value of non-red 3x8

I did a search but it came up empty. I know this is subjective and some people place a premium on non-red 3x8's but is there a general rule when determining the value of a non-red car ? or is color irrelevant ?

I have a friend who I trust that says never pay more than $35k for a 3x8 with more then 50,000 miles and subtract $2-4k on top of that if its not red. He obviously owns a red one

I think its hard to beat a White 3x8 and I would never personally consider a Black car of any make, I will ride in the Black car when I am in the pine box in the back (Ok, my wife prefers Black cars but I think its wrong and I wont own one). But Black 3x8's seem to actually have a premium attached to them instead of a lower price tag.

Non Red 3x8's seem to stay on the market longer and end up selling lower or they just don't sell, I am thinking of both purchase price for me and also want to be able to get rid of the car someday (hopefully decades when it wont matter) and don't want to be stuck.

I have seen a Gold 328 recently that I backed out of even though it looked pretty good there were some rust issues, in Gold the 328 looked ok but not stunning like in Red. I did not like the light green that I have seen but dark green looks ok. And while a 246 looks awesome in Fly Yellow, I was not crazy about it on the 3x8 (only seen it in pics though). White is so far my fav of the non-red's I have seen. Obviously, I wont refuse Red but I am wondering how to set a value.

I am guessing I am going to get "its up to the buyer and how badly he wants it" answers but I am hoping for guidelines.

 

Buy condition not colour or mileage. Red is the most saleable colour but it does not trump condition when valuing a car.

Sorry to tell you but your 'friend' knows nothing about these cars if he makes such generalizations.

 

I'm a good data point on black 3x8s looking the best, as I willingly paid a higher premium for one relative to a red counterpart.

 

I saw a white with red interior and I loved it but both colors speak to me when put together like that. White/red would be my preference. Classic.

Your observations seem as relevant as any others. Many people say their 1st Ferrari has to be red. 3X8 are still on the list for many people as their first so there is likely a bigger pool of buyers for the red.

And I agree with you on black cars. I've vowed to never own one. But I do own a black Ferrari, somehow seems different. And yes, it's dirty in 10 minutes and shows scratches like crazy but with the top down (mondial) I don't seem to mind too much.

 

When I was shopping for my first 328 I was dead set on blk/tan, then I saw a white one for sale on George Evan's website. I bought it and overpaid. Loved that car and in white its amazing.

Now BESIDES white, I would say Blue Chairo is a close second

 

IMO condition affects value over anything else unless it is a really off color.

 

well actual condition is still unknown to me, I still need to see it in person. If I trust the seller its good. I looked at a Gold one a few weeks that did not knock my socks off (except for price which was really cheap) but rust issues killed it for me, oh yeah, it also did not run but that was just a detail, like I said cheap.

Its not a off color, just never seen Blue Chairo in person YET

And to Nuvolari about my friend not knowing what he is talking about, I do trust him but (and I have to be careful because he will read this) he also is too strict on his "rules" sometimes.

Thanks to everyone for the confirmation on what I was thinking about color. Making plans to see the car...

geez...does everyone get butterflies when they might finally pull the trigger...

 

Was the gold 328 the one at Smith volvo? Butterflys are normal. Blue Chairo is stunning in person.

 

yes, it was. Sales guy said it was having some CIS issues but not to worry they would fix them. There were some rust bubbles poking up by the passenger's flying buttress where it joins the body and also car had been resprayed with some poor masking around the windshield. It may have been a fine car but not to me. I can handle a engine rebuild but NOT rust.

 

It looked like a sharp car in the pictures but you never can tell. It dosen't really instill confidence in a buyer when a seller presents a car that dosen't run. If it dosen't run it should be at a shop being fixed.

 

I was looking for a non-red car and was prepared to pay a premium for right color. I've had plenty of red cars (not Fcars) and thought it would be too flashy. Bought QV in Nero Metallico and can't be happier with the color choice.

 

What he said. Condition, condition, originality and condition are really the big four at this point, given the age of the cars.

Red is the expected color and dirt common ('Magnum' effect, in part), but other than black the others are all pretty rare. I would pay a premium for blu sera or blu chiaro, but if an all-original red 308 GTS crossed my path I'd have a hard time saying 'no' to it.

