Is the 328 GTS as well-built as a 928?
08-05-2011, 09:42 PM
#16
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The 328 is the only Ferrari I ever got to drive. And to be honest, I was quite disappointed by it.
To me, it felt more like a souped-up FIAT than an exotic car. While I much appreciated the opportunity, I was glad to be back in my 928.
I can't imagine spending the money on a 328 and its maintenance - there are so many other options that provide more performance and driving pleasure for the money.
One concern is the timing belt change - it requires the engine to be removed from the car. I hear the big service including the TB change can quickly go into the 5 digits - if you find a Ferrari expert who is in the mood to work on your car and doesn't hold it hostage for months...
But if you are inclined to do it all yourself, this might not be an issue.
To me, it felt more like a souped-up FIAT than an exotic car. While I much appreciated the opportunity, I was glad to be back in my 928.
I can't imagine spending the money on a 328 and its maintenance - there are so many other options that provide more performance and driving pleasure for the money.
One concern is the timing belt change - it requires the engine to be removed from the car. I hear the big service including the TB change can quickly go into the 5 digits - if you find a Ferrari expert who is in the mood to work on your car and doesn't hold it hostage for months...
But if you are inclined to do it all yourself, this might not be an issue.
I did some work on a 308 to get it running after being parked a few years, did PPI and bought a Mondial-T and a 328 for my Son in law this year. But have little experience with F-cars did not even bother to drive his Testarossa when he had it.....
08-05-2011, 10:20 PM
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If removing the engine from a 328 is anything like the 355 it's a piece of cake.
Even if I could change the belts with the engine in the car, I would remove the engine / transmission cradle. Makes it far easier to address everything (hoses, electrical connectors, vacuum lines etc..)
Even if I could change the belts with the engine in the car, I would remove the engine / transmission cradle. Makes it far easier to address everything (hoses, electrical connectors, vacuum lines etc..)
If removing the engine from a 328 is anything like the 355 it's a piece of cake.
Even if I could change the belts with the engine in the car, I would remove the engine / transmission cradle. Makes it far easier to address everything (hoses, electrical connectors, vacuum lines etc..)
Even if I could change the belts with the engine in the car, I would remove the engine / transmission cradle. Makes it far easier to address everything (hoses, electrical connectors, vacuum lines etc..)
08-05-2011, 10:46 PM
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According to road and track 5/2011. You don't need to remove engine on 308 & 328 to change timing belt.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/column/f...ed_cars_page_2
"Tom said he’d gotten his car at a reasonable price because it was just coming up on its 30,000-mile belt replacement and he’d done it himself. “It’s not really that big a deal,” he said. “You remove the right rear wheel and inner fender and then the front of the engine (a transversely mounted V-8) is sitting right there in front of you. You have to work carefully, but it’s all just nuts and bolts, nothing real tricky.” He said he’d done the belts twice on his car, and the old belt was still in perfect condition both times. He thought, perhaps, Ferrari was too conservative on this maintenance interval."
http://www.roadandtrack.com/column/f...ed_cars_page_2
"Tom said he’d gotten his car at a reasonable price because it was just coming up on its 30,000-mile belt replacement and he’d done it himself. “It’s not really that big a deal,” he said. “You remove the right rear wheel and inner fender and then the front of the engine (a transversely mounted V-8) is sitting right there in front of you. You have to work carefully, but it’s all just nuts and bolts, nothing real tricky.” He said he’d done the belts twice on his car, and the old belt was still in perfect condition both times. He thought, perhaps, Ferrari was too conservative on this maintenance interval."
08-05-2011, 10:54 PM
#19
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I ended up working on an '85 308, for a customer that insisted I work on it. Piece of cake. The timing belt is actually fairly easy to get to and to change....can't imagine taking the engine out of the car, for that.
The car itself was a joke, to me....it looks like a "kit car" from the underside. The frame and the welding looks like it was done in 1st year high school auto shop. This car still had the original heat shielding around the exhaust manifolds (there were only had 7,800 miles on the car). The shielding was all bumpy and hammered on....with really crude welding. They obviously hand made each heat shield and fit it....which seemed really strange, considering that they made quite a few of these cars.
The car itself was a joke, to me....it looks like a "kit car" from the underside. The frame and the welding looks like it was done in 1st year high school auto shop. This car still had the original heat shielding around the exhaust manifolds (there were only had 7,800 miles on the car). The shielding was all bumpy and hammered on....with really crude welding. They obviously hand made each heat shield and fit it....which seemed really strange, considering that they made quite a few of these cars.
08-05-2011, 11:03 PM
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08-05-2011, 11:07 PM
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The 308s 328 early Mondial the engine is sideways the crank is pointed side to side. Ends up with the engine too high in the chassis. Later iterations they put the engine crank front to back and dry sumped as well to lower the mass down for better handling. But as Greg mentions F-cars look like kit cars crude welds are just rude. Enzo only sold road car so he could go racing.......and it shows.
08-05-2011, 11:12 PM
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No hatred here just observations on how the hype exceeds the reality..... and do not get me started on Maserati's. Possibly the worst depreciation know to man ....and you do not get the flat crank sound of the F-car V-8 just the repair costs.
08-05-2011, 11:18 PM
#26
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I was talking about the OP not you. Your posts were informative, the OP just seems to be trolling.
As for the Maserati, I wouldn't have purchased it if it wasn't for that depreciation. The car is fun and sounds great. The repair costs are what they are. For most people, 928 repair costs are equally unaffordable.
