Dear F lovers (particularly you 328 freaks), I have the opportunity to buy a 1986 328 with 19000 genuine kms (I hope), with full service history, mechanically sound, needing almost no work other than perhaps a couple of stone chip touch ups & a good wax OR a 1988 with 80000 kms mechanically sound, full history needing wheel (rim) repairs & perhaps a front re-spray as the stone chips are numerous. HAVE I ANSWERED MY OWN QUESTION? OR is the 1986 compared to a 1988 a different car? Thanks.
Don't believe the car is mechanically sound. Get an independant inspection carried out. The 1986 cars are easier and nicer to drive, as they share the same geometry and shock absorbers as 308's... basically a very chuckable drivers car. Watch out for a bent front bonnet.. the frame is weak and the strut is self locking. Later cars have gas struts. Later 1988 cars have convex large offset wheels and anti dive geometry and probably Bilstein dampers (a rare few have Koni). These cars are more twitchy (but ultimately more grippy too). In Europe, they also had ABS brakes, but no Aussie spec car should have it, although I know at least one that slipped through. They also have an "under slung" steering wheel.. basically it's mounted off centre, to provide more knee room, but as you steer, the wheel moves up and down. I don't like the feeling, but some people don't seem to notice or mind. My choice would be the early one. Paintwork is utterly inconsequential. In fact, the tattier the paintwork, the more "honest" the car is likely to be. You never know what has been hidden below apparently "perfect" paint. It's under the skin where the stories lie...... Bottom line, get an independant inspection done. Or provide chassis numbers here, I or others may have history on it.
dear ferrarifixer, I did actually think that perhaps the 86 being the 1st of the 328's is really the re-birth of the 308 after all hick-ups were finally ironed out (if any), I guess I am realy attracted to the low kms and YES I am having a full inspection done on the 86. Thanks for your input!!
Well, yeah, kind of. But then the first 328's had their own bugs, and were sorted for the later '88 ones, then came the 348TS/TB... but that had some bugs so they fixed that for the GTS/GTB, then came the 355 2.7 version... but that had some bugs, so they fixed them for the 5.2 version, then came the 360 '99, but that had some bugs so they fixed them for the '03 version.... then came the 430...... !?!
hmm!!, yeah There will never be a perfect car not even a ferrari (even though some F40 owners will argue), I guess it all comes down to which way the balance tips when you're making a decision on the car you're buying. In the end if you do your "due diligence" at least you can look back & say "At least I checked it all out first". Thanx.
They did. they fitted two turbo chargers and called it a 288 GTO. It's the only thing in life I want that I don't have.
Ah yes! the 288 GTO, Ferrari's first super car, the only car you will see in both the gates of heaven & hell. Hope you get to own one some day, all the best!