My ex 328 was black metallic and won trophies in part because it really stood out among rows of red 328s at shows.

 

We've moved into a era of amazing drabness; black, white, gray (silver), beige predominate in cars and clothes. Red is the the iconic Ferrari color so it's not a negative. If not red, the color had better be black or white or silver it will be a negative. I actually abandoned a search for a Porsche 996 three years back because virtually EVERY car I saw offered was either black or silver and I wouldn't buy either.

 

This is a GOOD answer!

Buy the specification and then look for a color YOU like!

I happen to agree with you about black, but both my new Ducati AND my Cadillac are black, because they were screaming low deals!

It's a buyers market right now for anything if you still have cash in your pocket.

 

Slightly confused here, are you saying that if not black/white/silver you would think that a negative ? or those are the colors that would be negative. Of course I assume everyone has by now figured out from my last post its Blue Chairo which I personally think is a positive (still not seen it in person, so I reserve the right to change my mind).

lets just say that we all know your ex 328 was a lot more than "special", still not my color of choice but your cars condition was legendary.

 

Yep, sharp looking car!!!

 

There is no data to support red Ferraris sell for more, only data that supports more red Ferraris sell, but that is simply a factor of the larger production of red.

A fundamental rule of economics applies to Ferraris and other classic cars -- the supply of a certain color reflects the demand for it then and now. Since there were/are more people who (did and/or currently) prefer red, the supply reflects that, but it also reflects a similar smaller supply yet equally competitive demand for those who specifically do not want rosso...or specifically want Blu Chiaro, Argento, Blu Medio, Azzurro, Nero, Nero Metallico.... So the market values remain in balance.

 

interesting point about no hard data on red cars, I think I can agree with that. In my experience (and I have been "looking from the sidelines" for many years) the non-red seem to sell for less or take longer to sell but that could easily be just a observation from me and I could easily be wrong.

Either way, while I love Red cars, this will be my first non-Red car in 38 years of driving (Trucks don't count as cars).

For now...I have thousands of questions and I have spent large amounts of my work day on FCHAT and I have downloaded the owners manual and when I get home I will spend quality time with Blumel's 328 restoration book that I bought 5 or 6 years ago.

Thanks for the info guys, I think the answers helped.

 

Yes, except for red Ferraris (and Corvettes). Its not just me; people don't seem to think colors are for "cool" cars any more. Just look at any Porsche, BMW or MB lot. Other colors don't sell; especially unusual colors that are as dated as leisure suits.

 

It always goes down to supply and demand. Yes, more people like red Ferrari's but also they made a lot more of them.

I don't think there's any direct correspondence between color and selling price. Condition, mileage, records, originality, etc have a lot more to do with it than color.

 

I bought mine because it -wasn't- red. When I, in a moment of weakness, had it for sale, there was resistance to buying it because it wasn't red. So it works both ways.

I have seen the Chiaro Blue 328 that is (was?) local. It's gorgeous.

 

You know what they say... "Once you go black..."

I few years ago I was looking for a nice black 328 and after awhile I stopped to look at one in Blue Chiaro. Wow, what a beautiful car! However, the dealer had it premium priced based on its rare color.

It looked just like this one but the wheels were different:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=9180
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Another Fchatter is about to chime in about anything but Red.

I on the other hand lean heavily toward Red for Ferrari's although I would consider black. The two Ferrari's I have owned have been Red, and although I like to see the cars in other colors, to me, Ferrari = Rosso Corsa just as British X-series cars = British racing green.

Call me a traditionalist. That being said, not surprisingly I agree with Bullfighter that the most important things are condition, condition, and originality.

They are getting harder to find in nice, stock conditions as each year passes. Just find a nice OEM type car and keep working on improving condition.

MB

 

Ahem, cough black metallic cough, cough ...

I like red, but having had a red car in my younger years I wanted something out of the ordinary for the marque. To me it was all about condition first color second, but keeping an eye out for both if the right opportunity came up.

 

I like non-red cars.

I don't think there is any price difference, but I think red cars are easier to move. Especially for 308's which are the quintessential "first Ferrari". I think most first time buyers want red.

I actually wanted blue, but my spouse said if I was buying a Ferrari it was red or nothing.