328 with 80,000 miles

There's a 89 328(red/tan) fora sale here in SB for $32,5k. It has 79,600 miles on the clock and cosmetically it is fair, with rock chips, worn side bolster on driver's seat and etc. The owner passed away, so all the info I have come from a family friend in charge of selling it...

It seems like the owner liked to drive it, not very concerned about cosmetics. But supposedly did all the required maintenance. The mechanic told me he hasn't done any service in it for about 3 years.

I know it's not much info, but how much it would be a good price for buying it?

Thank you in advance!

 

The mileage wouldn't concern me that much on a well maintained, regularly driven car. The concern I would have is no record of service or maintenance in the last 3 years. Assume there has been none, allow $6K for a major in your area, plus another 3 or $4K for "oops, look what we found..."

Unless the cosmetics are a complete wreck, that price sounds right in the ballpark to me.

 

The price doesn't look bad to me but....

If you plan on spending $6k on a major right away and you aren't too happy with the cosmetics look around at some of the 328s that have sold recently for around $40k. (AHudson's was very nice) Just saying you "might" get a lot more car for spending up a bit more on the front end.

 

Everything Paul said....

But, I would suggest 29-30K is a more realistic price.

 

I also would not be concerned with the miles so long as the cosmetics checked out. I bought my car with 78k on the clock but the paintwork and leather was fantastic as was the service history and single owner. Good paintwork is not cheap on these things, and neither is correct leather.

 

Thank s guys for your input!

I thought about $29-30k being fair, but even after spending $10k to make it great, it will still have 80k miles on the clock, and there's no money that can change that!

Also, why go through all the agravation and spend $40k at the end if I can go straight to a $40k car in great shape?

So I was thinking about offering around $25k... is it real/possible?

I know a PPI would take care of all the guess work, but I just want to make sure this car makes any sense before spending the money. Do you guys know where I can get a sharp PPI around Santa Barbara, CA?

Thanks again!

 

Sure.... why not? You can always raise your offer, but you can never lower it So always start lower than you're willing to pay, right?

So long as your first offer isn't so ridiculously low ball that it pi**es off the seller, and he tells you to take a hike

I don't think that 25K is an insulting initial offer, but I would be surprised if the seller goes for it ---- without trying to get you come up a bit.

All that said, I must confess that I am not a "haggler" buyer or seller of used cars. I've bought and sold many (some would say "too many") cars in my life. When I sell, I price the car at a fair (for its condition) and reasonable (for the market & economy) price, and that's it ----- no buyer will get me to come down one dollar..... they will be wasting their breath (and more importantly, my time).

Likewise, when I buy, I make a no-nonsense and very fair (even a bit generous --- if I really want that car) offer ----- no seller will get me to come up one dollar.

If the other party doesn't like my approach, either I walk.... or, I show them the door.

Long ago I learned a very valuable lesson which I will pass along to you (please forgive the "unsolicited advice"). If you see a car you truly WANT, don't dink around and be greedy over a few (or a hundred, or even a thousand) bucks......

Make the seller an offer that he can accept, and secure the purchase ------ I've lost out on a few great cars in the past by too aggressively playing "Let's Make A Deal". And, trust me ---- it ain't worth it. Nothing stings more than calling the seller back later --- to "up" your offer, and finding out that car you REALLY WANTED was sold to someone else...........

 

DEL ----

BTW, if you buy the car, please post the amount you paid for it (if you are comfortable with doing so).

I have a "very similar" car I'm considering buying ----- and, it would be great to get a "fresh" data point !!!!

F-cars with high miles don't trade too often so it's hard to get a feel for what they are "worth".

 

I'd agree with mid-$20ks at this point for an 89 328 in fair cosmetic condition with 80k on the clock in probable need of a major. I wouldn't spend more than $27,5k and the mileage will continue to be a killer if you ever go to sell.

 

You can certainly offer that, it couldn't hurt. It sure would have to be a motivated seller though -- you wouldn't get mine for that and it has 30,000 more miles.

 

belts and drive it

I expect to see it on the road often, and wave back at me

 

I talked with the mechanic today and he is supposed to do an inspection in the next few days, as per owners request, and recommend what needs to be done. So I guess I'll know more about it soon.

