Ferrari Newbie With Annoying Questions (of course)

Hi there

I just bought a 2003 360 F1, it has 32,000 km on it which for a Ferrari is quite a lot for a three year old car. Most of the ones I see of a similar age have less than 10k on them. You know, I really am the kind of person that bought the car to use, I don't care about the mileage, or how much I put on it - just not something that enters my mind. I must have done 1500km already in the month I have had it. Can't help you with any technical stuff on low v high miles - useless in that department sorry! Good luck anyway with your search.

 

Conventional wisdom is that garage queens do have more problems. It appears that people drive them less for several reasons: 1) for collectors with several cars, they can clearly afford the depreciation and service, but it's hard to put many miles on when they're rotating through a lot of cars, 2) for owners where it's a second or third car, who can afford the depreciation and service, they're still weekend cars and miles go on more slowly, but these folks probably do put on 3-6K miles per year, 3) finally for some people, those that can barely afford it, the increased depreciation and service costs for "excess" mileage (accepted average mileage seems to be 2-3K miles per year), could become a factor and they also like to keep below the accepted averages to keep their cars easily saleable in case they need to get out.

 

myself, I tend to stay clear of the "super low" mileage cars also. I have looked into getting an F40 in the past and always passed on cars with 200 miles. I would much rather find someone with a car that has been driven. Not only are the cars generally sorted out and in better shape, but like you say, you don't have to worry about seals and gaskets as much. Also, with very high miles - since most ferrari owners panic at the thought of that - the price tags are discounted quite a bit over the less driven cars.

Ray

 

As far as fit and finish go, Ferraris are certainly not up to Honda Civic standards. My brand new 430 had a number of cosmetic flaws that would not be tolerated by most modern day manufacturers.

Mechanically, most models are fairly robust, but none would ever sniff the top of a reliablility chart.

As for high mile vs low mile, I have bought 6 used Ferraris (3 308's, 2 328's and a 348). The worst was a 308 with moderate mileage but had been driven very little in the previous ten years. It was a money pit. The best were the 2 low mileage cars. The 348 was 4 years old with 1500 miles. I drove it 3 years and 15,000 miles without a hitch and sold it. The 328 I have now is an 89 I bought 5 years ago with 7300 miles. It now has 21,000 and has had no problems. I know of people who bought 328's in recent years with less than 1000 miles and still had no problems related to non use. I would think on a 360, mileage would matter very little as far as reliability goes, they are too new. A car that gets 100 miles a month is plenty to keep all the fluids, seals, etc in good shape. I drive my cars more than most, but I think the garage queen syndrome is not nearly as common or as bad as many suggest based on my experience.

Dave

 

The mileage is important, but the way the previous owner(s) drove and maintained the car is most important. Make sure you have all the records and paperwork for the car.

My 1983 Boxer now has over 21,000 miles. I would have been worried if when I bought it last year it only had 6000-7000 miles, but then I did not want one with over 35,000 miles for obvious reasons.

 

Good luck finding a Spider at that price. Even a low mileage newer car won't be that bad. It's ready for you to give it some exercise.

 

I've had my 360 for 3 1/2 months have have put 5,000 miles on it. I bought it to drive it so I don't care!!! Some people think I'm crazy, so maybe I am, hahaha.

 

Ahhh...I must say that Ferraris that I owned and are driving are the worst in term of built quality when comparing to other brands that I have driven....which includes Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda!!!, Porsche, Benz, BMW, Lexus...etc.

You don't buy a Ferrari and expect great craftmanship. You buy it for the fun factor (poser or racer or just drive). My current 360CS has a few faults that wouldn't pass the qc in other car brand.

That said, the Ferrari that is used more tend to have less problem. I used old 355 as a daily driver for a year and it was great. It started everytime rain or shine, hot or cold. It ran perfectly in all condition. So, if you don't mind the resale value and just want to drive, buy the car with some miles on it.

 

I've met and know several guys who've bought "garage queens" and haven't experienced any of the problems that popular lore will have you believe....

My '97 355 came with only 3,200 miles on it....it was freakin' FLAWLESS for the 18 months and the 4,000 miles I proceeded put on it.

I'm starting to figure this myth, of garage queens having more problems & issues due to lack of use, is nothing more then a wives-tale dreamt up and pushed by guys selling higher-mileage cars in a feeble attempt to elude buyers into thinking their "driven" car with more miles is actually a plus!

That's like suggesting a stunningly beautiful woman has to be a materialistic beyouch with an attitude just cause she ranks firm on the woody-chart. Well I don't know about you partner, but I ain't pluggin' no homely-arse chubby heffer just to be on the safe side....this cowboy has other ideas!

You want the truth, YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.

Ah crud, somebody switched my meds for testosterone (again)....please disregard the last 2 paragraphs.