Newbie's 2nd post - HELP on used 328

Sounds way overpriced for the condition (I mean engine maintenance since I don't know its physical condition) in this market. With the major needed and unforeseen findings from a car basically sitting for 6+ years, you could easily hit $10k in costs right off the bat -- putting you at nearly $50k into the car right away.

 

+1 on price. $38k in this market for that car is WAY out of line. Be VERY concerned -
these cars can cost a fortune to sort out and get up to speed (personal experience
talking). The fact the oil hasn't been changed and it hasn't been driven in years
are major red flags that much more serious issues may be lurking.

My advice: Look for another car that is sorted, driven regularly, has full records,
has a fresh major service (timing belts, tensioners, water pump) and has a price
that is less than what that guy is asking.

Good luck in your quest,


Jedi

 

I suggest you look at everything. If the body, interior, running gear, etc. are pristine .. no stories .. and it is just the oil and sitting time .. consider it. The recent major on my 328 was $4400 so if that is the only issue you're looking at a 28K mile 328 for slightly under $44,000 which is not a bad price. I would ship it, not drive it.

 

Agree 100%

 

If you are intending to ever drive this car run keep this in mind. Even if the interior and exterior are pristine and you can get a service done for $4400 you are still leaving out a plethora of other potential issues with a car that has not been driven. Think about everything else that is rubber, greased, lubed, the suspension, brakes, all lines, clutches, this list could go on and on.

Regarding the major service, I would expect the service to be quite a bit more pricey for a car that has been sitting for six years as opposed to something that has been driven and properly maintained between the service intervals.

 

Go look at the car and use it as a baseline to grade others. There is no substitue for a car with records, if You feel any doubts move on.

 

Looks like you haven't looked for a reliable mecanic in your area.
That is one of the first thing to do when getting on this loony business of Ferrari-owning.
Then ask the 328 owner if he can start it in front of you. Then ask him for a ride. Not you driving.
If it's no to either one of those questions then run away.
If ok on both then get a PPI.
If PPI gets a green light then factor in your price 10K$ for a major with all the "while you're at it".
If negociation turns ok don't drive the car to your mecanic. Get it towed and enjoy only after major done.
Just my 2 cents.

 

ROLMAO - what a joke...

Cars that get hardly driven the price is too high

Cars that are abondoned - price is to high

Cars that are used alot with high mileage - price is too high

what a joke on this fchat.


To the Original Poster -

Have a mechanic look at the car, if there is one owner or 2 owners on the car, and its pretty much original ... then you can trailor it too the shop to preform the service....even if you had to go to 6K for a service...or 10K plus the 38K this guy wants...its only 48K...and you have a lovely (newer looking- paint, interior, body, mechanical) driving ferrari.

Check to make sure its not 15 owners on the VIN, flood damaged potential car, there are books, warrenty card etc.....

I bought my TR in 99 and my TR sat for 3 yrs with the same oil in it and 9 yr old belts... i drove it home (owner started it up every 2 months, couldnt afford the service) - the car had 33,000kms on it and drove her home....took her in for a 10K service back in 1999...and i know have a 60,000 kms TR ....

WIthout real close up pics, and real reciepts details of this car, stop listening the Fchat nonesense....this could very well be a sweet car --- take your time to investigate this car...there is no issue with these cars have limited usage....it has to be stored right - not in a CARPORT or Tool Shed.... when you get more details, add them into this thread for real help.

Good Luck !

 

Listen to Rifledriver and Big Red and check it out eyes open.......

Sounded like an "okay" deal to me, maybe better if it's in great shape....

+1000 on the books and records....if they are there, good!

You others are right pf course, there could be evil lurking to bankrupt him, but if we thoght that on every Ferrari we'd be peddling Schwinns!!!

 

It IS a bad idea to let oil "sit' in a car over six months used or not.....but it gains contaminates it doesn't 'lose' it's lubricating function.....

Post pics man!!!

 

My only point in MY advice is "BEEN THERE DONE THAT". I bought a 328 that had
had TWO inspections in ONE YEAR - BOTH at major Ferrari dealers. Yet when I
got it home, and found the belts were at least 10 years old, and ALL the fuel lines
(including the big bad one at the filler) were not only dated "Set. 1985" (September
abbreviation in Italian), but the major hose had cracks through which you could
see daylight. The cat was EMPTY, and all the cat core had ruined the exhaust.
And this car passed TWO INSPECTIONS. Shame on those two F-dealers. And I
still have the hoses to prove it, should anyone question my veracity.

I bought the car (that LOOKED PERFECT, with 2 'good' PPI's) for $44.5k and then
had the distinct pleasure of putting another $25k++ into it to sort it out. This
was all exactly 2 years ago - if you don't believe me, search my threads for the
whole sordid tale.

So understandably, MY ADVICE is to buy a car that can be PROVEN to have been
fully sorted - inspections, to me (unless done by Pope Carlo at Alfa of Tacoma,
my F-wrench now) mean NOTHING.

Just my OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCE talking. YMMV - I really truly hope the
OP finds a good car that won't bankrupt him - merely urging CAUTION due to
my own problems that I had to pay for.



Jedi

 

Certainly a good caution......wow......

 

This case of service on all these fcars back in the day was COMMON...no way of checking because not many people around to service....there was a shop here in Ontario that was discovered had cars with a nice engine shampoo but charged for 7K of belt work never done Of course they are no longer around.

