i've been thinking about a 400i as a daily | FerrariChat

i've been thinking about a 400i as a daily

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by ross, Jun 11, 2017.

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  1. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 25, 2002
    36,210
    houston/geneva
    Full Name:
    Ross
    i have never owned one, i have never driven one, i just figure a full auto 80's car ought to make a pretty easy going daily driver.

    what do you guys think?
     
  2. ArtS

    ArtS F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2003
    8,887
    Central NJ
    Been done. Look up threads by Alex L. - he used it to commute to NYC. His plate was Big Fiat.

    Along as you have a good car and stay ahead on maintenance, you will have a car with the reliability of a good 1980s car ;)

    I say: go for it!

    Regards,

    Art S.
     
  3. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 26, 2001
    14,093
    Canada
    Full Name:
    Newman
    I love mine. I run errands in it and use it almost daily without a hiccup. Sounds nice with the right exhaust choice but don't expect blistering performance. Despite having a driver BB in the garage space next to it, I reach for my 400i auto keys first.
     
  4. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
    1,591
    Romulus, NY (Finger Lakes)
    Full Name:
    Ken Battle
    Ross
    Yes, I could use mine asw a daily driver but it took me 6+ years to get it to that reliability. No matter how good a car you buy it will be 35 years old and will be hiding some glitches that can make driving inconvenient or leave you on the side of the road. I worked for reliability and ease of maintenance at the expense of originality, mainly with the electrics. Having done all of that (myself), it could be used as a daily driver; it has amazed me for 3 years how reliable it has been. I had to abort one trip in that tie that I can only link to a bad batch of fuel (water?) that cleared by the time I got back home.
    Ken
     
  5. Ashman

    Ashman Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2002
    31,629
    MA
    Full Name:
    John
    This. Plus, the Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection is pretty reliable and doesn't require much, if any, fiddling once it's set up. It was a widely used FI system in the early 80's on MB, Volvos and others so any halfway decent local garage mechanic can keep it adjusted for you.

    The a/c worked fine in mine and got me through some scorching July traffic jams in NYC without a problem.

    Examine the relay and fuse panel for burned contacts as it gets hot down there as contact solder points loosen up. You should look at buying an entire new remanufactured panel for about $1,500-2,000 all in installed.

    Now, about that 10 mpg and premium unleaded, use any credit card that maximizes your points and you will be good to go! If you live near a Costco, your annual membership allows you to buy premium at about the same price as regular elsewhere. Your membership will be paid for within a very few tanks of gas.
     
  6. jippiejake

    jippiejake Formula Junior

    Nov 6, 2012
    977
    Venice Beach
    Full Name:
    Mike Kerns
    #6 jippiejake, Jun 12, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I just bought a 400i for $23k that is a running driver that needs all sorts of maintenance. SO I figure I will drop $15k to $20k into it over the next 3 months while its at my local Ferrari Mechanic doing everything it would need to be reliable in Los Angeles traffic with the AC on Full-Blast..
    Really looking forward to it using 3-4 times a week to work.
    I'm using my GTC4 2 times a week, then my 1967 Sebring 1 time a week, so it will be a nice change to have an automatic in the traffic..
    So happy!!!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  7. ricar116

    ricar116 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2005
    409
    Bolivar, Missouri
    Full Name:
    Rick Carr
    That's fun!
     
  8. It's Ross

    It's Ross Formula 3

    Jul 30, 2007
    2,028
    Barrington, Ill. USA
    Full Name:
    Ross
    Absolutely! Provided it's all sorted out to begin with it'll be no worse than any other 30 year old car, depends on how you keep it up.
     
  9. OttoB

    OttoB Formula Junior

    Aug 17, 2013
    699
    Palm Beach, FL
    Congrats, Mike! Why don't you do a new thread on the recent acquisition? Obviously bought from a previous CA owner, correct? Seems its other stablemates will keep it in excellent company.
     
  10. Tomg

    Tomg Rookie

    Nov 7, 2003
    39
    Minnesota
    #10 Tomg, Jun 13, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yes, parked outside of the office today. It's more of a "nice day" daily driver and I take it places where it won't get the usual parking lot abuse. If you live in a warm climate make sure your A/C is totally up to snuff. It's a hot car without any A/C. Mine's dead at the moment.

    I daily drove the car for a couple of years before the oil leaks became excessive and life got in the way. It sat for about 8 years and then I had 2NA (from here on the forum) go through it and get it back to a solid driver again. Also new rubber from Longstone.

    BTW 5-speed not an auto
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  11. Ashman

    Ashman Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2002
    31,629
    MA
    Full Name:
    John
    Hi Tom:

    So glad to see you post on here and that you still have the Ben Kao/Monty Meersma 400i that you brought to the Formula 1 race at Indy in 2002!

