Sometimes you just have to play the field. Drove a 575 paddle car and a 355 stick this weekend. I kind of have the bug for a change. 575 was comfortable, fast but with little drama. Probably great for long commutes and road trips. Neither applies for me. 355 had a great feel through the gears and awesome sound. Wonderful exterior lines but interior not aging well...at all. Top also seemed to be a eyes-wide-open nightmare. Didn't write any checks....today anyway. Happily got back my trusty 328, drove home. But I foresee more cheating in my future. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Those are two of my favorite Ferraris at least you had a 328 to go back to! Is the 575 a lot roomier inside than the 328?
They're a great car, if the alternative is a sporty Jaguar, Mercedes or BMW. Otherwise too boring for me. I drove one for about 1000km. That was enough for me. I'm still not old enough to like them.
Yes, very roomy both for driver and passenger. The one I drove had leather racing style seats. Comfortable and supportive. Going from the 575 back into my 328 was an eye openers. It's so small compared to the newer stuff!
Funny you say that. On reflection, it did kind of remind me of a new Caddie in some ways. Faster, more comfortable, better styling than in the past. I love it! Oh crap, where did I leave my teeth?! I hope none of the boys from the 550/575 section read that or I will be flame bait.
My 308 has left my Jag E-Type very lonely. I did have the E out this weekend, but when I reach for the keys, I generally go for the 308 over the E. It happens...
There is no doubt both are faster and have more modern stuff but few cars put a smile on my face like the 328. In this business I have been lucky enough to drive a pretty comprehensive list of the worlds great cars but I still love the 328. Unlike any other car we have I can flog it and feel like I am testing my talents as well as the cars without going so fast I am a danger and risk getting arrested. It looks good and is reasonably inexpensive to own. We have better cars for any transportation need but not for transportation enjoyment.
Agreed. The 328 has a great balance of old school charm, driving fun, sunburn enabled, $393.24 annual service bill (picking it up later today...can't beat that!) and doesn't depreciate with every tic of the clock! Hard too beat. I will have to try a late model 360, stick, spider and see how I like that. But the 328 will probably stay regardless. Although next time, I should probably leave her at home instead of driving her to the rendezvous point. Kind of like having the wife drop you off for a speed date! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Admittedly back then in the late 90's, I did drooled over the 355 for its styling and 300+ hp, but now looking at the 355, I have to say the 328 is a more beautiful car both inside and out...At that time the 355 cost more than twice the price of my 328...Now if I am offered an even trade for my 238, I would keep my 328 without a second thought. This is not to mention the bigger cost required to to maintain 355.
The guy I bought my 328 from has a 355, 288 GTO, F40, 458. A few weeks after I bought it he emailed me and asked if he could buy it back again as he realised he had sold his favorite car. Ditto Chris Evans. He has owned just about every F model made and rates the 328 as the best: Chris Evans: My ten greatest classic cars | Mail Online There was a discussion on the 355 section of this forum a while ago which revealed several people who moved from 328 to 355 and regretted it. Fact is, the 328 refines an already great design (308) into a design masterpiece. Apart from the looks, its compact, has great driving visibility and is the easiest car to work on which I have ever owned. It really ticks every box there is. Later models sacrifice something, most of them are unnecessarily large, with wasted space owing to the decision to move the rads to the side, they lose the maintainability (especially in the case of the 355). They just dont tick all the boxes in the way the 328 does.
I love my 308, it's accessible performance and ease of maintenance - however.... The 550 (more than the 575 for me) is a beautiful, front engine RWD V12 Ferrari in the classic Maranello mould. I took one down to Le Mans with my cousin a few years ago and it was a fantastic car, effortlessly fast, refined and classy rather than ostentatious. It's a stunner. If I could afford to run one I'd swap my 308 in a heartbeat. In blue with cream leather please.
Well put James. I traded my 328 for a 550 and haven't looked back for the reasons you mentioned. Mine is Grigio Titanium with Bordeaux interior and reminds me of the classic front engine V12 of the 60's. I looked at the 575 but couldn't go past the classic gated gear shifter. The 328 is a magnificent car and in my opinion will be a future classic, but the 550 is up there with it.
Having recently sold a bevvy of cars - 512BBi, Ford GT, NSX - I sought simplicity and usability. Though I greatly miss the BBi, financially I turned it into an Audi R8 and an 11k mile 328GTS. I now have a rather swift travelling car with a warranty, plus a more 'vintage', reliable and beautiful Ferrari. (Currently being serviced; haven't seen it yet!) I was happy to read these posts, helping confirm my choice.
+ 1 and let me add that I'd only trade my 87 328GTS one day for ONLY another absolutely pristine condition 328GTS or if God willing I live to enjoy my retirement I will look forward to fully restoring my 328. ah yes and another reminder to put the 328 into my will to go to my son cause I know the Mrs will sell it before my corpse gets cold
Lots of great reasons posted here in favor of keeping their 328s. My most recent reason: Picked it up today from having its annual service. The last 2000 happy miles cost me all of .19c/mile!! Beat that 355s, 575s. Not totally fair as my steering rack was identified as needing a rebuild sometime soon. But still. Invoice Due: 07/01/2014 233 Amount: $393.24
btw, all 328 owners don't forget to register your beauty at Ferrari 328 Registry - Ferrari 328 Car Registration