When Did A Ferrari 328 Become a Classic? The word "jaded" comes to mind. Leave it to Keith Martin to compare (although contrast is a better word) a 328 with a Chevy Vega. "when the 348, 355 and 360 Ferrari models came out, the 328s became "just used cars." Owning one didn't give you any swagger at the country club, and the performance seriously lagged behind new Porsches, Lamborghinis and even AMG Mercedes and M-Class BMWs." If the 328 (or any 3x8) were ever "just used cars" to anyone...they weren't car people...or people who followed the values of collectible cars accurately. Hard to have a price floor of 45% of original MSRP on a 20-year-old car that is "just a used car", rather than a collectible one. And "performance seriously lagged behind new..." Like the 1999 M3 Convertible with its 240hp and 5.9 second 0-60 or the 6.5sec 0-60 '99 Boxster?
"when the 348, 355 and 360 Ferrari models came out, the 328s became "just used cars." Owning one didn't give you any swagger at the country club....." I can't speak for how things were in the USA, but in the UK, even after the 348, 355 and 360 came out, a Ferrari 328 GTB/GTS was never looked upon as being "just a used car". (In fact, for many in the UK, even after the 348 came out, the 328 was still the preferred option because a lot of people simply didn't like the 348's Testarossa-esque styling. It wasn't until the 355 came along that the 328 faced a serious threat to its popularity). Their prices dropped and they became "old Ferrari's", but they were still always coveted as being something special (dated - but still special). They still turned heads wherever they went and the only people who really looked down on the them were the ones with their heads up their own arses! (All to many of which seem to frequent Country clubs, with their desperate need to be noticed with the latest model Ferrari in the car park, the most expensive clothes and watches, the latest super-model on their arm with legs up to the armpits, the latest most expensive golf clubs or tennis racket, who have to mention how much money they've made in every conversation and are just so materialistic it's unreal!) The more discerning people with money, as always, judged people by who they really were rather than what they drove or wore, and simply appreciated the fact that the driver of a Ferrari 328 had a wonderful looking car. As for the question: "When Did A Ferrari 328 Become a Classic? " That's an easy one to answer: The day Leonardo Fioravanti modified the design of his classic 308 GTB/GTS design!
Why does anyone care what a magazine writer, or anyone else for that matter thinks of your choice of car? Do you like it? Isn't that all that should matter? Or are we really that needy for the approval of others?
Exactly. Martin is a journalist that makes his money selling his wares. He's good at what he does, but it's like forecasting weather - he is wrong at times. I don't put much stock in what he says. I like him, and he's knowledgeable, but I don't make my decisions based on his opinion(s).
Last cars and coffee, a new fcar owner parked next to me in a Blue Sera Mondial QV. While it wasn't the best condition Mondial Ive seen, it was obvious the color combo was stunning, and seeing a running/driving Mondial is still pretty rare. I heard a number of 16/17 year old kids snicker and ask "why the hell was the worst car Ferrari ever made allowed in?" They then jumped in the BMWs their parents bought them and went home. These same kids didn't blink an eye when a bright orange P1, backed in beside the Mondial. I guess my point being, those that tend to degrade other's automotive choices usually have lived a life of privilege. I had a nice car in high school, but that's because I started mowing neighbors lawns at the age of 12, bought an old beat up Torino at the age of 14, and spent another 2 years learning how to turn wrenches on it. Every nice thing I own, I've bought with my own money. As long as you don't waste all yours into bad alcohol, and ugly women, I wont judge how you spend yours, and frankly, I could care less about what people think of the ways I spend mine.
I understand your point, but certain people have very developed tastes, opinions, and can sway others accordingly. On some weird level, we actually may want approval in varying degrees. I've taken much advice from those more expert than I on movies, restaurants, even Amazon 'star' ratings from complete strangers and been glad to get it. Though no food critic has ever chewed my food for me nor sniffed my wine glass, it's good to have some barometer then make your own judgement thereafter. Brian, you're good enough and familiar enough to be your own critic on all things automotive, but Keith (and literally thousands of others) help inform, entertain, and - yes - occasionally sway opinions from those less versed. On a side note, Keith and his staff have done a lot for this hobby. I'm sure as a critic himself, he appreciates opinions 'good or bad' of his style. Helps keep the flame lit!
