who dares 400 i manual on e bay

Agreed, except you don't have to lose money. Just don't go into it with a mercenary expectation of a quick turn. I bought mine for £3500 in 2007 and drove it home. In the middle of a 4 year (so far) resto now and might finish it in another year or so. Then I might sell it on, or not. No plans either way. If you're in a rush then don't bother. Each time one is parted or rebodied it helps the value of those preserved without any effort required from the owners. I'll get all my money back out of it if I do eventually sell, but more importantly I will have enjoyed owning a Ferrari in the mean time. I remember hearing all the same negative comments about the 330 and 250 4 seaters a few years back.

 

True, 15 years ago you could buy a 246, 330 or even a C4 here for a third of what they are worth today. I am sure it will happen to the 400s again. It will start with the carbed modells first. Pretty sure about it, but, again, I do not care. My 400 was bought cheap too. I bought it this a blown engine for 6.5 grand. The engine rebuild cost me about the same. For me it is all about the heritage and adding a small piece to the history of the brand in stead of taking the easy way out and parting out a car that was perfectly restorable. I'd say : Buy it cheap and restore it. Without some bravery you will only loose.
Heck, without some bravery we'd be talking german and italian here in europe.

 

Hey LondonMick-

Welcome to Fchat!!

Looks like we're pulling ALL the 400/412 owners out of the woodwork with the renewed activity here-

PLEASE share some photos of your car- especially restoration photos! I'm sure we'd all love to see them.

 

Hey sure the car appears to be neglected. Mr. Ashman has kindly compiled copious bits of serial number specific info for which we should all be grateful. But really what are we talking about here?...A few minor flaws. A dent here, a crack there, missing this, leaking that....and what you want pictures? Honestly Gentlemen, can't we use our imaginations?

Now on to cost. When you consider what this car is going for at the moment why complain 'bout spending just three or four times the purchase price to sort it all out? Here's a suggestion I picked up last week from a recruiter. Enlist your son or daughter in the Marines. Piliage their college education fund and off you go. You're well on your way to washing off the dust and getting started. And what's that...there's luggage included?! Perfect. I'm certain I'd be living somewhere else for some time to come.

 

It "sold" for $19388 which seems pretty high for the US

 

I wonder. There was a lot of speculation about how this car might not be worth more than $10K but, if there was an opportunity to inspect the car and confirm if the engine and drivetrain are in acceptable shape with no major problems, would the price paid ultimately be viewed as a good deal for a low mileage 5 speed?

If you pay $20K for the car and put another $20K (as an example) into it to bring it up to snuff, do you think that an all-in price of $40K is out of line for a good looking and reliable car?

 

If that was in fact the case then it's a good buy- I think if you can get one of these- a 5 speed especially- completely sorted so everything works, car rung strong and reliably and you can really enjoy it on a daily basis- all done for under $50K it's worth it- The market does not agree obviously but ANY 30 yr old Ferrari that is for sale is going to eat up $5K-$10K within a few months of new ownership- even if it's a really good example.

 

depends how much you want one i guess.
but its relative, it just seems expensive compared to that 412 manual that went for $34k

http://www.auctionsamerica.com/events/feature-lots.cfm?SaleCode=FL11&ID=r541

 

The $34K is just the down payment, even on that car, and the final price depends on how much additional money is needed to bring the car up to the standard that is needed to be good looking and reliable. Just look at how much additional work Jay has had done on his 412, which also was in pretty good shape when he bought it. The 412 may be starting out at a higher level but it will still need some money invested in it to do that.

Every used car does.

I don't know if the Texas car needs $10k, $15K, or $20K of work, I'm just saying that the purchase price leaves some room before the buyer gets seriously underwater.

Maybe the buyer is or will be on here in the 400 forum and we will get the chance to find out.

 

Yes obviously if you are patient there are some ridiculous bargains to be had on these cars- not in the sense that you can flip it for a profit (you can't) but that you can get a REAL V12 Ferrari- a spectacular vintage car that is still usable in a modern setting- for short money.

Heck the "Legendary Motors" 400i 5-speed is STILL around for $30K- and it's a very nice car with a recent respray and leather work- and a 5-speed!

But it's the same story if you look at ANY fcar from the 80s or older- you need to have the resources to maintain the car or be stuck with a car that is not reliable and not fun to own or drive.

 

No John, I don't. Nor do you or any of us out there who actually own one of these cars.

 

Of course we all think they're worth $40k all day long but I'm just saying it was a good price considering what previous sales in the U.s have been fetching. Maybe the Market is waking up over there.

 

Based on my sporatic observations prices of our beloved 400 series seem to continue in the 'soft' arena. The "immortals" continue to garner record prices, but then those cars are rarely driven and consequently simply visually enjoyed. I'd rather have a horse I can ride than a statue to dust.

 

It could have been the luggage.

At least the car has seen some action. So the water pump isn't froze. I call it market correct.

They seem to be stuck in the teens for a not so well presented car.

It really is something when a replacement windshield may cost 10% of the purchase price.

 

Back on eBay....

 

$14k with a few hours to go.

You know I re-read the description carefully. Oh my! It is pretty scarey when you read it carefully.
So when we say it needs a new thermostat how do we know? Overheats?

 

I too have been watching that one. Lost me at "oil leak".Been there, done that.

 

Any bets on Brett buying it

Regards,

Art S.

 

Sucker bet.

 

no, no, no...

as Dr. John said above, 'been there, done that'.

there has to be a limit to how many times you can make a $30K car out a of a $50K investment.

 

I resemble that remark

 

I think we all do. I sending the Bentley off for paint next month...