Newbie here, needing some advice. | FerrariChat
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Newbie here, needing some advice.

Discussion in '308/328' started by talonlover, Dec 1, 2004.

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  1. talonlover

    talonlover Rookie

    Dec 1, 2004
    2
    East Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #1 talonlover, Dec 1, 2004
    Hi everyone, First I just want to introduce myself. My name is Michael, 33 yrs. old, just married, and finally getting some dough put away for my first Ferrari. I have wanted a Ferrari for as long as I can remember, not for the status symbol, but because I thought the 308 was the sexiest thing on 4 wheels. I'm still really stuck on the 308/328 cars.

    Here is my question(s). Affording the car is not going to be the big problem, I'm figuring on around 30-40k for a nice mid to late 80's 328gts. What I'm worried about is service costs. Before going into buisness for myself, I was a service manager for Mercedes Benz and I could not stand people who bought an entry level Benz (or any Benz) and complained about their bill, or even worse, let their car just degrade into a pile of junk.

    If I can't afford a Ferrari now, so be it. I will not be one of those people who buy a car they cannot afford and live in fear everytime the car has to be serviced. After looking into your archives, I was pleased to find out that the 328 was a fairly inexpensive vehicle to maintain, at least by Ferrari standards. I was wondering what is a ballpark figure on lets say a 30k service? What about a waterpump replacement or timing belt/chain? If a starter goes bad am I looking at $500.00 or $2,000.00? I just want to get an idea of what I would be getting into service wise.

    What about dependability? Are the later models better than the QV's? I am really ignorant on these cars, so I would definately need any car I look at seriously to be inspected. The only problem is I live in east Tennessee, Kingsport to be exact. Ferrari shops are about as common around here as Rosie Odonell at a NRA convention. So are there any reputable sites/dealers online that I can shop around at and have some peace of mind about what I'm buying? I have a lot of friends(auto dealers) that go the the highline sales in New Jersey and Atlanta, which could save me a lot of money price wise, and I know how to buy a car and what to look for, but I know nothing about the specifics of Ferrari. For example I know to stay away from the early v-12 Mercedes SL600's becasue of a fuel pressure regulator problem leaking down causing the #12 cylinder to fill up and bending a rod on start-up. Or I know about the problems affecting the 1991 Mercedes 300sdl that cannot be fixed with nothing less than replacing the entire engine. Needless to say I don't want that version of a Ferrari(if there is one).I would not expect anyone to go over point by point Ferrari with me, but if there is a website that I can check out the ins and outs of a 328, please share.

    Thanks in advance, Michael
     
  2. 208 GT4

    208 GT4 Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2003
    1,769
    Brighton (UK)
    Full Name:
    Dan
    #2 208 GT4, Dec 1, 2004
    Servicing shouldn't be too much of a problem, unless you get a problem car.

    The 328 scores a nice balance between complexity and reliability. The later 348 has a longitudinally mounted engine which makes a lot of jobs much more expensive.
     
  3. atheyg

    atheyg Guest

    #3 atheyg, Dec 1, 2004
    The great thing abou the 328 is most of these wear parts can be replaced with the engine in the car, water pump, starter, alternator, its not easy as other cars but does not require and engine drop as on some Ferraris.

    WP -$<500
    Starter/Alt just have them rebuilt at a quality rebuilder< $200

    As a whole they are very reliable but you will have small issues with them which is normal on a older car.

    A 30k major service should run around $3k

    Mechanically I have spent very little on my 328 in 2 years of ownership, but I have spent alot on cosmetics around $6k just making the car perfect, for a cam belt driven Ferrari they are the most reliable and cheapest to own, all the bugs from the 308s were worked out or improved upon.
     
  4. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 27, 2004
    16,460
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Jim Pernikoff
    #4 Gatorrari, Dec 1, 2004
    As a middle-class guy who just bought an '86 328 in March, I know where you're coming from!

    When you find a car, do a Carfax check and have a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection) done by someone reputable who is not affiliated with the seller. Check to make sure a major service is not due, since those run about $3500 or so. Above all, do not buy one sight unseen!

