Would you buy a 328 if you lived in the middle of nowhere?

I'm in the middle of West TX with the nearest dealer/independent shop 4+ hours away. I'm currently searching diligently for a red 328GTS that has been properly cared for but don't need a garage queen with it's associated price tag.

Having never owned a Ferrari before, would I be in for a dissappointment getting this car and being so far from a shop. I'd prob put 3-4K miles on it(hopefully) a year.

I've read all the posts about what to look for in a car of this age and what should be checked. I just don't want to get this car and be towing it back and forth between Midland and Dallas every month for little things here and there

Is it just not meant to be or should I take the risk?

TIA

 

I live 3 hrs from any "real" shop.... closest is the Twin cities.

If you are not affraid to and can do a few things your self you should be ok. F-chat has also been a major saver in terms of $ and time to troubleshoot some smaller problems.

Good luck.

 

thanks - i've done quite an extensive amount of work on my 996tt and previous porsches. not too hard if you've got the right tools, good internet directions and plenty pf patience.

i'm starting to consider a certain car that is listed by a fellow F-chatter. would rather buy from a fellow enthusiast rather than a dealer any day

 

There are quite a few fcars in Albuquerque and SantaFe NM. The closest is Dave Helm in Boulder CO (450 mi) and Phoenix AZ (480 mi). Many of the people here either do their own work short of a major or drive/ship to the dealers.

Parts can be here from anywhere in the world in 2-3 days.

Dave

 

No worries, go for it!

These cars are not breakdown-prone, as long as you maintain it properly.
This is a DIY proposition with the 308/328 line, for the most part.

When I bought my 308, I was a newbie, but now I know my car rather well, and have done many maintenance and performance jobs on it. It's fun, if you're inclined that way.

If you're not, better get a Corvette!!! Chevy service is everywhere...


Good luck,
Greg
77 308 GTB

 

Come on Frank--pull the trigger--you know you what her

http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=1512&sort=1&cat=11&page=3

 

I'd agree with the other posts, though for a major service you might want to splurge for transport to civilization and get it done thoroughly (i.e., water pump rebuilt, check/replace fuel lines if never done, belt/tensioner bearings).

The only stuff I've had go wrong with mine was an old coolant hose ($9), bad door/courtesy light switch ($20 mail order from Rutlands), dirty power window switch (contact cleaner) and oil pan that has a minor leak (need new gasket there). I installed a new Interstate battery available anywhere for peace of mind. Fluid changes can be done locally, no problem.

The fuel system seems to be mostly Bosch, and brake pads (for example) are available aftermarket. I think you can keep these cars running without a dealership next door. So far my car really hasn't been that demanding, and they're pretty low-tech.

You may have to mail order some Ferrari-unique replacement parts from places like Ricami, Rutlands, etc., and plan to spend some $$ there. As long as the 328 isn't your only car, though, you should be OK.

 

FWIW, the 328 is considered the most reliable Ferrari ever made. If I lived in the middle of no where and wanted a Ferrari, That's what I would get.

 

oh, i wasn't talking about your car......................................j/k

 

Similar to Bullfighters rec - Have a major service done when you get the car - bight the bullet and you could be ok for 5 years.

 

The car his is looking at has less than 2 years on the major----

 

A well cared for, and serviced 328 is a very reliable car. Just know and love it for what it is( ie. under powered compared to more modern cars.)
What mileage are you looking for?? It is hard to find a low mileage 328
You will love the car.

 

looking for a car that's been driven an avg of 1000 to 2000 miles per year so basically between high-teens to up to 40K. not specifically looking for 88.5 and 89 MY cars but that seems to be what i'm leaning towards as long as the markup is not that much.

definitely want red/tan with shields
a no accident/paintwork car
and don't want anything that'll break down on me in the near future so look into your crystal balls

one car has had a major done 2 yrs ago but it's been 5+ yrs since the waterpump has been rebuilit - get it done immediately or wait and do everything at once in a couple of years?

