Lost interest, moving on

My car has seen little use the past three years and there is no reason to let it deteriorate.
Perhaps a market for it here with you guys.
It's an '82 400i automatic blk/tan. Euro spec. no lights that don't belong. The a/c fan ran briefly then quit last time I started it, I suspect some of the foam in the ductwork came loose and is tangled in the blower. The fuel line dripped a bit at the pump connection, tightening the clamp worked. The leather over the binnacle has shrunk up too, all this is indicative of a car that isn't used enough. Oh yea rock hard TRXs, two are originals I think.
No pics as it's trapped in my garage covered up. Body and interior are nice.
Thinking low twenties?
#39577 in suburban Chicago

 

Ross,

Kraig's car sold for around $20k and it was in really nice condition. The almost perfect car with no known issues at Forza sold for $27k. In the present market, I doubt you will get much past $18k-$20k for a car with minor issues and it isn't worth spending the money to fix if you don't plan on using it.

That said, I hope you can get more!

Regards,

Art S.

 

I've made the decision to let it go so whatever it brings I'll have to be happy with. I've had it going on eleven years and should have sold it five years ago when interest waned. My home demands a large cash infusion, so.....

 

I am looking casually, but being in TX I really need a working A/C and of course since I am looking for my first F-car (not in any hurry either) I would like a RED ONE! I have seen WAY more red 400/412 than 456 too, I find that kind of interesting. Probably won't be ready to buy till year end anyway.

 

Red on a 400 series car is the kiss of death for resale

 

Ross, how would you compare the 400i to the Bitter SC? I like the F-car, but just curious.

 

Interesting...that is what I am looking for so there is at least one person who is looking for that and I guess in this case maybe it will work in my favor. I never sell cars after I buy them so resale will matter ZERO to me.

 

Pcar928fan,

Too bad, you are a little late, Kraig's car was a red auto, which is probobly why the price was so low - it was a really nice car. I think Firitz Ficke got it; see posts 26 and 28 here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=182293&page=2

There will be others.

Regards,

Art S.

 

The Bitter is a completely different animal. Mine is the slower but more reliable 3 liter with the automatic.
I love it's look and interior. It is far more pleasant to drive in town than the F car. The humble Senator mechanicals are untouched so it's been absolutely reliable for the 18 years I've owned it. The Ferrari will easily outrun it.
It's failure to sell, I think, was because it looks far sportier than it is and people expected something the car is not. It's a fine luxo cruiser and cheap to service. Body parts are made of unobtainium.
If you can find one that isn't rusted up to the door handles they are a bigger bargain than the 400s. Ten grand will buy a nice one.
Someday I wish to do a driveline swap for something with more oomph, perhaps a V-8 or BMW M70 V-12.

 

I should have brought Kraig's car also, looked like a real nice honest car for a good price. Mine is a 5-speed car I brought in LA a year ago.
Funny I am with Pcar928fan, I had to have a red one, also I had to have tan leather and a 5-speed. Maybe first time Ferrari owners want red and 12's? kinda defines Ferrari for me.

 

you mentioned it is a euro car, but what about the conversion to US spec? who did it and what was done? in particular, i would like to know if it has catalysts.

 

No cats. no conversion

 

I sure did

 

Art,

I saw that post...EXACTLY what I am looking for! I saw one that was still listed on a used car site (really high end stuff up in the NE somewhere...) and it was Red w/ Tan/black seats and interior! WOW! It was AWESOME looking. It was listed at $24.9k Not sure what it sold for but probably a touch less anyway...that would have been PERFECT! Day late, dollar short...story of my life!

Thanks for looking out for me!
James

 

Yup, I think you are right...well, it apparently works for you and me anyway! ;-)

James

 

Yeah...ask me how I know

Cheers;
Aaron
'82 GTSi

 

Sounds like I must have just missed a GREAT deal on a red 400/412! Dang it!

 

Pcar;

I had an '83 400i which was an absolutely gorgeous shade of deep red. Not burgundy but more like true 'blood red'. It had the tan interior and from the sound of it would have been your perfect car. You can see pics of it here if you type in ''400i ault park'' into the search field. Anyways I sold it because truthfully I liked my 308 better and I just couldn't justify keeping a second Ferrari around that cost more to service and operate than the 308 yet didn't provide me with as much of a grin factor. My 400 took an award at our concours and it really was a beautiful car but boy did I have a helluva time selling it!! I think that was the toughest time I've ever had selling a car....ever. Finally a Ferrari mechanic (appropriately) in California bought it from me for (I think) $22K. It needed new TRX tires and needed a fuel injection problem sorted. I think in the year I owned it I put all of 25 miles on the car..no joke! Anyways good luck in your search! I had a feeling if mine had been non-metallic Navy Blue over tan I wouldn't have sold it..

Cheers;
Aaron
'82 GTSi

 

Aaron, you are right...that would have been the PERFECT car for me!

Can you tell me what kinds of things you were having to spend a lot of money on to keep it running? Just trying to get a handle on what I might find looking at these cars used.

Best,
James

 

Just looked at the pics...damn sorry I missed out on that one! I suspect the fixing of the FI system would have got my attention, so maybe I will get lucky (ok, REALLY LUCKY) and find a 400 that is both affordable AND not in need of any expensive maintenance! Man am I dreaming or WHAT?!

James

 

Doesn't that mean its a gray market import? I suspect that will prove difficult to insure and register. On cars.com there is another 400i for sale in the north chicago burbs, listed for over 1 year, I think they are asking $18000.

Ross, if the tires are original, has any other work been done on the car? Belts? Major, etc??? Brake lines? Coolant flushes?

I suspect you have a hard sell there...good luck.

I wish someone were selling a gt4/308 in Chicago under the same circumstances...I would love to pick up a reasonable deal...

 

This is a lovely colour.
The rubber and leather bad zones made point that many things need work, many can not see until you start the job, so espect surprizes

 

They are all grey market imports. They are all a tough sell also. Brake lines?? Quite a leap from not having worn out a set of tires to needing brake lines. Yea, it has it's original fill of fluids too, geesh.