Retirement project | FerrariChat

Retirement project

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by lonestarrpm, Sep 28, 2024.

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  1. lonestarrpm

    lonestarrpm Karting

    Aug 26, 2013
    57
    Austin, Texas
    Full Name:
    Lone Star RPM. LLC
    When I started my career my mother gave me a matchbox Ferrari as my entrance to college gift and told me some day I can buy a real one.

    40 years have gone by and I’ve had a successful career, but never got around to buying the real one.

    I have a home shop with a lift. I have moderate wrenching skills. I have owned, raced, and maintained several Porsches. With some reading and YouTube, I’m willing to tackle just about anything, assuming I can get the parts and the tools aren’t too crazy.

    I’m looking for what would be a good retirement Ferrari project (mechanically, I’m not a cosmetics person). Looking for a good sweat equity project to check off that career goal :)

    Suggestions?
     
  2. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
    33,120
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Snike Fingersmith
    What's your budget? What's your goal?

    Do you want to spend time wrenching for the sake of wrenching, or are you thinking of a buy-fix-sell pattern? Or do you just want to drive/own a Ferrari and think a project is a good inexpensive way into the badge?

    The best DIY range is acknowledged to be in the 308-355 years, with the 360s also accessible to home mechanics as well. The newer the cars gets, the more you need specialized (and expensive) tools or the assistance of a shop. If you just like working on them, I'd recommend a 328 or a 3.2 Mondial.

    For a similar price to the 328, you can get into a 1st generation California. Definitely not a home mechanic's dream, but a very useable modern Ferrari. Just watch the transmission.
     
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  3. iheartf430s

    iheartf430s Karting

    Feb 17, 2023
    216
    TN
    Full Name:
    Ed
    Funny. My love for Ferraris started with a model car too.

    Late 80's, I got a toy Testarossa. The lines were so different than anything I'd ever seen. Love at 1st sight.
    I didn't know if I could ever get one, but loved Farraris from that day on.

    Mid 40's now, and picked up a 430 in July.
    Not sure what to recommend. I don't know your budget or preferences. But whatever you get, I imagine you won't be disappointed.

    Fchat is such an amazing resource and the members are always there to help and go above and beyond.

    Good luck!
     
  4. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    Psst, hey mister. Can I interest you in a Jensen Healey?
     
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  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,099
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    I am thinking a 355. Plenty of needy cars out there. Not a lot of special tools or equipment needed if you stay away from F1 transmissions.
    I know the Austin area well and will say there is a dire shortage of machine shops that you might need. Out in Llano is a good one though. The motors are in some ways a weak point and if it needs pistons and cylinders it can get a little spendy. Labor is a big expense for fixing the motors but you are going to dodge that.
     
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  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,099
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    Stay away you deviant.
     
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  7. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
    33,120
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Snike Fingersmith
    Entire world: "nope"
     
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  8. lonestarrpm

    lonestarrpm Karting

    Aug 26, 2013
    57
    Austin, Texas
    Full Name:
    Lone Star RPM. LLC
    thinking good inexpensive way to get into the badge, have 6 Porsches, so tinkering, pride, driving enjoyment, story. Can’t justify 6 figures, so a reasonable budget is 5 figures.

    leaning towards 355/360.
    California is beautiful and in budget, but I understand the F1 clutch is a diy night mare.
     
  9. lonestarrpm

    lonestarrpm Karting

    Aug 26, 2013
    57
    Austin, Texas
    Full Name:
    Lone Star RPM. LLC
    Does it have lucas electronics :)
     
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  10. DrewH

    DrewH F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    19,401
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    It needs an engine out and belt replacement approx. every four years if you are into that. In my case it needed an engine out 2 years after its regular engine out due to the wiring harness on the fire wall :( .
     
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  11. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,099
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    360 is a great car but very few manual transmission cars and that gets away from a DIY project.
     
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  12. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,479
    So would 5 figures be just the purchase price (doable) or including repairs, reconditioning, paint, etc. (unlikely)? A few years ago, there would be $20k Mondials or $30k 308s (even $40k 355s) but nowhere close now.
     
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  13. Alex308qv

    Alex308qv Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2016
    405
    PA
    Full Name:
    Alex
    Solely from a cost, accessibility, maintainability, availability and parts-sourcing standpoint, I would think any 328, any fuel-injected 308, and any Mondial 8/QV/3.2. Transverse motors much easier for belt, water pump, and clutch work. Electronics mostly normal on these models as well.
     
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