Hello, new and enjoying the read

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum and don't own a Ferrari yet, however I'm working on that.
I have a soft spot for the 400 series, even though people go out of their way to tell me what rubbish they are and never to buy one when I say that! Incredible!
I think they are one of the most beautiful ferrari's ever built, and have a real elegance about them, combined with that incredible sound track, and if your lucky, a manual gearbox.
Anyway I've been lurking around here for a little while now reading and learning about the different models with the view to one day finding the right car.
Just thought I should say high and enjoying the read.
Best regards
Rob

 

Flo400

Strange, there is a 400i for sale not too far away from us right now, I never would have thought about an auto Ferrari before, but the more I look at this car, the more it appeals!
It has a real long distance cruiser about it! Doesn't pretend to be a stop light blaster, rather something that you could comfortably, safely and quickly cover vast distance, arrive relaxed and go on a dinner date, as apposed to riding in something more highly strung where it demands a lot more focus to cover a similar distance. Don't get me wrong, love the more focused cars for all they deliver, but the 400i with auto seems to be the ultimate long distance car to me. Beautiful lines and also with that engine, fantastic.
Flo400 your car sounds great, obviously a good one. wish I had one.

Rob

Hi tro768

I have found that when people tell me not to buy one, I ask why what is wrong with them, they usually say 'I've 'heard' they are expensive to maintain, unreliable and hard to work on.
It's about then I realize they have never owned one and usually never even sat in one!
To my mind, if you choose a car like a 400, you go in with your eyes open, don't expect it cost as much as a falcon or a commodore to fix, it delivers much much more and you should expect similar repair costs, also these are not puppies any more, they were designed in another era, you would also expect to go through that car top to bottom and fix all manner of things so when you do take your pride and joy for a spin, you won't be disappointed.
It's a classic, they need a bit more attention than more modern cars, think that's why I want one.

Rob

Hello open roads

I think your right, they have to be the best bang for your buck in the market at the moment! By some distance.
Will they rise in value, I think so, is that important, probably for some.
I think they have this ' classic from another era about them' very appealing, and as you say, that noise. I have to say I love the 365 gtc4 and the 365 gt4, both for different reasons.
The gt4 seems more pure to me than the later 400's, knock on wheels, manual, webbers, a very beautiful car! And then the noise and speed, fantastic.
I don't see too many of them around these parts, but would love one.
The gtc4 is also a beautiful car, truth is, I've only ever seen one before! A funny thing is because of it's shape it could almost be a later model than the 400 in my eyes!
The 400 arrived in a time when angles and almost sharp lines were popular, the gtc can appear younger sometimes in my eyes now that car makers have gone all curvy in their designs again, if you get what I mean. Just my opinion of course, don't want to start any discussion.
Does this mean the gtc4 was ahead of it's time design wise? Well maybe.
Anyway thanks for your welcome, I'm not in a rush to purchase, but if you hear about a mint rhd 400 manual, in black and light tan..................

Rob

 

Flo400

Strange, there is a 400i for sale not too far away from us right now, I never would have thought about an auto Ferrari before, but the more I look at this car, the more it appeals!
It has a real long distance cruiser about it! Doesn't pretend to be a stop light blaster, rather something that you could comfortably, safely and quickly cover vast distance, arrive relaxed and go on a dinner date, as apposed to riding in something more highly strung where it demands a lot more focus to cover a similar distance. Don't get me wrong, love the more focused cars for all they deliver, but the 400i with auto seems to be the ultimate long distance car to me. Beautiful lines and also with that engine, fantastic.
Flo400 your car sounds great, obviously a good one. wish I had one.

Rob

Hi tro768

I have found that when people tell me not to buy one, I ask why what is wrong with them, they usually say 'I've 'heard' they are expensive to maintain, unreliable and hard to work on.
It's about then I realize they have never owned one and usually never even sat in one!
To my mind, if you choose a car like a 400, you go in with your eyes open, don't expect it cost as much as a falcon or a commodore to fix, it delivers much much more and you should expect similar repair costs, also these are not puppies any more, they were designed in another era, you would also expect to go through that car top to bottom and fix all manner of things so when you do take your pride and joy for a spin, you won't be disappointed.
It's a classic, they need a bit more attention than more modern cars, think that's why I want one.

