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308s were trading around in the $30s 7-8 years ago so they all have appreciated.
Since you are not opposed to non manuals.. I like Merc CLK Blk series as one of the few undervalued car in the market today. You can still lock the auto gearbox in gear. Rock solid motor etc..
Don’t all the 3XX before the 360 require pulling the engine to service them? If you don’t have to equipment to remove an engine you might consider that. Also, I understand a big part of Ferrari value is dealer servicing, so if resale is important you might consider that too.
I think a F car would be amazing to own, but it is definitely something to fully explore before making a purchase.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you decide.
Remember the Rennlist rule on a car purchase. You MUST post pictures, so we can live vicariously through you. :-)
IMHO, 355 is the only way to fly. One of the top few most beautiful modern car designs, amazing sound, thrilling to drive, and a complete and total dumpster fire in terms of build quality. But until recently they've all been terrible in terms of build quality. If you know how to wrench you'll be fine. Just get one with a few miles on it that some other poor dumb bastard had to sink $50K into making right. I will own a 355 at some point, but may need another year or two to psychologically prepare. It's like dating a stripper.
I added an 04 575M to my 993 turbo about 8 years ago. IMO, best of both worlds...go kart and a cruise missile. Don't believe everything you read about F1 transmissions; I love it and have driven 575 w gated. Now w 80k miles on it.
I have owned a 355, 360 and 430 cars. I LOVE the look of the 355 but build quality and reliability I think were at a low point. I think the fear about maintenance on the 360 is overblown if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. Belts can be changed IN the car (Ferrarichat is a great resource) and most of the common issues can be dealt with. In general I would avoid the dealer, but some are much better than others. If you were on a budget I would buy either a 328 as they are fairly mechanically robust and straightforward to work on (but prices like 993 prices are way up from the low water mark) or a 360 6-speed, but prices for 3-pedal cars are much higher than for F1 cars and sell VERY fast if they are good/well priced. The 430 is a great car, but don't buy the $100k one, you will get what you pay for. My experience is that ownership is a little more expensive than a 993, but not hugely. I don't currently have an F-car as I scratched that itch and ultimately I figured out that I am really just a Porsche guy, BUT every car person needs to own a Ferrari at least once in their life...
If you are 5' 9" or shorter consider one of the three Testarossa's. The original has Bosch mechanical fuel injection similar to the 911 SC, just two independent units each for six of the twelve cylinders, The later 512 and512M had slightly different tail lights but also had electronic fuel injection. The early ones could have the frame unbolted in half exposing the timing belt for changing. The later ones could not be unbolted and I believe this made the timing belt change an engine-out affair. Ferrari made about 12,000 of them in total and so a nice example in good shape is not too expensive.
348/355/Testarossa pass - all engine out PIA for servicing
F1 doesn't appeal to me.
I have been following the F car market for a while now - these things do not sell very quickly at all. particularly the older ones.
Gated 360's don't seem to move unless their prices in the low 80's. I have seen a lot of cars priced in the 100K range that sit and sit. There a 30K mile car that a VG driver that sitting at 85K now for months (privately owned). It's Silver, otherwise I would be interested.
Lots of 328's out there - the trick is to avoid the turds (rust, no maintenance,).
The ones to avoid are the really low mile ones:
- if truly low miles, less use in these cars is more problematic, more likely to run into non use issues
- most of the 328's are lower mileage, often not representing the true milage
We have had some bad luck the last few years and now things are turning around. An uncle that I have not seen since age 10 or so (I'm 57) left me a chunk of change when he passed. I don't need the $, but having grown up with little I learned to value $ and make wise purchases without impulsiveness.
The more I think about this,here is my strategy:
- wait until the fall or early winter
- keep an eye out for the right car close by (500 mile radius)
I understand the appeal of a Ferrari but, if you have an Italian itch to scratch, have you considered a Gallardo? IMO you get most of the drama provided by a Ferrari V12 but without the maintenance headaches. It's more of a hammer than the scalpel that is a later V8 Ferrari, but again IMO a better complement to the C4S. Get an early car with a gated manual and pull the front drivetrain (an easy project if you work on your cars) for an even better experience.
From a driving perspective, I think the 308/328 is a big step down from the 993; heavier, less power, not a particularly inspiring engine, awkward driving position, still the Magnum PI stigma. For me it would have to be a 355 or 360, but I am not interested in the expense to run them. Not crazy about styling of the 430 or 458.
If you must get a 308, go early carb'd or later 4-valve. The GTBi/GTSi were a drag even when new.
i shopped 355s a few years ago. they are a nice complement to the 993. a well cared for example that has addressed well known flaws will show better fit and finish than you would expect and the engine is top notch.
expect a popup convo at every stoplight and fill up. also found the long front overhang bit of a nuisance.. GL!
07-26-2018, 09:07 AM
Input regarding adding a F car to the stable needed
