Cheapest Ferrari

I would venture to guess that a real ratty, high milege, poorly cared for 308GT4 would be the cheapest Ferrari you could buy.

 

Easy question. By far the least expensive to buy is the 1975 308GT4, one of my personal favorites. To buy a decent car, budget around $20K. The best ones might run $25-$28. Owners might ask more, but I think they are dreaming at this point. Less money may be buying a headache. 1975 is the year for us Californians since there is NO SMOG! Well, almost no smog - u do have to have the equipment in place and appear to work.

I have looked at several GT's, well maybe 20 or so, to buy and haven't found the right one. Which means I have, but their owners think they can get more somewhere else.

Maintenance is about the same as a 308 - revelation - which is not too bad. Things to upgrade are wheels and tires to 16 inches Campies from stock 14's, exhaust to Tubi or something with min restriction and twin electronic ignition modules - replaces points and condensers. That and ur pretty good to go.

Now the bad news. Be prepared to be completely snubbed by the Ferraristas. They would tolerate a 1977 308 GTS (1976's are fiberglass and most revered of the 308 series, IMO) over any GT4, the pigs. GT's are designed by Bertone as opposed to Pininfarina so they are angular, not swoopy. They remind ppl of Fiats (the X/19 aka the Bertone) or the Ferrari 400 (which alot of Ferraristas do not put at the top of their list.

They are solid cars and make decent almost daily drivers. Do not delude yourself into thinking u can put anyone in the back seat. Some don't have one anyway which was an option. Personally, I like the leather seats even if not usable. Watch out for rust along the bottom body edges and door sills. Look for a western US car to be safe. The later versions have a stock sunroof - nice feature, but if ur in CA u are asking for the smog nazis to hose u. Most ppl retrofit cats, BTW to get certified; budget around $3K to $4K for this reusable set-up unless u are really handy.

Good hunting. E-Bay will have a few from month to month but many are dogs. Several have wings added to the rear trunk lid - gasp! Final warning - Do not take on a GT4 restoration project. You will never get your money out of it. Rather buy the best car u can afford.

 

A Mondial 8 would also be right in there.

However, keep in mind the old saying that if you can't afford an expensive Ferrari, you REALLY can't afford a cheap one!

 

Keep in mind that the "cheap" Ferraries will need a high maintenance cost. Also if you are serious about buying one start looking for exotic insurance.

 

It's going to be a 2+2 of some type, either the GT4 as previously mentioned, a 400 variant, or a Mondial 8 coupe. I'll disagree with the previous posters and state that a rough Mondial 8 will be the cheapest running Ferrari one can buy. Over the past 6 months, I know of 2 that sold for under $14,000 each.


Do not believe there's such a thing as a bargain Ferrari, unless you're just looking for a fun driver. The cost to bring a ratty car up to show standards is more than the difference in the initial price. Then again, there's nothing wrong with a fun driver.

Welcome to the obsession.

 

Not too long ago you would be including the 250GT as the cheapest Ferrari you can buy.

 

I'd guess the 400i would be in the running, but again for V12 maintenance it leaves the 'cheap' category behind pretty fast.

 

My choice of the "cheap" Ferraris would definately be an early 308GT/4.

 

It's cheaper than a wife so you're good to go if you are still single.

 

I don't think this is a universal truth. Yes, you'll run into some snobs here and there; but the rest of enthusiasts, especially owners, are welcoming.

 

All this talk of GT4's and 400's is making me sick to my stomach...

Listen son, save your money and buy a Corvette or rice out a Toyota Matrix or a Scion.

Your out of your league here. Buying a ****ty old GT4 or 400 isn't going to do much for making you enjoy Ferrari ownership...

 

Used to be the 308 GT4 but lately Mondial 8's seem to be the bottom dog. They are just as expensive to maintain as a QV (well maybe cheaper for a complete engine rebuild but we're picking nits) but are less desirable since they are all coupes, have the awful fuel injection of that era and thus are low on power. I'm a Mondial fan too, but you can get a QV in the 20's so a rough 8 will frequently be in the teens. For a DIY guy, it's a great starter Ferrari. For a guy with little mechanical ability and shallow pockets, it's a money pit. The low purchase price means a lot of cars have had a lot of owners who dumped them when things started going south so beware.

The 308 GT4's are gaining in stature. Lots of people are discovering they like the raw carb engine better than even a Mondial QV, so prices are going up. You won't find a nice one under $20k these days.

Just my $.02 based on observation...

Ken

 

Hi from Belgium,
I've been on the lookout for some time now. The cheapest around in actually purchase is a 308 GT4, the Mondial 8 and very close to those the 400 model. Finding a good one is the trick here. If you can, better look out for a Mondial QV or early 3.2. But wait a bit until I found one for myself . I would suggest: the latest possible within a model (to have some nicks worked out of), some km on the odo (to avoid to get a car that has been set aside for some time)and a service history. Also, but you're in the warmer Spain, I try to check the bodywork as we're not in the dry and sunny state of Florida or California here.
I hope to see something I like tomorrow (going to check out a Mondi 3.2 cab and a Mondi T cab. It's more to see what they're mechanical state is as I prefer the coupe.
I don't know the situation in Spain, but here in Belgium there's not that much of a choice in cars. Luckely Germany isn't that far, there's much more to pick from over there and the prices are lower. Only downside is the distance to go see a car.
Jurgen

 

This logis is sound, if s little cute.

I still have to respect the new owner who will take a weak exotic and restore it. These cars are rare and they're rolling history. Saving one from the parts-car syndrome is a noble deed.

rick / '79 308GTB

 

If you fear maintenance and breakdowns, you need to re-evaluate your desire to own a Ferrari very carefully, or find the absolute best car you can find and buy it.

It's already been said, but I'll repeat:

There's no such thing as a cheap Ferrari.

If you want to save money on auto maintenance, don't even think about buying a Ferrari. A good car is a good car, but still be prepared to spend US $2,000 a year to keep it on the road, and have at least $5,000 cash available in case something bad does go wrong.