This blog post is dedicated to the dissenters -- those of you who feel compelled to continue with the never-ending cost/benefit analysis of our long-term Ferrari 308.
I went for a run this morning and when I rounded the final corner onto my street this is what I saw in my driveway:
This is a normal neighborhood. With normal houses. Normal people live here. They work hard for a living and watch football on Sundays. Near as I can tell they care about their cars the same way they care about their washing machines. They drive Ford Explorers, Scion xBs and Dodge Magnums. Every car on the block cost $17k to $30k -- including mine. But right there, right in my driveway was the Ferrari. The $28,000 Ferrari. In all its Rosso Corsa glory.
It was glowing. Screaming. Brilliant. All at the same time.
I had driven it most of the weekend. Like Oldham said last week, it took us to the Supercross in Anaheim Saturday night then across two counties running errands and having fun on Sunday. In the rain. Then last night as the sun was going down the skies really opened up. This morning the water was beading on the 308's red paint. I began to truly appreciate the details Ferrari and Pininfarina put together on this car. Like the svelte shape of the scoop running down the door and into the rear quarter panel:
And the shift gate which makes a perfect mechanical thump every time the gear lever is moved:
And let's not forget those spectacular, minimalist door handles:
Of course it was the yellow prancing horse badge that got me going in the first place. I walked around the 308 for ten minutes soaking up its lines and color. Then I fired it up just to hear the starter whine followed by the perfect pitch of the small-displacement V8. Once it was warm I revved it up. It was still cold outside and as the warm exhaust disappeared into the morning light I could imagine old Enzo appreciating the car for all the reasons I do.
It's not fast and it's not expensive. But It is staggeringly beautiful and it sounds right. And even my neighbors, people who use cars like appliances, have that part figured out.
Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ 51,097 miles
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Nice post, so what's the real value?
Same old question here: If it's YOUR money would you pay for this 308 and all the repair cost?
If I have someone who is willing to pay for all the cost and I get to drive it during the weekends around Malibu you bet that I wouldn't be b***hing at all. However, last I checked that isn't the purpose of the Edmunds long term test right?
I would never question the extrinsic value of a Ferrari. The intrinsic value, however, is questionable.
Gorgeous pictures. I'm amazed the paint looks that good after all these years.
A fast looking slow car. The outward beauty masks its outdated, and dieing inside.
by my estimate edmunds already spent 4200 dollars fixing a 28,000 or about 15% of its orignal cost, and thats in less then one year.
or put it this way. for the past 7 months edmunds paid 600 dollars a month to keep this car moving.
and given its shop time is nearly a month about 700 a month for the prilevage of driving it.
The Ferrari is truly a work of art. Funny thing about art, cost/benefit analysis doesn't work. It's about emotion, not money.
'about $700 a month...'
Just make sure you never do that kind of analysis on a ski boat, motorhome, or other toy, which is what the 308 is, and I have no problem with that!
I really think the repair costs have been extremely low so far. I don't know what all the fuss is about. People spend more money keeping far less desirable cars on the road.
How about this for your cost analysis...depreciation. They'll be able to sell the 308 for atleast what they've paid, if not a bit more to recoup some of the costs. Try that with a 24 year old civic.
Speaking as a former Lotus Esprit owner: to keep one of these cars you need either (1) deep pockets or (2) mechanical skills to do as much of the work yourself as possible. I had neither, so I had to sell the car. Still, when I retire I'm going to take some classes, learn to really work on these cars and get me a 308 or another Esprit. They are truly rolling works of art.
This comment captured, to me, the reason that most car enthusiasts dream of such a car. For me, it's more along the lines of a '82 911 SC Targa, '97 911 Carrera S, '01-02 BMW Z3 M Roadster, etc.
It's about the joy such cars can bring to the enthusiast. I recently drove a 1998 BMW Z3 2.8 5-speed. By no means a "fast" car. It rode on Michelin all-season tires...not ultra high performance all-season, just passenger car all-seasons. It was such a pleasure to drive because of the sounds, the feeling, the rawness.
And that's what this ferrari is about.
