looking for a 308/328 (that style), still the newbie in Ontario looked at the 81 308 (328 body clone) in London Ontario http://www.gardellimotors.ca/carwebp...ferrari308.htm supposedly was bought off eBay for 21k US, asking 40k CDN. I think I have totally moved off this one thanks to the collective wisdom and experience here!! so I want something I can drive, not be ashamed of (or embarrassed by) and know I can always sell in that far off day in the future so narrowed down to 3 units #1 85 328 in Carolinas, current F-chatter site at http://www.netsyntricity.com/308/index.html eBay auction at http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...106300243&rd=1 asking around 38-40k US seems good shape and taken care off. Traditional red/beige (not sure if I am getting tired of or not) condition attracts me to this one #2 81 308 in Colorado silver with red, recent major service, asking 31k US, approx. 30k miles I believe (don't have al the info with me right now, at another computer) here are the pix sent to me http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid15999585 password is "308" i would hope the colour is not a hard sell (are odd colours hard to sell later?, do you ever tire of them?) colour and price a bit attract me to this one #3 88 328 no website but drove this one pix i took at http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid15998844 password is "328" has had major service done, currently about 65k miles (so high), asking 48k CDN but probably take 45k CDN. she is in ontario so shipping costs are saved. Good shape, some small issues will be fixed at Peninsula Motors in Oakville (any experience with them, anyone?) by Ferrari mechanic who has serviced it for past 7 years with current owner. Current owner bought from a chap who literally died 2 days later (heart attack, 70 year old too many women supposedly!!) so records prior were not found. However, he has kept on top of her. He knows this previous owner ws not the best of drivers, damged front pass fender, had it repaired (replaced with Italian piece, not aftermarket) i cannot see the repair at all) no tool kit, ding in trunk dead center (touch up with paint (blotted) runs great, up to 8k rpm n issues, apparently small pinhole in coolant somewhere which will be fixed now that spring is here, same for on again off again squeal (belt/bearing? in engine area while idling) and for pass door which does not latch every time) built apr 88 (the 88.5 is supposedly desireable, is this one of them, how do you tell?) i have the vin as well He will certify and even drive her up here all for 45k CDN the year attracts me (i like the older rims in fact though, not the "bulge" ones but not a big deal) all are willing to do a PPI (my cost, what shoudl i expect for a cost and is ther a "standard" set of F-things to look out for/expect from a PPI?) so, which would you recommend to buy, and why? advice, comments in negotiating, things to demand/insist on etc. (learned alot from the 81 308 with no records!) thanks i know it is late but i hope to get some advice to act on the 88 (yes OR no) by Monday Gord in Ontario Canada [email protected] tel 705-385-1203 only comment so far that NONE are good (no reasons)
Hi Gord_ca, and welcome to FChat. slow down and take your time! It's always easier to buy an Fcar than to sell one - so make sure you really like what you're getting. You'll hear mixed feedback on the silver vs red Fcar debate - but with 99% of the audience here being drivers, or wannabe drivers - then colour doesn't matter. It will matter to many of your next purchasers. the link for the 328 body on the 308 didn't work for me - but that's ok, I wouldn't of wanted to see it anyways 81,000 miles is considered very high in the Ferrari community - I know, it's wrong - but that's the way it is. Regardless of the condition, it'll make a tough sell now and if you were try to sell it. If you were going to hold on to it and drive it yourself for a long time, then likely no harm done. There are quite a few 328's around and generally considered the wisest starter Ferrari available. as you probably know. PPI is likely $300-400 (3-4hrs of time) but I forget what I paid. I used TBakowsky on this forum (he's ranked as a "consultant" class contributor ). No idea where you are in Ontario or if he's close. The last 328 sounds like it has a few issues adding up, so not sure it's fair to say he's staying on top of them. But everyone has their own defn. the price seems fair if the car is cosmetically ok, and mechanically solid. I learned more about more "hidden" Fcars for sale talking to mechanics than anyone else - there's lots of these cars "kinda for sale" that aren't being driven. And a lot of the histories are well known - especially the fright pigs. don't try and do it all yourself. can also talk to your local FCA executives - they'll know a lot of the more affordable driver 328's around. Good luck!
Seems like the sweat underneath is excessive....so i would think a full out service is needed to start. I would figure 7-10 grand to do it right, and complete without any breakage issues. My next concern would be the major rust underneath that car. You need someone to really look closer to it now. And the interior , thats a hancked put together interior. The guy at Penn motors is no longer there....sounds like Tom B knows this car, wait for him to chime in then. Have it checked out, and offer accordingly. No records, and BS stories to me about dead owners is always a run away scenerio. I cant believe people still use those lines Heres my honest and personal 2cents, that red 328 for 45k....is 40K too much...that car needs to be restored from what i see. If you want a beater, than pay a little less and enjoy that car, cause your gonna need it to keep it on the road. RUN !!!!
Regarding that car being serviced at Penninsula you should ask Tom Bakowsky about it simply because he used to work there. I bet he even knows the car. You have two really good guys on here that can do a PPI and may even know these cars already or may know of one that is for sale. PM Rock or TBakowsky. You sound like a good guy and I'd hate to see you buy a lemon. There are WAAAYYY too many bad cars out there dude. V..
i have moved off the 328 did a report, it has a rebuilt title now (even though the damage was "minor") so onto the next ones thx for the heads up though! gord
just so i don't keep re-hasing the same issues why do you say it was bad interior and underneath? the oil etc on the engine i presume, but any other reasons (this way if i see oil on the pan, i won't even waste my (and the board's) time in the future) and the interior >> the a/c vent and the worn leather >> again, i take it these types of signs say "run away" if only the interior, i would presume that is not as bad, but as someone said on these high end cars, the interior is a barometer of the car's total condtion is this all correct? can you elaborate a bit more ? i THINK i am coming to terms with how to inspect an exotic car versus any other car (TOO many years of "standard" cars i guess blinding me >> for example oil on the pan, oh well, probabaly (and usually) the rocker or oil pan gaskets leaking , live with it or repair but simple (compared to a F-car that is!) sme on the interior, just re-do it >> leather, and not any leather but... " insert name here" leather thx gord
Take your repair costs for your "normal" cars, and multiply by 10, at least. Take the downside of not fixing it and multiply by 50. For example: replacing an oil gasket may be a $300 job on a Honda, but is a $3-5k job on a Fcar (drop the engine, etc etc), and a $15k bill if you let a problem get out of hand. A good used Fcar should look and act brand new - regardless of miles. rubber, gaskets, leather - everything. If the owner can't spend $1k to clean it up, or if it's too far gone, why look any further? I shopped "price" for a year before I bought - saw lots of rather interesting cars, and heard lots of interesting stories. I lost more hours of time chasing down deals and finding out they're black holes. Some people inside the industry, or buying from friends, can get good prices - but if you want a good one ("buy price, buy twice"), it'll cost. and keep a healthy reserve for maintenance bills. You'll drive differently than the previous owner and find different things to fix than the previous issue. One experience I had, that was an eye-opener. A friend had an early 80's TR, and was looking at a 360 coupe from a respectable dealer. The dealer would not consider, in any way, taking his TR in trade. Didn't want it, no way, not ever, not at any price. And it was in perfect condition, perfect history, all records, red on black, local car. good luck!
yes i understand re price, hence why even though have a "budget" i have always maintained better to buy better now than pay to make it better later. so.... yep rice is NOT the ONLY factor, and i am understanding MORE about what i should "see" when looking at them >> if it needs work, it NEEDS work (ie pricey!) thanks gord