328 GTS

I'm looking at a 1988 328 GTS w/17,800 miles in pristine condition. Asking price from dealer is $58,500. What should I be aware of before I enter into this vehicle? Car will be weekender and not tracked!! Any input would be helpful before I enter into this transaction.

Thanks............

 

first thing you should do is get him to knock off 10k. unless it is an 88 1/2. identified by covex wheels instead of concave. be aware of the maintenance costs. the size (it's small) the heat, it's a hot car. if it is pristine, be aware that you might want to baby it. not drive in the rain, ect. be aware that everything associated with this car is very expensive compared to most others. those are, of course many of the negatives. i suppose you know the positives. before you buy, make sure you don't have any questions about that particular car. there are plenty available. if you want to pm me, i just bought one last week and have possibly already looked at the one you are considering. good luck and use common sense.

 

There is a significant difference in value between early and late 88's. Also, color can be a factor. You did not specify. Finally, when was the last major service with timing belts done? This can be a 5K swing in calue.

Dave

 

The car is located at Berverly Hills Ferrari and can be seen on the website. It is red with cream interior. I too question when and IF the service was completed......as you said, it is a major difference. Many questions to ask if this is worth the risk as the car will not be serviced at the dealer, me being on the East coast.

Wetpet....is the car that you looked at? Just got to love this car....to me its just so Ferrari!!!

Thanks for all your input......

Dale

 

The price is a tad high, probably because it's a dealer car in a high-rent zip code.

You should know that a complete major service (not simply a new timing belt and some oil...) runs $3K-$4K at an independent shop and should always be accompanied by detailed receipts showing what was done. It's good to know if rubber components -- like fuel filler/lines -- have been updated: remember there are dual fuel tanks located adjacent to the engine.

If the car just had an extensive major service (based on the calendar!), and it really is a pristine, no-stories car, somewhere in the $50K-$53K range isn't at all out of line. You can burn through a few grand pretty fast making an '8' car into a '9' or '10'.

Figure out who you're going to for service after the sale, before you buy the car. Stuff happens. Service is rarely a one-day affair -- make peace with the idea that you'll need parts from out of town.

Finally, drive it and make sure you like it for what it is. The 328 still looks like a prom queen, but remember that it's based on a 1970s chassis and 1980s technology. It's not a new Porsche. Incredibly, we've had guys on this site plunk down $60K-$70K for primo 328s and then figure out they were too tall or, er, wide... Get on a plane and get to LA.

Good luck! The '88 was the last gasp before the (IMO) pudgy convex wheels and -- I think -- the plastic door handle inserts (which replaced the solid metal design). Not a bad choice at all.

 

Heh. You can ask. But, assuming it's serviced and no other issue, there's no way a dealer is going to sell that car for $48k. Somebodwy will pay $55 for it.


--Mike

 

I bought my current 308 from Bryant at FoBH a couple of years ago.

Ask if they have been servicing the car and if so, ask to see the service history.

Dealers usually only sell the better cars and not beaters

 

If the car is going to be due for the major service within the next year or so then in my opinion it is priced way to high. If it has a fresh service then you may beable to get it for 55k. Their are alot of nice 88 and 89 low mileage 328 on the market listed at 50-55k. Ferrari's are very expensive to maintain and you really get screwed over on the prices so be ready. Thats one of the reasons I sold my 328 because no car is worth thousands and thousands of dollars to repair and retirement is getting near and was far more important. Good luck

 

I just spent three months looking at 89's for sale and i can assure you there are not lots of nice low milage ones listed for 50-55k. specially red/tan. in fact, i don't remember one low milage 89 red tan listed for 55k or less. by the way, there are many cars that are worth thousands and thousands of dollars to repair.

 

I did see the car advertised, but not in person. i am not a fan of white interiors, personal preference. it is an 88 1/2. if it has a recent(last couple of years) major, and checks out on a ppi, i think 55k would be a good deal. good luck.

 

Another option, in your time zone:

http://www.naplesmotorsports.com/88_red_328_13k.htm

I've never bought from this dealer, have no interest, etc. etc.

 

You just need to search and you will find them. Ferrari ads has a couple including a 89 red/tan GTB with 13,000 miles listed at 50k. I haven't seen any in person, but the ones that I looked up all appeared to be beautiful cars with current service. Don't get me wrong I don't regret owning a Ferrari, but I would never buy another one because I got a bad taste from the dealership employee's additude and the outragous prices they charged. I guess my priorities have changed as I'm nearing retirement.