Someone did an awesome job detailing that car. I don't see a shred of swirling, or leftover wax on the emblems/door trim, or anything else. The paint looks like it could be a few months old. The trim looks brand-new black.
This post, and the accompanying pictures, made me want to be able to enjoy such a car. Thanks Edmunds!
Joe
P.s. My current hope-to-achieve within 2 years car is a BMW 135 or 335 6-speed. I'm hoping it can elicit alot of the same emotions while serving daily driver responsibilities for someone who drives 20k miles a year.
So, reminds us again why Edmunds will not fix the bust out turn signal?
i doubt you would lose much money if you got a 24 yr old civic and then sold it a year later
and explain again to me where 600-700 dollars a month for your car is cheap?
not buying it, that kind of money can get you a very nice new car.
hey if want to buy a car for looks be my geust, when that chevy malibu beats you dont cry
I have to agree.. even as a car enthusiast, there comes a time when one has to question whether or not costly repairs are justifiable. Even if you find the Ferrari to be beautiful (I think it looks well beyond its prime, personally) the facts are that it is no longer relevant. Times have changed, cars have moved on. My 07 Civic Si would outperform the Ferrari and it was less new last year than what was paid for the 24 year old Ferrari.
Well, I'm just not a fan of old cars myself. I like my technology. I like bluetooth and GPS and Bose sound systems, I like stability control, ABS, airbags. I like modern cars. The Ferrari is dead.
But I'm not upset about Edmunds having one. Makes no difference. I come here to read about the new cars.
This car is bought because you want it
its a toy car
it has that one special thing that regular, faster cars don't have, character
great post, btw
The pictures you posted are great, but it seems thats all the Ferrari does well - that is looking good in pictures.
I like exotics as much as anyone else, but like louiswei said, is there any editor planning on buying this car afterwards and maintaining it? It seems the reason the Ferrari is so loved is because Edmunds pays for the repairs. Heck, if someone gave me an exotic and paid for repairs or damages when needed I wouldnt complain.
agree with daytona.
though i'd personally perfer something that didn't give of the racer appearance.
but im not a fan of the all show no go.
i geuss in the middle age sub-division, the badge/name on the front matters. I would have thought people grew up by then, but its still one-up manship and showing off your new 'toy' oh look jimmy got some a&f, I need some, mommmy julie has a prada. I want one
OK, for those of us who don't use cars like appliances, let's get a few things straight....
The 308 isn't going to be getting its ass kicked by any Civic Si.
Its handling numbers are better than every Civic Si we've ever tested. It's nominally faster through the slalom at 68.6 mph (Sis range from 67.5 to 68.2). And it makes considerably more grip at .91g vs the Civic's .81g to .84g.
Acceleration is near wash. The last Si we tested hit 60 in 7.1 seconds (others have been slower) and quartered in 15.3 @ 93.3. The 308 hits these benchmarks in 7.3 and 15.4 @ 92.1. It's a driver's race at the very least.
I'm not saying this is fast, exactly. But it's not going to be getting worked over by any Civic Si. Besides, who cares? Neither car is particualrly impressive in this department.
I guess cheap is a relative expression in this case. I've never found myself appreciating a Civic or a WRX or an EVO or even an M3 in the way I appreciate the 308.
Would I spend my own money on it? Probably not. Is it a secret that a $28,000 24-year-old, Ferrari is expensive to maintain? Not so much.
Is it fun to look at, listen to, drive and photograph? More than any Civic I've experienced.
Josh
"Would I spend my own money on it? Probably not."
That says it all as far as the long-term road test is concerned. Would I want a Ferrari (any Ferrari) to be in my garage occasionally for free? Bet your rear I do!
It's hard to explain to people who look at the world with just logic but I can relate to that old Ferrari.
My version of that car is a 1974 Catalina 27 sailboat I bought 10 years ago. I remember what I paid for it but have no idea how much I spent on it. I did all the work myself but I always spending money on something. You know what though, I don't remember ever caring. Sailing around English Bay (Vancouver,BC) on a warm summer evening made me forget everything that normally stressed me out. I didn't even have to be going anywhere special, around in circles on my sailboat made me happy. The sounds, the smell etc.
