Maleficio

Is the 328 GTS simply an exotic that's impractical, expensive, and unreliable?

Is it similar to the 928 in that it can be owner-maintained and affordable? Can it be a reliable car?



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferra...#ht_500wt_1182

Rob Edwards

Ask the guys that actually know:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=55

Maleficio

It seems most of these 328 owners have no idea how many miles are on their cars.

And extreme oil usage/leakage is acceptable.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332366

Nicole

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.

lonnie77

I have an 86' 328 GTS. I would sell it before I sold my 87' 928. The 328 is a good car and I now like it compared to when I first bought it. It was in very rough shape.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lonnie7...7626099702794/

The seats are hard and the ride is not as smooth. It would be a close race between the two (5.0L). It has some of the same parts as the pre 86' 928 so you don't have to pay extra for the yellow box with a horse on it. It's all the rubber parts you have to worry about. I would not say it is as reliable as the 928 only because of the vapor lock problem you may encounter but I bought it last Feb. and it has not left me stranded. What I have seen is the previous owners do not replace any parts they drive it till it stops and the sell it. To change the timing belt you do not have to remove the engine.
If you want a car that drives like a go-cart with a big engine and have everyone look at you than it's a good choice.

Nicole

^^^ Two owners independently told me that the engine must come out for the TB change. Good, if there is another way!

Maleficio

Interesting.

Ispeed

A lot of maintenance parts are at prices that would make you laugh, until you find out it's not a joke...

Maleficio

Looking at the engine, my first thought: why is the oil filter mounted upside down on top of the engine? And obviously you have to remove that line above it to remove the filter. That detail makes me wonder about how the rest of the car is designed.

The 928 seems like it was designed to be worked on. It was designed with maintenance in mind.

James Bailey

finding an F car with over 100,000 mules is rare, very rare.....never saw one with 200,000 or 300,000 like some 928s..and parts and service charges make 928s look inexpensive .

Maleficio

Jon B.

If I were to spend that money for an F-Car I would be looking at a 348 or possibly a 355.

Maleficio

The interiors look like they were hobbled together with scrap metal as an after-thought.

hacker-pschorr

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..)

hacker-pschorr

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..)