Which 80's-90's Ferrari model would put a 928-style smile on my face?
07-08-2010, 10:03 PM
#31
Race Car
Nobody ever accused James of not speaking his mind. 
But the 348 is a beautiful car, amazing performance for the money, and cheaper to maintain than a 355. Yes I LIKE them too! Of course the 308 is prettier and easier to maintain than either one - CIS injection, 4-cam V8 with TWO timing belts.
[edit] If your goal is to enjoy the car and then upgrade in a few years, you want to buy one that will hold and even possibly appreciate in that time. 348 is flatlined, unlikely to go down much more, but unlikely to rise either. Special editions like the Challenge and Serie Speciale will be worth the most, figure $40k tops. An '89 348ts with >30k miles is a $25k car at best. A 355 is still in a depreciation fall and likely to go down over the next few years. Really good ones are just sitting at $50k and there have been some sold in the $30's. 360s are still coming down and you'll see one sell in the $40's before too long, 550s in the same bucket.
Best option is a 328. Those have actually ridden out the economic downturn without depreciating at all and have actually risen in the last year. I'll bet good money they will appreciate in the next 3-5 years. 308s are not far behind, being a very similar car, and will also likely appreciate in the next few years (one very good reason why I bought one). Best bets from a financial perspective in order: 308 'glass car, 328, 308QV, early 308 carb ('76-77). Avoid the middle years '78-82 for various reasons.
But the 348 is a beautiful car, amazing performance for the money, and cheaper to maintain than a 355. Yes I LIKE them too! Of course the 308 is prettier and easier to maintain than either one - CIS injection, 4-cam V8 with TWO timing belts.[edit] If your goal is to enjoy the car and then upgrade in a few years, you want to buy one that will hold and even possibly appreciate in that time. 348 is flatlined, unlikely to go down much more, but unlikely to rise either. Special editions like the Challenge and Serie Speciale will be worth the most, figure $40k tops. An '89 348ts with >30k miles is a $25k car at best. A 355 is still in a depreciation fall and likely to go down over the next few years. Really good ones are just sitting at $50k and there have been some sold in the $30's. 360s are still coming down and you'll see one sell in the $40's before too long, 550s in the same bucket.
Best option is a 328. Those have actually ridden out the economic downturn without depreciating at all and have actually risen in the last year. I'll bet good money they will appreciate in the next 3-5 years. 308s are not far behind, being a very similar car, and will also likely appreciate in the next few years (one very good reason why I bought one). Best bets from a financial perspective in order: 308 'glass car, 328, 308QV, early 308 carb ('76-77). Avoid the middle years '78-82 for various reasons.
400's avoid (carbs are evil) 412's are fine but typically have the GM 3 Speed automatic...
His opinion,
Michael
07-08-2010, 10:12 PM
#33
Race Car
07-08-2010, 11:14 PM
#35
Drifting
I've only driven a stradale but have been around all the other models for quite some time, back to when I stared thru the glass at a 288 GTO at a dealer back in the 80's. The 348/355 are the best looking 8 cyl versions and the 512TR the best looking 12 until the 599 GTO hit the streets.
The 348/355/512TR look so good generally because they are so low and small (same as 928 to some extent), the later models are bigger cars. Interiors did not get up to speed until the 360. Some models even have pedals that are offset, drove me nuts. Performance wise you need a 355 to best a good 928 or the TR.
What would everyone be thinking if Porsche had cooperated with the magnum producers and the 928 was made so famous instead of the 308? Anyway I really like the looks of the 348, here is a pic of one of the nicest looking 348's, My Euro, and a friends extremely well cared for 308. 928 still wins though;
The 348/355/512TR look so good generally because they are so low and small (same as 928 to some extent), the later models are bigger cars. Interiors did not get up to speed until the 360. Some models even have pedals that are offset, drove me nuts. Performance wise you need a 355 to best a good 928 or the TR.
What would everyone be thinking if Porsche had cooperated with the magnum producers and the 928 was made so famous instead of the 308? Anyway I really like the looks of the 348, here is a pic of one of the nicest looking 348's, My Euro, and a friends extremely well cared for 308. 928 still wins though;
Last edited by tv; 09-05-2010 at 06:46 PM.
07-08-2010, 11:26 PM
#36
Rennlist Member
Which F-car's are suited for tall people?
I've driven a 308, no room for my 6'5" frame. 430, plenty of room for my tallness. What other models have leg room?
I've driven a 308, no room for my 6'5" frame. 430, plenty of room for my tallness. What other models have leg room?
07-08-2010, 11:40 PM
#37
Rest in Peace
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I do not know enough about them to really have a view.
I may know more about how things work, but I have no doubt that pretty much any owner knows more about which car is better than I do.
One thing is for sure about the Germans and the Italians, they both understand force.
