Ferrari: Help - thinking of buying a 328

On Mon, 13 Jun 2005 00:33:21 GMT, "Iain Miller" <me> wrote: 

Yes... The weeks long symposium on "what that little round hole in
the bumper of my 512 TR is for" is absolutely riveting.
 

Shameless glad-handing and logrolling obscure the 1% that might be
useful or informative.

Hello Jeff,

This question comes up now and again--merit/demerit of an older Ferrari. I
went through this 6 yrs ago and chose a 328 over a new Vette (similar
initial outlay). You can search this group for past postings and find some
similar discussions.

One point I'll make here is about the economics. Very often when somebody
finds out I own a Ferrari they'll look at me funny and say something like,
"I heard that Ferrari oil changes cost $500, is that true?" Not quite that
much (but more than a Chevy...partly because the 328 crankcase is so damn
big). What I tell people is that the higher maintenance cost for a Ferrari
is *more* than offset by the nil depreciation. An extra bonus, in Arizona
my 328's annual license renewal is now less than $100 (my wife's new minivan
is $600!). Bottom line, when I figure my total cost of ownership (depr,
maint., license, insurance) for my 1987 328 and compare to what I estimate
it would have been for a new 2000 Vette, I find the 328 is slightly cheaper
to own. This is based on a 2-3k miles/yr usage rate. In a nutshell: most
people focus and fret about maintenance cost on an older car but tend to
underestimate the depreciation factor in owning a new car.

Food for thought. But regardless of financial arguments, you have to decide
what you like...no bargain to make a compromise choice and be unhappy with
that. The 328 is quick enough for me but if you lust for power then maybe
have to go with a modern sports car.

Ted.

<Nikola Tesla> wrote in message news:com... 

Thanks Ted.

I drive a Corvette C5 now. I understand your comments about awesome power vs
the Ferrari mystique.
I am also (more seriously) considering a 355. I will start a new thread.


"Ted Adlam" <net> wrote in message
news:XpVse.25770$.. 

Thanks for all of your advice. I think my day of obtaining my first Ferrari
is getting very very close.
I found a 328 GTS with mileage and a price that works perfect for me.
The hard part now is that it is in a different part of the country. It would
sure be a bummer to fly out, be disappointed and have to return. I also
don't want to buy it just because I flew all that way.

I have the CarFax report. I am requesting belt change date and mileage since
change.

Somebody mentioned the clutch. How do I test a *wearing* clutch. - Just by
too much motion towards the floor before release ?
What else do I look for, any spots that rust early ?

Also, should I drive this car 1,000 miles home or rent a truck/trailer ? I
know that is a personal question that only I can really answer but I am
nervous about this car breaking down or getting stone chips half way home
and being bummed out.


Thanks again. I am very excited but don't want to make a hasty decision.


<Nikola Tesla> wrote in message news:com... 

Nikola Tesla wrote: 

Plan on staying overnight. See the car, sleep on it (literally) and
then decide. If you don't want to stay a day, leave a deposit and
decide when you get home.
 

If the clutch is going, you'll feel it when you drive it. Have you ever
driven a 328 before?
 

Bottom of the doors. Duffin can tell you about that.
 

Transport it. No matter how much you think the car's right and ready
for a journey, you're better off having your first driving experiences
close to home. 100 miles maybe, 1000 miles, no way.
I 

The car will break down, sometime. Hopefully in your garage or
driveway. You will get stone chips, you might get door dings, hell, you
might bend it on something. It'll happen. If the thought of those
events scare you, you shouldn't buy the car. Remember, it's a car, not
a piece of china. Shit will happen to it.

T308


--
LIVERPOOL FC - European Champions 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005

Nikola Tesla wrote: 

Nikola, I'm happy for you. But I don't think there's anybody in those
other groups, just to let you know. I mean, if that's suddenly where
all these new names are coming from, somebody has to let them know that
THIS is where it's at - though it's a kitchen with a bit of heat, if
they know what I mean.

M

--
"Sendai eyes are notorious for depth-perception defects and warranty
hassles, among other things."

If you do a pre-purchase inspection at a Ferrari dealer (or knowledgeable
independent exotic car dealer) they would be able to assess how much
adjustment is left in the clutch--to determine roughly what % life is
remaining. They can also do a compression/leakdown test so you can be sure
the engine is strong along with and extensive laundry list of checks on the
car. Or if the car you are looking at has a complete service history, you
can gauge clutch life remaining from this based on 30k miles/clutch. I had
mine done at the same time as the last major service (27k miles)...on the
328 the clutch job isn't too terrible since engine does not have to drop
out. $1700 covers the entire clutch job including new throw-out bearing.
Clutches begin slipping at end-of-life, until slipping begins you don't
experience any other symptoms of a clutch nearing the end.

The 328 is actually rather reliable for an exotic, but if you have doubts
about the service history then having it transported might be the cautious
approach. But if the service history is solid, and you don't mind being
cramped for a long trip, go for it.

Ted.

<Nikola Tesla> wrote in message news:com... 

A sincere thanks to all the advice given here.

I found a car I liked in Miami (in the middle of its major tune up) and
purchased it.

An awesome car and a dream come true.

Thanks again

<Nikola Tesla> wrote in message news:com...