was just about to buy a beautiful 328, but ... | FerrariChat

was just about to buy a beautiful 328, but ...

Discussion in '308/328' started by gtbman, Jan 20, 2010.

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  1. gtbman

    gtbman Karting

    Sep 28, 2009
    69
    ...cannot justify the expense because it is not a necessary item in my life ... have any of you agnonized over this ? This car is the right car at the right price. PPI checked out very well and price is great, I just can't find the guts to buy a non necessary item. need some encouragement here, the car is still available
     
  2. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
    33,120
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Snike Fingersmith
    Go with your gut, but remember this: life is short and there's no luggage rack on a coffin.
     
  3. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

    Oct 11, 2007
    15,781
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Brett
    GTB MAN, every day that goes by is one closer to death. :D Is that enough encouoragement? If you can afford to buy it and it was a dream, live it before its too late. Thats my 2 cents. :D
     
  4. 308 GTB QV

    308 GTB QV Karting

    Jan 19, 2010
    209
    You are not the only one having these thoughts before a purchase. The good thing about this kind of car is that you can always sell it and get the money back (atleast in Europe), so why not go for it and see if it´s worth it?
    I didn´t change my mind for a second, instead I asked myself why I didn´t do this earlier :-D
     
  5. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

    Oct 11, 2007
    15,781
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Brett
    Ok Tillman who owns that line????? :D Moretti has that as a signature. Did he steal that from you mate, bloody Queenslanders. ;)
     
  6. JV's89

    JV's89 F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 18, 2006
    7,294
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Full Name:
    John
    After a minute of ownership you'll wonder why you waited so long. I went through the same mental games when I bought my first 308 and can say from experience you won't regret it.
     
  7. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,665
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    Have you worked hard to earn this treat ?

    If you deny yourself this where do you stop ?

    A mobile phone is a luxury item as is a watch - do you honestly have nothing that could be called 'designer' ?

    There are loads of reasons not to buy this type of car but frankly this website is not about letting you hear them - even so many go through that initial guilt

    JFDI
     
  8. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
    33,120
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Snike Fingersmith
    Just something I heard from my granddad, don't know where it originated. I'll give Moretti credit if he wants, but I'm pretty sure he's not my granddad :D :D

    Did you ever get your ride running?
     
  9. b27

    b27 F1 World Champ

    Oct 11, 2007
    15,781
    Melbourne, Australia
    Full Name:
    Brett
    Hoping to get it back on the road this year. ;)
     
  10. BDCVG

    BDCVG Formula Junior

    Apr 9, 2007
    262
    Cincyish
    Full Name:
    Brad
    I believe that hesitation could also mean its not the car for You. I hesitated at several cars and rationalized that they were too expensive. Then the 86 GTB I purchased popped up and I didn't even blink at spending much more than I planned because it was really exactly what I wanted.
     
  11. FF8929

    FF8929 Formula Junior

    Apr 12, 2008
    799
    Livonia, Michigan
    Full Name:
    Fred Flynn

    Given your reservations, my advice would depend upon your age. If you're younger, you can wait until your attitude about money changes, because these cars will cost more money, than you're used to, in upkeep . If your older, 55+ (sorry, but that's "older"), go for it.
     
  12. shawxhurst

    shawxhurst Formula Junior

    Nov 6, 2006
    672
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Steve Hawxhurst
    The very brightest days of my life are the days I drive my 308. The exileration, the feeling that I'm part of something really really good, the amazement as I look at the steering wheel with the prancing horse and realize WOW... I'm driving a Ferrari!!! We are surrounded with joyless appliances including cars produced today. I don't think that should be what life is all about. Go for it - it will change your life!
     
  13. davebdave

    davebdave Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 18, 2007
    2,381
    Northern VA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    Your handle is GTBMan. You did a PPI on a 328. The car is good. Buy it!
     
  14. davebdave

    davebdave Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 18, 2007
    2,381
    Northern VA
    Full Name:
    Dave W
    Well said! although I own/have owned some POS cars and I have always been able to smile while driving them. Life is what you make of it. Of course, when driving a Ferrari. . . .