I sold it 4 years ago when the cost of kids that kept arriving and moving up to a bigger house exceeded what I could justify.
I still think of my boat everytime there's a warm day with a nice wind though.
The 308 is like an old boat (or an old motorcycle or airplane).
It doesn't make sense but everyone should own one at least once. When you're old you'll never sit back, smile and think of a Camry.
louis, its obivous hardly any of the writers here would pay to have this car as theirs. But when free they defend it to the bitter end.
from my pov. If it was my money. For the money they are laying out every month for this there are cars, i would rather own/ lease. as toys. that would both be more reliable, and functional.
Josh, most people that read these blogs dont see cars as things that get us from point A to B.
But we do see the vaule of our money... Which at times you writers do not see that, since the bill is paid for by someone else.
The more this car is defended the nuttier edmunds appears.
espically after blog posts saying the horn and blinker wont be fixed.
but then again maybe you guys are turning into a gollum with this car.
"We swears to serve the master of the precious. We will swear on... on... the precious! "
When did so many whiny secretaries start reading car blogs? Be on your merry way with your new appliance vehicles and leave car appreciation to the rest of us. New cars are more competent in every way, but very few have the soul of old cars, especially ones like a Ferrari. Even a generic 60's Mustang in stock guise leaves an impression that new cars don't. And it's rare to drive a classic and NOT have someone ask questions or comment on it. So reducing classic car ownership to $ misses the point. Many people put more money into modifications and restorations than they'll ever get back and most would still say it's worth it. If you don't think it's worth it, don't buy one.
Fantastic blog, Josh. Beautiful shots of the water beading on the lines, particularly that scoop on the side that I am also a fan of. And exactly what Inside Line is all about, too. You could buy a Camry for the same money. But for people who really appreciate cars, as sensuous machines, as visually stunning things, as something more than transportation, that car is fantastic.
Is it a hassle? Sure. Expensive? Yup. But nothing's cooler.
I love how now you appericate cars more if you have an un-dieing love for old, with a refusal to move on.
If you care about a modern package of performance, reliability, and cost. Then phhf a car is only an applicance.
Talk about being closed minded.
Heck, i like some old cars. But I'm not going to be blinded by some badge from an era in car manufacture that most car owners should want to forget rather then lust over.
Put down me and others that THINK (not 'feel') that spending 600-700 dollars a month to keep a piece of metal alive is for most stupid.
And yes everyone can have stupid hobbies that burn money. However most responsible people wont have an 8000 + dollar a year sink hole.
Maybe thats a part of the reason some people knock this car.
The holier then thou attitude of those that like it.
Cool you like a slow farrari. Good for you.
That does not mean others here just think of cars as something that gets us from point a to b.
Hey: Let's forget the undeniable aesthetic and emotional elements for a while and get back to the money issue. Some points in the car's defense need to be made.
Item #1: It's a used car, sold by a private owner. Almost by definition, some significant investment will be necessary to undo said prior owner's neglect (would the fuel system have been as bunged up if the car had been driven more often, or maintained more attentively?) and time's way with machinery and electronics. (And dashboard fasteners.)
Item #2: Go look at online listings for '83-'85 Ferrari 308s. A fair read-through at A Certain Large Online Classic Listing Emporium tonight shows prices from about $33,000 to close to $40,000 for one with very low miles at a famously pricey dealership. Factor in the repair costs and we're right on the low part of that curve. (And dear God, Boxers are getting mighty expensive.)
Corollary to item #2: This car could go back on the market immediately (well, after the horn and lens are fixed) and recoup the full purchase price and repair costs, and maybe a bit more. Try that with a seven-month-old new car, especially in this price range.
Counterpoints/admissions: Yes, Ferrari pieces are fearsomely expensive. And people who work on them charge a lot, presumably because most exoticar owners can afford their rates. The time off the road is the most severe issue from my perspective.
If an owner was planning on keeping this car for more than a year and was capable of investing the initial money and time to get things put right, this would more than work out favorably. The compressed time frame here plays against this sort of rational argument.
