400i or 308 GT 4 being sought....for Wife! | FerrariChat

400i or 308 GT 4 being sought....for Wife!

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by kerrywittig, Mar 6, 2006.

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  1. kerrywittig

    kerrywittig Formula 3
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    Nov 10, 2005
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    Looking for either a 400i or 308 GT 4 for the wife as a daily driver........any insight into which would be most "preferred" or any leads on an OK (mechanically) example? Rear "seat"!?!? is a must for the grand kids.....................
    In other words looking for an F car 2+2 platform, that can be driven, parked about town and I not be consumed with the fear of the inevitable door ding........................I got the TR...... and she now wants an F car......but not as "low".....LOL.....Hey what can I say I love the mother of my kids and Grandma wants a Ferrari.............life is good! Kerry
     
  2. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Oct 16, 2004
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    Kerry -

    Where are you located? If in the U.S., I don't know about the 400i. My understanding is that they're all grey-market, so you'd want to be looking at the 412. A downside to a 308GT4 for daily driving, in my limited experience thusfar, is that they're all going to be carbureted.

    I don't know you, nor your wife, so I won't make judgements about what she is or isn't used to driving (i.e., an old British car, or a Toyota?). However, the GT4 is a *fantastic* car IMO, but without knowing your locale, the type of "around town" driving she'll be doing (big city or rural countryside?), it's difficult for me to unequivocably make a recommendation for the car.

    I say, drive both, and go from there...
     
  3. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
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    might want to consider sticking with fuel injected cars. i have a carb 308 and i have to admit it wouldn't the easiest car to live with on a daily basis: sometimes a tad hard to start when warm, exhaust odor when first starting, takes a while for carbs to really warm up on cold/cool days, definitely an older car feel. nothing with any of that stuff, but might be tiring on a daily basis. me personally, i'd also consider a mondial, it meets all the requirements you state and is pretty modern.

    john
     
  4. kerrywittig

    kerrywittig Formula 3
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    #4 kerrywittig, Mar 6, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My wife drives a carburated TLC and little quirks are not that big a deal.............style/and get it done in "grand" fashion are the key! Mondial is a very good example also. Live in Upstate NY.....Ithaca and Buffalo To be exact........This is her Landcruiser..................so trust me, ease of steering and exhaust and smells are not a concern to my girl..........
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  5. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
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    As a daily out of the two you cant beat a 400i auto, as easy to keep running as an Xj/s of the same age (only slightly more expensive parts!) just look out for Rust and Electrical gremlins and get a leakdown test on the cylinders
     
  6. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    I think the 308 GT4 is more Ferrari like (even though they are both Ferraris). It is more of a raw, fun car, where the 400i is more an Italian highway cruiser. I would rather have my wife drive a 308 GT4 or a mondial. Both are classy IMO.
    BT
     
  7. kerrywittig

    kerrywittig Formula 3
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    I think the 400i is the best platform for her also............fairly "large" and not flashy, great sedan performance and yet a bit of "exotic" flair. Auto is a major consideration............she likes the stick....excuse me manual............but to just bop around town and to the grandkids houses the auto would be preferred........................
     
  8. Jay GT4

    Jay GT4 F1 Rookie

    Oct 16, 2001
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    I love my GT4 but I think the 400 would be the way to go. Why not consider a 456? Price is right now and much more modern and still not too flashy.
     
  9. johng

    johng Formula 3

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    wow! in that case a GT4 seems like a good fit! the GT4 is one of the more stylish ferraris out there, and usually it'll be the only one for miles around.

    john
     
  10. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
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    How about a nice '84 Mondial QV?? See my ad in FerrariAds.com. The car is newer, FI engine rather than carbs, nice and roomy, good visability all around. I've driven the car up around the Ithaca area, and it's an absolute blast on the winding roads up around there. Mine is a well-sorted example, needs nothing, and will be a nice, dependable driver. And I'm in North Jersey, not too far away. (Sorry for the shameless, self-serving ad here gang, but I couldn't resist. I need to sell the car. Too many to keep track of at this point.)
     
