[masraum]

Originally Posted by javadog

Okay, why doesn't a Ferrari work as a daily driver? How much more maintenance does a Ferrari need? Be specific.

JR

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=464376&highlight=ferrari+maintenance

Originally Posted by Carrman

I have an '87 Mondial 3.2 Cab, which is basically a 4 seater version of the 328 (same drivetrain and most mechanicals).

The Mondial 3.2 and 328 are two of the most reliable Ferraris ever made. They use the same CIS injection system that was used on the 911SC (and about a billion other cars, like VW Rabbits, BMWs, etc. etc.)

The 3.2 Ferrari engine in the Mondi/328 can be fully serviced while in the car, don't need to remove.

It doesn't have any of the MAJOR weaknesses shared by the later "3 series" Ferraris, like the exploding gearbox in the 348/Mondial T, or the weak valve stems like in the 355.

The 3.2/328 don't have a ton of electrical "stuff," like all the Ferraris that followed have. They are the last of the "simple" Ferraris, IMO.

Service manual, etc, are readily available.

The 328 is nothing like the carb'd 308 that Wayne had. Those cars are very hard to get to run correctly, esp. in California, and are not fun when they aren't running correctly, as Wayne found out. The 328 is a completely different beast, a much, much better car, IMO.

In many ways, Ferrari and Porsche followed each other through the 80s and into the 90s. The 328/Mondial 3.2 is a lot like the 84-89 Carrera - the last of the "simple" breed. The 348/Mondial T that followed the 328/Mondi 3.2 is a lot like the 964 - both went to power steering for the first time, went to a new generation of engine/trans that proved to have "issues" that didn't exist in the earlier versions, a lot more electronics.

Door waviness is not normal, but it is not uncommon. It's either from people leaning against the car, or from prior paintless dent removal. The doors should be pretty darn straight.

Can't tell much about the particular one you are looking at, since you give almost no details. Everything you mention is minor cosmetics, all of which can maybe be fixed fairly inexpensively.

The biggest difference between Ferrari and Porsche are:

1. The cam belt system used in Ferrari. Too bad they didn't use chains instead. Much more durable, and you don't need the crazy belt change drama every 5 years.

2. PARTS! For a 911, you can get almost any part new, and fairly reasonable. For a Ferrari, even a "garden variety" one like a 328, there are a lot of parts that are very hard or impossible to get. Or very, very expensive. Eg., a front wheel bearing is $1100. A front fog light is impossible to get, there was one for $4K on ebay once. There aren't many being parted out, so used parts are very hard to come across.

Originally Posted by Carrman

oh yeah, one other thing, a big issue on price is when the last "major" service was done. This would include a valve adjust, replacement of a bunch of seals, replacing the cam belts and other belts, and some other things. If it hasn't been done in the past 5 years, the car is worth around $6-7K less, b/c that's what it will cost to get it done, and most people will tell you that after 5 years, it is due. If it was done 2.5 years ago, deduct half that, etc.

A lot of the ferraris on the market now are overdue for a major. with the economy, a lot of owners are looking to unload, rather than dump $7K into their car for a service.

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

When I was loking for a 308/328 a few years ago, and posted in ferrarichat I got emails from board members. They warned me about the maintenance issues and costs of such. They recommended I look at an NSX instead. Which I did. Had a 95 NSX T for awhile. It was as reliable as a Honda. Do you want to deal with the costs of owning a Ferrari? They are attractive to look at, but ugly to own.

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Yep.

Friend of mine got a "steal" on a 328 a few years ago. He HATED that car by the time he sold it last year. I think he ended up putting 3x what he paid for it into normal operating expenses and maintenance.

He really hated it when my 928S crushed him on a local windy road really late at night. LOL.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=449555&highlight=ferrari+maintenance

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=377884&highlight=ferrari+maintenance

Originally Posted by Whtnkls911

I have a friend with a 355 his comment was that it required a top end rebuild at 60,000 miles and the cost was around $30,000 for a quality job. He bought his used and said there are quite a few 355's he found with around 50,000 miles that were a bargin until you added in the cost of the rebuild.

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