With $65K max available, I'd go for the 355 and keep $10K in the car fund.
The 348 Challenge if you want to track it. It's a little expensive but they are rare. And the F40 Brembo brakes look sooo good . After that i would go for a 360 as maintenance for a 355 is just crazy.
It makes sense that F430 prices are settling, but 360s haven't hit bottom yet and probably won't for another 10 years. At that point, we'll see if the F1 tranny becomes the next Sportomatic/Valeo, and how parts supplies are holding up for the electronics. I know one dealer who viewed TRs as a investment three years ago, so you have to take it all with a grain of salt.
The 328 is a museum piece. If you drive it, it's no longer a museum piece and it will depreciate down to the level of all the other 328s as you beat it up. That's quite a premium that you would only pay if you are only going to trailer it to the FCA national meet and various car shows. Not my gig, but for someone who likes that stuff, that's the car to buy. If you are going to drive the car, buy the 360. Least problems, best performance. Even at age 10, it's a modern car. Porsches are daily drivers. A 355 is an amazing car, but they are just way too brittle. The only type of 355 I would own would be a track car. I'm not clear on whether the 348 is steet legal. That would be a great track car as well. Bottom line is that the only car I would truly consider given my circumstances (I have a 550) and the choices given, is the Fiat.
I already have a 328, don't want the maintenance issues with the 348/355 so I'm going with the new Fiat 500 (Abarth version) when it comes out nex summer, as my daily driver.
Ah, before my love fades away. I thought I would give my thoughts. Most rational choice? The 911TT by a country mile. Screw all those idiots who like 993 Porsches better. If God had meant engines to be air cooled, he would have never made Texas his home. Most rational, but illogical, choice? The F360, of course. 25 years from now, when we're all fighting off X'ers trying to give us that little Soylent Green pill, someone will mention this car and tears will run down our cheeks. It is that good. My choice? . . . . . . . Drumroll . . . . . . . . . . . None of the above. My old Maranello that I sold three years ago is up for sale. I have explained to the owner I have some personal issues that need fixin before I do something as stupid as owning a Ferrari again (boring stuff), and he said I have dibs. . . . . . . . . But, if you held a gun to my head? . . . . . . . . I'd negotiate hard for the F348 Challenge car. After all, if you are going to be bat **** crazy, you might as well be completely full gonzo totally bat **** crazy. Rock on. Dale [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veyPHzxNjog[/ame]
Excellent choice Dale. Let's go bat **** crazy together! [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM8Df0NjEGo[/ame] All the best, Andrew.
Dude! (Is that how you say it?) Once upon a time, in another place far, far away, I tried matching dram for dram with Gerald Roush. I lost. Dale
Sorry, I'll take a Maranello any day of the week, and twice on Sunday. It is that good of a car. Time marches on. Dale
Only because I'm slightly less afraid to venture opinions and getting close to being able to afford one am I even presuming to answer this in writing, so please pardon for a moment. And...I'd like to see how, or if, my view holds water in the Tifosiverse. 360 because the prices are down right now, it's a modern high performance car, cheaper on maintenance than a 355 but not as exorbitant as a 430 and later. It's sorting issues are sufficiently identified, handling is not as 'bite you in the a**' as some other selections, plenty of them to choose from, it is a beautiful car beyond any question. It has taken me three years to be able to answer that question like that. Now, am I full of it? I've owned Italian cars for over ten years, Fiats, and I'm quite undaunted at multitudinous vagaries of quirkesque Italian cars in a relative way, particularly the X1/9, and the beauty of Pininfarina designs, as in the Spider. Not too much of a qualification, but closer than a Yugo, and at any rate an overwhelming motivation to continue said endeavour. One thing I cannot quite get is the notion that a Ferrari is an investment......it's a car, to drive, no less. Maybe the old one's but nothing modern, seems like resale price should not be a consideration. I believe I will have the feeling of being eyeballs deep in it to the extent that resale is not relevant to the experience proper.
The 360, mainly because it's at a nice low at the moment for new buyers. Also, the maintenance costs don't seem to be that high, which result in a maintainable car.
The attempt must have been fun. Can you remember your tipple of choice for the evening, or did you enjoy a variety? All the best, Andrew.
Can't decide between 328 and 355 I'm leaning more towards 328 but think 355 would fit me better I'M 6'3 280.
355 but color is a problem I like red blue and yellow so i may need three Those new fiats are neat little cars get one of those for the girlfriend/wife
For these prices, my vote would be for the 360. It seems like a "modern" ferrarri, and looks good in those colors. The driving enjoyment should be great - which seems to be your goal, and the perfomance up to date with many current sports cars. I think they look great too, both interrior and out, though I would prefer a spyder Saw a red one at a recent C&C here in NC and fell in love. (I have not driven one so just guessing)
I buy a car to drive it and to keep it so for that reason Id buy the 348 CH as its the car that will probably keep its value the most. Its built tough and fast and its the only model on the list that is a collector car. So it will be fun to own and drive, be reliable and keep its value. I already have a 328GTS and love it, to me its like a gokart on the road, fantastic to drive and super reliable and a whole lot faster than I expected. The 360 is an early year and will fall in value quickly, so I wouldnt consider it. 355 so long as its not a spider is ok but long term those 5 Valve heads will cost you money. I could live with the head work unless it drops a valve and costs me a fortune. Look how much work is listed on that car as recently done. Kind of reads that it wasnt well maintained during its life to me so I'd expect even more problems with it if I bought it. As an every day car you'd have to go with the Porsche coz thats what they are. Reliable, every day cars. Theyre not exotic unless you add flashy paint and wheels but theyre good drivers.
The best car on the list is the 996TT, period. I voted 328 because I just like the damn thing. no to 355 = big expenses a big no to 360 = soft looks, 430 is better and looks a million times better and I already have one I'm tired and can care less to elaborate.
Nah, I'm talking sports car trash here. It's gotta have a stick if you wanna dance with me. Now, if I wanted to drive US 50 from Sacramento to Annapolis in, say, three days, yeah baby! Dale