  11. kerrywittig

    kerrywittig Formula 3
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    A 456 would be nice..........but I am not wealthy.........working class, that has to clean my fingernails of the oil and grease accumulated from the TR.............Hard to convey here maybe...................need a car that is of a Ferrrari heritage, but is "affordable.................$20-$30K tops........don't mind the appearance issues and I can tweak the mechanicals and electrics........A daily driver..............post office/school/market/errands in a "snob" car................simple/fast/exotic/affordable to a blue collar guy and gal..............
     
  12. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    My vote would be a Mondial 3.2. Near the last of the line so more up to date than the 8's, cheaper to maintain than a T. Also cheaper to fix than a 400.
     
  13. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
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    Feb 24, 2002
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    I was going to say the gt4 is more of a mans car, but then seeing what she drives, I feel like a sissy!!! My wife hates the gt4 too noisy, smells bad, too bumpy, etc
    The 365 or 400 are great cars and I think she would like them best. Even small kids dont fit well in the gt4 but the 400 has plenty of room for the olsen twins in back!! HA
     
  14. MondiAl87

    MondiAl87 Karting

    Oct 10, 2005
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    Yes, even my wife has been bitten with the F-car bug. We've tried the "you can learn to drive stick" route...we need to find her an automatic. I've seen the 400, 412's, and have been told that the fuel injected version, w/o the self-levelers are a good choice. I have also heard that they are difficult to find parts for and are more expensive to maintain than my blue mondi. I almost bid on the recent one on e-Bay that was George Hamilton's car until I heard about the maintenance. I hope that we can read some good news about the Ferrari touring car ownership experience.
     
  15. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
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    Hi Kerry,

    Take a look at this :
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96431

    I talked about the highway performance but didn't mention the feeling around town.
    The 400i feels heavy around town, not nimble. This isn't always bad, but since she's going to use it as a grocery run car I thought I'd mention it.

    The grandkids better be really young, that back seat just isn't very roomy.

    Valve adjustment on that V-12 is big money and parts are indeed expensive and tough to find, but it can be done.
    I appreciate your self description in your post. Make no mistake; this is not a car for a guy on a Chevy budget. It'll be reliable and great to drive and won't take anymore maint. than any other car but part prices escalate quickly. I just lost one of the front electric radiator fans on mine. No biggie, a 15 minute repair, but the fan costs $250. It is only worth $40 and I refuse to pay that kind of cash for a little fan, I'm having mine rebuilt for $80.

    It is a very comfortable car. I think it is very predictible, safe, and fun to drive. The power from the V12 is awsome. I know a guy who drives one every day into Manhatten and loves it.

    Hope this helps. If I can answer any questions just drop me a note.

    Dave
     
  16. kerrywittig

    kerrywittig Formula 3
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    Dave,
    Thanks for the insight..................I think I may do some more homework and searching before I "commit" to a 400...........
     
  17. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
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    Parts and part $ can sometimes be a little less painfull if you can and are willing to do things yourself...which it sounds like you can.

    If you are willing to look at aftermarket options or "universal" part items which may require a little modification and elbow grease you update the car with less shock to your wallet.

    While I don't know 400's very well I'll give you an example of one of the many thigs I've done to my 308....

    When I updated the radiator on my 308 I also put in a new fan which I picked up from www.summitracing.com . It's an electric unit with it's own sensor and an temp adjustment. The senor goes in the inlet of the incomming coolant hose and all you then need is power from the battery....(thus bypassing all the thermo-switches, relays, etc of the crappy Italian electrical system).

    I simply picked the size that would work for the car, spent a few hours installing it and in the long run I've got a new fan that I don't have to worry about relays, temp senders, etc and flows a lot more CFM than any stock unit might.... all for a reasonable $.

    If you are willing to look at some options like this rather than just calling up a dealer or the Ferrari parts places you can save a little on the operating costs.

    It's not going the "cheap" route, it's simply finding other options.
     
  18. kerrywittig

    kerrywittig Formula 3
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    #18 kerrywittig, Mar 7, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have no problem maintaining, fixing, repairing or fabricating parts for the car...........I build extreme offroad vehicles for people and infact my wife's FJ40 (pictured below) with a 350 vortec, SM465 trans with 2 t-cases (248-1 crawl ratio in low/low 1st gear (has 12 forward and 3 reverse ratios)), front knuckles cut and rotated to correct caster, full 6 point cage, stretched wheel base, custom X-members, and motor & transfercase mounts, etc................ along with a Suzuki Sidekick ( background) that is also totally been "redone" to enable it to go where ever it is pointed, are two of many...........I just don't want to get into an un-nessasary money pit............
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  19. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
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    Kerry, I do some of my own work on my toys, nothing as extreme as building a vehicle like you. Your 2 4-wheelers are pretty cool.

