entry level ferrari advice

Well, I don't own a Ferrari, but like any used exotic, buy the best you can condition wise and have $10k left over. Get a nice $30k 308 or Mondial and you'll be fine with $10k for surprises.

Ken

 

Spend only $20 - $25K on the car and save the rest back for repairs, and you're good!

348s are not yet down to this so you're really looking at the GT4, Mondial or 308/328 market.

'entry level' is a bit of a misnomer as ALL these above will have significant upkeep expense as time goes on, that's just part of it...

Your preferences?

I bagged a nice, low miles, 2 owner 1977 308GTB within that range, but you have to keep a lookout and be ready to move fast when the deal pops up!

I drew the line at 1977 because of the catalytic converters......but that a historical car, if it's that old! Simple technology, straight forward repair.....

 

Buy the best 328 you can find.

 

LOL! Ken! Almost the same answer!

 

Scott, I'm also newer to Ferrari and I don't have endless money to spend on a car. I've talked to a couple of independent F-car mechanics and one dealer, and read voraciously on this board to learn what I could.

Of the more "affordable" cars, the 328 comes up over and over again. Reasons include galvanized steel, better electrical components, more modern underpinnings (i.e., suspension design) and acceptable performance. Sports Car Market rates the desirability of all the Ferrari models over the years, and even the last and "best" of the 308 series - the '84/85 quattrovalvoles - don't fare better than two stars on a four-star scale. Granted this is someone's opinion (Keith Martin's, I believe), but if you have the budget it seems like the 328 is the way to go. There seem to very nice ones (but not show cars) in the $40K's. However, between $30K and $40K you may have a hard time finding a well sorted 328.

That said, "buy the best car and get a PPI" seems to be universal advice. If you can buy a GREAT 308 or stretch into low-end 328 territory, probably most people here would tell you to get that great 308. Some people love the classic look of the 308 cockpit. Some people just think it's dated.

The Mondial 3.2's seem to lose points for being less of a collectors' item, maybe because they're a 2+2 design, but I think they're very striking cars and probably have the same virtues and costs as a 328 at a better price. These should be available, nice, between $30K-$40K easily. However since this is probably a weekend toy for you, it should get your pulse going. Mondials don't do this for everyone.

I very seriously considered an '85 308GTSi qv in black/red, and it's a gorgeous car, but too many people nudged me up to the 328 range. The car was also overpriced and I didn't want to get buried in the most expensive 308 in existence. It had sat around too much to "need nothing" when I would have taken ownership. Beautiful car, though. A 328 in with that mileage/condition would have gone mid $50K's at least.

I have not heard anyone recommend 1960s Ferraris for newcomers. I'm guessing that parts availability and increased maintenance are two of the reasons. I'll defer to the vintage experts here.

Hope this helps. I'm not writing as the ultimate Ferrari expert, but I've been on the hunt and this is what I've seen/learned.

Jon

 

My first was a 328. Perfect first Ferrari- if you want to save a few buck upon entry then go the 308 route. Very high fun factor maintenance is low and fairly simple lots of guys do it themselves.

 

Remember, there are three flavors of Ferrari that you can get in this price range.

308 GTB/GTS

Mondial

365/400/412

Each offers a very different driving experience. Try them all before you try and find the best.

 

Get a 12 cylinder car if you can afford it. FYI, while some trim parts for 1960s era front engined v12s may be hard/expensive to find, routine maint and/or mechnical parts are readily available often at prices lower than the more modern v8 cars. And, the early simple v12s are much more reliable than the later cars with their complex electrical/electronic systems.

 

308/328

 

No Question about it- The 328. Considered to be the best built Ferrari ever to date. Least likely to drain your wallet with maintanance issues (although no Ferrari is cheap!). Well built. Get a nice one ($40-45K) and you wont go wrong,

Dan

 

328....for that amount of dough if you can or a 308. I personally bought my first Ferrari and went with the 348TS. Love the power, handling and style and that it isn't 20 years old yet.

