Any past or present Ferrari owner(s) on Pelican???

[Carrman]

Originally Posted by kaisen

The general concensus would be to buy the nicest, most recently-serviced, best-documented, best-provenance, newest Ferrari you can afford.

I've never subscribed to that philosophy. Ferrari buyers avoid cars with ANY issues like the plague, so there are great deals on cars that might need something small. Parts can be very expensive, but some Porsche parts are too. Ditto for labor. Ferraris of that vintage were not well thought out in terms of ease-of-service, so some labor ops are ridiculous.

DO NOT forgo a good PPI by a well-versed independent Ferrari mechanic

E

I agree with most of that, and the links are good.

BUT, IMO it's also nice to get opinions from others, who own and work on their Ferraris, but are not part of the "Ferrari scene." (not directed to you, but to some of the links)

The "Ferrari scene" is pretty interesting, and very different from the Porsche/911 scene. There is not a huge DIY base like there is for 911. That's not to say there is NO DIY base, because there is. But it's smaller and as a whole not as deep as the 911 base.

(Although while the numbers aren't as high, there are some amazing Ferrari DIY'ers who undergo incredible projects, including full on ground up restoration, engine rebuild, etc.).

Because most buyers have little or no mechanical knowledge, and don't intend to do even the most basic things (like oil changes), they do tend to avoid cars with any issues like the plague. Which does make for some tremendous deals.

At the end of the day, these are just cars, bolted together like any other car, 4 wheels, an engine, trans and clutch, etc.

The only thing I'd disagree with on is the parts. While you can find exceptions to the rule, in general, 911 parts are inexpensive and easy to get. Some Ferrari parts are not too bad, and you can get, but other stuff is really crazy. Things like turn stalk switches, lenses, interior bits, certain things like wheel bearings, etc. Stuff that is "crazy" expensive. And, on a 911, you can get anything used, b/c there were so many made. On a 328, not so much. You can have a real hard time even finding a used part, and if you do you are at the mercy of the seller if you really need it.

As far as shop labor, Ferrari mechanics have more of a monopoly than Porsche mechanics in their geographic area, and they aren't afraid to use it.

If you rely only on the "Ferrari scene" when you are looking to buy a car, you may never end up buying one, and you'll pass up good deals on good cars, IMO.

[K9Torro]

I would either buy a 348 or a 355 Berlin if at all possible, just my .02

Todd

[Wickd89]

I would buy:
1. 250 GTE (12 cylinder with old school charm)
2. 308GTSi (Magnum really sold this one, although my Porsche
3. 355 (not F1 tranny)
4. 550 Marenello (dream, but sounds terribly expensive to maintain)

[K9Torro]

I got the hots for a Gallardo since a new guy showed up with his at Car's & Coffee last Sat.

Todd

[Porsche_monkey]

I'll go and look at the Ferrari in Toronto if anyone is interested in it... no charge.

[DasBoot]

Originally Posted by Wickd89

I would buy:

1. 250 GTE (12 cylinder with old school charm) $500k and up

2. 308GTSi

3. 355 Belly-button - everybody has one.

4. 550 Marenello - Well...at least you have some taste.

...

[DasBoot]

Originally Posted by Porsche_monkey

I'll go and look at the Ferrari in Toronto if anyone is interested in it... no charge.

It looks nice, low-mileage, detailed pics. Problem is importing into the US. How much is that gonna cost?!?

[m21sniper]

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.

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.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by DasBoot

It looks nice, low-mileage, detailed pics. Problem is importing into the US. How much is that gonna cost?!?

$80K CDN = $64.5K USD The dollar is in your favor . . .
+ Shipping = $2000

Gentry Lane has been around forever & I believe their rep is good. I can check with some Fchat buddies if anybody wants to know more. The local Toronto guys usually know the full history on any car for sale in the area.

Ian

[Brian 162]

Originally Posted by DasBoot

It's all about the documentation. Are there any receipts for the maintenance?

Spenda a coupla extra bucks and get a TR. Much more "reliable"(relatively speaking). I've been watching this one get re-listed, over & over again. If it weren't in Canada, I'd probably own it now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992-Ferrari-512-TR-Stunning-Example-Only-9-600-Miles_W0QQitemZ310127996607QQihZ021QQcategoryZ6212 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That car is at a dealership in Toronto called Gentry Lane.
I have no affiliation with this dealership.
Like Ian said they have been around forever. I think they are a Lotus dealer as well.
Someone on Rennlist looked at a P-car at this place but they wouldn't let him take it for a PPI. He bought the car anyway. I'm not sure if he had any problems with it.

[911Rob]

OK, seems to be alot of good info here, what does the braintrust think about this car; I've had my eye on it for a few months.....

LINK HERE to DEALER
They've got some nice Pcars listed there too.

[BRPORSCHE]

Rob, is that a novitech body kit?

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

OK, seems to be alot of good info here, what does the braintrust think about this car; I've had my eye on it for a few months.....

LINK HERE to DEALER
They've got some nice Pcars listed there too.

I was at this dealer a couple of days ago. For the same money they have a very sweet 2008 GT3 RS (black/orange) with only 2,000 km on the clock.

[911Rob]

Hey Dott,
This the one.....?



I realize I could upgrade the 993TT, but I'm happy with it and I'll probably take too much of a hit on it now to sell it. BUT I've got the Ferrari itch and I'm gonna own one, soon.

Still looking for the cash to buy it, but once I find it I'm gonna get serious about shopping around. A few guys have warned me about the body changes of the one I posted affecting values, but "I" like it, I like it alot.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

Hey Dott,
This the one.....?

That's the car. Immaculate.

[911Rob]

Originally Posted by BRPORSCHE

Rob, is that a novitech body kit?

From what I know, I think it's a "Hamann" style improvement.
Rims, exhaust, tail, spoiler and grilles.

[Schumi]

That spoiler on the 360 is a huge no-no IMO...


And that GT3RS screams "ARREST ME NOW..."

[BRPORSCHE]

Rob, from what I have read up on about Ferrari's is that body kit's are a no-no.

Just my .02

[911Rob]

Originally Posted by Schumi

That spoiler on the 360 is a huge no-no IMO...

Thanks Schu & Tom, seems to be a popular opinion amongst the Fcar guys too?
Oh well, when it comes time to buy, the budget will likely be closer to half that amount? Too many good deals State side now.

I'd be out shopping right about now if the darn economy didn't swing away on me! OH well, I know what I am wanting!

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Dottore

That's the car. Immaculate.

While an otherwise nice car, i HATE the orange rims.