    You obviously have the talent for the repairs. Looks to me that you'll save quite a bit on labor.

    Did you know that a 400 takes 19 quarts of oil? Don't forget TWO oil filters at $20 a pop.

    Dave
     
  20. rickjaffe

    rickjaffe Formula Junior

    Mar 6, 2005
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    I'll give you my 2 cents as a GT4 owner.

    I use the car as a daily driver anywhere from 1 to 4 times a week. For me that means mulitiple short trips in the city of houston. I've had the car for a year, and after sorting some things out it's very reliable.

    I can put my 12 year old and one of his friends in the back without too much trouble, for short trips.

    hot starts are sometimes difficult, but it always starts eventually.

    the biggest problem I have is the roads, not too good in houston and clearance is very low in a gt4. I pretty much roll as opposed to drive over speed bumps, or else it the bump bangs on the frame of the car.
    I do groceries in the car, but I put them in the back seat because the trunk is small and behind the engine which isn't good for frozen stuff.

    From what I hear from the forum a 8 cyl car is much cheaper to maintain than a 12.

    one thing I can say about the GT4 is that it puts a big smile on my face whenever I drive it. It's the most fun car I've ever driven (I also have a C-2 corvette coupe which is faster but not as much fun as the GT4, a 57 supercharged bentley, and I had an alfa GTV-6); hands down the GT4 is the most fun.

    I think the best way to look at the car is as a $20,000 go cart, enclosed and with some luxuries (power steering not being one of them); driving a GT4 is not easy like driving a lexus, it's hard, especially when starting out and turning at low speeds; but it's just a blast.

    I thought about a 400 series, but for me I didn't like the looks and seemed like it was just another sedan, only alot more expensive to maintain.

    to me if you're going to drive a ferrari it should look like one, which means sleek and low to the ground. otherwise I think there are alot better cruisers out there, like for example a maserati quatroporte which can be had for about a quarter of the price of a 400.

    anyway for what it's worth.
     
  21. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
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    Yep, my 400i has hot start trouble also.

    Rick, I know what you mean about Houston roads, I live in Sugar Land.
    I think you'll be surprised to know that the 400 doesn't have much more clearance than your car. Some, but not much.

    Dave
     
  22. kerrywittig

    kerrywittig Formula 3
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    Rick..........I agree with your post and seems to be the way I am leaning..infact have a GT4 to look at when I get back in the States in a week or two.

    Pricing is same ball park and the look and performance are what "she" has in mind................

    Thanks for possibly the "convincing" post.....that a GT4 is the look, performance, and the "more dependable" choice......as you said, "If your gonna drive a Ferrari, it should look.......................LIKE A FERRARI!"

    Now if I could just find a black (my choice) or white one (her choice).........instead of the typical red.....................
     
  23. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Oct 16, 2004
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    There's a fellow FChatter up in your neck of the woods...I want to say Rochester, but my memory's not the best. Anyway, he just bought a black GT4 that should be coming out of hiding as soon as the roads clear. His username is Cray54 - look him up! His black GT4 is gorgeous and might be a good benchmark for comparisons of what to look for in other cars along the way.

    If you're ever out California way, look me up! I lived in Syracuse for a year back in 2001-2002.
     
  24. kerrywittig

    kerrywittig Formula 3
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    I'll be in Sacramento on the 11th, SF on the 12th, Santa Ana on the 15th, and LA on the 16th......................................
     
  25. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

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    3.2 Mondial in coupe or cab form is a great car if you can get it in your price range. I have a 3.2 cab and my dad has a GT4 - both great cars. The 3.2 is a much more modern car and, I would think, more reliable due to reflecting some material design improvements (better cam sealing, Nikasil cylinders, reliable FI). These features will likely reduce the overall cost of ownership in the long haul. The GT4 is a more lively ferrari experience and you can't beat it for cool/funky 70's hip appeal compared to the subtle Mondial. Good luck and enjoy!
     

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