308 almost paid off - what should I get next?

Hey, folks!

I have a carbed 1978 308 GTS, and I'm finally getting close to paying it off - should be all mine in less than a year.

So what should I do next? I haven't had very many mechanical problems with it, and it's been a lot of fun. And I just bought a house, so I can't increase my payments by very much. I figure I could borrow up to another $20k or so.

I could sell it and put all the money towards a Testarossa, but I've been told they have lots of mechanical trouble. It'd be nice to have something that looks a little more modern, though.

I could sell it and might be able to put all the money towards a Jalpa. I've never seen one in person, and don't know much about them.

I could keep it and buy an older Lotus Esprit...those are supposed to fun. Or keep it and buy a Maserati Merak?

What do you folks think?

 

As a previous Lotus Esprit owner, let me say you'll regret it. While a nifty thingy, it ain't what you got, bud.

 

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Get a 348 or 355 you will not regret it its a great upgrade

 

Keep it for a while, unless you're coming up to an engine rebuild. If not enjoy it, and no payments for a couple of years. Then go with a 355 or 360.

 

or..
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i'd say enjoy not having a car payment for a while

 

Keep it for a long while. Keep the savings. Start buying cars only if YOU really like them and can pay them with what a part of your savings allows.

 

Yup - a 355 or a 360 is well out of my price range for now.

348s sure look nice....how much trouble are they to maintain? I like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-Ferrari-348-TB-Coupe-53K-Yellow-Tan-Very-Rare_W0QQitemZ160129751853QQihZ006QQcategoryZ6212QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I think you're all right about enjoying the extra money....my daily driver is seriously raggedy, and I'd like to buy an old rat bike, because I get some funny looks when I take the F-car to the dive bars...

 

That's not a bad price for a clean 348

 

Ask yourself what you would do if your 308 engine needed a complete rebuild due to an unforseen incident. I think you should build up a buffer and buy another car when your account can accomodate an unforseen incident and a second Ferrari. Then, buy a Dino or a BB.

 

I vote a Corvette Z06 or Porsche 930

 

+1 --- enjoy 'no payments' while you can

 

I dont know how clean it will be from that dealership....

 

I think you are ready for a 308GT4. You already are familiar with the mechanicals. It's another version of the 308 series and you can haul the kids. Plus I believe they are shrewd purchases right now that prices are realistic. Go for it!

Don't forget to check out the GT4 support group in the 308 section - you know who they are - for help in selecting a decent car.

 

Keep the 308 for any number of reasons, including that it is a classic, it's carb'd, it is small and tossable and you have presumably sorted it.
Among relatively cheap sportscars that are fun that you might consider adding to your garage:
older British: MGA, Morgan;
older German: lot's of 60's MB's; later P-cars;
older Italian: Alfa Duetto, even a clean 124 Fiat spider;
US vintage: from late 60's Caddie convertible, to various hot-rod projects based on clone 32 Ford bodies.
The point is, there are endless opportunities for fun, at relatively low cost, especially if you can do your own work, or are patient at slowing bringing a car back to snuff.
A modest Ferrari upgrade may not turn out to be a real upgrade in driveability or fun factor.

 

jalpa-piece o crap. don't borrow money to buy toys. pay off the one you have and start saving.

 

You might want to do a search before even considering doing business with Schmidtcars.com (commonly referred to as car****.com). I have no personal experience, but I've heard bad things.

Peter

 

Join the brotherhood! 348s are great and while not cheap to maintain, definitely cheaper than a 355.

The car above is overpriced in my opinion. 50K miles is a lot, should be more like $40k

 

I would get a Esprit V8 if any.

 

You must be hopelessly addicted to car payments. I had that problem for the longest time. Since the car has been good to you, return the favor and be good to her. Just let her entertain you for a while longer, payment-free, and save up some cash in the meantime. I may be wrong but I'll bet you'll be glad you did.

 

Not wrong at all, that's what I'd do too.

The 308 is a classic Ferrari and definately a keeper. But like any other, one misstep can cost you a years worth of 355 payments.

To Giallo, if you're looking for the "Ferrari Experience" then by all means sell it before it'll cost ya. Then buy the next one "up" but only if the previous owner has already paid for its recent service etc. Keep doing the two year hop and before long you'll be able to say that you used to own almost all of the mass produced Ferraris.

 

Car payments bad! pay cash for car's if you really want to get ahead in life.

 

Jalpas and Mereks are frightfully expensive to maintain, and parts are an issue, especially with the older Maseratis. The Testarossa is also an expensive proposition if anything goes wrong, and even routine maintenence isn't cheap. Not to discourage you from these cars, just do your homework before you buy so you're not in over your head.

I've driven a turbo Esprit and it will run rings around a 308. But you won't get the snob appeal of a Ferrari so that depends on what you want in a toy car. (Typical conversation:

What kind of car is that?

It's a Lotus.

Who makes it?

Lotus.

That's a Pontiac, right?)

You might try a 348 or 355 as they have more power and good examples won't be the money pit some other cars might be. How about a Mondial T? That's a wonderful car with good power and great as a daily driver.

In the end though, get what you like!

Ken

 

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