Please let me know if there's a good mechanic to do a PPI around my area. I was recommended a couple of local shops in the past but I want to make sure is someone who truly knows 328's and would know where to look at.

Hey Mike! Haven't seen you in SB yet. Is your Fiat Dino a DD? Would love to see it in person. My DD is a black Maserati GranSport , you've probably heard it lately, I just installed cat bypass + Tubi. It's LOUD!

Back to the thread, the 328 is at a shop on Haley, on the left between Olive e Salsipuedes. It's parked right in front of the shop. If you have time stop by and let me know what you think.

 

Buy the thing for $28,000, spend $1,500 on the parts for a major and do it yourself, spend $500 on fixing the seat and viola, you have a decent 328 for $30,000 when other guys are spending $40,000 or more.

Then, go drive her and put a few more paint chips on the front end rather than getting her painted then freaking when some gravel comes off the truck ahead and chips your new paint.

After all, it's just a car, not the Mona Lisa.

 

What's the most miles anyone has on a 328 that is still rolling?

 

Doesn't Tillman have over 100K on his????

JIM

 

Tillman has about 110k... And has under gone a full front end repaint..

So with 110k miles ... How much would it be worth?

Many act as if these cars are DOA at 100k milles even thoigh most of us use synthetic oil. Go figure!

 

In any transaction, it is critical to understand the motivation of the seller. Time is the most powerful element in negotiation...the party that feels most compelled to close the deal the fastest usually is on the losing end. And make sure the seller knows you are a qualified (cash is best) buyer. Good luck.

 

You should have seen my Dino, its my near daily driver, I split my time between the Dino and my S2000, I put about 8,000 miles a year on my Dino and 5,000 on the S2000, you can see which car I prefer to drive. I am pretty much right in the middle of uptown SB, off of Ontare by the golf course.

That should be Bianchi motors if I remember correctly where they are. The old owner Jack was very knowledgeable about the older Ferrari's but the current owners do know them also. I don't know what they do on 328's but the are the Dino place to be. I do all my own work so I can't recommend them from personal knowledge but John Corbani who recently passed away was thrilled with the work they did when they rebuilt his 246GT.

I would say at the price you are talking, you almost can't go wrong but because I do my own work I can afford to buy something most people would not and I want a 328 to replace my S2000 and become my DD so cosmetics are not as important (still important but not as much as the motor), just not in the money cards for me right now.

 

Unfortunately I haven't seen your car yet. I rarely go around upper State, my office is downtown. Wasn't your Dino for sale on Trade Express a while ago?

The shop I'm talking about is called Mastercraft Motors (435 E. Haley st), and the owner is Seth Hatfield. I think it used to be Bianchi. Last time I was looking for a 328 someone here recommended Bianchi for a PPI. Good to know they know those cars.



Was John Corbani the owner of that blue Dino? Sorry to hear he passed, he drove his Dino like a few people do! What happen to the car? Was it sold?

 

no no no no no...it was NOT my Dino for sale, nope, no, my heirs will have to sell it and I am not that old.

Yes, Mastercraft was Bianchi, new ownership but same employees, I think they are the best for Ferrari's in this town, they may not work on them often but they have worked on them.

I agree John drove his Dino (yes Blue) like it should be driven, when people say that 50,000 miles on a Ferrari is a lot, John had 4 times that on his Dino. The Dino was for sale and I have not heard if it has sold or not, not talked to Candi (his wife) since just before the Monterey Historics weekend.

 

Mine has 76,000 miles on it, and thanks to 5+ years of replacing old parts (and recently redoing the interior), it's in better shape now than when I bought it with 48,000 miles on it. So don't let the mileage be a deterrent. If it passes the inspection, I think the asking price is fair, but it doesn't hurt to try to get it for less. Remember that '89s with ABS are always valued higher than equivalent earlier models like my '86.

 

Del,

Julian at "Winning Makes" (on Por La Mar near Milpas) services my 328 and does a great job. There are usually really, really rare Ferraris in his shop, which I think says something.

Tim

 

He services my GranSport too, and I know he is great with vintage cars, but I wasn't sure he had much experience with "newer" Ferrari. I mean, it's important that the person doing a PPI is knowledgeble about that specific model. Thank you for letting me know!