Is this a good buy on an '84 GTS QV?

sounds like you better do a PPI, but, really, if the guy is countering his own offers i would stop right there. he really wants it gone.

the list of issues seems for the most part minor, so if there's nothing else, that price is a tad high. it will cost you a surprising amount to fix "little things." also, be sure to check out how many parts are still original to the car. they will need to be replaced soon given the age and mileage of this car.

funny thing about slow windows, i also have an 84 308, and the windows were very slow when i first got the car. after a few weeks of driving, the windows work well. go figure.

john

 

I am always amazed when a seller claims a sevice to be done but can't remember when it ways done. If you are being told this you need to assume the belts were done long time ago or not even at all. From what you have described as to the condition and if your budget is in the $35K range , you can probably fins a much better example that what you are currently considering. I believe that there are 2 or 3 QV's for sale on this site that likely are better to choose from. Good Luck

 

$2000 for a water pump R&R is criminal, pure and simple. I mean BIG time. I know because I changed mine myself.

57,000 miles is good.

 

I wouldn't pay that price until you see some evidence on the major. Without those records, you'll need one, and should take $5k off the price. With those records, you'll need one in 2 years.

 

I am not kidding about that water pump thing.

It's a $395 part. Maybe 30 bucks for a new belt...

Even at the overpriced labor rate of $100 and hour, you need to stay the hell away from any mechanic that needs 16 hours to change that thing.

 

Sounds like a neglected $25K car if it has a recent quality service.

Amazing how many people live in fantasy land about how much their car is worth.

 

I will chime in with my standard advice for a potential buyer. Ask yourself what you intend to do with the car. Are you looking for a driver and won't get excited about some of the details. At the other end is if you intend to really show the car. In that case you will need to review the car as if a concours judge looking for originality and correctness. The area between these two extremes is the hardest to gauge. Fruitless to take a driver and later decide to have a concours special unless you decide to unload big money for a professional restoration. Also don't take a concours car then to decide and use it like a daily driver and puts miles on it; every mile is devaluing the car and subjecting it to harm. Making a sound car a bit nicer is easy enough.

Have you already checked out the QVs on FML and in the FCA newsletter? Nothing against what you have looked at but it might be worthwhile to have a better feel on the rest of the possibilities.

Jeff

 

I hate to jump ship on "a car is what the seller thinks it is worth" topic, but CarbBoxer is right. From the sounds of things this car is 30k with a recent major and all records in hand. Without it, it's more like 25-27k. More than that and you are giving away your money. There is a nero metallic one for sale on Fchat right now that is 29k asking and it look very nice.

Keep looking!

MB

 

As a reference, I just bought an '84 GTS this year. 16,000 miles - very clean. It needed new shock, bushings and tires. Changed the fluids as well. That was it. Other than that everything works great down to the green light in the parking brake. Service was done 9/06 so I will get it done at the end of this season. Price was mid-high 30's. The only way I would consider a high mileage car is if the owner maintained the car meticulously. As you can tell by this website, most owners could tell you the day, month and year of their last service. I would be cautious on this one. Not a $35K car from what you described. Better to get a better car and pay up than have to deal with years of neglect.

 

Any Pics of the car?

 

Ditto on what MB said. high 20's. 30k is you really want one and got to have it this minute. I would try to get a PPI first and walk at the first sign of problems.

Ace

 

"Tires basically bald". Seller has let the tires become bald without replacing? Neglect of something this basic, calls into question what else was let go. PPI? Oh yes! Even with that, I would expect the "sorting out" process to be lengthy. I expect that you could do better elsewhere, IMHO.

 

I'd look around some more.

My 308 came from this dealer: www.forzamotorsports.com

Paid $39.5K in late '07 for 2-owner, 20K mile, fully-documented '83 GTS. Top of the market price, but great car.

 

I bought mine from Peter at Forzamotorsports as well. It was everything he described. He was a pleasure to deal with and I would go back to him again. For pics, he still has shots of mine on his website. Red with tan (What else)!

 

You got your car just recently, then?

I bought mine long distance, CT-->TX. Didn't see it until delivered. Between Peter and Bill Pollard, I knew every detail by the time it got here. Both treated me right. Making the deal was a pleasure rather than a stress out.

That makes 2 Ferraris I've bought sight unseen, both turned out fine, but won't do it that way again.

Next Ferrari, I will start with Forza, but go up there to look at what interests me.

 

I've got an '84 QV w/ 42k which I bought last year and it sounds like it's in exactly the same condition. Drove it home and have been restoring it ever since so I haven't had it on the road again since the drive home almost exactly a year ago. I'm finishing the new clutch/seals/bearings install this week and hope to have it on the road in the next month or so. Be prepared to spend a lot of time (and $), working though 'minor' problems which will become 'major' problems if not repaired. Some owners refuse to do preventive maintence and simply want to drive the cars then jettison them when they get bored and realize the cost of maintence. You shouldn't pay a dime over 25k (what I paid for mine), especially in todays market.

 

+1

Nothing wrong with 60,000 miles on the odometer but there should be a stack of records that go along with it including at least two belt changes over the last decade.

I've only had my 328 for a couple of years, have driven it around 2000 miles per year, and I already have a small stack of receipts including records for new tires, some maintenance work, an oil change at least once a year, transmission oil change, etc. With that kind of meticulous maintenance you can see why 60,000 miles per year should come with a paper trail.

A quick Vast search came up with around twenty QV for sale.

http://www.vast.com/cars/used-for-sale-Ferrari.308/year-1985.1986/vehicle_condition-All

I realize about 2/3 of those cars have sold or aren't worth looking at but if you're in the market for a 308 QV you have several options to choose from.

If your OK with a non red or black car, thecarreaper's car is definitely worth a look:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=750

-F

 

57,000 isn't "high milage" in a bad sense at all.

If you want a driver's 308, stay away from the 16,000 mile examples big time. 57,000 is great

 

+1,totally agree,as long as there's records to back it up

 

The car sounds a little tired. Lots of things that could need replacement, given the bald tires and all. Belts done withing three years, but the owner can't remember exactly when? Not a tifosi. PPI is a very good idea. Sight unseen, I'd say the car is worth a max of $27K.

 

Understand that even the nicest QV can have some problems lurking that can jump up and bite you in the arse so keep a little slush fund to cover these surprises.

Once the guy takes the time to pull out the records (I would think this point should have been available with the first test drive...) and the maintenance history checks out, take the car to a place where you can put it up on the hoist and have a mechanic take a good look at the underside from front to back. I have seen some real nice looking cars that have had hidden work underneath that is invisible unless you crawl underneath. Look for fluid leaks and try to find their source.

You didn't mention if there was a mechanic handy that has experience with the 308 but short of this, deal with a shop you know and not one of the seller's choice.

Once the car is back on terra firma, let the car run and come up to operating temperature to ensure the cooling fans cycle properly. Move the car ahead and check for any fresh oil leaks on the ground. Simple test that can point to some potential problems.

Don't rush into a car you aren't 100% comfortable with. There are a fair number of decent 308's available and with every single one you look at you will gain experience.

Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada