Best ferrari for the NON-DIYer ?

Unless you have a deeper wallet and if the thought of each trip to the service center costing $1000-2000 doesn't bother you, I'd say 348 or 355.

The best Ferrari for a non-DIYer is a 308/328. All others are subject to pretty pricy repairs if needed.

 

I was going to say 328....

 

A new 430 under warranty.

 

I was going to say 328. These cars are the ones I see least between services...

 

If you think a F355 is going to be reliable, you're going to be very dissapointed.

F355's:

Exhaust Manifolds
Catalytic Converters
Valve Guides
F1 Pump (applicable to F1 models only)
Bubbling Interior

That's just the surface, really the F355 is the most amazing looking Ferrari and the nicest sounding Ferrari in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, they're not super unreliable but they do have their fair share of common problems, and unlike other models, their problems seem to be some of the most expensive.

Look into a 360, you'll pay more up front but you can enjoy your car daily with minimal problems.

 

you find me a "nice" black 348tb for 48K and I'll kiss you.......

 

360's can be found for $110-120k. I can't disclose how much was paid for ours but to get a very nice conditioned 360 with low miles and all service records, $110-120k is within reach for a 99.

Either way good luck with your decision and hope everything works out.

 

I'm also a non-DIYer.

There's a reason 328 prices are passing 348 prices...

Regarding the TR, I like 'em, and the torque is appealing, but the servicing costs scare the cr@p out of me. I don't think you're going to get through a major for <$6K, assuming the car is healthy and happy, and I don't want to ask what a double-plate clutch runs (on the pre-512 TR cars).

Is a Maserati Spyder out of the question? The earlier ones have fallen to higher-end 328 price levels. It's a Ferrari underneath, 400bhp (?), new enough that you won't have to deal with the usual old-car electrical issues, and you can probably get one with a warranty or extended warranty. It has nowhere near the impact of a 328 or TR, but if you want an exotic you can just stick a key in and go, you might consider it.

I admit I really like them, even if they're a bit conservative in the styling department.

 

Great suggestion, I had a 2002 Maserati Spyder for 9 months, absolutely no problems with it, one of the greatest cars ever produced in my opinion.

 

I have had two 355 both were 1995, I still have one and I have not had any material problems with them what so ever.

I also personally think they are one of the best looking F cars and one of the most fun to drive.

Buy a 355, I don't think you will regret it.

 

The 348. I had very few problems between services with mine.(alternator and a/c drier) Just do your homework and make sure it was maintained with no deferred service.

 

buy a Porsche..................

 

agreed

 

Very "sport car-ish". It's not a Ferrari but when it's composed of mainly Ferrari parts there's not much difference between the two. Try to get a test drive scheduled with your local dealer. I'm not trying to steer you one way or the other but for the price range you can get a Maserati with a warranty that you can put 10,000+ miles a year on comfortably. You may or may not lik ethe car, but only one way to find out.

 

This may be a stupid question, but do the Masers require the same 5/yr major services and such that our Ferraris require? I know the answer is probably "yes", I just wanted to hear it from someone that is more knowledgable with these cars...

 

since it seems that in the f-car world "major service" is synonymous and interchangable with "Timing Belt"...

even the scardiest-cat owner with a timing chain (assuming the car was driven at least monthly and stored appropriately when not) would not start thinking about a timing chain until 85K.

One of my best friends has a BMW 535i with something like 225K miles on it... he is JUST NOW doing the timing chain... and that's a 1960's tech motor in a 3600-lb sled. (its also getting its third clutch).

as long as ferrari didn't skimp on the parts and built the chain and guides to the same specs as the rest of their motors... 120-150K would be a reasonable time to change the timing chain.

 

It's not a stupid question at all. Maserati's are actually very easy to maintain. First service is at 6k miles, second is at 18k miles, 3rd at 32k miles, and 4th at 48k miles. The services are extremely simple. It's literally just fluid changes and checks. There is no tedious engine out belt service or anything to that extent. The average service will run you $800-1,500 and short of the clutch that wears out every 15-30k miles and the Cambiocorsa pump that costs $900 to replace and tends to fail every 22-25k miles, the car has no consistent problems.

I plan on getting another one in the very near future just because for the money I spend, nothing comes close.

 

has anyone broken a timing chain on one yet??