    I drove that car in 1998 when Ben was selling it and only passed because his asking price was too high for the market at that point. Hearing that Tubi exhaust while powering through the tunnel in lower Manhattan by the Staten Island Ferry was something that I remember vividly to this day!

    Nice to see the car in good long term custodianship!
     
  12. Part Time

    Part Time Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 16, 2013
    494
    Port St. Lucie, Fl
    Full Name:
    Gary Shore
    #12 Part Time, Jun 15, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Keep up with normal maintenance and enjoy.....DRIVE it ! Too many cars sit inside a garage.

    Here is my "weekly" driver,
    I take mine to local car shows, out to eat and the local show nite at a Lowes parking lot.
    In 2 1/2 years it has never left me on the road, but I always have a list of things to fix.

    Gary

    1985 400i a/t original 12,7xx miles as of Tuesday.
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  13. ricar116

    ricar116 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2005
    409
    Bolivar, Missouri
    Full Name:
    Rick Carr
    I commute about 20K miles a year. About 7 years ago I had a 1990 Saab SPG. I was going to make it my commuter car. Reliable, safe, fun decent mileage. For two years I made it my primary driver/commuter. It became my only hobby almost an obsession to keep this vehicle as my daily driver. It never left me stranded, but I spent at least one and usually two weekends a month working on it to keep it going. Usually once every two months a trip to the Saab specialist. My other projects stalled. I loved driving it. Then one day I poked my head out of the rabbit hole and purchased a modern car. I am not saying don't do it, I am just saying keep 30 plus year old systems in perspective. What ever you choose enjoy your journey!
     
  14. Tomg

    Tomg Rookie

    Nov 7, 2003
    39
    Minnesota
    +1 to that.

    I really like the white color!

    83K on the odo for me.
     
  15. jippiejake

    jippiejake Formula Junior

    Nov 6, 2012
    977
    Venice Beach
    Full Name:
    Mike Kerns
    Thanks Otto..
    I will for sure.
    Just got it registered today, and out here in California these cars can be tough without those beautiful and precious DOT stickers.

    I have a few things that I wanted to ask you experts about.

    Here is my list:
    Sterling wheel, mine old and beat, any ideas?
    Automatic shifter gear indicator, looks very worn and hard to read.
    Door speaker grills, missing on the car
    Hood struts
    Carpet kits available?

    Thanks for your help..
     
  16. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 26, 2001
    14,093
    Canada
    Full Name:
    Newman
    find a good used wheel. Assuming a nardi since yours is a series 1 injected car
    shifter bezel is found in a fiat 131 or 134
    dont know
    a guy in alberta can fix them, Sam knows who
    I havent found any, I need mats
     
  17. jippiejake

    jippiejake Formula Junior

    Nov 6, 2012
    977
    Venice Beach
    Full Name:
    Mike Kerns
    Hi Barry,
    Thanks for your response..
    I don't know Sam, but I would love to contact the person in Alberta to repair the one I have..
    Thanks again.
    Mike
     
  18. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
    1,591
    Romulus, NY (Finger Lakes)
    Full Name:
    Ken Battle
    There are several posts about this. I think they are same as 512BB but that is likely no help.

    Go to LST Gas Springs / Lift Supports ? Canada's Premier Gas Spring Manufacturer & Supplier He is an Aussie in Saskatoon!

    He built mine custom for a fair price and he keeps good records. You can tell him to build same as for Ken Battle about 2008 (?)

    Be sure you install with the seal at low point (unlike the factor install) to keep seal lubed.
    Ken
     
  19. samsaprunoff

    samsaprunoff F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 8, 2004
    4,160
    Edmonton, AB Canada
    Full Name:
    Sam Saprunoff
    Good day Mike,

    Here is a thread about the lift struts where I posted the ones I replaced them with. The firm that does this is LS Technologies in Saskatoon (one Province over from me). Ken (SouthJersey400i) posted the info in an earlier post. LS does excellent work and the price was very reasonable.

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/365-gt4-2-2-400-412/477464-hood-shocks.html#post143724739

    As for Carpet sets... There is a firm on Ebay that makes carpet sets for the 400 series. They are nice quality, but are not as good as the originals... but are reasonably priced. Here is the thread which I posted the Ebay Seller, etc:

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/365-gt4-2-2-400-412/550954-source-new-floor-mats.html#post145348172

    Lastly, you may wish to familiarize yourself with the Search function as it provides a fast and easy method to locate any info that has been previously been discussed.

    Cheers,

    Sam
     
  20. jippiejake

    jippiejake Formula Junior

    Nov 6, 2012
    977
    Venice Beach
    Full Name:
    Mike Kerns

    Thanks so much Sam.
    I did try and search these items out and wasn't much available.,.I did see those carpet kits on Ebay and I'm getting sample of the carpet sent.
    .
     

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