Any Ferrari GRM owners

I passed on a 308 about 6 years ago. Asking price was $21,000. It's probably a $35,000 - 40,000 car now. I had a brief conversation with Andy Reid, a couple of years ago, about his thoughts on 308's. What I got from him is, buy the car first, because you'll enjoy it. Secondly, they've bottomed on the depreciation curve (and that's where we GRMers love to buy cars) and are starting to tick up slightly. All things 80's are cool again - including Magnum PI and that gives them added appeal. The other thing is, people who had kids in 80's are now empty nesters and have a little more disposable income. Point being - there are a few factors that might make them a really good buy right now.

Lemme revise a statement - almost everything 80's are cool again. Daisy Dukes on guys are not cool again

The one I found was a 94 348. I will pm a couple people here for some additional info, and I appreciate the point to Ferrari Chat. I didn't think that there would be a spot for hands-on owners. Good to know.

Once I got to looking, I realized that the one I found was still good, but there are lots of them out there. I will refer to my favorite adage of "buy the best one you can afford," as I'm guessing that will be pretty important for a Ferrari.

Don't know that I will actually do it, but it's kinda odd searching for Ferraris instead of $500 Saturns for a change.

After poking at used Ferraris and used NSXs, I'd go with the NSX personally.

But the horse is just so damn cooooooooooooooooooool.

aussiesmg wrote: Awwww come on you guys, please go back to the Miatas and Volvos, I am now searching for a damn Ferrari dammit, Aw Mannnn http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1991-FERRARI-348-TS-SPIDER-CONVERTIBLE-5SPEED-ONLY-18K-/190639004036?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c62f85984

I like that for some reason... One of our classic car friends has a 308. The closest I've been to it was short ride in it at Watkins glen a couple of years ago. Neat car, although a bit cramped inside. He had to start it in the morning and let it warm up before he could go anywhere.

On a side note, the ebay mobile page is really effing annoying...

Oh, the temptations here...

I figure that I should link Andy Reid's CM article here. http://classicmotorsports.net/articles/five-horses/

Also, I do recall reading an article by some auto journo (one of the old Car and Driver guys?) about how he looking into Ferrari ownership and found out that the 308 is very DIY friendly.

CamaroKeith wrote: Lemme revise a statement - almost everything 80's are cool again. Daisy Dukes on guys are not cool again

Leopard print pants, on the other hand...

I'll take one of these...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-Testarossa-1986-Ferrari-1986-Ferrari-Testarossa-Low-Miles-/190635734449?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c62c675b1

Now you have me looking and I cannot afford a Prancing Pony much less a Prancing Horse.

Found this: I would so drive don't care let the haters Hate.:

Then I found a Ferrari I can afford, just not drive.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-FERRARI-TESTAROSSA-LOWEST-PRICE-UNIVERSE-/110826048541?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19cdbf4c1d

EvanB wrote: I'll take one of these... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-Testarossa-1986-Ferrari-1986-Ferrari-Testarossa-Low-Miles-/190635734449?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c62c675b1

Nice, but the low prices are a result of staggering, engine out service costs-how about 8-12K!

Best user freindly F-cars are the 308,328(best,cheap everyday drivers that dont break), Modials(vert tops are a nightmare though) and 550s.

glueguy wrote: The one I found was a 94 348. I will pm a couple people here for some additional info, and I appreciate the point to Ferrari Chat. I didn't think that there would be a spot for hands-on owners. Good to know. Once I got to looking, I realized that the one I found was still good, but there are lots of them out there. I will refer to my favorite adage of "buy the best one you can afford," as I'm guessing that will be pretty important for a Ferrari. Don't know that I will actually do it, but it's kinda odd searching for Ferraris instead of $500 Saturns for a change.

true. Always get records and a PPI when considering a Ferrari. Unless you are handy with the wrenches and feel like restoring a neglected example. Just be aware, that while some parts are shared with more pedestrian cars(and there are work-arounds for like-parts), some Ferrari parts prices are very high.

forzav12 wrote:

Javelin wrote: In reply to forzav12: See, that's some of the glowing praise I've heard on the 550. I really love that car. I have 6 1/18ths of the damn thing but I've never even sat in one yet. It just looks so *right*.

If you are ever in socal, we can take care of that. ;)

Oh yesyesyesyes!!!!

For the V-8s, the newer they are, the nicer they are to drive. I agree to avoid the F1 transmission, due to replacement cost. Parts are amazingly expensive (for everything). Also avoid (on later cars) the carbon ceramic brakes - they are good, but not worth the cost upfront or down the road.

