328 --> 430

Guys

I've been offered to trade in my 328 GTS for an F430 (w/o additional cash).
The F430 looks fantastic, red, coupé, only 12km, one prior owner.

Can you talk me out of it pls. ??

 

I could but I wouldn't be convincing. I'd take the 430 and run! Then after the bubble bursts I'd pick up a 328 GTB and enjoy both!

 

Humm now that's a reasonable trade, I'd consider a 430...

 

I'm telling you it's very alluring ;-) But I'm afraid to regret later on. I already have a CS...

 

About 6-8 months ago, I made a similar offer. Offered to trade my 328 straight across for a pristine, CPO 430 in a fabulous color combo, thinking "There's no way he will go for it."

When I saw the sales manager hesitate, frown, and look long and hard at my car, I started to think "Holy crap!! What if he says yes?!?!?"

He declined, I breathed a sigh of relief, and still own my 328. Those that know me have heard me say time and time again that I intend to be buried with that car! I will very likely be adding a 430 to the garage, but adding only. Not replacing.

Every single former 328 owner that I have met, every single one including the one I bought mine from, has told me they regretted letting the 328 go. (Heck, even FChat's own Bullfighter, who passed along one of the best 328's in the country in order to scratch his 356 Speedster itch, has come back and picked up a nice 308QV.)

As for the bubble bursting, sure. It will at some point. But when it does, the $50K 328's that are trading now for $125-$150K will settle down to about $80-$90K. And the 430's that are also trading at $120-$150K today, and not 'bubbling' at all, will also have settled down to about $80-$90K.

328 to 430 in my opinion is not a 'trade up' scenario right now, and likely won't be in future. But if the 430 is a car you would rather have than the 328 - and values be damned - then sure, go for it.

I just think you will kick yourself later.

 

The 328 is perhaps the best Ferrari, Ferrari has ever built. It's a good solid car all around.
It's not fast or a corner carver by any means, but it's a wonderful car.

430's are still heading down in price, but the 328 is heading up as it should. I would hang on to it if you can.

 

Thanks, appreciate your opinions. I think I'm leaning towards keeping the 328, just trying to understand if I'm crazy to let go such a deal.

 

I have had my 328 on the track many times, and while it certainly isn't the fastest machine out there (get used to giving point by's to the 430's), it is just such a beatifully balanced car. It is a car that is very easy to drive hard, as they say. The road feel, responsiveness, feedback from the steering, the way the rear end tucks in when you throttle out of the corners.........

Obviously, I am a fan.

 

In the UK, the price of 430's appears to have bottomed out and started to firm up. I personally think of the modern era of Ferrari, the 430 will stand out (barring the 360CS).
Would I trade my 308 for one? No way!

 

I would trade my GT4 for a blue 430 manual coupe in a second. But only if it's manual and only blue. I hope the GT4 will eventually get there. Of course, having both is even better.

 

If you look at it from the dealers perspective its not a deal for you. It's a deal for them. Not only do they get an appreciating asset, they also get to unload a car that is falling in price. They win. Hang on to it. But if your tired of it, Obviously the choice is always yours.

 

Only if the F430 was a Scuderia

 

Will you enjoy driving that 12km 430 ever, if you really meant 12km not 12,000km?

 

If you already have a CS, then what purpose would a 430 coupé serve ? Your CS is a fine machine that gives a lot of sensations, and has been built in small numbers, so will keep its value in the future.
If the 430 was a spider, then it could have made some logic, but a coupé? You also probably already have had opportunities to learn that extra horsepower and extra speed are of almost no use in Europe today (except in Germany…). But classic style still makes a difference, and a 328 is a world apart from the 430 as for style.
There were about 17000 F430 built, against 7413 328 (1344 GTB, 6068 GTS, one factory made cabriolet); so a nice, low-miles F430 will always be easier to find that a nice 328 GTS.
Keep the 328, and should you regret your decision later, it will be easier to find a nice 430 than a nice 328…

Rgds

 

This.

... and this. Given that you already have a modern Ferrari, I wouldn't trade away a 328 to get a second modern Ferrari. I see a lot of threads where guys are thinking about getting a newer model, but in my experience newer doesn't usually mean better. I took my 328 on Ferrari Owner's Club drives with 360s and the then-current model F430 Spider in the pack, and never had trouble keeping up when we cruised public roads. Plus the targa top is the ideal configuration for an open car.

IMHO the 328 is the much handsomer car, and over time there's much less to "go obsolete" in it.

If you have a 360 CS, maybe take advantage of what seems like a price bubble and sell that and add some cash for a 458. Then you'd have the best classic and best modern Ferraris.

 

I retract my statement! That's a major item to leave out. If you already have a Stradale, IMO one of THE best modern cars, why bother with a 430?

 

There are alot of 430 for sale. Not many 328s. My 328 puts a smile on me. Keep the 328! !

 

I would only trade my 328 for a 246 Dino. You never know. LOL.

 

No regrets selling my 328. In fairness, we haven't met.

I was a 3x8 judge at a local FCA concours yesterday and judged a couple of 328s including Bullfighter's ex car. While I will always remember them fondly as my first F car, I'm still happy I moved on to the model that has been on my list. OTOH, a 308 Michelotto would be fun for a while.


I agree with your comment on going from 328 to 430 as not necessarily a trade up.

 

I'd keep the 328, personally. Very few cars in this world have the combination of traits the 3x8's offer to the enthusiast. Drive it, enjoy it, maintain it. Repeat often.

 

I agree. I have talked with a few former 328 owners, and one that has a few other Ferraris, and they all agree that they should have kept their 328. How many Ferraris give you all the right sensations on public roads? The 430's, F12's, 458's, etc. are amazing but where can you even blip the throttle without losing your license?

 

You should sell yours immediately.

It needs more sun and dry climate, IMHO.

 

328 and 430 great combination.

 

Ha! Been plenty enough dry and sunny this year. Nah, I think I'll follow your advice and hold onto it.

 

About the only reason I can think of to trade is simply to have the different driving experience. If you already have a CS then I would think of a base 430 as a trade down. Keep the 328.



PDG