Question about quality.

Agreed, although I wouldn't hold it against the newer cars. Buyers want these features and are willing to pay for them. Ferrari, as well as the others, are curtailing to buyer demands.

I wasn't comparing Ferrari against the other makes, rather just giving an example that other makes aren't as reliable when compared against their own history as well.

 

Now, I haven't looked into the 328 and I don't know the model that well... that being said..

I just don't know about that. If driven regularly the K-Jetronic fuel system is rock solid. Since its mostly mechanical and driven by fuel pressure, if a seal goes it can be tricky to diagnose, if sitting the injection components will go. I've had many Porsches will the Bosch CIS system. When working its great.. when sitting its a pain.

The 328 still has the buttresses that on the 348 and 355 crack. Not sure if this is an issue.

I don't know if I would call an electrical system before 2000 in a Ferrari "good" in any means. I know they'res a few adaptations out there like the gold kit.

I've also come across a few people that have had issues with the windows and regulator mechanisms.

I'm havign a hard time comprehending that ANY Ferrari model is better than any other when new given glitches, etc... esp. Fiat era technology.

 

The 328 was considered the high water mark for Ferrari reliability. It still is to those of us that have been around long enough to know.

Windows? You are thinking of the 308. I can sit down and draw that system I know it so well. I own a 328 and can't remember what the window regulators look like. Same with the electrical system, you're thinking about some other car. Ferrari didn't even give us wiring diagrams until the cars had been out for about a year and except for one car we really didn't miss them. That car I remember well because it stands out in memory precisely because it did have a problem. On that car the factory actually sent me the blueprint, 1:1 scale. They had no other reference material. Cracks in the buttresses? Sorry, not the 328. Those cars needed so little we joked about going out of business because we never needed to fix them.

When you say Fiat era technology, just what era do you think they are in now?

 

German's are #1 in quality & engineering.

Italian's are #1 in passion & style.

Asian's are #1 in knocking off the German's for a cheaper price.

American's are #1 in bland mass marking to rental car companies.

 

Those of us who fix them for a living have a saying.


Master race my ass.


What tinker toys.

 

2012 458 Spider has been very reliable. No problems except a speaker had to be replaced under warranty.

Almost 14k miles. the car is fantastic.

460 was pretty good. In 7 years all problems could be taken are of at the annual service exxcept 1x...an exhaust system/ engine sensor failed.

F355 had to be taken in for some repair every few months. Build quality was lousy as far as reliability goes.

Best

 

In my experience, the Germans seem to ask how will these parts age when actually used. The Italians focus on right now. The Germans will also put some degree of practicality over ultimate handling, style etc, but they put those things a little ahead of where the American companies would put them.

You have to ask why would you buy a Ferrari? The answer is actually very short and sweet: Because you love it. You love how the car goes and sounds. There is a trade off and that is they are not the most durable cars. But with the 360 the durability got better as did the quality.

Life is short so get what you love. You only get to do this once- or at least thats my theory.

As a first time Ferrari, I think the 360 is pretty good, but just don't expect service bills to be in the 3 digits. They almost always are in the 4 digits and can go from there.

 

Everyone's a winner!!!

 

Just a thought but frequency of new models also plays a role in quality. When you are on the cutting edge, because it is demanded, expected or part of your corporate mission, it's more difficult to make quality job 1.
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I'm not as familiar with the 328.. I'm just relaying what I have come across albeit small sample. You've got so much more experience. I defer to it.

I stand corrected.

I like to think of it as the post-Montemozolo era. Soon to be run by folks who never personally shook Enzo's hand...

 

Don't forget law enforcement and taxi cabs. Though lately I've been seeing a lot of Prius taxis.

 

Agree and emphasize that sticky switch gear is unforgivable. Otherwise, you largely get what you pay for.

 

I beg to differ. I bought a new 328 in 1989. Have since owned a Testerossa, 360 Spider and 458 Spider. Each car was better than the former. The quality and performance of my 458 is astounding. I am worried about the switches (sticky).