 

the one in ferrari ads is a gtb. not interested so thats why i missed it. can't find any others below 56.5k. not sure where your looking. still stand by my statement that there are not lots of 89's between 50-55k. i will amend it to there is one gtb for 50k. sorry to here about your experience. i had a similar one. bought mine from a very nice individual who loved his car. had to look for awhile though. no question these babies are expensive, luckily i've still got a few years before i retire, so i'm still putting that off. good luck in retirement.

 

9 328s here:

http://ww2.collectorcartraderonline.com/search.php

 

The service history should be available regardless. The further back the service history, the better.

I went over the complete service history on my 328 before I made an offer.

A car without records is going to be worth notably less.

Make sure it has a cup holder for your decaf espresso?
(Just messin' with ya.)

 

thanks for making my point! appreciate it. one 89 328 listed for 62.5k.

 

89 gts red/tan
14.5k miles
major at 11k / 2 years ago
EXCELLENT condition

pm sent

 

I have a 1986 328 GTS and this model is highly recommended for people new to F cars.

Have had it for about three years and love it.

Shape is classic Ferrari, does not age and looks great after 20 years.

Maintenance is less expensive and easier than on a lot of other model F cars, eg no need to drop engine for cam belt change or water pump replacement .
( both of which are now being done)

I also understand that the ABS on later models is not a sufficient reason to go to a later model just for ABS.

The only change I have made is to fit a carbon fibre roof and spoiler to give me about another inch of head room.

The airconditioning barely works but heating is good.

The entire presentation of the 328 GTS is impressive and a work of art.

Good luck with the search.

Tony

 

Are you being sarcastic?

 

no, your making my point. there is only one 89' listed there and they want 62.5k for it. just what i've been saying.

 

I still think that 89's low mileage, with major done recently, are above $60's (from a dealer). You may get it for less privately, but a dealer (reputable) will most likely repair anything that goes wrong in the 1st 30 days. Where a private owner will not. That's worth the extra $$. When I bought my car a few years back, I was told (by many of my friends that have Ferrari's) to buy from a Ferrari dealer, unless I knew the car personally. I paid top dollar for mine (1989 Black on black with major done). In the 1st 30 days, Ferrari did an additional $6,000.00 worth of work to my car for things that went wrong. They stood behind their sale and in the end probably ended up without a profit. But they got me for life. I am very loyal to them and the sales guy (Demetrio). I will only buy a Ferrari from FOLI. Thats my experience. Pay the extra $$ and buy from the right people. And guys, what's a few extra dollars at the beginning for the right car. These cars are old and cost money to maintain. Things just go wrong. I've always said that if the maintenance/repairs were cheap on these cars, they would be worth $20,000.00 more. Having said that, they are a lot of fun. I enjoy it when ever I have a chance. But I can see myself in a 360 within a yr or two. There are some modern things that I like about newer cars that these cars don't have (safety, cold air etc.)

 

Gary, the cold air is seasonal. It should be working OK starting around December.

I agree with your comments, though. A few thousand dollars difference up front to get the right car is trivial, and I don't see the "right" cars changing hands for under $50K ('86-'88) to $60K ('89).

 

Thats because you and I have good taste in color. I actually have three black cars. Call me crazy! Anyway, the heat works great, but not having good A/C in July in the N.E. on a Sat. night sucks. For me its fine, but no way will my wife deal with the humidity when going out. I happen to be fortunate and have three other cars to choose from. But last Sat. night we went out in the Ferrari. It was hot but she was OK with it. It starts to rain. The A/C probably needs a charge, and now its 120 degrees in my car, with the windows fogging up. You know the story. It's easier to take out one of the other cars. Not as much fun, but more practical.Everything works. New cars are really great. These old Ferraris are really just pleasure cars to be used with the right situations (65 degrees, blue skys, no traffic, not too far from home and good roads!).

 

Gary.......I see that FOLI has a 348 TS for $62,000. I may look into this car....Based on your experience, I would feel comfortable dealing with them. I really love the 328 GTS....but have yet to make any type of firm decision. All the responses to me inquirey have been extremly helpful, and I thank everyone who has done so.

 

I'm not a 348 fan. If its the 348 that you want, then get a spyder. It'll hold its value much better, and, in my opinon, it's more exotic looking. Most people will think your car is much newer then what it is. If you don't want a convertable, then get a good 328 GTS. I really have only good things to say about FOLI. I tend to get rid of some of my cars often, so I know a lot of the dealers. Most of them are great to deal with, and will stand behind their cars. Most people have bad things to say about Bentley of L.I. My family and I have dealt with them numerous times, and I only have positive things to say. And there show room is to die for! Good Luck!