In that case, we go back to the rest of it, i.e. God, it's gorgeous and sounds like a banshee and is a doctoral course on the joy of mechanical directness and so on.
If I could afford it, I'd buy it. Period.
to me a badge on anything is in gerneral like the gaurantee in Tommy boy.
Where tommy is telling the guy about what he thinks of the gaurantee on the box.
This line is less famous but fits better here.
Fairy = ferrari
The point is, how do you know the fairy isn't a crazy glue sniffer? "Building model airplanes" says the little fairy; well, we're not buying it. He sneaks into your house once, that's all it takes. The next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser, and your daughter's knocked up. I seen it a hundred times.
Owning a Ferrari is not an exercise in being rational. It is about emotion.
That is why the big three carmakers are doing the retro thing with the Mustang, Camaro, Challenger etc... It is about pulling that emotional lever with the car buying public. Who says that it has to make sense all the time. Can't it be about being about just being fun and cool.
Life is short, drive it like it's stolen.
On a relatively related note, when I bought my S2000, I justified the expense by means of savings for psychiatry visits. In other words, that car keeps me sane when my job drives me insane.
If the Ferrari does that for you, then sure. It's a worthwhile intervention. All I'm saying, you better be getting one helluva lot of satisfaction to choose it over a Miata or 350Z.
Saying that an 06+ Civic SI is a better performer than this ferrari is asinine. I say that as someone who owns an 06 Civic SI and has put 36k miles on it in less than 2 years. It's a wonderful car, no doubt, but it's center of gravity is much higher, it's weight distribution is terrible (comparably), and it's given a thrashy 2.0 liter four cylinder plagued by terrible drive-by-wire programming.
And, your 2007 Civic SI has already lost more residual value than the ferrari + repairs done to it.
So, no, your "performance and monetary" metrics don't add up. Furthermore, you can say the same of any new car. Buying used is always a better investment...less depreciation, and more for your money (from someone who just bought new).
Everyone has their special hobby. Whether it be cars from the earlier part of the century, classics from the 60s, some version of import (mine is BMW), sailing, boating, cycling, stamp collecting.
The joy brought to the owner needs to be weighed against the initial cost.
I recently did a cost analysis of myself getting a BMW in another year. For what I want, I'd be paying about an extra $150 per month. Comes out to about $5 a day.
Am I willing to pay $5 a day, every day, for all of the benefits I perceive you get out of that sweet inline six? The smiles per mile alone is worth it :)
Joe
Geez, you folks all need to go grab yourself a Honda Fit and stop reading about the Ferrari.
Nobody buys a 308 as a daily driver. It's a second car, for fun. Anyone who is thinking about buying one knows that old Ferraris cost a fortune to maintain, and will take that into account when buying one. But if you've got 35k to spend on a toy its a damm fine choice. Of course there are lots of other just as worthy, just as terrribly money sucking toys out there. A boat, a plane, restoring an old car, off-roading, racing, these are things people get for fun, and for fun I'd doubt you can beat the ferrari.
my point with the civic si is that it would hold its own against what was once a near 'super' car.
even those road tests all show the civic si within a mph of the super ferrai.
no they both dont have the same badge reputation.
But it shows the age of the farreri very well, in a short 23 years a low budget, entery level factory tuner can hold its own with this car.
want this car beat? get a mazdaspeed3. still cheaper and more go.
for the cost of the car and the repair bill. and if your into subbies. you can pick up a new sti, and laugh as the guy in the shine red fast looking thing, is in your review mirror.
If you like your farrari good for you. But realize all it is now, is a good looking piece of history.
do not try to make it out like its some perfomace marvel, because its not
Cars like this aren't about test track numbers or true cost to own. They are for people who love cars. If you are looking for transportation, ring up your local Toyota dealer. If you want something truly special, get one of these. Great blog, Josh.
I cannot believe that people are comparing a Ferrari -- even an old, slow Ferrari -- with a Civic. A Civic, fer cryin' out loud! I thought you were car people?!