 

My 328 came with a major paint defect on the drivers door. Ferrari re-painted it. The car also had a small oil issue (leaking cylinder heads?). So did my 360. Interior on the 328 had cheap Fiat like parts. I loved it anyway. Regardless, the current cars are worlds better on virtually every level. High performance is difficult to make reliable. Kudos to Ferrari for what they have achieved. Not perfect, but much closer than ever before.

 

Don't know how you do it, Bullfighter, but once again you've posted exactly what I was going to.

 

Not so fast fellas. My BMW has been a disaster in many ways. As have the BMWs of many friends. They drive nice, but I'd be damned hard pressed to say much more than that. The interiors fall apart like a Chrysler. And Porsche has had a series of cars than had rear main seal failures of great significance and the early boxes had what became the "change engine light".

 

On the 308/328, the buttresses are part of the rear decklid, so don't flex as the car flexes.

On the 348/355, they blend with the rear quarter panels and on every coupe or targa they develop stress cracks. (Obviously Spider models don't have these.)

Poor engineering = poor quality.

 

This made me laugh out loud. So true!

If anyone can explain the window switches in the F430, I'm all ears!

The 458 is a major step forward in this department, though. They just haven't managed to master their paint quality yet, which is difficult for the more anal types (I.e. Me) to accept.

If I order another F-car, she'll be spec'd with a colour that is outsourced to the specialist down the road.

 

My personal experience with Porsches seems to run contrary to the pervasive opinion on this board regarding quality--granted my experience is limited largely to the watercooled models.

Regarding ferrari, my testarossa and mondial were each born in 1986. The only issues either have had have been typical age related items... Granted neither where cheap dates but that is largely because I encourage my mechanics to be proactive regarding maintenance

However, today I had the pleasure of driving a friends 328 with over 90k on the clock. This is a well maintained car that has survived a collision with a deer and been tracked a few times. Driving the car today I thought of this thread. That car drove like it just left the factory. Not a squeak or rattle to be heard and the engine hummed and pulled beautifully.

Just saying... At least in the 1980s, ferrari was building far better cars than they get credit for.

 

I really like the 360 and 430 but...not one inferior aspect? How about cracking headers?

 

Although I'm new to Ferraris- I now have a 328 GTS- I'm not at all new to cars, especially sports and performance cars. I've owned a pretty fair sampling of British sports and touring cars, with a sprinkling of Italian, Japanese, German and Swedish-not to mention American- products.

All have their plusses and minuses, all eventually wear out, either from simply time or use, and all can be repaired- if you have the time, patience, money and of course interest.

Don't leave a convertible out in the sun & rain for 30 years and expect it to run reliably, no matter how much you ignore preventative maintenance. If you- or a previous owner- change oil, filter, brake and clutch fluids, and so on every decade or so whether it needs it or not don't be surprised by the results.

Many parts for most cars are expensive, even more so after a car's been out of production for many years, or only a very few were made to begin with. Throw in the cost-cutting use of bits & pieces from mass-produced cars, whether from GM, FIAT, Lucas, Ford or whoever, and that's another source of issues to deal with.

Here it is: Regardless of cost or appearance, all cars are essentially junk. So pick the one(s) you like & live with it. It's possible to get every bit as much pleasure from a 2CV as the latest supercar, depending on how difficult to please you are. Up to you.

Cheers,
Rich

 

I have owned seven Ferraris and agree that the 328 was the most reliable and the most fun to drive of them all - not a GT car for weekend trips but a all round great car.

 

2200 miles of ownership in 6 weeks on a 458 Italia, bought with 1880miles . Rear view camera doesn't work 80% of the time now.

German car build quality is a myth these days. Have seen new 911's literally have cartoon like smoke coming from fried electronics in the doors.

The paint on the 458 alright not as bad as some on here claim though you can easily spot obvious orange peel. I think these cars are overvalued(due to high production costs from external factors) but the competition doesn't offer anything better.

 

Speaking of paint quality: If the flat black fad continues there will be no need for quality paint work.


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