Does this 328 look familiar?

Poor car. I think the wheels and painted grill were a step in the wrong direction.

 

Agreed. But the damage is reversible.

 

Sort of like the contrast. Better than the concave type rims and fit the wheel well pretty good. Also like the black grill. Just joined forum. Great place to learn for buyers. I have been shopping for 328 after having had a 308 and now a NSX. In reading some older threads there seems to be good argument for and against the black grill look. Anyhow, as you said, pretty reversible. They made enough of these cars so that there is no need to keep every car out there original as they will never truly be "rare birds" so one might as well have fun doing some simple mods to personalize their car.

 

How many silver 328s are out there? 200 worldwide? 150?

 

Point taken. Still, not sure that a rare color would justify more money. I just talked with the owner. I am going to check the car out in person on Friday since I have to drive from Phoenix to Denver and it is on the way. I think that will ease my mind based on earlier threads with conflicting opinions on the car. He said he has the original wheels and steering wheel available as an option to the buyer. I like the compomotive wheels on the car and, if need be, could always have them repainted. They simply fit the wheel wells better than the stock ones and are expensive to buy new. If I bought a 328 that had stock rims I was always considering going aftermarket anyway. Don't care much for the big stereo system but I remember from my 308 days it was impossible to hear the radio unless you blasted it. So more power may be OK although the engine noise is music enough for me. Bad timing for shopping though since I will be flying from Denver to europe for 3 weeks the next day.

 

Is the late model suspension designed for the ABS all that much better than earlier cars? In other words, a noticeable handling improvement?Worth more $?

 

Long thread earlier here http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243877

The wolves were unfairly after the seller I think. Not everybody needs a perfect car and this was priced accordingly.

 

Precisely the reason I have been viewing the forum for months but not joining it - every forum has it's wolves. Take the good with the bad. Anyway, I'm looking for a car I can drive daily and not worry about keeping "showroom" for my price range of 30-35K. I drove long distances to look at three $30k+ cars over the last 6 months only to have cars represented as excellent have rust bubbles and shabby interiors. However, Once you get to the $45k+ range the cars become seriously nice. However, I wouldnt want to worry about keeping them that way. A little patina goes a long way when it comes to enjoying the car! Sort of like an old leather jacket.

 

I agree completely. There is a price to pay for "perfection and originality" which exceeds my budget. Being a DIY type, I don't care about an odd tear or ding, I just need to know that she was not salvaged or jerry-rigged for a quick sale. A major doesnt scare me - in fact, it would give me peace of mind as opposed to getting a car that "supposedly" just had a major. This way I can watch the service actually being done.

OK. Will report my findings, although I may seriously be after it!

 

Driving a car home is half the fun! What a way to become familiar with a new ride, especially a Ferrari!

It also brings out all the issues immediately - some good, some not so good. I have bought at least 6 cars from around the country and driven them home. Just about everyone of them had time spent in the NAPA auto parts parking lot for DIY repairs but they all made it home. Mostly dumb stuff like points but other items such as electronic over-drives, water pumps, and hoses bursting were the worst of them. Many of the journeys were 2 day trips so by the time I got the cars home they were well sorted through! On occasion when I have had to ship cars I bought I just used open carriers. Once again, the cars were not pristine so having them on the cheaper open carriers saved a bundle on shipping.

 

That sounds very doable. He won't get near 40k but 32k is a perfect price. I didnt bother asking about a buy-it-now price but since I will see the car tomorrow - maybe I will see if he will deal off of Ebay. My problem is that I will be out of the country the next day for 3 weeks and he may not want to hold the car for three weeks until I can get back to do a little banking to pull together all the funds. At 32K there is room to do a major bringing the car to around 37K. I don't think that is a bad price at all for a late model 328 that is fully serviced.

 

I agree. Silver looks great too, particularly with the convex wheels, IMHO.

 

He said the wheels are available - maybe he'll throw them in. I like the aftermarket wheels so I would want both sets - one for originality sake and the other for aesthetic/performance sake. I won't ask till its time to cut a deal.

 

Before wasting money on a one way ticket, get him to fax all the paperwork to support the documented service history he reports to have. Unless it has had a lot of work done in last 18 months, this car won't make it out of town. Sorry to be truthful but I flew to Houston and drove the car . I wish it was as represented because I like silver 328s and would have purchased. Again, if you don't do a PPI from a legitimate mechanic with Fcar experience you are going to be sadly dissapointed. If I remember correctly, Ferrari of Houston had this car for several weeks two years ago and the previous owner ( search is your friend) did not want to correct the plethora of problems. Might be worth a call. And $32K?... Look around.

 

Astonishing how different markets create incredible differences in price levels. Over here, for the equivalent of 32k dollars, you'll be lucky to get a good GT4, don't stand a hope to get even a totally clapped out 2-seater 308.

It appears that some posters have examined the car; why not post the findings? I see a lot of speculation, but no facts, apart from the post prior to this one. And that post doesn't mention specifics.

I find it amazing how something can get talked down by nearly all, in a situation where most have not ever seen the car, let elone examined it properly and driven it.