Taking advice is one thing. Being offended by his opinion of your car is entirely different. In my opinion only a seriously insecure individual needs validation of their choice of car.
100% disagree. I grew up with quite a few kids whose family names are household words. If I had driven to school in a Trabant they would have gone nuts. They were car guys. Very eclectic bunch of cars. All cool in their own way. Some expensive, some rescued from a junk yard but all cool in some way and we never seriously put down another car. Car guys understand how important your car is to you. It makes zero difference what I think of your car. We loved cars, not trinkets and symbols. We were car guys and not insecure and concerned about what others thought.
A 328 became a classic car in June 2015, when my driver quality 328 with 64k miles won "Best Vintage" car at a local FCA event.
Funny to read. Over in Porsche-land, there were decades where you couldn't give away a rusty early 911 or 356. They were all just used cars, much like 246s.
I'm with you, Brian. I have always communicated two things to people (even through my own articles): 1) A car is "worth" to which amount a buyer and seller agree...and 2) It's important that people have different opinions on cars, or AMC Gremlins would be multi-million dollar cars. My problem is never one of someone stating their opinion, but when a journalist delivers personal opinion as fact when the statement(s) is/are blatantly false -- and easy to disprove, it communicates a lack professional integrity. (And look, all of us writers have been guilty of this, so I'm not damning Keith for it, as it happens.) So it doesn't have anything to do with needing approval from journalists. As a guy whose F-cars share a garage with a 1986 Dodge convertible, I think it's funny that even the UPS guy questions why I'd have the Dodge. When my then Mondial-owning friend drove the Dodge and said "wow, this thing is actually a really great driver" and was faster than the Mondial (stock-vs-stock) that was an eye opener for him. If someone calls the K-car (or SuperK platform, which is what the convertibles were) the worst car ever, I laugh...if it is made as an opinion. If a journalist screws up the facts, I get frustrated, but that's just due to a professional ethos. I guess the bottom line is: get the facts right, and I'm happy, even if the opinion is wacky to me. Keith has the access to the correct facts...he just didn't care to get it right, because he was blinded by his own opinions -- on this article. Oh --- and Jon, the guy who lived across the street from me when I bought my 328 had three 356s. He bought his Speedster in 1970 for $1400, because it was "just a used car". I think he bought his B-Cabriolet a couple years later for $1200.
At the risk of hijacking this thread.......... That was my first Cars and Coffee. I parked the car and spent most of the time wandering and looking at other cars. I didn't spend much time hanging around my car. I was like a kid in a candy store. My QV is not a show car by any means. It's a solid 15footer. The PO tracked the car and rewarded it with a zillion rock chips. On the other hand, it was maintained mechanically better than when new. She runs strong and hard. At the next C&C in July, I brought a lawn chair and sat in the shade behind my Mondi. I had a constant stream of curious people looking and asking about the car. Mostly, "what is it?, what year is it? is it original?, can I see under all the hoods?" Several people wanted to hear it, so I started it. I had a constant stream of visitors who wanted to talk cars. Not a single negative comment or conversation. Even had a couple of people remark that it's nice to see something new and unique at the show. As far as "worst Ferrari ever made" - what a stupid comment. I didn't buy my Mondi to pander to spoiled kids. I didn't buy it to validate my ego. I could care less what other people say about my car. I'm a car guy whom likes to work on and restore cars. I follow a philosophy that I got from my father-in-law: Those that feel a need to show wealth, probably don't have it" The Mondi is the fourth car in my current collection (67 Karmann Ghia CV, 74 KG Coupe, 85 MB W123 and my Mondi). It's my first F-Car and I chose the Mondi because I wanted to make sure I wouldn't be getting in over my head - mechanically. Since I've bought her, I've come to appreciate the subtle curves and lines of her design, and really, really enjoy driving her. As to the original post, I think all Ferraris are special. From the oldest to the newest, they all carry a mystic about them. To the average person on the street, all Ferraris (and Lambos, and Maseratis) are very special cars. To me, they are all collectable. They may not be investment type collectables, but if you go up to the average person and ask them if they want a "Ferrari" - the answer will be a really fast "YES", without even knowing what specific model of Ferrari. Sid P.S - I'll never sell my Mondi - even though she is "The Worst Ferrari ever made". Next up on my menu is another Mondi (for my 27YO car guy son), and maybe a TR for me.
