Low 20's should get a nice GT4, but there are 2 problems. 1. Finding a nice one is difficult. They have been cheap for so long that most of the ones I have seen have been indifferently maintained to be polite. 2. They are Italian and they are old, so they should be considered a work in progress. Great if you are mechanically adept, expensive if you are not. You should probably keep saving. Dave
Ditto - I wouldn't buy a 308GT4 or Mondial just because they fit your budget. You really, really need to like what you're buying, because you will be writing four-figure checks for service periodically. Peter Sweeney up at Forza in Connecticut seems to have a talent for finding nice driver 308's (www.forza.weblobby.com). He may also have the worst web site of any place I looked for Ferraris, but that's beside the point. Decent 308's with higher mileage might attainable, but I'd echo several other posts here and encourage you to build up your Ferrari savings and then get a car that gives you a rush every time you walk up to it. My two lira...
2 good points! The biggest factor in getting a "good deal" is what can you do yourself? If you would need to farm out just about everything that needed sprucing up...interior redo, mechanical upgrades, service...etc it will take a long time and suck you dry. If on the other hand you can do some of the things yourslef (and like doing it)like installing carpet, recovering door panels, installing upgraded parts, rebuilding water pumps, etc then you can find a nice little car that needs some TLC and your set. I personally found an 80 GTSi for $18K that had just been repainted, needed interior redo, new radiator, service but was otherwise a solid car. I did pretty much everything myself. I didn't put more than $4-$5k into the car and I now have a very nice, clean and for the most part reliable car. Thus it can be done. The search for the right project car will take a while though.
Coupe, yes that is in the range. The convertible, alas is a bit further from your price range. Handling is better then you would expect....as one of the other Mondial owners on the site. Also with the right tire selection I think you would really be pleasantly surprised. Back is not that bad too: http://www.geocities.com/mondial32sp/
The best way to get a good deal is to take your time, build up a slush fund and when a bargain comes up, be able to close the deal that day.
Hold out a little longer and wait for a 308. Also if you can't fix the car yourself you may not be able to afford to maintain it. So find something in the $25-30K range with a fresh 30k done on it and you'll be good for a few years.
I have bought many cars with problems over the years. If you have not done a few damaged cars or restorations you will probably under estimate time and parts needed, = money. The best deals on cars needing repair are on one that has a defined problem. Nice car broken belt, bad trans, etc. One that is run down all over can be a money pit. I look at them, do a worst case estamate and double it and that should put you in the ball park, if you are good. If you are bad you will get your education. If you think education is costly, try ignorance, It is more costly. Bottom line if you know what your doing you can come out well. If you don't you will probably lose your ass. I know this because I lost mine a few times until I got my education. So if this is your intent, as my dad used to say "you ain't go'na learn no younger". Just be carefull and have the tenacity and money to see a project through, and get enjoyment from doing a good job and it will be worth it. Good luck
