Is there a Ferrari that's not insanely difficult to maintain?

I was thinking about Ferraris, how I would love to drive one but maybe not own one. It has always sounded like they need frequent, difficult, expensive maintenance; low interval timing belts, valve adjustments, expensive parts, etc. Even the older ones sound like kind of a pain in the ass. I seem to recall reading somewhere that the 400i V12 was not as terrible as most, but don't know anything more.

Is there a Ferrari, old or new, that wouldn't be such a pain to own? Something pretty DIY-able that would spend more time on the road than in the garage?

The 308s are supposed to be pretty simple to own and maintain.

The Mondial engine is mounted in a subframe, which makes engine-out servicing a (somewhat) simpler undertaking.

Get one with the 2.8L V6...

The 2.0L turbo...

The 1.8L...

or, the best being the 2.8L...

over on ferrarichat there's quite a few DIYers with 308s/308 gt/4s and mondials. They don't scare me any more than a Porsche 911 or 928.

+1 for JohnRW1621's suggestions. My favorite is the 3.0 V6:

308 GT4, it is also the one of the best looking.

One that belongs to someone else.

Unfortunately I am not one of those people who could drive a replica. I'd have to have the real thing, faults and all. The GTO replica is the only one pictured that's remotely convincing, too. Thing is, you can occasionally find some of the odd duck Ferraris just above $10k (308 GT4, 400i, Mondial, etc). Probably not anytime soon, but a prancing horse is on the bucket list, so if the right unloved model shows up for the right price...

I've had my 308 since April of '12. So far no surprises. From a maintenance perspective I find its no different than an Alfa Spider. Oldtin is correct, there are a lot of diy'ers on the ferrarichat board.

there is a guy that was given some old Ferrari that he's looking to race in LeMons.. going by the pics, i think he over paid...

I would think and of the ones with the sideways V8 (that you dont need to pull the engine to do the timing belt) would be the best. I know if I had one that you had to pull the engine to do much of anything, I know I would already be talking myself into selling it as soon as it needed any work if I wasnt rich enough to pay to have it done.

novaderrik wrote: there is a guy that was given some old Ferrari that he's looking to race in LeMons.. going by the pics, i think he over paid...

You mean dukeofoversteer??

SlickDizzy wrote: Thing is, you can occasionally find some of the odd duck Ferraris just above $10k (308 GT4, 400i, Mondial, etc). Probably not anytime soon, but a prancing horse is on the bucket list, so if the right unloved model shows up for the right price...

I've seen how this movie [episode of TG] ends...

SlickDizzy wrote: Unfortunately I am not one of those people who could drive a replica. I'd have to have the real thing, faults and all. The GTO replica is the only one pictured that's remotely convincing, too. Thing is, you can occasionally find some of the odd duck Ferraris just above $10k (308 GT4, 400i, Mondial, etc). Probably not anytime soon, but a prancing horse is on the bucket list, so if the right unloved model shows up for the right price...

No replicas, Ok, understandable... how about the real thing with an LSx swap?

I also think the 308 was one of the prettiest

A good friend had 328 GTS and daily drove it. The EFI helped a lot and he did most of his own maintenance on it.

He also had a 400i with side drafts and it too was reliable until he swapped the oil cooler lines for the GM auto and pumped gunk into it and it puked on him.

The key seems to be that they need to be driven. If they sit they suffer.

Starting at 12k

Mondial Coupe - about the least loved ferrari - so naturally I've got a soft spot for them. Not as good looking at a 308 gt/4, but a better car.

dculberson wrote:

novaderrik wrote: there is a guy that was given some old Ferrari that he's looking to race in LeMons.. going by the pics, i think he over paid...

You mean dukeofoversteer??

could be. i don't really keep track of names online..

Yeah....

I would like all the Ferrari owners on this forum to check in.....Is it 1 handful, or 2...(grin)

Rog

GameboyRMH wrote: +1 for JohnRW1621's suggestions. My favorite is the 3.0 V6:

I quite like this- what's it based off of?

NSX.

Ironically, the one know as "a supercar that is not impossible to maintain."

MadScientistMatt wrote:

SlickDizzy wrote: Unfortunately I am not one of those people who could drive a replica. I'd have to have the real thing, faults and all. The GTO replica is the only one pictured that's remotely convincing, too. Thing is, you can occasionally find some of the odd duck Ferraris just above $10k (308 GT4, 400i, Mondial, etc). Probably not anytime soon, but a prancing horse is on the bucket list, so if the right unloved model shows up for the right price...

No replicas, Ok, understandable... how about the real thing with an LSx swap?

As much as I love to say "LSx swap everything" why own a Ferrari if you put an American motor in it.

De Tomosa did that from the factory, those turned out great.