Should I buy an older and less desired F-car now or wait for my dreamcar, F355?

IMHO, If you are posting this question then you are not ready for any Ferrari, old or newer.

 

What about getting a 328? It is a nearly bulletproof Ferrari. At $45K it is about half of a good F355.

 

buy now, you never know what can happen ! Enjoy now ..the 355 will come later !

 

As Andrew has pointed out time and tide wait for no man...

 

I would get an earlier well-sorted and inspected earlier model to acclimate yourself to Ferraris. Who knows, you my not like the experience. HA HA HA...Yeah right, I'm so sure!! You WILL be hooked for life.

 

If you're waiting for another year to save up on a 355, then you probably can wait; but longer than that, I don't know...I can't imagine myself waiting more than one year to buy a car I'm "itching" for. Do what makes you happy.
You'll never know what'll happen so try to live everyday as if it were your last (easier said than done) .

Before, I've always wanted a Boxer or a Testarossa but I wasn't ready for one yet at the time so I bought an '89 328. I am extremely happy I did.

 

Tough call without knowing more about your particulars. But, I would say be patient.

F355's are going down in price.
Maintenance/parts on all cars is going up.

 

Neither, buy an older 12 cylinder car instead . You will forget all about owning a little v8 once you own a 12 !

 

Go for it now and never look back. You'll be glad you did. You may find that when the time comes that you can afford the car of your dreams you may have different dreams.

 

My thoughts are go for the best you can possibly afford,and go for it now as you just never know whats going to happen.

 

Alex,

Does your Girl Friend (Future Wife?), share your sentiment & passion?
When she's your Wife she may not! Make sure she knows that this is
your intent before you get married (and certainly before Children).
But like Andrew so eloquently stated and Napolis echoed:
"Time and Tide waits for no Man"

 

The timing doesn't look right to me. The cost of one of these cars is more than just the initial purchase. You need 5k or more held back for whatever. Do the family thing and get a car later. Lusting over them is half of the fun.

 

Get a mondial and enjoy the open air at a great price. I did what you are considering and love my mondial. Some day I will get a newer model, but the 3.2 Mondial is based on the 328 engine and it is just a blast.

 

Oh boy, here he goes again! LOL

 

My $.02 - if your girlfriend understands and backs the decision, get a 308 or Mondial now. Why not? You never know what can happen tomorrow, next year, 5 years from now etc. Personally, I want a F355 in the worst way. But that won't be the way I start. I'll start with a 3x8 and work my way up. I'm married and my wife understands and accepts that as soon as we can afford an F-car without breaking the bank or strapping ourselves, it's going to happen. Enjoy that experience while working towards the F355.

Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

 

There is no question; get it NOW. I have a cheapo Mondial. While I hope/intend to get something faster someday, I have had more fun with it in 6 months than I have with any other car. That simply would not have happened if I had waited...in fact I should have done it years ago.
Driving it, it matters not one bit who says it's too slow or whatever. I'm happy. Do it now! ;o)

 

A good carbeb 308 is more fun (and nicer to listen to) IMHO than most later models especially if you can stretch to the fiberglass ones.
Less weight, less restricted, less fancy electronics, basically just a frame with an engine as all Ferraris should be.

Also consider serious devaluation coming the F355 way in the near future and much higher running costs (engine-out belts, expensive parts and service) whereas the 308 can be serviced by most for whatever is basic.

 

Alex,

Check out this thread. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11309

Do you think this is a LESS desirable? (Less being relative),
compared to your needs: Four seats, affordable, yet Classic Lines.
If I were in your situation today, facing Marriage and Children
a Mondial would be a practical alternative. That is to say,
"If you intend on your Family sharing in your passion."
(Imagine weekend get-a-ways, Sunday Drives.. Together!)

Rent the Movie: Scent of a Woman (Beautiful Mondialt Cabrio)

Unfortunately you've gotten the bug at a time in your life where
your desire and means do not coincide with your needs and means.

They rarely do until late 30's and up…

Chuck

 

IMO ANY Ferrari is AWESOME!! Agree or disagree?

 

What the heck do you mean by "less desirable"? Less desirable for you? Less desirable to the public? To other Ferrari owners? If your primary concern is buying something according to the level of desirability to someone else, no offense intended, but you might want to take a serious look at the motivation behind your buying decisions in general. Afterall, whether it's a 308GT4 or a 360, at the end of the day these are just cars, and desirability should have nothing to do with your level of enjoyment with a particular car. If YOU enjoy the car and can afford it, do it.

 

All very well said.

 

I am reminded of a true story on this site:

Someone bought his Ferrari that he always wanted to own after many years of working, saving, and waiting. He got it home, drove it for 50 miles, and put it away. He went on a business trip and passed away.

Why wait?

 

I agree, I remember that story, what a shame.