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Best First Ferrari

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Fisherman30, Jan 25, 2021.

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  1. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,386
    Texas!
    I would not look at an older car than a F360. Period.
     
    Twosherpaz likes this.
  2. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 13, 2014
    25,865
    DFW, Texas
    Full Name:
    Tom C
    Why Tex?
    T
     
  3. voncabbage

    voncabbage Rookie

    Mar 6, 2013
    37
    new york
    Full Name:
    ira j.

    this was EXACTLY the logic i used to select a gated 456m. 12 cylinders? check. manual transmission? check. back seats to drive my grandsons around? you betcha! maintenance is not that bad and driving the big v12 with the shifter clanking from gear to gear is like a dream come true!
     
    Pawilly, daytonaCuser and tomc like this.
  4. RicSinger

    RicSinger Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 13, 2016
    304
    San Diego California
    What do you like?
    Old school analog cars?

    *1977-1979 or 1983-1948 308 GTB, beautiful bullet proof, cheap to fix and maintain and great investment.

    Analog modern features like power steering and adjustable suspension ?
    348 or 355 with manual transmission.
    Reliable and not too expensive to maintain.

    For a modern driving experience bellow 100k
    Go for a 360 F1

    If you want a race car experience, then you must buy a 1999 F355 and add a Capristo self adjustable exhaust (this is the closeset you will get to a Formula one car (has to be a 1999) as the design of the headers is different and give this year model a unique sound at high revs
     
  5. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,386
    Texas!
    If the 3X8 cars cost $40k, they might be worth it for a first time buyer, but they don’t.

    While they have problems, the newer cars are better built and have comfort features like air conditioning that works. Plus, the ergonomics are much better.

    A 328 for $75k, no way.

    A 360 for $75k, can work.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
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  6. the_dan

    the_dan Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 6, 2016
    136
    Hong Kong
    I’m always interested on these threads when people still trot out the 355/360 belts out versus belts in service.

    As someone correctly pointed out earlier, it’s not about routine maintenance anymore on these cars (now that many 360s are approaching 20 years old).

    It’s all about the age and wear-related repairs. Literally anything that breaks on a 355 or 360 will likely cost a lot more then the delta between a 355 and 360 belt change.
     
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  7. Tiph206

    Tiph206 Rookie

    Aug 16, 2020
    13
    I have a 2000 550M manual 6 speed that I purchased for under $100,000. I've had it for 10 years and it very rarely needs anything other than simple annual routine maintenance. The nice thing about them is that you don't have to "drop the engine" to do a belt change(needed every 5 years) so the expense is reasonable( in Ferrari speak). It is the workhorse of older Ferraris. The older 575 is the same basic car. Stay away from F1 transmissions.
     
  8. vandevanterSH

    vandevanterSH Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 27, 2005
    1,788
    AR
    Full Name:
    Stephen Van Devanter
    "Stay away from F1 transmissions."
    ******
    You mentioned the belt change expense (30k miles/five years), any idea on clutch longevity for a 575 F1?
     
  9. Twosherpaz

    Twosherpaz Formula Junior

    Feb 25, 2014
    889
    Thermal, CA
    Full Name:
    Private
    With absolutely no disrespect intended to anyone who has earlier models, I took to heart a very trusted Ferrari mechanic who told me not to buy a car before the 360. Maintenance and repair costs.
     
    Texas Forever likes this.
  10. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 22, 2002
    18,767
    If you plan to service at a dealer i agree with this.
     
  11. GTFan

    GTFan Karting
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 10, 2020
    102
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Scott
    I don’t know you but just have to call out the term I have never heard - my “beater Ferrari”!!!
     
  12. khcompt

    khcompt Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 11, 2013
    46
    Halifax, Canada
    Full Name:
    Ken Compton
    My first and only Ferrari is a 1999 355 F1 Spider so I can only relate my experience.
    I semi retired in December 2014 and had been looking for a few years for a Ferrari that fit my budget, and my eye. The 355 met both those criteria. If you are a DIY guy and enjoy learning about your machine, the 355 is a good choice. Maintenance cost are reasonable if you can do the regular yearly maintenance, and the odd item that pops up yourself. F Chat has turned out to be my go to form for HOW TO information.
    Parts are available and reasonably priced if you take the time to shop around and use the model specific FC form to find out where to get proper parts at good prices.
    I am now doing the 30k major service this year. The parts cost $1650 and labor will be +- $2500. In addition I had to change the hydraulic hoses for the roof. I purchased the hoses for $500 and did the work myself, again with help form people on FC. Yearly fluid change / maintenance runs about the same as my A4.