Rob

Hello open roads

I think your right, they have to be the best bang for your buck in the market at the moment! By some distance.
Will they rise in value, I think so, is that important, probably for some.
I think they have this ' classic from another era about them' very appealing, and as you say, that noise. I have to say I love the 365 gtc4 and the 365 gt4, both for different reasons.
The gt4 seems more pure to me than the later 400's, knock on wheels, manual, webbers, a very beautiful car! And then the noise and speed, fantastic.
I don't see too many of them around these parts, but would love one.
The gtc4 is also a beautiful car, truth is, I've only ever seen one before! A funny thing is because of it's shape it could almost be a later model than the 400 in my eyes!
The 400 arrived in a time when angles and almost sharp lines were popular, the gtc can appear younger sometimes in my eyes now that car makers have gone all curvy in their designs again, if you get what I mean. Just my opinion of course, don't want to start any discussion.
Does this mean the gtc4 was ahead of it's time design wise? Well maybe.
Anyway thanks for your welcome, I'm not in a rush to purchase, but if you hear about a mint rhd 400 manual, in black and light tan..................

Rob

 

Hi rob,
(I'm still learning to drive this forum with it's different windows and all so I hope this works)
I agree, I think these cars took a kicking from the very beginning for all the reasons you mentioned, and in the car world 'things stick' in peoples minds, that's it forever.
I can say, in the car club type circles I move around in sometimes I've 'never' heard 1 good word about these cars! people tend to sneer at I if they see it in the street. Incredible!
It is a Ferrari, it has great gobs of style, you can get bits for them, (some harder than others I believe) from what I read very robust mechanicals, even Gm gearbox if you want (easy, cheap to fix) once past the Alfa, Fiat, (Italian) type of electric issues I don't see where the real problems should be.
Your car sounds great, it's prob something like I may end up with at some point.
I tend to find cars that are advertised needing TLC more interesting than cars that present as a perfect example.
This may sound strange to some, but my ideal car is one that is a work in progress, in that it is used and driven regularly, clean and tidy but clearly not a garage queen.
I love exotic cars that arrive somewhere after a long hard drive, they may be bug splattered and dusty but obviously cherished and well cared for. And running perfectly! It's sort of a picture I have in my mind about them a bit. To me that sounds a bit like your car.
Your very lucky to have a manual given there so rare, it just adds to the driver enjoyment I
think.


Rob

 

And as far as maintenance try to stock up on all rubber parts (bushings, tires, fuel hoses). These will wear out a bit more than avarage, but it does not require a trip to the mechanics avery month or so. But buy the best one you can afford. Some techical parts can be hard to find and are very expensive. And do not forget to buy shares of the local fuel refinery

I really love mine. Especially because I can enjoy it alone or with the family![/QUOTE]

hi Peter,
That's good advice, stocking up on those consumables, it's about here that it becomes very important to purchase the right car I think. The mechanical components need to be in good condition definatley.
I'm still getting a picture from reading and from those that have replied, that basically these cars can be reliable, Howard was saying he doesn't have to spend much money on maintenance, and drives the car quite a bit, you say you use your car on a regular basis and in traffic. Rob has plans for ongoing repairs, whilst he 'uses' his car, perfect!
This is what I was wanting to know about, straight from the people who own them. That's great, gives me a bit more confidence to keep looking.

Also I think there is a place for those outo's, as you say, stuck in traffic in a manual shift car may not be fun an a regular basis. Its interesting that these cars seem to have a good standard cooling system and cope well with stop start traffic when in good condition.
I had not expected that, I guess that comes from my experiences with English cars in our climate over here. Always watching the temp gauge.

Rob

 

Hi Eric,

Thank you, nicely worded.
Yes we are out in the bush a bit here, (you sound like you know OZ or perhaps from OZ?) We are fortunate that stop start commuter driving is something we just don't have to deal with. Also the climate is dry and very kind to classics cars, things just don't rust here.
So if we can find a car that already has a solid body, then that part at least we wont have to worry about.
Unfortunately we are about 600klm in any direction from a major capital city and professional help if we need it. Thats the down side.

Im reading a lot of the older threads on the forum at the moment, finding out about the fuse board issues, the original rims, the water pump, the timing chain, k-jettronic, shims for the valve adjustment, etc etc. and then the real hard items to get, front and rear glass, (though i understand they are being remade in Europe again??)
But what I really like to hear about, is peoples first hand experiences, like yours and the other posts before.
There great because I begin to feel that this idea may just be feasible.
Buying an old Ferrari and keeping it running whilst living well away from a major capital city.
Im not a mechanic, but living where we do, and having dealt with older cars before, you have to have a basic understanding of how things work, and sometimes do it yourself.
Anyway I always had a hunch, that if I could find the right car in the first place, I could look after it and do some simple maintenance items when they are needed!
As long as it was not some major mechanical breakdown, I might be ok.
So back to the Auto and manual options, yes would love to have a manual.......chances of getting one.....very slim to the point, I just may not worry about it given all the comments supporting the old auto. Funny I didn't expect to hear that.

cheers
Rob