Ferrari: 328 GTS pointers

"LIW" <net> wrote in message
 
(both 


Larry, I think you already know the answer to this one...


If you already eschew Porsches in favor of the Corvette
and Viper due to the massive torque kick they provide
then you won't be happy with a 328. It'll have similar
power to a 964 model Porsche (early '90s). Also when
you take that corner you normally take at 85mph in the
Vette at 80 in the 328 and you run out of tire you'll be,
well, you'll be scared shitless if you're lucky, injured and
paying to replace a Ferrari if you're not.

I still like the period feel of older cars, warts and all, but
I've still had to let go of some cars that I used to love
simply because I know I want more from a sports car
now. You've been dining at the torque trough for too
long to just hop in a 328 and appreciate it's more subtle
nuances. You'll just be running it hard saying "this thing's
kind of slow, it shifts funny, and it's squirrely on these
skinny tires". You'd drive it for a month and it'd be sold.


Give the cars another year or two to depreciate and you'll
probably find _your_ Ferrari in your price range.


As for me, a 328 would be great. I'd be juuuuust fine.



-Matt- "..."

On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 01:33:51 GMT, "LIW" <net> wrote:
 

<schnippo>
 

As one who has compromised(?) his 'prancing' ambitions for the past
few years with NSXs, I am also interested. The NSXs have been an
absolute delight, and apparently much like a 328, but...
--
Dan Drake

"Dan Drake" <notthis.net> wrote in message
 


You would be better equipped to appreciate the 328
for what it is, not having grown accustomed to huge
torque numbers.

Not to parrot auto journalists, but you'd probably find
the 328 to be like an NSX with a 'personality', as it
were...



-Matt- "..."

"matt borland" <rr.com> wrote in message
news:G93Bd.24716$columbus.rr.com...
 


And here I was thinking "addicted to huge torque numbers" : - )

It is similar to the move from the 600 cc Honda F4 motorcycle that I had,
which was nimble, and had the charm of requiring gear shifts matched to
corner speeds, and foresight of planning to be high enough in the rev range
to carry the corner safely, without losing time building up torque on the
exit after the apex.

When I got the Suzuki GSXR 1000 K3, all mistakes were overcome in second
gear with a wave of torque.

When I got my Viper, a buddy who teaches motorcycle racing for Keith Code,
and I went through some local high speed roads (Mines Road/Mt. Hamilton for
anyone local). He can drop me easily on motorcycles, But he was in his
Porsche Boxster, and I was in my Viper. He could not shake me. Then we
switched. After he got used to the tail swinging out on the Viper under
acceleration, and started modulating that, he was gone, while I fixed my
errors in losing rpms while braking.

In some ways, the lower torque experience seems like the purer driving
experience.

But the torque that pins you into the seat, and drops everyone near you into
a speck in the rear view, is very addictive. : - )

"LIW" <net> wrote in message
news:vP3Bd.11259$..
 


I agree.

 
into 


I'll second that as well. :-)



-Matt- :::used to have 325 ft-lbs @ 2800rpm:::

On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 03:36:59 GMT, "LIW" <net> wrote:
 

That's what the NSX and a DCOE Weber Caterham Seven tell me. 

That's what the M5 tells me.

I guess it's too late for a 328. I'll have to keep saving my pennies,
but for what?
--
Dan Drake

"Dan Drake" <notthis.net> wrote in message
news:com... 
into 

You have an M5, and I have an Audi S8. I'm starting to think that those
are good enough for high torque, heavy cars.

Maybe your NSX should become a 328 or a 355 if you can afford it.

I have historically wanted a Testarossa, but I'll see what I think after
driving a 328 (rain permitting) tomorrow. I drove one many years ago, but
don't remember it in the same way I remember driving a Boxer 512 BB or a
1990 Testarossa.

matt borland wrote:
 

I beg your pardon???? It takes more than huge tyres to get around a
corner, you know.

'squirrely' indeed. You wait 'til Iaiaiaiaiaiaiaiaiain sees this, then
you'll be in touble, my boy!
 

And don't think that will save you.

-Paul

HUMPH! 'squirrely'

AND ANOTHER THING, Iaiaiaiaiaiain and I chased a tricked up
skyline in his 328 and...

....well, the skyline was faster, BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT -
the 328 wasn't *that* much slower - despite being about 15
years older than the Nissan. AND it will still run faster and out-corner
most things on our roads.

AND it looks better, feels better and has shinier paint!

SO THERE!
--
Http://www.redmist.freeserve.co.uk (Now featuring the a.a.f. directory)