The first day with my "new" 328 GTS

yeah, took me a while to get used to pulling up to a stop light and looking at hubcaps on cars beside me ...kinda L O W rider

 

I'm 6'7", so right there with you. With the top on, the head brushes with my knees touching the dash. Of course, it helps to lean to the center of the car while you drive with the top on.

But like you said, it's much easier with the top off. Of course, make sure it's not going to rain on you! (See my story here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153301 )

And congrats on the 328! I've had mine about 3 months now and love driving it as much now as the first day I got it.

Of course, it's going off to the shop for the belt service and anything else that the mechanic says needs doing, so I'll be missing it for a while (and dreading the hit the pocketbook will eventually take, depending on what he finds!)

Oh, and I'll add the obligatory 'post some pictures'

 

5 hours? don't think i've driven that much since i've had my car. Good for you!

 

Congrats, and there will be lots more years of fun driving ahead of you.
I too never use the radio for the same reason, I had mine for one year and three months and put in 5K miles and I only turned my radio on once just to make sure it works and it does.
How about posting some pics.

 

The shift pattern of Ferraris is the race pattern. How often do you use first while racing. This pattern makes it more difficult to get great 0-60 times but that's not what the car is about. Once you are in second gear it is a much easier pattern to drive quickly and efficiently in the fun stuff...the twisties.

 

Grats on the ride!

I couldn't believe how low these things sit... I don't think the roof even comes up to my belly-button!

 

Congratulations on the car! I also have a red/tan 88.5 328 GTS.

Believe me, you have only scratched the surface of the idiosyncracies these fantastic cars possess. But that is what makes them special.

My favorite times with my car are on a nice summer evening, right after the sun goes down. Temperatures in the 60's, roof off the car. Ripping along the back roads, running up and down through the gears. Life doesn't get much better.

 

Congrats! I glad that it sounds like you're already driving the heck out of it, like you should! I know what you mean about the big shoes. I quickly determined that I could only wear certain shoes while driving!

 

I can’t speak to the 328, but my 308 experience is that the gas pedal should move pretty freely if the carpet isn’t in the way and if the linkage has been lubricated, particularly the bell crank mechanism on the throttle body.

 

Congratulations on your purchase ! It sounds like you are having a blast. I've had my car for a few years and the driving experience doesn't even come close to wearing off.

I know what you mean about the firm gas pedal push .. it seems normal after a while. I've actually driven the car a couple of times with bare feet - like quickly running to the store from the beach. You will really notice the gas pedal push should you ever do that.

What city did you find your baby in ?

 

Just like my first experience driving my 328. Here are a few additions:

1. RPM would not come down to idle all the time.
(Floor mat was sliding up and pushing on the accelerator. Some say this is the cruise control feature.)
2. Once my right foot got caught under the brake when shifting, so I could not ease off the accelerator when pusing in the clutch. (Zoom Zoom Zoom!)
3. When rolling slightly backwards down my driveway, don't try and put it in reverse gear. It tends to grind.

Surprisingly, each time one of these events happens, I laugh out right. Strange isn't it? A great sporty car and I don't mind a few screw ups now and again? All part of the experience I say.

 

My foot has gotten slightly snagged under the brake as well - I figured it was just me.

I've been thinking about racing pedals or driving shoes to reduce that chance.

 

Birdman on the forum here has some AWESOME matt grabbers that take care of the pesky problem!

Invest in a set of driving shoes that are narrow and don't have the thick rubber typically found on most shoes.

My experience (so far) is that the car has to be DEAD STOPPED to put in reverse... otherwise it grinds.

ENJOY THE RIDE!

 

Congratulations....buy the ticket, take the ride.

A few other things I've learned about the 328...

Wait till the oil pressure registers on the gauge before tipping the accelerator to begin alternator charging...

It's better to drive conservatively to bring the vehicle up to temperature than sitting at idle....see the Oil 101 and beyond primers.

Lastly, remember things will go wrong. Don't worry, be patient and search through Fchat for other folks with similar problems. If nothing presents itself, there are many great folks willing to help here.

Welcome and I look forward to seeing some pics.

 

Congrats!! My 328 has spoiled me for every other car.

Depress the clutch, move the lever briefly into first, then slip it into reverse. The synchro will ensure everything truly is at a dead stop so there will be no grinding.

I don't believe reverse is synchronised in 3x8s.

 

A little grind happened to me also at the beginning. I think it comes standard!
Congrats on your purchase. Enjoy it in good health.

 

328's are awesome. I can still vividly remember when I got my 328 in August of '97 and driving it home from Orange County on the freeway. I felt the whole world was watching me, because they were! There is no greater automotive experience that I've had than driving my red/tan 328 with the top off on a warm afternoon. Pricless! You will love it and the good thing is that it is not necessarily a wallet draining experience when you visit the mechanic. Drive it. Don't let it sit and it will reward you greatly. I drove mine practically every day, and washed it every weekend to keep it looking good. Have fun!

 

Yup, that works like a charm. I employed this trick after the very first grind of the reverse gear. Luckily I'd had much practice with the TR3, which has no syncro on first, so it's always "slip into second briefly, then into first" when taking off from a stand still.