 

In 1970 I had a Lotus Elan+2S and was assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky - lived offpost in the wilderness in the small town of Brandenburg. There was a service garage there, but the mechanics had never seen a Lotus before. I ordered a shop & parts manual from the factory, and with these to consult & use they were able to maintain the car just fine.

So I am wondering whether there exist service/parts manuals for the 328. If so, getting these and having them available for your local mechanic may suffice for all but the more factory-precision-expert-intensive requirements.

 

whereabouts in West Texas are you located ??

 

There you go, although an 84/85 QV is'nt bad either.

 

I know you're being facetious here. 328s seem to bite less often and less expensively than other Ferraris, but it is what it is -- a 20 year old Italian exotic. It's a hobby, not a Lexus.

Re the water pump, when I had mine done earlier this year ('87 328) there were no records that it had ever been rebuilt (at least not in the last 10 years) and it wasn't leaking.

Technically, per Ferrari, if the major was done 2 years ago you have 1 more year till its due again. If it's not leaking now, my opinion is that I wouldn't worry about going another year. Just keep an eye on things underhood, check your fluid levels, etc.

 

I guess I qualify for having a 328 in the middle of nowhere. I did my first oil change yesterday, which was pretty painless. It was my first oil change on anything. I am a few years away from a major, and I will either ship it to the lower 48 or pay to have a mechanic come up here. I am not worrying about it now. My friend has a 2004 CS up here, and he ships it to the lower 48 for big service. Two friends here with a 308 and Mondial do their own work.

The 328 is pretty reliable, just build a good relationship with the closest service place in town and the closest dealer who can send parts and advice. I had some brake work done at the Porsche dealer here, and most things on a 328 are mechanically basic and similar to other cars (apart from the engine). Electrical, door locks, clutch cable, deck cable, brakes can all be done by a good mechanic, even if he/she isn't a Ferrari mechanic. My opinion is that it is not as "exotic" as it appears. Or you learn the simple stuff yourslef by asking questions here. Find a local car club with smart, experienced mechanics who do their own work. There is a British sports car club here who put their collective experience together and fix their own cars. It may take longer and be more expensive, but nothing on a 328 should be impossible to get fixed, and the 328 has the best history for not having things go wrong.

I would not sweat 4 hours distance; you have that as a backup. I am 4 hours away from Ferrari of Seattle (by plane). I have a deal with two dealers to trade fishing trips for them coming here if something big happens.

Enjoy the car, and when it becomes more of a burden than enjoyment, get something else. As Jon said, it is a hobby, and you may have some fun learning a few fixes on your own. I have.

 

Middle of no where? 4hrs from nearest dealer! I live in Montana. I've owned Ferraris for almost 20 years and have survived without a dealer. I wouldn't worry about it besides 328s are very reliable, learn to do the work yourself its fun. What's that saying.. oh yeah, we don't need no stinkin' dealer!! hahaha

 

the great metropolis of Midland, TX

 

Sure, go for it! Am in basically the same situation here. Below is a video from my deck so you can see where 'the middle of nowhere' is

http://www.ispexperts.com/fall2005.wmv

 

I'm in Boise, ID and the closest folks I'd consider are down in Salt Lake City...about 5 hours away. It was one of the considerations why I went with the 328.

So far I've had three problems that I fixed myself with help from fchatters.

Take the time to find the right car and get a PPI from a reputable source.

Good luck and don't die wondering...as it really is a special experience to drive a ferrari...

 

How far are you from Dallas? Norwoods is there, and those guys are great. I, too, am in the middle of nowhere (Arkansas), and they have worked on my 308. Otherwise, I ask questions here, order the parts, and have fun in the garage!
Spence

 

4 Hrs away!!

You can live in the middle of L.A. or the S.F. Bay area and be 2 Hrs away.

 

we're in Midland - so about 5 hrs away. i'm going to do a fellowship in Dallas that starts in Jan for a yr so I guess i won't be stranded for too long(but have no idea how we're going to get 4 cars to Dallas - guess a bunch of back & forth trips