I love John and I sure do appreciate his ability to laugh at how silly a purchase a 288 GTO new would have been….. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The reality was that I wanted to buy the 308 AND the 288 but at the time I could only afford the 308. Just completed a divorce an all I had was the house and $80k in the cash bank. I wanted a business partner car guy to go 50/50 with me as an investment but he wasn't interested. I even told him I'd take care of all maintenance and insurance which we would square up on upon sale. Still not interested. Too bad. We could have split $3M today. So here I am struggling to keep my head above water and survive on Social Security. Truth is, I don't take much in life seriously. (Y'all probably figured that by now.) I can't complain about opportunities lost. Of course I always like to remind myself that if I took the $50k I spent on the 308 and bought J&J stock in '85 I could buy two 288s today (not including dividends). That's the truth of the matter. The reality is that I made the correct choice.
I would have skipped the 308, downed $40k on the $80k 288 and financed the rest given that position ... if I was that sure it would turn out to be a great investment. Hindsight is 20/20 of course, but I would have picked the 288 based on looks alone . I do believe a youth enjoyed has value in a category of it's own. You've got the youthful memories and experiences forever. You can't buy back your youth no matter how much money you have. That's how I see it personally. Most cars are bad investments. It's difficult to tell which will accelerate in value. But I do know, to capitalize, one has to stick to his guns... for a long time and simply hope for the best. In 1991, my pops had a choice between a slightly used 964 Turbo for $75k or a newly released NSX for $90k, He test drove both and chose the NSX. He was confident the right choice was made throughout the 5 years he owned it. That NSX is probably worth $60k today and the 964 Turbo... probably in the $400's. It was Artic Silver. I recall seeing it at the dealership twice. So yes... it's difficult to predict the future . But what I do know is whether he chose the NSX or the 964 Turbo, he would not have hung onto it for more than 5-7 years. Why?? Because it wasn't a Ferrari. Didn't bring out the same emotions when you looked at them. He actually lusted for a 308 or 328 for years, but finances weren't right. I still recall seeing those 308's and 328's being sold brand new on the showroom floor during our visits to the dealership as an 8 year old kid. By the time his finances were right, the NSX had just come out and that car simply made more sense at the time. It was a fresh new face on the market, reliable, low maintenance, and outperformed it's peers in 1991. It also looked like a Ferrari . Buying an exotic in the 80's and early 90's (pre-internet days) was a totally different ball game than it is today. I'd say most people couldn't identify what sports car was what unless you were in the loop and frequenting these dealerships to see what was new in store. Like others have said, you were a baller driving around in a Ferrari 308 in the 80's . Must've been an unbelievable feelin'.
I've never been a fan of the VW Bug myself... I'd take the Mercedes over that... cannot get past those headlights... just poking fun Porsche Lovers, but I'd never own one cause of this But luckily I bought my 355 Spider 5 years ago because I was anticipating a possible rise in value & it was one of my Favorites. I have a 430 & a 458 (both spiders) and I still love the 355 just as much. I often tell people it handles like a go kart & sounds like heaven!!! plus it's my only 3 pedal Ferrari
Imagine walking into Bob Sharp Ferrari/Datsun in torn jeans and a flannel shirt with hair down to your shoulders. To one side there's a BB512 in the show room and a use 308 GTS with tray under it to catch the leaking oil. On the other, an array of Datsuns. The only sales man walks up and ask if he can help you. You say "I want to but a car". He starts leading me towards the Datsuns. I say, "No, I want to buy a Ferrari." Jaw drop, attitude shifts. Next thing I know I'm getting a tour of there shop where Paul Newman's Z race cars are stored and maintained...... Introduced to the shop foreman.... We talk. I say I though I wanted a GTS but I don't like the lines. Takes me out to another garage. There is a red/black '84 GTB there. I say "That's what I want. Is that car for sale." He says, "You don't want it. I was in a accident and wasn't fixed right." He tells me their allocation of 26 cars is sold, but he will see if he can find one at another dealer if I'm serious and leave a deposit. I agree. Very different than today. Those guys were car guys. Ferrari guys. They had a machine shop to make parts, build race cars. I ordered my car on my birthday, March 30, 1985. After a two month search to find a car for me it was ready (found one at FAF in Atlanta that was unspoken for). My car was delivered to me by Ferrari historian, Stanley Nowak, who was the manager there at the time, on Memorial Day 1985. (Interestingly my 355 arrived at my home on Memorial Day 2013.) Before I left with the car he took me out in it and showed me how to drive it. Informed me of little idiosyncrasies of the car, like, "Don't bother with 2nd gear until the transmission oil warms up. Don't try to steer it if it isn't rolling. You'll damage the steering rack. It won't over heat. They're good in the snow (??? LOL, really!). " Pulls back into the parking lot. We get out, car still running. Shake hands and he just says, "Head north". And I own my first Ferrari. Just one of the moments when you achieve a goal you set for yourself. I smiled all the way home like a kid with a new toy, which was exactly what I was. Definitely the right choice.
