Recommend a vintage Ferrari to a newbie

This will be a very fun and informative thread to follow. Thanks for posting.

I would LOVE a pre-1970 Ferrari, but alas it's just out of my budget. My '86 328 GTS is
likely the ONLY Ferrari I'll ever own. And I'm fine with that....

Jedi

 

Where are you located?

 

The cars you listed (I would include the 250 PF coupe) are the best of the "affordable" Enzo era cars, in my opinion, and you can certainly get a great one within the budget you mentioned. And you're in an area where the cars are relatively plentiful.

 

You could buy the best 330GTC in the world for "under $300K".

My 330 2+2 Series I was a great car. At the time of its unfortunate demise, I had around $70K in the car itself and direct maintenance/running costs. Add another $5K for sales tax on the purchase, 5 years of insurance, and 3 or 4 flatbed trips to Norwood Performance.

 

The $300k mark is a bit of no-mansland in the vintage Ferrari world. As mentioned it is above the very best 330GTC (although not by that much, the very best will be hitting $250k), but below cars like the Lusso, 275GTS, 250 PF Cabriolet and so on. I don't know any models that occupy the $300k - $400k mark, quite strange really.

It is exactly for this reason that I bought a 330GTC. To me it is a perfect combination of style, performance, and bang for buck. They are fantastic to drive, too.

If you want more "status" in the vintage Ferrari world, and better investment potential, you will need to upgrade to a Lusso, IMHO. Or one of the best buys in the market today, the 250 PF Cabriolet, which most people will mistake for a 250 California Spyder. I really think those cars will become a lot more expensive than they are at the moment. One other to consider might be the Daytona but I think it's a little too modern for you?


Onno

 

I've owned a few classic Ferraris, and of the one's I've driven, I'm impartial to the 330GTC because of it's great handling characteristics. In my experiences, it's the most versatile of the entry-level cars.

As previously stated - in the $200-$300K range, you really aren't able to buy the "icons", except perhaps a well-used Daytona. My personal opinion is that cars in this class will probably have limited investment potential.

 

330 GTC is the perfect car. A Daytona is also in your range, but a different proposition altogether, maybe a tad too modern.

Whatever model you choose, be patient until the right one comes along: buy the best you can find.

 

330 GTC are very nice but PF may still rocket in price.

 

330GTC or a 250PF

 

I've owned a 68 330 GTC, 72 246 GTS and an 83 308 GTS QV euro.

For 300k you could buy all three! Maybe pushing it a bit.

I'd recommend you buy the best 330 GTC you can find. Probably about 225k is a good ballpark to budget right now.

From personal experience, it is also fun to have a mid-engine car too. That would be a 246 GT(S) or something from the 3xx range.

Personally, I would combine the 330GTC with a 355 spyder or 308 GTS (EURO).

Have fun and enjoy the ride!!!

TG

 

Here is a 250 PF cab to be offered by RM in August. One of three to be sold by the same owner. These cars greatly range in price. I've seen them sell from the high $200's to the low $500's. I think this car one can buy in the low to mid $300's. I actually offered $200K for a "barn find" PF cab about two years ago for a basket case of a car that's in pieces! Glad the owner declined my offer. He still has the car...

http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode=MO10&CarID=r226&fc=0

From what I've heard, the 250 PF Cabs are not fun to drive, but it is a 60's open vintage V12 Ferrari with no other comparables in the price range. Therefore it may have solid future appreciation.

Geno

 

No sorry, not in this market. At least, not if you want decent ones.


Onno

 

330 GTC great car, but if you don't want to worry about blue smoke or $500.00 tune ups buy a Iso Grifo, small block or big block they both look great and run run run for ever.

 

I would probably go with the Daytona coupe, but that would be at very tail end of the vintage years, and it seems like the really good ones are going to be pushing your $300K budget. To me it's always seemed like the ideal blend of vintage character in an iconic body.

It's on my "buy before I die" list.

The 330 GTC has aged incredibly well. I don't know anyone who doesn't like that car, and from what the experts here are saying it's comfortably in your range. That would be a beautiful choice and be able to buy a very good car and have cash on hand for stuff that comes up...

 

^

The GTC is a superior driver in virtually every respect. Also, it's unlikely you'll find a PF Cab for $300K that doesn't have some needs. A $200k-$250K GTC should be in far superior condition to a PF Cab at the same price. Of course, there's always the possibility of a bargain hidden out there...that's part of the fun! And, if you can do some of your own work, condition begins to diminish in importance.

 

A 1968-71 365 GT 2+2 is the last of the vintage looking Ferrari's that you can enjoy for a long time with the benefits of Air Conditioning and Power steering, a huge trunk, a comparatively excellent ride. the very nice cars today are available from 110,000 to 150,000 so you will have money to restore it as necessary and enjoy it.
Caveat the 365 GT 2+2 is not the canyon chaser that the 330 GTC is but you have enough left over for a F430 or ? The 365 engine has a lot more torque and is easier to drive then a 250 engine car and you have much newer chassis features then the 250s.

 

Huge

Solid rear axle as opposed to a transaxle

No comparison

 

does it have to be a v12? if not, a dino 206/246 would be nice on your twisty roads. the 206 is very 60's and rare.
ed

 

If you are no stranger to Alfa, then you have a good solid axle comparison to go by. Granted, the Ferrari is heavier, but the cart axle effect is pretty much the same.
I know a bunch of solid axle Alfa that are a ball to drive...
If I were looking for a Ferrari as you mention, I would go out drive the lot, a lot.
I know you are going to face technical difficulties, but if undecided, better right than wrong. You do not want a car that costs those figures and then realize you are wrong. At times we have our personal favorites, and that can distort the objectivity. Go nice and slow.
Regards, Alberto