    What ever you decide I am sure of 1 thing - when you see and hear your first Ferrari you will be smiling from ear to ear.


    Ken
     
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  13. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 25, 2002
    36,210
    houston/geneva
    Full Name:
    Ross
    #88 ross, Jan 29, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2021
    well.....its the truth
    But it’s a nice beater
     
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  14. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 25, 2002
    36,210
    houston/geneva
    Full Name:
    Ross
  15. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 25, 2002
    36,210
    houston/geneva
    Full Name:
    Ross
    this was my first ferrari.....
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    and it was a pos.
    and i have had a few other cars since ...
    so my advice is not without reason... :)
     
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  16. mchas

    mchas F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 5, 2004
    5,903
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Mark
    Or if you get unlucky like me, the carrots will cost 2x of your original goal and you will still be chasing them years later. (CS was $120-140k, now $200-250k, 550s were $80k now $150-200k, F430 6 speeds were $120-140k now $200k.. etc)
     
  17. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 22, 2002
    18,767
    Well thats my point. In 5 yrs theres no telling where the old stuff will be but the new stuff (theres a ton of it) will all be lower
     
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  18. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,979
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    Hoovie recently declared the 348 as his favorite car of all the ones he owned. I understand why, it has a viscerally that is cool. For many, it's too 'raw'.
     
  19. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,386
    Texas!
    If it were me, I'd wait for the 458s to hit the bottom of the depreciation curve.
     
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  20. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 25, 2002
    36,210
    houston/geneva
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    Ross
    too raw? do you really think that i mind a car being too raw?? have you see the cars i own or have owned?
    plenty of raw cars in the mix.
    no, the problem with the 348 ts was that it was a piece of ****.
    so unless you are trying to define "raw" as being uncooked, ie not well engineered, not put together correctly, and not able to exist without some issue plaguing it on a weekly basis, then ok, it was raw.
    and if you want to define 'cool' as being cold ie like the many times it would not start, or the many times that cold rain water easily made its way past the ill fitting targa top and straight into my lap, then yea sure it was "cool".....

    i will simply call it the worst car i have ever owned (and i have an mgb on my ownership list !).
    :)

    and of course i am not trying to insult any of the great fchat owners who have one....mine was surely a one-off example and the spawn of the devil. ;)
     
  21. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,979
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    Sorry to hear about your experience. Didn't mean to imply you didn't think it was raw. Just quoting Hoovie above. He's owned over 110 cars, including the F355, Testarossa, and Gen 1 NSX, Tyler declared 3 days ago, the 348 is his favorite out of all 110 of them.

    If you think he's wrong or lying, doesn't offend me!

    Cheers
     
  22. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 22, 2002
    18,767
    id take down a 458 at current prices, all day. sick car.
     
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  23. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    Quoting a click baiter was your mistake here. At least the guy admits he is an idiot....constantly
     
  24. paulchua

    paulchua Cat Herder
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 1, 2013
    15,979
    Menlo Park, CA
    Full Name:
    Paul Chua
    I like Tyler Hoover. Like Doug Demuro, Hoover is a legitimate car journalist with hours and hundreds of cars reviewed between them. While I quoted Hoover saying the car is his favorite, based on my own experiences with the 348, it didn't surprise me. Ask any owner of both a 348 and 355, and you'll hear the 348 is rawer. I also don't think the styling is terrible. The side strakes are great on the Testarossa but not the 348? Makes no sense.

    The 348 was a victim of being behind the times, as more 'friendly' cars came to the fore and were in vogue, ala NSX. Today, I argue the 348 represents the very NVH that people wax nostalgic.

    If you peruse any contemporary reviews of the 348, most are positive.

    Now is it true that @ross had a lemon? I have no doubt. However, something in that 348 seemed to have press the right buttons, as it was his 'first' Ferrari - not last.
     
  25. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    5,687
    I would not put Hoover in the same class as DeMuro, as I don’t see Hoover reviewing cars.....his schtik has been buying cheap cars, doing dumb things with them, then going “hey look how stupid I was to buy this”.

    And look at his history with Ferraris, his 355 burned to the ground and he returned the TR after a week due to a title problem. So of course the 348 is his favorite......LOL

    He can be a funny guy, but not a car journalist.
     
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