The old cars are not hard to work on, but parts are both expensive and hard to come by. One of the huge advantages the vintage specialist independents have is a parts network. New tail lenses for my '69 were about $500. Each.

I'll just leave this here.....

Wait, I can get WHAT for Camry money????

This is the worst thread in the history of this board.

LopRacer wrote: Now you have me looking and I cannot afford a Prancing Pony much less a Prancing Horse. Found this: I would so drive don't care let the haters Hate.:

Lol that thing STILL hasn't sold? Not surprised... it's in terrible shape.

Tom_Spangler wrote: Wait, I can get WHAT for Camry money???? This is the worst thread in the history of this board.

Well, that would be nice smelling new well equipped Camry money, not $2012 challenge Camry money....

What about the 400i? Seems like those get forgotten about by some. Any experience on those? I really dig how they look.

JamesMcD wrote: What about the 400i? Seems like those get forgotten about by some. Any experience on those? I really dig how they look.

It seems to me it is a lot more expensive (both to buy and maintain), less comfortable (they don't have a lot of room inside) Jaguar XJS V12.

93EXCivic wrote:

JamesMcD wrote: What about the 400i? Seems like those get forgotten about by some. Any experience on those? I really dig how they look.

It seems to me it is a lot more expensive (both to buy and maintain), less comfortable (they don't have a lot of room inside) Jaguar XJS V12.

Interesting comparison, but a Jags a Jag, did they make the 400 with a stick, all I keep finding are autos which I can't imagine are fun or easy to get parts for...

Raze wrote:

93EXCivic wrote:

JamesMcD wrote: What about the 400i? Seems like those get forgotten about by some. Any experience on those? I really dig how they look.

It seems to me it is a lot more expensive (both to buy and maintain), less comfortable (they don't have a lot of room inside) Jaguar XJS V12.

Interesting comparison, but a Jags a Jag, did they make the 400 with a stick, all I keep finding are autos which I can't imagine are fun or easy to get parts for...

Actually its a GM transmission and a LS bolts right up. I have been dreaming of doing such a thing for a while.

IE sell motor to 250gto replica builder, drop in POWZR

Raze wrote:

93EXCivic wrote:

JamesMcD wrote: What about the 400i? Seems like those get forgotten about by some. Any experience on those? I really dig how they look.

It seems to me it is a lot more expensive (both to buy and maintain), less comfortable (they don't have a lot of room inside) Jaguar XJS V12.

Interesting comparison, but a Jags a Jag, did they make the 400 with a stick, all I keep finding are autos which I can't imagine are fun or easy to get parts for...

Yes there was a stick option but it isn't easy to find. IMHO the 400 is one of the worst Ferraris ever built and you are paying a lot for a badge. There are a number of cars which are big GTs which are better cars and cheaper.

wearymicrobe wrote:

Raze wrote:

93EXCivic wrote:

JamesMcD wrote: What about the 400i? Seems like those get forgotten about by some. Any experience on those? I really dig how they look.

It seems to me it is a lot more expensive (both to buy and maintain), less comfortable (they don't have a lot of room inside) Jaguar XJS V12.

Interesting comparison, but a Jags a Jag, did they make the 400 with a stick, all I keep finding are autos which I can't imagine are fun or easy to get parts for...

Actually its a GM transmission and a LS bolts right up. I have been dreaming of doing such a thing for a while. IE sell motor to 250gto replica builder, drop in POWZR

Just stop thinking about this! It is a bad idea.

I have been searching for one for the last six months and there are not enough to go around.

wearymicrobe wrote: Actually its a GM transmission and a LS bolts right up. I have been dreaming of doing such a thing for a while. IE sell motor to 250gto replica builder, drop in POWZR

I seem to recall mgjuar debunked that some time ago - GM TH400 - yes, but a Jag-specific application.

That 250 GTE looks sad... like really sad... and not listed correctly. The description data says it's a manual, but the underside pics show was looks a lot like a GM automatic pan.

Regardless, by the time I'm 50, I should have enough money saved up that I could buy a used older Ferrari to replace my TDi as my DD (which should have about 500K buy then).

What the hell... you only live once.

Ian F wrote:

wearymicrobe wrote: Actually its a GM transmission and a LS bolts right up. I have been dreaming of doing such a thing for a while. IE sell motor to 250gto replica builder, drop in POWZR

I seem to recall mgjuar debunked that some time ago - GM TH400 - yes, but a Jag-specific application.

The Ferrari uses a GM auto.