Anyone can see that the wheels are not original and the grille is painted. Oh dear, horror, disgust. So, I them must assume that all the posters in this and the previous thread about this car have 100 point cars in their garages, which then presumably entitles them to bash everything else, because it is not up to their standard.

Yuck.

 

Jack, the link in post #8 above takes you to a long post that has another link of a post from 2006 that contains first hand observations.

But first hand observations by second parties aren't needed in this case. The pictures and the description by the owner himself tells all I need to know. There are so many quotes from the current owner I don't know where to start. Damage from a wreck, a serious oil leak, ratty interior, etc., etc.

This car has issues and until money is spent at a reputable dealer, the issues remain.

Regarding the owners in this section, I think that is a safe assumption. Maybe not 100 point cars but at least 95 point cars. A high standard is generally held in this section. And when someone bursts in here complaining that their perfect, errrrr, crappy car isn't getting any responses from buyers that person exposes himself to ridicule, which we, well at least I, am happy to do.

-F

 

Of course these things are there, but at least they are disclosed by the owner. Observations from 2006 are just that, observations. It appears that the car has had several owners since then (never a good sign) and what was wrong then may be fine now. What was good then though, may be horrible now.

I am in no doubt that most here keep their cars in optimal condition, including myself. That, however, doesn't entitle me to knock someone else's car on a ratty interior or a painted grille. An oil leak could have 50 different causes, a lot of which is relatively easily repaired, so look at what the cause is instead of dismissing the car because of it.
The car is priced below what a perfectly good 328 would fetch, so one must assume there is work to be done.
Apart from a car like Newman's, for instance and there will be others, I dare anyone to take detailed pics of his car and expose them here for all to find the faults, I think the outcome will be less than favourable.

 

The problem is not that the car has issues. The problem is the OP presents the car as without issues. He comes in here, creates a post asking why his "nice" car is not selling and then has to back track from that position when the car's true condition is exposed.

His current eBay add states there are no issues with his car. The original first hand review of the car stated there was oil in the radiator and I don't believe any proof has been presented by the owner showing that this has been addressed. When someone states there are no issues with the car but in fact there are issues, I call that being disingenuous.

Only if that person said, "Hey, check out (and buy) my flawless, no issues car". That person would, and IMO, should, be laughed at. BUT, if that person came in and said, "Hey check out my honest, good car, with some dings here and there and a couple of issues, and here they are:" the reaction would be MORE than favorable.

It's all about honesty and I don't see any in this case.

-F

 

From http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243877&page=6

"I never said my seats were original to the car, just not redyed. They are pristine examples from a 15K mile car. With all my vehicles I am extremely anal about details (being an architect helps) and often buy items mostly from ebay that allow me to slowly improve all my car's worn parts. My original seats, which I sold, were very nice although too shiny for my taste as you know can happen from a re-dye."


Now from the Ebay ad

"INTERIOR: Beautiful original black leather seats in excellent condition with no wear to bolsters or seat area. Embossed horses on headrests still visible as many tend to fade over time. "

This is the tip of the iceberg. I just hate to see someone buy this car (as I assure you it has not self-healed itself ) expecting a "cherry" car. Anyone that buys this car without a PPI ( which SFR has recommended himself) is going to get some expensive surprises.

 

ok - here is the straight dope! Regardless of suspicious details and no PPI this is my two cents worth. First of all, super nice guy. Nice wife and kid. Visually the car is stunning. Sure, it has a few minor scratches on the bumper but only in the clearcoat. Worst part was the fabric with the tear, but for me that is minor, besides, it is behind your head. The rest of the interior was pretty darn nice. The only thing was that was wrong electronically was the horn - sort of weak "toot". We went for about a 35 mile roundtrip up the local ski area mountain which goes from 7000 feet to 1000 feet in 15 miles of pure twisties. He let me drive the whole distance. I have to say, suspension was tight, engine strong and she shifted smooth. No bogging even at that altitude. I have to say that was the perfect road for that car. I kept an eye on the temperature and oil pressure and she never broke a sweat. At the top of the mountain we pulled over at a scenic overlook (awesome view, by the way - santa fe is beautiful) and popped the engine area open. No leaks or smells and she seemed OK. When we got back and let her cool for a while over a beer I inspected the coolant and there was no signs of oil in the antifreeze as some have described. I have to say, the guy is honest and doesnt know the history of the car but said that his mechanics gave it a clean bill of health and they work on all of santa fes exotics. Lets just say I have seen worse for more. Anyway, my dillema is that I'm off to europe tomorrow and he won't hold the car for 3 weeks even though I could have written him a check - he needs the cash ASAP. He did say if for any reason a deal fell through I'd be next in line (which doesnt do me much good). I have to see if I can do some long distance banking from France this week so I can put a decent bid on it because I believe she is worth at least 30K (to me anyway). Based on your conversations while I was out driving it there shouldnt be much competition bidding so I may actually score it for less if I can pull off the bank biz. Anyhow - gotta go off to Denver now. May be able to check in when overseas from a hotel later.

 

Here is another silver 328 for sale

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-%7cM-_51_%7cD-_32_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%2c7%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cZ-94123&aff=national&paId=309173690&recnum=10&leadExists=true