Heya. While it's still more thought than action at the moment - I've been to look at a red 400 in Brisbane (chassis 21755) that is currently priced a little under $50k. Does anyone on this forum have experience with this or similar cars and can give me a second opinion what type of running costs I am looking at to operate the car. When I was last in to see it it was having a service with the fuel lines being replace and other cable work in the engine. I am looking at it being used as a 'daily driver' to and from work (10k trip) 3-4 times a week and semi-regular weekend drives. Obviously I'm aware that the fuel will add up - though I am more concerned as to are these cars entry level price to purchase and maintain or if the 'in reach' price is just a foot-in-the-door to a similar figure racked up over a few short years to keep the car running. I am not concerned with restoring/maintaining the car to as-new-from-factory condition and quite like the look of a few paint chips here and there. My main concern is that it will start of a morning and not catch fire on Coronation drive when stuck in traffic.
I use my 365 as a semi regular driver in the USA and the budget has been about $1500/yr (USD) in maintenance. Make sure everything works, these are expensive cars to bring back from the dead.
Tomax, how deep are your pockets ??!! These OHOS will run up huge bills if something goes wrong, but having only driven a couple a few kliks I believe they are excellent but look too much like the old Ford that Qlders like so much I nearly bought an Azzure blue one in Toowoomba that was cheaper than my GT4 but Keith at Cants (remember them?) said that these things were horrendously expensive due to the amount of labour it takes to get to anything and if you're going to use it as a daily driver he will probably be looking after it for you so give him a bell for the "fine" details, Cants are gone but Greg Willims in the Valley has the franchise now and Keith has moved to there. Cheers John
As always, no two are the same. Budget for $2/km to service/maintain/tyre and brake a good 400...plus fuel!! if it's not good to start with..... dig your garden until you hit oil or gold. 400i can be turnkey cars, 365/400 carbs are WAY better to drive, but need to be serviced correctly and more laboriously. A mild steel exhaust with rust (they all have it) will cause you many headaches. You need full length stainless inc headers to have anything like peace of mind. The std system is so long that it never gets hot enough to steam away the condensation... especially autos. Once sorted and running nicely and regularly, they reward with immense satisfaction... but expect a journey through a few money pits to get it right. That said... they're massively labour intensive cars generally, so if you're reasonably competant on the tools yourself, you can save yourself a fair chunk.
Tom they can cost the price of a small army tank, but lie other ppl who have replied once it's going your in for a ride. good luck andrew
The pockets don't sound like they're deep enough at this stage for major work. I do remember Cant though - I live not far from there and used to go down regularly before uni exams and the staff would let me sit in a Testarossa or 355 if they were available, I'd get a few photos and take home a new shirt or another model. It's definately not as magical a place now with the Mazda signs around John's Maranello inspired showroom. I met most of the staff at a track day at Lakeside many years ago - though it's been too long to remember who was who. I did get on well with RayH. and went on a few drives with him in the 330 which was really nice. Obviously the urge to buy my own has been around for a while, but it looks like it might still be a little early as I would be able to afford the purchase at this stage, but perhaps not the ownership. Thanks for the comments.
the red car is still for sale but i have seen the best 400 imaiginable for sale over 200k spent! it is at Euro marque plates FE400, some southerners may know more about this nsw registered car.
