328 Ownership... Cost of consumables?

If you use this website, we can help you source most of the maintanence parts so that they are in the Porsche/BMW price range of things. Some stuff like interior, exterior, heating and gauges, are Ferrari specific, so one must bend over and take it. Using this list, and being willing to do some research (and phone calling), you can find some bargains on Ferrari parts out there...just not as easy as with other makes, with higher production numbers.

Examples:
factory UFI oil filter, $25 to $30 Equal quality aftermarket Baldwin, $10

Bosch fuel injectors, Ferrari dealer $75, on-line $30

factory replacement (rubber) brake lines $450-$500 Goodridge ss brake lines $100.

 

I think a 1989 GTB, which for arguments sake, values at about $50,000 with low miles, will probably compare with a 1999 911 C2S in price. I think it is more user friendly (911), and more reliable. I Used the 1999 911 all the time, and never had a problem. Very solid. The Ferrari is very reliable, but not an every day driver. The 355 and the 360 are more every day drivers. Having said that, the Ferrari is TONS more fun, then the 911. Maintenance is more money on the Ferrari. Brakes and oil are comparable. If an everyday driver is what you want, then I would go with a 1997 911 C2S4. The air cooled engine was far better then the water cooled engine. Sounded much better too. But remember for the same price you can get a 1999 911 (1997 and 1999 are priced about the same) from the dealer with a warranty. Worth its weight in gold. Now what I would do. Get the Ferrari, and get another car for an everyday driver. Porsche is NO Ferrari! Porsche's just don't do it for me anymore. Can't bond with them and there are way too many on the road. I know I probably confused you more!

 

I have an '81 911SC, and have had my '86 328 GTB for three years now. Different cars, totally different driving experiences, but I love them both. Neither are daily drivers. Haven?t had any major problems with my 328 (knock on wood!) Yearly fluid changes run about $150; had a major service completed last year for about $4000. I've found that there isn't much cost difference for parts/service between the two, but it really depends on the situation.

Do your homework, get a PPI once you've found a "candidate" for purchase. Does your father still have any of his Ferraris?

 

This Friday I have to go upstate, (Rocklyn) for a few hours and as long as the weather is nice, I'm taking the Ferrari. Roads are nice, and if I time it right, I won't get caught in rush hour.Thats what you buy these cars for. A few years back, I went to Lime Rock for the weekend. There was a green 328 GTB. I forget what year, but the car was great on the track. It was stock, and I remember that the guy stayed with the M3's and the 911's. He had to push it a little harder on the straights, but he was right there. Great car. Since most of your time will be pleasure, I really think that you should go with the 308/328 Targa. The reality is that most of your rides will be pleasure, and you want the top off. Its a great feeling whether its a BMW, S2000 or Ferrari, when the top is off, you feel and look like a million dollars! Good Luck!

 

I have had 6 different V8 Ferraris ranging from '77 to '94. I drove them a total of over 50K miles (18K and counting on 2 328's) None left me on the side of the road or ever had a major component failure. Consumable parts are really not very expensive, less than many normal cars. They are labor intensive so doing your own saves a ton. For 328's specifically, the problem areas are: 1. tachs that go nuts but can be rebuilt reasobably. 2. water pumps have a short life. Best to rebuild during major services. 3. oil leaks (like most Ferraris) Some can be expensive to fix. Unless they are bad, it's better to live with them until a major service, unless, of course, they are leaking on the timing belts or clutch. Otherwise, they have reliable electrics, cooling and drivetrains last well over 100K. My current car is an 89 GTB and I plan to keep it until I'm dead (hopefully not soon). Your search could be long and be prepared to travel. I believe there are only about 125 GTB's in the US.

Dave

 

Dug out my major receipt from 3/03:

water pump rebuild
valve cover gasket/seals
timing belts w/ bearings
distributor cap wires
fuel filter
oil/filter
coolant
A/C recharge
A/C receiver dryer/filter
plugs
alt belt
A/C belt
water pump belt
adjust valves
retorque cylinder heads
check ignition wires

Total was $3,109.80. Engine does not have to come out.

Took me about 6 months of serious looking to find a GTB, and know of only two (mine included) in the tri-state area. Eventually found one less than an hour from my house!

 

I know, I lucked out.

 

Many on this board have done a major, and more on 3x8 series cars. The engine does not have to come out of a 328 for a major. The worst part when I did mine was getting the AC out of the way b/c of how it's mounted on the engine. Othre than that, it was pretty straight forward. Doing the WaterPump, Clutch, brakes and many other things are not so difficult either.

 

Lots of material is available in English. Try some of these, to get started:

http://ferrari.jenkins.org/books/
http://www.ferraribooks.com/
http://www.italiancarparts.com/index.html

Also, Dennis McCann, up in Westerville, OH can get books; that's where I got my 328 parts manual (charmingly, in both Italian and English). You can find him with a google search.

 

This guy is GREAT... a lot of F-Chatters use him. And check his prices on majors!!! The site also lists his services for majors:

http://emelbon.tripod.com/eugeniosferrariservice.html