It is my understanding that the body panels on the early Ferrari's are all made over size and require a lot of hand fitting, most of the non "Standard" parts from what I have seen are the same.
I have only worked on a few, and lusted after most of the rest.
I no longer will work on any of them except the earlier cars, like Marks 308.
They are just different cars from inception to purpose.
The Ferrari's are going to be more money to maintain, it is that simple.
For most of the Ferrari crowd, if the work is not done by a Ferrari dealer it is assumed to be sub par, with a few exceptions of course, right or wrong, but in most cases it is the correct assumption.
From what I have seen they suffer just like any other car does from not being driven.
I have seen more rodent damage on Ferrari's than any other car.
Most of the damage is noticed when backing the car out of the garage for a wax job before putting it back in the garage.
07-09-2010, 12:54 AM
#38
Three Wheelin'
Polecat's got it right!
Take a serious look at a good, well sorted Pantera.
They are simple to work on if needed and for the
price of a 30k service on the Ferrari you can just about replace the engine.
They are simple to work on if needed and for the
price of a 30k service on the Ferrari you can just about replace the engine.
07-09-2010, 01:10 AM
#39
Vegas, Baby!
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Hell Jim, I don't have 30 grand tied up in the "Polecat's" engine, and it's a blower motor, with over 650 hp. All I know is that here in Sin City, most of the high dollar F-cars and Lambos won't even start thier cars around the Cat. And the Cat draws a crowd whereever its parked, most people have never seen a Pantera GT5 S.
07-09-2010, 01:20 AM
#40
Burning Brakes
The one's that are of the convertible variant. Im 6'3" and I don't fit well in a 348 or testarossa. The 360 Modena is alright though.
07-09-2010, 01:51 AM
#42
Three Wheelin'
should have been clearer
Hell Jim, I don't have 30 grand tied up in the "Polecat's" engine, and it's a blower motor, with over 650 hp. All I know is that here in Sin City, most of the high dollar F-cars and Lambos won't even start thier cars around the Cat. And the Cat draws a crowd whereever its parked, most people have never seen a Pantera GT5 S.
of a 30k mile service on a Ferrari- vs cost of
a whole stock Pantera engine.
I owned a Mangusta for many years and wouldn't
pretend they were capable of being daily drivers,
even with updates & mods. One of the best looking cars
EVER and probably the worst quality build ever. Still, I wish I'd never sold it.
Panteras are really great cars! Yours especially.
07-09-2010, 02:07 AM
#43
Having owned a few ferrari's and presently own a 308 QV and 928 S4 here is my view:
308 - great drive and handling, slower than the 928 S4 but much more fun for shorter blasts, great sound with a tubi, the inside very spartan but nice, DIY'able with running cost less than the 928. I did 3500 miles around europe in one trip last year without any issues.
328 - handling good and performance good a step up from the 308, but full of fiat switchgear, slightly less room than the 308.
348- handling good and performance on par with 928 S4, however you want a later model after 91, when the transmission and drive train was lowered to make them more forgiving. Like a big go cart and very overlooked. If you want a few hours of fun this a good car, however, if you want to cross the country then stick with a 928. Running costs and parts are much higher than the 308 and 328.
456 - a great car, but very much like the 928 but much much more IMHO. A late manual is a awesome car but also has awesome running costs. You want a later M version, even though the looks have been diluted a little a better car over all.
550 - Buy one, a future classic than will only go up in value from here on. Running costs etc high but worth it. The last ferrari with any real appeal for me as every one after is more computers than personality.
308 - great drive and handling, slower than the 928 S4 but much more fun for shorter blasts, great sound with a tubi, the inside very spartan but nice, DIY'able with running cost less than the 928. I did 3500 miles around europe in one trip last year without any issues.
328 - handling good and performance good a step up from the 308, but full of fiat switchgear, slightly less room than the 308.
348- handling good and performance on par with 928 S4, however you want a later model after 91, when the transmission and drive train was lowered to make them more forgiving. Like a big go cart and very overlooked. If you want a few hours of fun this a good car, however, if you want to cross the country then stick with a 928. Running costs and parts are much higher than the 308 and 328.
456 - a great car, but very much like the 928 but much much more IMHO. A late manual is a awesome car but also has awesome running costs. You want a later M version, even though the looks have been diluted a little a better car over all.
550 - Buy one, a future classic than will only go up in value from here on. Running costs etc high but worth it. The last ferrari with any real appeal for me as every one after is more computers than personality.
07-09-2010, 02:14 AM
#44
Vegas, Baby!
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Thanks Jim! I have wanted a Goose for years, but to find one in my price range is impossable. At 100 grand for one that is all there and correct is common these days. Still looking though. I never drove the Pantera that much. Being from Hawaii, she never came out at the chance of rain.