Thank you for sharing that. Truly the reason why most of us are car guys. Cheers John!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Your price results don't include the Buyer's fee. The car sold for $82,613 USD all-in and was a great value for someone looking to get into an F355 manual.
https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/listing/1997-ferrari-f355-atlanta-ga-2656565 Previously RNM on BAT https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-ferrari-f355-gts-10/
Prices on drivers continue to fall (relative to 2020 pricing). Low mileage and rare option cars seem to be holding steady (if not climbing slightly). The number of cars available over the last 12 months has definitely increased (which usually leads to a downturn in pricing). Interesting times indeed.
Just ran across the beautiful white GTB euro spec. I'm curious if the leather is original. Particularly in the frunk. Never seen that before. https://www.autoscout24.nl/aanbod/-fa7e9c9d-e33a-4d31-aa6e-128092cfbe08
Not original. Zanasi can change color of cars and interior and actually change the spec in the Ferrari database given enough $$. Tons of things not original with that particular car, but it was able to pass Classiche… $$.
I’d say the whole interior has been re-done to cuiou and most likely not it’s original spec. The leather on the entire steering wheel has been re-done including the black leather portions. Only parts that appear original is the black carpet and floor mats. Early (dual fuel pump) pre-airbag cars don’t have single tone interior leather options like this. This car went through Zanasi. That should tell you everything you need to know about originality. I don’t believe the white is original either, but expect a Ferrari factory quality paint job (or better) from Zanasi.
More often than not, you’re going to see Cuiou paired with castoro carpets in the early days. Especially, on white. My buddy’s original Bianco/cuiou 96 GTB has castoro carpets and cuiou upper dash. This car also has painted shields. Definitely not original, but a special option when getting work done at Zanasi. Cars like this that get pass Classiche with flying colors brings into question the validity/ability of that department to identify originality. One is better off sending me a pm if you want to identify originality. I accept Paypal or Doge coins .
I suppose that is more precise if not accurate. But I don't parse that hair once a car is Stateside. I'd put condition, mileage, color preferences above Euro vs US spec, but I understand some buyers (I'm guessing a minority) are willing to pay a premium for a US spec car.
I believe this car has come down to 250k from original 275k ask. Love the spec. Seemed to take awhile for pics to get posted. https://www.reimelmotorcars.com/vehicles/289/1995-ferrari-f355-gts-6-speed
Another just got listed Switzerland on a US auction site. https://www.pcarmarket.com/auction/1996-ferrari-f355-berlinetta-1/
Thats about the silliest self serving comment i've heard on this thread! That car was probably more sorted & cleaner than most 355's on the market, well maybe not as clean as the 5k mile $350,000 one you gave your valuation on lol Take peoples comments here with a grain of salt, i'm sure you've seen the listing, the inspection the ppi, the photos, the people comments who saw it in real life, that car was worth every penny of $130K the buyer got a great deal , if it wasn't for the carfax minor accidents i wouldn't have let that car go below $145K. If you're new around here and trying to find a 355, look for a well serviced well maintained car, don't pay too much attention to miles unless yo'ure looking for a collector car...the best 355's are driven ones that are well maintained..and if it happens to have accident history investigate it, have it inspected..and deduct $$ for that...
That car is a steal at that price….absolutely stunning. Ultra rare for sure! Wow! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