As for your issue you bought a car for 44.5K and then spent 25K+++ to fix...again, showing what i preach....you need 60k plus for a ferrari.... yet on Fchat everyone high fives every **** box at 25k as being a good buy, and when a GOOD car comes up...and someone asks 60-70-80k there is 10 pages of BS on fchat on how overpriced.

Its always buyer beware, this is why i find it amuzing on here guys that quote pricing of these cars (owners or not) without full details and actually touching the car and comparing giving out a price point.

Please no more BS stories of how i bought this great car for 25k and runs perfect ... BS !
(not referring to you jedi - everyone)

 

OP - note the bold in my quote...

We can CERTAINLY agree on that. All I was saying is that the car of the OP, to ME,
to MY EXPERIENCE, and way of thinking, is HIGH RISK. VERY high risk - MY car had
been described as a 'near daily driver'!!

Oh, if I had it all to do over again But fortunately, I'm not poor and my car is
a passionate commitment (hey - almost 5k posts in 2 years should be testimony
to that!!) - so I maintain a constant cash 'slush fund' for any and all repairs to
come along, bar none - service at all intervals or the slightest concern, etc. Not
everyone (thinking of the OP) may have that option.

I ALWAYS respect your posts Big Red and Tex as well, and all the rest. I just
have a unique experience that I prefer to share "the other side" in cases such
as this.

Thanks very much for the commentary & dialog...

Jedi

 

But, really, I did.


Seriously though, the original post had so little info, I think way more info needs to be had to make an educated decision -- but with the amount told about it (pretty much just said some negatives, and that it obviously needs a major), I wouldn't pay $38.5k for it.

You're right... way more info needs to be had, and it needs to be seen and inspected in person, and let the seller start it and drive it. Just that should at least give you an idea if it's a car to run away from, or a car to pursue.

 

You my friend is what i call a ferrari enthusiast..... and a very dying breed...

but again, to comment, those that do not have the "slush" fund for these cars shouldnt be in them in the first place...

Cheers amigo !

 

You, sir, have captured the REAL ESSENCE OF THIS ENTIRE THREAD!!!! Please - OP -
take careful note.

Cheers to you Red,

Jedi

 

Heres a story for you....

A friend of mine bought (what he thought) was a decent 328 a few yrs back...they were around 75-80k in CDN at the time... he was looking in the US as pricing was cheaper.

Guess what, he found (what he thought) was a great deal !! a 328 for 57K US...about 65CDN...had a PPI done, close up pics, new tires, not bad service history that kindda flowed and had 30,000 miles on it.

Guess what .... when it got here, the interior behind the seats...was almost non exsistent (not in the ppi report) .... the rails on one of seats (passenger was welded) the oil liner on closer look was twist tied with a metal piece (not in the report)

and the biggy... you READY !!

When they took the wheels off it was noticed the frame was welded...under further look...its very possible its 2 ferrari's pieced together, or at the very least...the most twisted ferrari seen ....

never got his money back, yadda yadda ...he still have the car and spent 10K to service and get it right (at least to drive) but he hates the car.

But when i told him about the dealer 328 all books, records, service documented with 20,000 miles and at 85K at the time (20K more) ... he said NO WAY ....now he has a car the last 3-4 yrs, he hates and drives... for 20K ... there are MANY cars and owners out there in the same boat....and yet here on Fchat we talk down a perfectly good car (which is rare enough) to the crap that really exsists....

Again to the OP..take your time, do your homework and look hard and pay accordingly...as said in the past, no such thing as a cheap ferrari

 

I think you are getting good solid advice here. I would take anything that Rifledriver or Big Red say about the cars to the bank.

Jedi and others raise a major point though. Dont let yourself get taken like that.

You will learn quickly around here who to trust and who to ignore. Generally, the people on this board are going to shoot straight with you.


PDG

 

I really hate to wade into discussions like this, but... If you are seriously interested in buying one of these cars (and frankly, you don't sound all that serious) you need to go look at the car, at the very least. It's not that far away. If the car looks good and the owner doesn't turn out to be a flake, I'd suggest that he takes you for a ride. If that goes well, take a look through his service documentation and see what has been done to the car. If nothing seems amiss, tell him you're interested in buying the car, subjsct to a PPI at a dealer. I'd have the owner get it to Lake Forest Sports Cars in Chicago and I'd suggest that you be there for the inspection. Depending on what you find, finish the deal or walk away.

A car that hasn't been driven doesn't have to be a basket case, if it has been stored properly. If you think about it, a car that gets driven "regularly" still spends more than 99% of it's life not being driven, so what's the difference? Not much.

Of course, if you want to save yourself all the hassle, look in the classifieds for the 328 I'm selling. The price is much higher but it's low miles and has a service record history second to none. You get what you pay for, so you might as well pay for it up front and be done...

Cheers,
Jeff

 

So true. I bought the best car I could find. Still took 20K to get it to the point where I wanted it.

 

Red,I share your pain in reading some of these threads... probably posted by non Fcar owners.

 

Richard, I hope you find the car of your dreams soon to enjoy in your retirement great advice in this thread but the main thing to remember when/if you find another Ferrari you are serious about is to always: 1) get a trusted Ferrari mechanic to look over the car for you thoroughly before making any offer on the car, 2) look the car over yourself and drive her yourself, 3)if any of the above leave you with a 'wrong' feeling then just move on

good luck!