328 handling capabilities

From my own somewhat limited experience, there's quite a bit of body roll.
But it's consistent and predictable - I've had no issues. But then I don't hit
the track chicanes at redline either....

 

Big difference is the brakes and tires. The OEM 205/225 rubber limits your grip, and the brakes are prehistoric compared to what you can get on any modern performance car -- you have to brake farther in advance of any corner just to scrub the speed.

Probably the best handling car I've been in was a Boxster S. Not the most straight line power in the world, but I got the impression with PASM, ABS, EBD and all the other alphabet soup working behind the scenes that I would have to do something utterly stupid to unstick the car. (And IIRC the bhp ratings are comparable.) It may be as much car as I can handle at my skill level.

With the 328, the car will let you kill yourself if that's on the day's agenda. That said, it's really nicely balanced in terms of power to chassis. You'll know when the 328 has had enough playtime...

 

I have quite a bit of experience with 328's and other cars on and off tracks.

First off, 328's are a lot of fun to drive. If you go 8/10ths on a public road, you may think you are invincible handling wise. The car has terrific balance, the steering is responsive and the chassis very communicative. Even though I have a 430, I still find the 328 a satisfying drive on a twisty mountain road whcih I have in abundance where I live.

Now for the objective truth. On a track where you explore limits, it is no where near competitive with modern cars of any kind. It's still fun to drive but the chassis design dates to the 60's and the car has lots and lots of body roll. Bullfighter mentions the skinny tires. I've had fatter ones on the track, but they don't help much, if at all. Even so, you can do nice 4 wheel drifts, steer it with the throttle and have lots of fun. Ferrari DNA is still there, just with a lower limit. Here's an example of what I mean......some years ago, I had my 2004 Subaru STI at a track with one of my buddies and his QV. We are of about equal talent. He got mad when I lapped him twice in a 20 minute session. A couple of weeks later, I took my 328 to a track and was promptly lapped by another STI twice a session.

I don't care. I really enjoy driving the car. I haven't tracked a 328 in the last 4 or 5 years but a mountain ride is always a special occassion. It is more involving than about any other car you can drive new or old.

Dave

 

I drive both my Boxster S (albeit with front/rear chassis mounts, sport suspension, etc.) and totally stock 328 GTB regularly on Mulholland, PCH, Highway 18 to Lake Arrowhead, and other twisty Southern Ca roads and totally agree, at 8/10 or below, both cars are both wonderfully alert and poised, I'd say the Ferrari even more focused due to the lack of power steering and excellent feedback, but pushed past the point of adhesion, things become dramatic very quickly in the Ferrari, and not in a good way. Still, up until that point, it's the car I enjoy the most and has become my daily driver for the past few weeks as I found a route on Mulholland that actually gets me to work!

 

Wonderful car but the 3X8 is more boulevardier than track day weapon. Stock suspension is nice and compliant, providing a very nice ride, but as indicated above there's quite a bit of roll. Brakes are OK but not great. Basically, any Subaru WRX or 10 year old porsche 996 is going to waste you in both the twisties and the straights. Frankly, taking a stock 3X8 to a track day seems a little like taking your grampa out paint balling with your 20 something college buddies.

No doubt there are significant upgrades available to make the car much more capable at speed however if you want to go that direction.

 

Agree with everything that's been said above about a stock 328 on the track. Lots of (far too much!) body roll. On the road its a different thing and a really nice car to hustle along. Makes a world of difference if you have the suspension set up/aligned though.

Had mine done on one of those Hunter Laser alignment setups - a few small adjustments here & there, a couple of shims added & one taken away & it is a different car to drive - much less nervous & much sharper turn-in etc.

 

I had the pleasure of taking my 87 328GTS on the famous Mosport race track for a few laps a few weeks back with the FCA. The balance of the car impressed me the most...steering input was effortless and precise ..the brakes were strong for a 23 year old car but I had to break alot earlier than the 360's and 430's in front of me
All in all a blast to drive on a track from time to time for sure but I'll take a twisty road on a fresh fall day over a track any day

 

I have fun getting off interstate highways in the cloverleafs. That long flat turn can be fun in a lower gear and high RPM. Especially if you have some guy in a 4banger foreign car trying to be cute on your tail. Joe

 

Just watch your oil pressure through those long turns......

 

Some people who I took a ride in my 328 remarked that they were surprised at the speed we were able to take around corners but did not feel the G-force of other cars they rode in. I think it is because we are so close to the center of gravity that the lever arm acting on the occupants is shorter so a higher speed is required to experience the Gs of cars sitting higher. Also I found as you accelerate out of a corner I am able to "unwind " the wheel earlier than with other cars that are taller.

 

I agree. The 80s V8 Ferraris (of which I am a past and present owner and love!) are now performance antiques. Compared to modern performance cars, they are soft, slow, small braked, skinny tired, underpowered, etc. To get wasted on the straights and the track, you can look much further down the performance ladder than a Subaru WRX or 996, for sure. Your basic BMW 3 series, or even probably new Honda Accords, will lay a beatdown on us.

Still, there's no other sportscar I'd rather own, or be driving, on a nice sunny So. Cal. Saturday!