One reason why Ferraris change hands so often

Welcome to Ferrarichat Tim.

Glad to hear you are enjoying your new 328!! Enjoy the Ferrari in good health mate.

 

I have no reasonable explanation, other than when I bought my 348 I was going to keep it forever... but now I'm eyeing a 360F1. I've owned the car for 7 months (very short of forever!).

 

Welcome to Fchat.

The reason why the majority of (not all) people trade so much into and out of these cars is becuase they get a rude awakening about service.

They really didnt know what they were getting into in the first place. They really couldnt afford the car to begin with.

 

Its probably better to cover all bases and say " I'll own "a" Ferrari forever". Then you can feel true to your convictions and not feel like you are cheating on your 348!

 

Naa......I dont think that is it at all!!! Unlike most cars, Ferraris hold their value extremely well, allowing the owners to enjoy for however long they want, then sell the car for just about what they paid for it. They then move into another F-car, I think you would be suprised at how many sell car just to move into the next latest model.

 

I'm sure parts prices and maintenance costs are part of it, but some other reasons:

1. The 308/328 demand a lot of driver involvement - they look great, but they're not relaxing cruise-and-pose-mobiles
2. They're not fast compared to modern sports cars
3. Ergonomics: some guys find they're not comfortable due to the tight cockpit designed for the 1970s Italian
4. Resale is more tempting, because I suspect many guys overextend themselves to get into these cars -- they're not daily drivers, so more expendable.

 

The previous owner of my 328 traded it for a Boxer, so I think some guys want the variety, not necessarily just the newer ones.

 

Perhaps an overgeneralization here:

I think the people that can afford new or newish Ferraris, become rapidly bored with their cars. They're full of enthusiasm and glee when they purchase the car and then the afterglow wears thin rapidly. There is a certain adrenalin rush in the acquisition and initial ownership of expensive and exclusive stuff. When it wears off, it's just another toy. That's why so many F car owners have multiple toys. It's a very common phenomenon in the boating world and the second and third home real estate market. JMHO

Randy

 

Nope..they just plain 'ol find out what sh it cans they really are, and are disapointed in the overall experiance. Once the novelty of the name wears off what do you have really? An old under performing car that is uncomfortable to drive and costs a ton to fix..what kinda fun is that??

 

I think that a lot of owners buy one of 3X8 cars, then decide that they want something a little news. Then they get a 348, and some SOB let's them drive a 355, which they then have to have. When the 360s came out, they were a huge improvement on the 355, and the 430 is another large improvement. Once your hooked, your hooked.

Art

 

I've had my 328 for about a year now and every time I drive it I fall in love all over again. I'm the 4th owner and I plan to keep it for a long time. I must be some kind of freak because I think the 328 is very comfortable and I could easily spend an entire day in it.

I think that many people used to see the 3x8 series as a stepping stone to newer "better" Ferraris. But more and more the buyers of these cars are tending to be long-term owners who buy the cars on their own merits rather than as a foot in the door.

 

A lot of people buy 3X8's as their first Ferraris and decide pretty quickly one of two things: 1: Ferraris aren't for me or 2: this car is great, so a newer one must be greater and then become "serial" collectors. I fell into the latter camp buying and selling 5 Fcars in my first 4 years of Fcar ownership before deciding a 328 GTB was really the car I wanted and I have now owned mine almost 6 years. Two years ago, I added a 430, but I don't know if it is a long term "keeper" yet like the 328. However, 12 is a lot of previous owners. Mine had 3 which I think is fairly typical for what was then a 12 year old car.

Welcome to the "B" club.

Dave

 

Ferraris emphatically do not change hands often compared to other cars.

 

I agree, and I also find the seats/steering wheel/shifter absolutely perfect. The seats, especially, hold me in place better than any other road car I've owned. The pedals aren't perfect, but I'm accustomed to them and it's not an issue.

Given that 348s have slipped below 328s in price, and the gap with the 355s is getting smaller, I think the "newer is better" crowd will bypass the 308/328 altogether, which is great. I had a choice of the whole 3x8/355 series when I was looking, and decided specifically I wanted a 328. I would guess buyers like us aren't going to resell anytime soon, because we made an informed decision.

However I can see how someone coming out of their Lexus, BMW or Porsche would find anything earlier than a 360 to be overly raw for the money spent.

True. Although 12 owners on a 328 is damned high.

 

I agree. I am the second owner of an '85' 308. The first owner had it for 17 years and I have owned it for the last 5.

 

Maybe the car changed hands so often because the owners initially believed they would be staisfied with a GTB but ended up realizing that they really wanted a GTS...

 

That many owners and only 27K mileage? Those cars are notorious for speedo disconnects. If the overall condition(leather, wear areas etc.) doesn't match the mileage then something isn't right. Probably something you won't be too keen to dig into.

 

Welcome to F-chat......!!

My take as a car salesman and that of my friends in the exotic industry, is that there is too much money chasing the newest thing....and too many people not realising what they bought into when maintenance is due.

 

I'm the third owner of my '78. The first owner had it 10 yrs, the second had it 17 yrs. I'm the new kid with only 2 yrs ownership.

 

Interesting observation, especially coming from someone who does not own a Ferrari, who has never owned one, but wishes to own a used 550M.

 

Hi Ron,

Tom has owned a ferrari, and is a big ferrari fan, as a matter of fact he is a Mechanic of many fcars here in Ontario.

He does have a point to some degree. Lately, he has turned more into a Lambo and Corvette guy....ROLMAO !! but he will turn back.

 

I bought a 1980 309GTBi in 2000 from the original owner. I purchased a '96 F355B in 2004 from the 2nd owner and sold the 308 in 2005. Would have liked to have kept the 308 if I had room for it!

 

Gees, I really feel like the outlier in these statistics. We have owned our 1960 since 1975, so 32 years, almost as long as I have had my one and only wife, 39 years. Change? I do not like to change things. We periodically discuss whether it is time to sell the old girl, then take her out for a spin around the neighborhood ........ Nahh, not yet!

 

None of us will live for ever, so there will always be turnover.

Some of us have found cars that will make us happy as long as we are here and will never sell.