    Dave
     
  15. irondogmike

    irondogmike F1 Rookie

    Sep 8, 2006
    2,532
    San Diego area
    Full Name:
    Michael Tucker
    I was concerned about the price too on the car I bought three years ago, last year was tough to keep it for I had no work for awhile,and sold it last Aug and got more than I bought it for,but not what I put into it but I'm glad I had for two years and can't wait to save for anpother one.........go get that car and enjoy your life:)
     
  16. gtbman

    gtbman Karting

    Sep 28, 2009
    69
    I'm 46, not getting any younger, and have been thinking about buying one for 10 YEARS
     
  17. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2003
    1,272
    Seattle area
    Full Name:
    Claudio
    To appeal to your rational side i.e. expense, I find that the highest costs of car ownership are depreciation and upkeep. The former is minimal (if not negligible) with 3x8 ownership even in this economy; the latter is one of the lowest (if not the lowest) among F cars. This time might be the "golden age" to get one.

    As long as you are not negatively affecting your family's lifestyle/standard of living, I think you have your answer...
     
  18. JV's89

    JV's89 F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 18, 2006
    7,294
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Full Name:
    John
    Buy it now.
    By next year, or very shortly thereafter, you'll be to old and feeble to get in and out of it. :)
     
  19. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,294
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Try to figure out your downside to own and drive it for a while and then sell if it doesn't suit you. 10K maybe at the outside? Is it worth it to you to find out? I think everyone is nervous about the first one. If, on the other hand, you are stretching your finances to buy it in the first place, you should probably pass.

    Dave
     
  20. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,871
    Full Name:
    Mike 996
    #20 mike996, Jan 20, 2010
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2010
    "I'm 46, not getting any younger, and have been thinking about buying one for 10 YEARS"

    You're a kid - don't worry about it - you have plenty of time to buy one or wait. I'm 64 next month; bought my 328 in '08 at 62 and had been thinking about buying one since 1986. :)

    Heck, accleration-wise it's the slowest car I have owned since the late 60's and top end wise, it's a good step down from my previous car - '99 Porsche 911.

    However... it's the most enjoyable car I've ever owned!

    And don't think that somehow your interest or ability to enjoy fast cars/bikes will automatically fade away and you won't be able to do it when you get to be X age. When we left NY in '06 (age 60) I was regularly tracking both my Porsche and my Ducati 996 at Lime Rock. I sold them both when we left NY but I'm looking hard at a Ducati 1198 at the moment...

    So don't rush to buy one at 46 thinking that if you don't do it now you never will. If you really are not ready financially or whatever...there's plenty of time. Though, of course, we could get hit by lightning tomorrow... ;)
     
  21. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    What he said. The downside is nothing near as bad as it is for any showroom new car.
     
  22. branko

    branko F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Mar 17, 2003
    3,710
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Full Name:
    Branko Medenica
    So, if you don't pull the trigger, send us the link so someone else on FC can jump on it.
     
  23. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

    #23 Kds, Jan 20, 2010
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2010
    gtbman......

    If you don't like it afterwards, or still feel guilty about it later on, you're not going to get financially killed when reselling it. Ergo, there is now no reason for not buying it. :)

    It's a 328, so they are almost, if not, very close to or at the bottom of their depreciation curve I think........now I know if you were thinking about buying a new 6 figure Mercedes, a new Ferrari or a new Porsche you'd have a valid point......as you'd take a bath when disposing of the car.........but with a 328 you will not.

    FWIW......a new Chevy SUV can cost as much as the 328 if you fully load it up.

    I turn 50 next year.....and am at the age where some of my friends have died before their time........as have friends of my friends. If you can buy it without financially screwing up the balance of your life from an economic standpoint, go and do it. I just got back from holidays last month and found out that someone I worked with for years who is a good friend was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs) a few months ago and he is now in a wheelchair, has a feeding tube, and might live for 6 more months. He's 45 and was just fine 6 months ago. Think about that........is making yourself happy for all of your hard work not "necessary" in your life ?
     
  24. andy308

    andy308 Formula 3

    Jan 16, 2005
    2,025
    Sarasota, FL
    Full Name:
    Andy
    These cars are nearly fully depreciated, I bought my 308 for 25k, drove it for 3 years and sold it for 25k. What a deal!

    Remember you can always sell it and you will get most, if not all, your money back.
     
  25. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
    2,357
    Temecula, CA
    Full Name:
    Scott
    If it is a passion, Ferrari, that is, then you must indulge it. Otherwise, you will always long for it and wonder what could've been. When you are truly old and on your final days, how will you feel knowing that you did not engage in life to the fullest because you were too tied up in being so practical? Please understand, I have been where you are, as have many on this site, so I don't discount your feelings/concerns. Think of it this way...buy the car and if it doesn't "float your boat", you can always sell it. Even with say a 10K loss, you can consider it has a 10K Ferrari vacation. BUT...the liklihood is that you are going to love the car and wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Sounds like you found YOUR car to boot ;-)
     

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