    My car has been quite reliable (after removing a balky alarm system) aside from parts that have simply worn out due to age. Any car 18-years-old will be subject to this. Check all hoses, seals, boots, bushings, in fact any rubber parts anywhere on the car. Other trouble areas may be oil-cooler leaks, second-gear synchros, and the air conditioning. Replacement parts are pricey (but not as bad as for newer models) but some repairs are quite labor-intensive and that can add up in a hurry! In my case a rear-suspension overhaul (boots and bushings) cost over $1900.

    Once you have the car, all you should have to do is watch the fluid levels and have the oil and filters changed routinely (until that next major service is due). And your life will never be the same!
     
  5. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 27, 2004
    16,460
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Jim Pernikoff
    #5 Gatorrari, Dec 1, 2004
    Oh, and check both this "Classic" forum and the "Technical" forum for all the threads pertaining to 328s. You'll learn a lot!
     
  6. RickDay246

    RickDay246 Karting

    Sep 10, 2004
    224
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Rick Day
    #6 RickDay246, Dec 1, 2004
    Buy "Collecting Ferrari" by Keith Martin. Get it from www.sportscarmarket.com.
    Talk to your local Ferrari mechanic.
    Lots of threads here on first time buyers, even mine from a few months ago.
    Good luck.
     
  7. jaturon

    jaturon Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2004
    1,599
    Bangkok Thailand
    Full Name:
    Zane
    #7 jaturon, Dec 1, 2004

    That's a very good book to enjoy.
    There are a lot of threads regarding 328 upkeeping also.
    My 328 has been pretty well behaved but sometimes you get some annoying symptoms once in a while but that is with every thing isn't it? peolple get sick, children get flus etc. What can we expect much of 15+ years cars?
    My children are all less than 15 and they are unbelievable.
    Save up, get your dream car and see what will bring.
     
  8. talonlover

    talonlover Rookie

    Dec 1, 2004
    2
    East Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #8 talonlover, Dec 1, 2004
    Thanks for all the help, I will definately get that book. Thanks Jaturon for that little piece of advice. I was torn between getting my dream 328 or a used NSX, MB 500SL, or something of the like. You know, if I did get something else, whenever I looked at it in the driveway I wouldn't say to myself what a nice sleek exotic, I would say..It's not a Ferrari.
     
  9. RickDay246

    RickDay246 Karting

    Sep 10, 2004
    224
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Rick Day
    #9 RickDay246, Dec 2, 2004
    oh yeah, you've been bitten. it's all over but the purchase, now. (awesome!)
     
  10. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,991
    socal
    #10 fatbillybob, Dec 2, 2004
    Watch these forum types and those who post. You can tell who knows what. Buy a car from someone you hear alot about on these types of boards if they are selling. Do not fear miles fear lack of maintenance and low miles. The newer car you buy the better it is period. 328's are fine but they are gettng old. Old + time = more issues. My 348 is just as reliable as my 308 QV because of what I do to it. Do not put too much stock in PPI. If you have bought a house you know the quality of the home inpections after you buy the houise. Some guys doing PPI just rip you off of 250 bucks. There are guys doing PPI that I would not let change my oil. PPI's make newbies and the uninformed feel good. You have to do your own research. Aside from rust though every car has issues it is used. Drive different cars. Every car drives different with Ferraris due to wear tear and owner modifications to wheels tires and suspension. I have driven beautiful Ferraris with sagging worn rubber bushings that drove like pigs. I have driven cosmetically damaged cars that drive like racecars. In then what do you want in your car? Here is what you can do as a DIY'ER. I race and service my engine out of the car every year! T-belt cost me $40 bucks, valve tablets 10 bucks, water pump once about $1000, rebuild my own clutchs $50 bucks, 8 spark plug wires non-oem $250. Spark plugs 8 bucks a piece. Brake pads non-oem 100 bucks, 175 per rotor. That's cheaper than just about any car. See a dealer...engine out 348 service 3-5000. Clutch 2000, waterpump 4-6000, brakes/rotors/flush/bleed 2000. 308 qv major 3000, brakes about the same.
     

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