....

New owner of my 328 drove the car from Seattle to Southern California. The engine "fell asleep" after 12 or 15 hours (not continuously) of highway driving. The new owner told me:

(1) There was a strange noise behind him before engine stopped running.
(2) He can crank the engine but there was no sign of starting.

I suspected that there is a clog somewhere in the fuel line and the fuel pump is burned. I would have concluded this if I had taken the car out on a long drive (to work the fuel pump for longer period of time).

Attached is what I think should get flushed to clear the clog (the green highlighted area). Any input is very appreciated!!
View attachment Ferrari_328_Fuel_System(2).pdf