Suggestions?

I am considering an affordable (for a Ferrari) purchase to replace the stupid 308GTB I got in August and was lucky enough to have someone with more money than brains buy from me. (The 308GTB was not maintained properly, was smoking and had all sorts of other problems. I bought it site unseen off the net, which was stupid of me.)

Anyhow, if you had $60k or so to spend on an exotic, what would you look into? I am open to any car, but would prefer a Ferrari. I have seen Mondials, 308s and 328s in my price range, but would like some input from the experts here before I do something stupid like I did before.

 

I think the 328 is tghe best car for the money

 

348's are well within that price range also

 

Won't you feel like a jackass if the person "with more money than brains" who bought the car from you shows up on this forum?

 

I'd suggest a thorough PPI on whatever you buy this time around.

348s and some TRs would fit your budget, but might be more "maintenance intensive" than you'd like.

 

I'd find a good 355GTB, period....and this time do your homework and enjoy the hunt.

 

My vote would be for the 328 GTS. It's a great sports car for the price.

 

+1. Although a sound, well excercised 328 is hard to go wrong with...

Just find something that's sorted properly from the get go and budget in a reasonable amount for maintenance and unexpected repairs. That's really all you can do.

And enjoy it as much as possible.

 

Yes, buying a Ferrari sight unseen over the Internet is stupid, but I guess we all live and learn.

What they said.

$60K buys a very nice 328 right now. The only caveat would be that if your entire budget is $60K firm, you might want to complete the purchase in the mid $50K range and leave $5K in the bank for the inevitable stuff even a well-maintained old Ferrari may need.

You could get a TR or 348 for the same or even less money, but for reliability, resale and sane-by-Ferrari-standards operating costs -- and if you can accept the 1980s performance -- the 328 is the right move.

I would recommend that you buy one from a reputable dealer (Ferrari dealer, Sport Auto, Motorcars, Marshall Goldman, etc.) and look for a good service history. Also, make sure you look at a few really great 328s before you buy to set the benchmark. If there are FCA or FOC events in your area, there's a good chance a 328 will be there among all the new stuff.

If you're in San Diego, drop me a note.

And it is a very, very, very small world in Ferrari-land.

 

Ferrari 328, no question about it.

 

Actually, I wouldn't. After he told me he was prepared to spend another $100k on fixing up that car, I will forever think that. I am sure there are quite a few people on here that have 308s in great condition that would let them go for a lot less than that price.

 

Thank you for the tips. I set the $60k price point because I just can't justify to myself spending more than that with the other hobbies I have. (My GF thinks my watch collecting is an obsession, not a hobby.)

I am going to be in Orange County this weekend, but don't think I will get any nearer to San Diego than John Wayne Airport in the next few months. Do you know the Anaheim Hills/Placentia area? I vaguely remember some exotic car dealer/broker near the Fry's there, but I don't remember it's name nor do I know if it is still in business. If you know of it, can you tell me it's name and what type of reputation it has?

 

you can get a pristine 328 or a very nice condition TR! id go with the TR !

 

355's are within that price change. make sure you get a sorted one though.

 

I know this is Fchat and all, but I can't help but think Lotus would be a good idea also. It doesn't have the Ferrari mystique, but it has the looks, and the performance. And the price is right. Just something to consider...

 

Espada

 

oh cmon now even in jest........................thats just wrong!!! like i said.....328 or a TR......to truely understand come see and go for a test ride in both at our shop!!

 

The BS meter on my computer just pegged!

 

How bout something different ?
Can Ghiblis still be had for $60k?
Khamsin?
Alfa Montreal.
My pick for the 3x8 series is a fiberglass 308. Weber carbs, yum !

But of course the correct answer is an NSX.

 

Look for a properly sorted 348, a lot of fun and if maintained will be as reliable as the 328's. TR would be a lot more fun but operating costs are the highest of the bunch.

 

Except the OP said he wanted a Ferrari.

Not in my experience.

I like 348s, and they are fun, but they do tend to have more stuff go wrong than the 328 and 308 QV. That said, none of these cars are Lexuses. (Thank God... )

 

You could be more polite than to refer to someone with whom you have conducted a transaction and may encounter within a community as "more money than brains." More politeness will benefit both you and the community.

 

A friend of my family has 2 348s; a Challenge car that he bought to track (obviously) and a 348ts that he drives regularly, and we all talk Ferrari a lot and he has had very few issues with the 348, he is the original owner though and has been good to the the car but still, its been reliable for him. That being said that is my only real experience with the 348s. Also as with everyone on the board whenever someone asks about buying a used Ferrari I always tell them to get a full service history.

 

You are quite correct with what you said, but his own son said the same thing as me about more money than ______. The gentleman has just recently retired, with a fully paid mortgage and cashed out his UCRP pension and is spending money like it is going out of style according to the son. I don't know if the son is upset that his Dad is spending his inheritance or what, but told me that his Dad is buying all sorts of things for prices that are insane. I think the son told me he also bought a 99 Viper GTS ACR for $74k. (you can find one on viperalley.com for under $50k)

 

Per flyboynm;

Anyhow, if you had $60k or so to spend on an exotic, what would you look into? I am open to any car, but would prefer a Ferrari.

Jon; Its rare that you are wrong. Just in this and Presidential selections