Ferrari's Mechanics Special

Life long dream to own and drive a Ferrari.

I could afford to buy one out right -- but I also like my cars to have a story.
I also like to compartmentalize my toy money from my family funds.
So I might sell off one or more of my P-car toys to fund the F-car project.

I picked up my first Porsche 4 years ago with a blown engine.
It became my daily driver.

I'm now up to 6 Porsches including 4 track cars, including a
full on LeMans 911 clone whose engine I rebuilt. (pic below to
show I am serious)
The F-car would be a street car -- I have plenty of P-car track machines.

Time to tackle my dream and put some of my mechanical abilities
and interests into an F-car.

I think my budget puts me in the 308-348 range as an entry point.
I'm looking at a car needing mechanicals, engine refresh, that kind of work.
Not interested in body/paint -- not my thing.

What should I look for? where should I look and what should I expect to pay?

thanks,

Mike in Austin
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I was a porschephile before I came to Ferrari. Had mostly water cooled 924's, Boxster and my 928. From a technical standpoint the 928 is the biggest pain, maintenance hogging.. in the @$$ I have ever owned. It takes alot to keep it running and it still needs more. CIS in the 79 with corrosion if you don't drive it, needs constant attention. That being said.. I can't sell the damn car because I have an emotional attachement and the 800 bucks I'll get for it just isn't worth the sale. From a technical side, Ferrari's are a piece of cake to work on! They're simple and designed for racing, and rebuild.

When I was shopping for my Ferrari it was a 360 or a 348. I came across my 360 with a few issues and I fixed them myself and the car is now truly "mine". I would have picked up a 348 in the past, but I was done with 80's technology with my 928.

Ferrari's that haven't been in an accident are rather rare to pick up. It seems most owners keep them in pretty good shape. To find a fixer up special.. like you might see a 911 with a trashed engine for 1/4 the price.. it's not too common from what I've seen. Mechanically most are in somewhat decent shape. You might find one that needs a clutch for a little less, but htis mostly factored into the price anyway. I've seen a couple Mondials that needed some love for about $10-15k, a 308 or so for $18-20ish and some 348's for low $30's. The 348 being in need of an engine out belt change and water pump rebuild. This would be the car to get and do it in the garage. IMHo. You probably have the right tools and the skills to make it happen. Low cost because engine out is expensive.

The other rub with these earlier cars is the parts prices. The parts are expensive to begin with. Back of panorama, Zims prices etc. Double it. At least. Some parts arent' available anymore at all. So these, AC computers in particular, are a few grand new, over a grand used. Limited availability = high cost. It's not just labor. Not a common repair, but expensive if it goes.

I do most work in my garage and it's definitely doable.. but just doing the work yourself isn't going to make it cheap. Less expensive.. but not inexpensive. I think you can do it.

 

^^^^^^

What he said.

Seriously, a good 308 is going to run around $30k or so. Fixer uppers are going to be in the high teens low twenties. Then you get into all the subdivisions - the carbed cars, the "i" cars, and the QVs.

The 328 and 348 are going to be slightly more modern and have more electronics (ABS, etc).

308/328 can do major service without dropping the engine which does make it a LOT easier to deal with.

So, what sounds the most appealing to YOU??



PDG

 

Ok I do have a 928 -- '82 Euro 300hp, It's not the electricals -- it's the damn vacuum controls

i also have various 924S/944 race cars and a 951 street/track car.

I had a Boxster and a 996 that I rebuilt -- but they don't excite me.

I think I'm leaning towards the 348 -- nice blend of $$, possible discounts
due to engine out work that I could do myself, and exotic, while still being
a little newer.

I think the 355's might be a little steep for the playground I want to play in.
308's maybe too old and not enough umphh and while 328's are sexy
enough -- I might not be able to use my mechanical possibilities as
a sufficient bargaining chip.

thx,

Mike

 

PM Sent [348]

 

PM me....we can talk