Hoping to buy my first F car, 1989 328 GTS. Deposit made and PPI booked. Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Thank you! PPI will be done after Labor Day. Has anyone spotted the incorrect paintwork? Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Re the PPI...When I had one done pre-purchase on my 328 (in 2008), the most valuable part of the PPI was the mech physically pointing out Ferrari "things to be aware of' while he had the car up on the lift. Mostly it was about placement of components that make access somewhat "unusual" that I found most interesting plus the odds and ends about certain "strange" and unique items - the gear rod through the oil sump (WTF?), etc.
Great tip, too bad it’s in another state for the PPI but I’ll take up your suggestion with a local expert (Hollywood, CA) if I end up buying. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Beautiful car! You’ll love it. Mine is also white! I think I remember this car was listed on Hemmings back when I was looking for mine. Tan interior? I remember the white lower rear body and as I recall it has a Euro rear exhaust grill? The white lower body I still wonder about. The grill not so much since USA rear grills are impossible to find!
Yes, Crema interior little lighter than tan. I think it’s been painted, as the seller pointed out a few panels, front and rear and quarter. PPI will explain more I hope. US grill is actually a nicer design, will be hunting for one if I get the car. Post some pics of yours! Been looking for a white one for so long, and finally moving ahead with this one albeit not an ideal car. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Why not ideal? I seem to remember it being quite nice! Mine is a 1988.5 and was special ordered in white on white. I’m the second owner... at some point my rear grill had a small bend on the lower left corner and was repaired. It looks pretty good but still bothers me. I have called on a lot of ads for a new grill and every time they have none. I think it is officially unobtainium. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
Looks like it is in TX? Background of pics looks like a dealer/broker in Houston. Be careful. Looks like you are giving it proper due diligence.
That’s great! They’re such fun cars to drive, and I wish I had driven mine more. Too expensive to be just eye candy. Bang those gears and enjoy it! Best of luck with the PPI. cheers Dave
Unknown history and service history. Car fax shows just one original owner up until 2018, then a dealer then another dealer. Mark at Sphere Motorsports vouches for the dealer and is doing the PPI, fingers crossed! I found Mark from searching here, looks to be highly respected and extremely anal haha. I’ll update when results are in of course. Gated, that white white is a beauty. I plan on getting everything correct on the car and driving her on any Sunday! Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
I have to admit I'm troubled with the comment, "Not an ideal car." Frankly, if it isn't, IMO you should keep looking. If you feel that way now, that feeling is only going to get worse after you own it...at least in my experience.
There are actually two different grills for "euro" cars, that is, if you do count Switzerland as "Euro"... The swiss market model 328s do have a catalytic converter (after mid-1987, they have the 046 engine), as do the US market model, so the grill is also pushed rearwards, as on US cars. All other "continental euro" 328 do not have a catalytic converter, so the grill is mounted one inch closer to the rear wheel axle (the non-catalytic exhaust takes less place), hence the exhaust tips which looks longer. Rgds
Fair point. We’ll see. Appreciate the well footed concern. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Update: PPI was unexpectedly done today. Almost the entire car has been painted and it’s “pretty good”. There’s filler on the right rear panel. Also an exaggerated crack where the roof meets the quarter. The mid under tray is wrecked, like it drove over something pretty bad. Almost all bushes are rotted. Some other more minor things such as wheels need refinishing, boots need replacing, etc, but to get the paint correct, in the experts words “would need to be taken down to bare metal”. Runs and drives good, mechanically sound. Chassis good. Interior great. So hmm. Guessing around 25K needs to be invested. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Who gives a **** unless you are shooting for some 100 point concours trailer queen (which, of course is fine if that is what you want) Otherwise, if it passes a compression and leak down, use all these "problems" to negotiate a good deal and get the car. Then drive it without worrying about a rock nicking it on the highway - because you will if you put 25K in new paint. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app[/QUOTE]