The engine out does suck but the better performance you get over the 328 far outweighs that cost for me all day long. Good Luck to you.

Mike

 

Since the 308 and 328 all have the motor mounted transversely, your probably still looking at a more maintenance expense when compared to a 348 (conventional front to back layout). Given your price range, I'd look for a 328 becuase that horsie has more oats under the rear hood.

Do your research and drive a few examples before buying.

 

I'd heard the opposite.

 

"Since the 308 and 328 all have the motor mounted transversely, your probably still looking at a more maintenance expense when compared to a 348 (conventional front to back layout)"

No, the 308 and 328 are less expensive as the engine does not need to come out for general maintenance.
Pull the left side rear tire and you have access to the clutch and pressure plate.
Pull the right rear tire and you have access to the water pump, alternator, cam belts.

Removing a tire and fiberglass wheel well are much less involved than pulling an engine to do the same thing.

 

I just upgraded my 1988 328 GTS for a 360. It was hard to let it go. 328s have a lot going for them. Decent power, great handling, popular styling, low cost, low maintenance. The GTS has the targa top. They have a pretty big trunk in the back - big enough for a golf bag. Built from 86 to 89, try to get an 88, 88 1/2, or an 89. In 88 1/2 and 89 they came out with ABS brakes (but the 5 spoke wheels became convex instead of concave). Service history is important. Get one with a fresh timing belt (less than 3 years old). Mine was trouble free. Radios were all aftermarket items so check it carefully. Interior controls were designed before ergonomics were invented. Very Italian. You need the owners manual to work the lights, a/c vs. heat vs. fresh air, etc. Floor pedals are way to the right (clutch pedal is RIGHT of steering wheel center) - it takes a little getting used to. Don't let your friends drive it without lots of open space - a Mall parking lot after hours works well. Good luck.
Toggie

 

Remember an 8 is only 2/3 of a 12 in more ways than just cylinder count, such as build quality! The 12s were and are always the top of Ferrari's production road car line and their build quality is far superior than their entry level 8 count cars. I have owned 2 8 cylinder and 4 12 cylinder Ferraris and my former TR, 330GTC, 400GT and my current BB512i all have a much higher build quality than my former 328GTS and 348 Spider by a long shot. It's not even close!

 

If you plan on doing your own service work and are not very experienced I would draw the line at 85 308. Anything after that and the DYS difficulty grows.

 

Best buys?
Agree with others:

328 if you can afford that

3.2 Mondial if you like it

 

Glassman,
If anything, 328's are easier to service than QV's. The ignition system is simpler and most systems are better overall with better layouts as well. Most items are basically the same layout as 308's.

Dave

 

While 328s do look good...they are so S...L...O...W... A Honda Accord will outrun one without even trying. Go with the torque of a 12 whether it is an older V12 or a flat12 like a Boxer or TR. You will not regret it!

 

You missed the budget constraints.........

I don't think he's quite into 12 cylinder territory yet...........

 

He's in the V12 2+2 territory.

And I agree with Frank, the V12 2+2's actually have the best build quality of any Ferrari of the same era.

The 3x8, really IS the entry level car.

 

Oh Pulleeeese! 328's might not be the fastest Ferraris ever made and we understand you don't like V-8 Ferraris, but a Honda Accord will most certainly NOT outrun a 328, trying or not. Especially if the road has a slight amount of twist in it.

If it's all about how fast the car is, we should all be driving WRXs, EVOs and C-6 Corvettes. Honestly, how many of us drag race our Ferraris?

My opinion? For your money, a late 308 QV will be hard to beat. A 328 is going to be at the limit of your budget and you will have no reserve for maintenance. The QV is a civilized, reasonably modern, fuel-injected car that is reliable and can be driven every day. It sounds good, it's fast, it handles great and it has the classic styling of the most recognized Ferrari ever made.

Birdman