Which is the best F-car to start with?

What's the question?

 

This may sound like a stupid response but......

...the best F car is one you can afford. Too many people don't realize the costs involved and stretch their resources too thin.

Stick with your budget whether it be a 308 or an Enzo.

Regards,

Jon P. Kofod
www.flatoutracing.net

 

Gotta agree with that Jon, you don't want the first major breakdown to cause the car to be parked for months, or worse yet, sold! Leave a cushion of funds for unexpected (but inevitable) stuff that might let go...

 

LMAO...!

The best Ferrari to start with is the Ferrari you WANT.

For me, personally, it would be something sorta new, but not too advanced... An NNO shouldn't be my first... i would need to practice with the F1 transmission before i jumped into one of those... An older car wouldn't be too good, either... A 250 GTO would be something for later, down the line... The older cars are too temperamental in some ways and sometimes, i gotta go, NOW. i can't hang around and wait for the oil to warm up... It wouldn't be a Sunday-only car for me, i'd drive it everyday; everywhere... It seems as though a 355 or a 360 would be best for me, to start out... Maybe a 348, but i'm not too familiar with those...

 

What he said.

 

348 is a good car but it's by no means fast. Sometimes I feel I can get out and walk faster. But they are faster then the 308/328 cars. But you would still be hard pressed to "smoke" a BMW or even a G.M

 

F40....yep, start out with an F40.

 

348 are also very expensive to maintain compared to the 3x8 cars. Engine has to be dropped out to change timing belt. The tensioner bearings are insanely priced,and you had better be sure that all the updates have been done to the car. The clutch if it still has the twin plate set-up will put you back a good chunk-ochange as well. Count on about $2000 just for the parts. Easy to change though.

 

Mondial cabriolet's a good first ferrari...but then again i'm biased. Low maintenance and top down fun. Its all about what YOU like though, and you seem to know what your looking for.

 

Mako99,
a Honda Civic will do your 105-110 mph minimum... Are you implying you drive this fast on a regular, continuous basis? Or just a quick blast and back to 75 mph?

BTW, a sh*tbox 328 like I drive will do 150, but I have rarely have taken mine past 130. I take it over 100 all the time, but on vacant stretches of road....and just for a short burst.

 

I started with 1/12 F50 hehehehe

 

You know that's an excellent suggestion. A near-end-of-model run Mondial Cab. is an excellent choice. I never used to be a fan of this model, but lately find the idea of a late Mondial Cab. crosses my mind.

 

A 308 is an excellent starting point. I bought my first 308 a few years ago, an '85 QV. I did sell it and missed it. I bought another 308 and this one I will be buried in. I can afford a more expensive model, but I really like 308's! Buy what you can afford, but make sure its what you want. If you REALLY want a 348 and can only afford a 308, wait while you are saving your money. Do it right the first time.

 

I always say start with the newest injected 308 you can afford. The next would be a good front V12 like a 330. They are not super expensive and you can actually fix it yourself since you can reach most all the parts without dropping the #$*% engine out of the car.

 

How much money can you afford to lose?
Start with a 308, Maybe $30k, It will hold its value well, But if you lose an engine or tranny could cost you $10k to $20k then you have $50k into a car worth $30k. Just something to think about.

 

Most people never think about the maintenance issues. I've seen some people buy older 308's "as is." It was no surprise at all when they called with a problem. I've never seen a perfect ferrari without some issues. It's mechanical & italian. It will break. It just depends if you wanna play, you gotta pay if you want to keep it running right. Do plenty of reserch, it can take some up to a year to find the car you want.

 

I would suggest a 308. They are,right now at probably the lowest they'll ever be. So,can only go up in value. Anything else still has some room to go down in value. 308's are easy to Service. A joy to drive. Look great,as it's pretty much the only Ferrari that the general public KNOWS is a Ferrari. Handle well. Yes,they are not the Fastest car out there. But,who cares! You won't when you are driving a real FERRARI!

 

Do you need to know the mechanical ins and outs? No, not really. Some people don't know anything but the number for the tow truck and the mechanic. That's an expensive way to go. If you're handy, a lot of the maintenance on the 308 and 328 series can be done at home. If you want to learn how those cars work, go to http://ferrari.jenkins.org/books/. Download and read the 308GT4 Workshop Manual and the 308QV/328 update for it. They'll give you a good idea of what you're looking at mechanically.

If you like the 2+2 of the 924, you may want to look at the Mondial cabriolet or coupe. The coupe is the least expensive way in, looks good and won't leak. Darker colors tend to work better on the Mondial 8 and QV -- I especially like them in black and blue.

None of the 3x8 or early Mondials are fast by today's standards, but they all make the right sounds and feel like a gocart.

Some will argue that newer cars are better. If you like to tinker that may not be true.

 

Be aware that buying an exotic is like having an expesive pet. When it's sick you do whatever it takes to make it better. Dogs are not cheap when they have problems. Ferraris are in another universe from dogs. Your budget should be a major consideration. There are a lot of beater Ferraris out there because people get in over their heads. Have cash allocated for the unexpected. After that, get what you like!

Ken

 

Neil,buy what you like and can afford.If all your'e interested in,like some of the guys here,is a fast car,then get a new Corvette with 400 horsepower,and none of the hassles.But if your'e like me, I just love Ferrari,it doesn't matter to me if it's the latest, fastest,etc....I've always wanted a 308,I just love the body style and in the QV,the interior toggle switches etc.Could I've gone with a 328 or a 348, sure but I like what I have.Of course it's a 20 year old car, so buy the best you can, but know that the maintennance can and will add up.Once you get it sorted out though, there's nothing like it.

 

308 GTS - The only real Ferrari. The rest are just Toyota wannabees...