Need Buying Advice on 1987 328GTS

Perhaps. I think you've got a good handle on what to look for, but if you haven't played with these before parts prices might surprise you. Your 20K repair budget is probably close to accurate. Watch for missing/broken emissions parts, they're vital in CA and pricey

For 40-45K you can buy a nice condition running 328, but it won't have 6K miles on it. Good luck convincing the seller to part with it at that price, but if they do and you get it professionally repaired, you'll have a great car for near or just under market value, and you'll know that it's been done right.

BTW: Please fill out your profile, it helps to know who you are and where you're located

 

With the "unknowns" totally unknown -- $20K is too high -- more like $15K -- JMO.

 

The car should still be ok for CA - Look for the emissions sticker on the engine deck lid. Good luck on the purchase - I doubt the seller would let it go for anywhere near the $20k mark.

 

There isn't a "California" - "Other 49 States" difference for 328s, but you need to know if it's complete or incomplete, what version/market it came from, and, if not originally US, what papers/mods it has.

I agree that the Seller probably wouldn't let it go for $20K, but I'm with Tillman. There's a real chance that, at best, you'll break even at that price and a big chance that you'd need a snorkel -- the Seller should assume more of this risk IMO, or put up the $ to have a mechanic at least oil fog the cylinders, do some hand/starter spinning, and get some (cold) compression/leakdown results to document that it might actually be runable (once you replace the fuel system ). Same goes for the gearbox.

 

I bought my 328 in late November last year. 13.000 miles on it, stored in a garage sdince 1997, but started regularly. I replaced the following:
Air Filter
Oil Filter
Fuel Filter
All Belts
Coolant
Engine Oil
Gear Oil
Brake Fluid
All lines were checked for condition and found OK. Injectors are absolutely fine, as well as calipers.
Only thing I noticed is a randomic indication of high oil pressure when above 5500 RPM. Everything else is perfect. I put more than 2500 miles on the car and it runs smoothly. Do not be too scared, taking it to life again could be far cheaper than you think.

Ciao

Eugenio

 

Since you live in CA, there are some mechanics who can give you ball park figures after inspecting the car. Ask the owner whether you can bring some mechanic (preferrably some mechanic both of you can agree with) to inspect for pre-PPI, then you may be able to negotiate w/ the owner for lowering the sales price after the owner also gets some idea how much the car values. W/out running for 10 years, it's not comparable to what the current market prices are, IMO.

 

I'll reiterate what has already been said. If you can get this car for $20k, and its overall condition reflects the 6,000mi, and it had the early services (1500mi service, and one other?), then that in my opinion is a great price.

Problem in, low mileage 328s command significant premiums, and these seem to be established by the market without major regard to whether or not the car has been started in 5 years.

I can very much see (my opinion only here boys) that some dealers would take this car, do a 30k service on it, and sell it for $60k.

If you can get it for $20k, the seller is selling it for under market, and you should consider it at this price. I will be grinning ear to ear for you if you buy this car at that price.


--Mike

 

In 2001, not really knowing what I was doing, I purchased a 1988 GTS with 1,308 miles and full service history. Prior to selling the owner had had a basic lube service and cam-belt change at a cost of GBP1,000. The day after collection I drove the car to France and did 2,000 or so miles within a week.

I had no problems during that trip and have not had to repair or replace anything since (other than what is normal during the annual service).

Based on my experience I would not hesitate to purchase a low mileage car. It is like buying a new one - mine even smelt new.

The only concern I would have in your case is that the price seems very low - why would he be selling at so much under market price.

 

What is he asking for it? If the interior, and exterior, are in excellent shape, as you state, I would give $20K for the car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Somehow, I don't think that he will accept that.

 

Check out this car:

http://www.ferrariads.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=1546&query=retrieval


One of the later 328s (no VIN provided, so can't verify), off-color (white), 7,200 miles.

Asking $70,000!