I'm thinking about buying this car

I need someone to talk me out of buying this car. I don't have a PPI yet. This would be my 2nd Ferrari. My first is an F430 Spider gated manual (conversion). I've loved the 308 and 328 since I was a teen in the 80's. Tell me why I shouldn't buy this car. Seriously, I want to know why I shouldn't buy it. What should I expect if I do. Please make the worse case scenario.

 

Just my opinion….
The earlier carb’s 308s are easier to maintain / work on, less complicated, very minimal electronic woes (tach and speedo / sensor), and recent selling prices higher than QV and 328s with the same mileage in Europe at latest auction. (By $15-20K)

I have owned 3 other carb’s 308s and one QV. The carb’d 308s the best.

I am an instrumentation and electronics instructor, so I like the “analog” type Ferrari 308. QV and 328, too many sensors, switches, fuel distributor adjustments, hoses, O2 sensors, etc.

I end up helping one of my friends with his 328. Too many sensors, switches and stuff to go wrong / fail. Especially, when an aftermarket alarm system with engine disable feature. Many wires have been cut and spliced into the alarm system. Not good.

I easily pass California Smog inspection with low numbers. Always keep the air injection pump belt on and up the idle jets size for todays fuel. Engine will run clean.

The sound of the Webers are great.

By the best 308 carbed car you can afford. I perform all my own servicing, repairs, etc. on my 78 308.

Again, just my opinion.
Richard

 

A little more info for others to view.
https://mpgmotorcars.com/inventory/35039/view/1468/Stuart-FL/1986-Ferrari-328%20GTS

 

I'm afraid I don't see any reason not to buy the car. The only things I see missing are owner's manuals, toolkit, and knowledge of recent service. I just bought one in October and love it. These cars are easy to work on and you get a ton of support here on FChat. As long as you like the price ( It may be a little negotiable) and the current level of service on the car, I say "Go for it!".

 

It looks like a great car. 328's are fantastic Ferrari's and are the Icon of the 80's.

Down side - worst case scenarios:

1. bad compression test or leak down - engine rebuild - $30'ish K ( very unlikely to need0
2. gearbox rebuild - if cracked or broker gears - $25ishk - if you can get all the right parts. ( again very unlikely to need)
3. electrics - yes, you will have some gremlins - usually in the fuse panel or the connectors behind passengers' floorboard. it's old Italian engineering - that uses modern spade fuses.. so it's better than 308's - but not great. slow windows, poor ventilation / AC normal. Lights that wink or don't turn on suddenly are to be expected. usually, the repair is not costly - other than finding the fault.
4. Belts - Covered on F chat adnauseum - about $6-7K every 5 years... way less if you do it on your own. $800-1000
5. Valves - the major service is seldom done all at once - as people do belts and leave it at that ... doing valves, and hoses should be every major service, it keeps breakdowns from happening.
6. leather is fragile - but if you care for it - it lasts a long tie.
7. Suspension rebuilds every 15 - 20 years - $5-8Kish... way less if you do on your own.

They are HOT - so in the summer, it gets warm - no two ways about that, it's low and easy to scrape on driveways. However, the fun factor comes on a nice two-lane road - where you can live out the Ferrari dream - shifting, heel and toe all that. Its way more engaging than any modern Ferrari after the 355.
I think there is a moderate price increase over the next 10 years as well to be expected. In my opinion the 328 is a great vintage Ferrari that you can use in modern life - maybe not every single day - but the can be useable. I had one for 18 years and sold to get a 599.... Mostly because living in Atlanta with horrible traffic and the heat I was not driving it as much - and that is not me. I use the 599 all the time.... they are enjoyable cars ... go for it.

 

I was ready to pull the trigger for that car on September 2021. I finally went for one in BaT.

What I remember, is that I requested some undercarriage pictures or video and I didn’t get it. Only received the same video you sent.
They always say “the ramp is being used by the techs” for two weeks.

There’s a gut feeling about the seller that doesn’t convince me. Be sure you have a way to confirm the car status by a PPI or some friend kicking the tires. It’s strange why they haven’t sold the car, when the market it’s hot.

i disagree with the comment above, for me the 328 is a much better car than the 308. It’s a revised and evolved version of the 308. maybe not nicer than, but as well beautiful.
EFI is nice.

 

Undercarriage pictures attached
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Reserve a budget for maintenance. For peace of mind, I sent the car for full service fluids, brakes, tensors & belts and the clutch was replaced for around 8K at a Ferrari dealer in Dallas.

I had very good luck purchasing in BaT.

 

IMO it’s looks ok. Sure, Someone here would be able to comment more on it.


Negotiate a little to have some money for a good and complete service. And be sure you do a PPI before buying!

Great car the 328. Originally I was looking for a 308, it was my childhood dream car. But the 328 as I already mentioned it’s an evolved car from the 308.

I am impressed on how comfortable and civilized it is to drive. Do not expect it to be near as fast or responsive as the F430, don’t.

 

The seller advertised that they had all invoices since new on maintenance. They sent me what they have and I found nothing beyond 2008.

 

back in September they sent me the carfax.


https://www.carfax.com/api/consumers/454255995/report/email/089befbd1ee128543867b3d5345cc1994098728a86d9820184209a464f86847e4848c1fe143c4cd2

 

Something that looks odd in their pictures is this shimming.

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I know nothing, so many be it’s normal. I don’t know.


This is mine. You will notice that mine
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Really good catch. If it is aligned correctly it strongly suggests the frame was bent in a crash. Have seen it lots. Also the stud on the suspension fork is just not long enough for the nut to have 100% of its length on the threads so being a nylock, the locking portion is hanging out in thin air.

 

Everyone is untitled to their opinion but for a different view I disagree with every single word. Among the people who worked on these cars every single day and where there when these were still new the 328 was considered the best quality, most reliable and easiest and least costly to maintain. That opinion has not changed between those of us that were there. I own a 328 and not to put the carbed 308s down, owning one was never a consideration.

 

I was sent the maintenance records on the car. The last one was in 2008. I asked the seller for any records beyond that date and no response.

I couldn't see the Carfax but based on what you found with the shimming, I'm concerned.

 

Ask them for the carfax. They sent it to me.
I’m not sure carfax is 100% trustable.. but it’s a reference.

FYI it shows no accident.

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Hope this helps

 

Is it the same VIN?

 

Don't necessarily have to run away but this makes the PPI even more important. Could be a great bargaining chip as long as you are comfortable with the findings.

 

Thanks. I've asked them for the carfax. Seller says
"We purchased it from Ferrari if Orlando. Before that it came from Daniel Schmidt by way of Newport Beach."

 

From the exterior, this is such a beautiful car. But, I have no tolerance for giant repair bills (over $15k). I want to drive it, not park it.

 

Rod, can I ask you how much you paid on BaT?

 

$82,000. + shipping and BaT commission was total like 88k IIRC

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-ferrari-328-gts-27/

I was extremely lucky. The car pictures doesn’t make justice to the actual car.
It even has the original coating on the undercarriage. It was Owned by the same guy for 30 years.
I did the PPI after purchase, with the service at Boardwalk Ferrari in Dallas. Great guys.
The only thing extra I had to do, was the clutch. Not biggie.

I reserved 10k for necessary service. I wanted to have a driver car. And I have.

 

Take a look at this. As reference.
https://bringatrailer.com/ferrari/328/