Seriously...if you've never dreamed of driving a Ferrari -- yes, even an old, slow Ferrari -- just stop reading these blog entries. It's not *for* you. You are not the target demographic here.
For this is about more than numbers. We're not German car manufacturers, we don't look at just the numbers. Are there more powerful cars for cheaper? Are there faster cars for cheaper? Who the frick cares? This has nothing to do with numbers; nothing to do with bhp, braking, lateral G's, 0-60 times, or 1/4 mile times.
It's about sound. Feeling. Aesthetics. The way the light glances off the rear haunches, or the curve of those front fenders. The sound of an Italian V-anything running at full clip. The subtle 'click click' of the gear lever notching into place.
This isn't a Civic. To borrow and butcher a line from an old MGB advertisement, the Civic is your wife. The Ferrari, well, she's your mistress. Full of sensual curves, daring and mysterious.
Most of us will never drive a Ferrari, just as most of us will never have a mistress. Thus she remains a mystery to us. But every car nut with a pulse has a fantasy about what it'd be like.
re-read the first blog post.
one of the reasons they got the car is that it was the same costs as a camery.
The reason I post all these other cars is to wake you people up.
Outside the badge, there is nothing speical about this car. Period. if this car looking the same, and had a mazda badge on it. you would all ignore it. Put a little yellow horse on it and its speical?
a v8 with 4 valves per cylinder, getting 235hp, and 188ft-lb. Oh wow, amazing machine. even back in the day, theirs nothing amazing about those numbers
And that does not mean, the only I would consider is a A-B honda fit.
Stop insulting those with minds, with posts like that. Get off the ferrari rod, open up your minds. And then maybe more of the people that in your eyes 'dont get it'. Will lay off.
Alot of people that read these blogs consider EVERYTHING about a car.
Perfomance, styling, RELIABILITY, and Costs.
Everyone in different ways. Very few edmunds regular readers, just car about Cost. But fans of the Ferrair, only seem to car about the cars looks, and 'feel'. Now whos closed minded?
This car was spun as being a 'cheap' toy car for the average joe, and at the end of the day it isn't.
Who's close minded? Me. That's the whole point. You can't be open minded about this car -- it's not a rational purchase. It takes a specific close-minded person to appreciate it.
This isn't your normal long term tester. You go re-read the first post yourself. If you've never toyed with the idea of buying a second-hand Ferrari instead of a new Camry, then you will find nothing of value in this series.
So let me get this straight: "Everyone who disagrees with me is STUPID and needs a brain transplant." Right?
No, you don't get it. This is an irrational purchase. The idea was to see if this car lived up to the idea formed in the head of those who toyed with buying it; i.e. would it in fact be as cheap as you were convincing yourself it was? Was it as good as Magnum made it look?
If you thought they bought it to see if it was a better purchase than a Civic or a Camry, then you're looking at it the wrong way. When you look at it rationally, there is no way that this car is the better purchase. Looking at it with a clear and rational head, every sane person -- yes, even the car nut such as myself -- would run the other way. Why introduce such headaches into your life all you want is a well-rounded car? Or a well performing car that can handle the day to day tasks? There are thousands of better alternatives.
So, is it as cheap as you convinced yourself and/or your spouse? The answer may be no -- in reality, we all knew it wasn't going to be cheap all along.
Is it as good? Maybe, maybe not. Sounds to me like the testers have mostly enjoyed every minute of it, but your mileage will vary.
The issue I have with the commenters here is that they all seem hell bent and heaven sent on proving their <insert newer, cheaper car here> is a better car.
No duh. Of course it is. If you can't see that, then perhaps this isn't the long term tester for you, and you should stop reading.
Sorry guys but...
1. I would never ever compare a <insert newer, cheaper car here> to a Ferrari even if it's a 20-plus-year-old one. Because a Ferrari is a Ferrari, whether it's new or old.
2. However, if you all have read the much-beloved pilot blog of the 308 it is cleared that the editors think the 308 was a better choice than the Camry at $25k. So please forgive me if I can't get that out of my mind, this is after all, the long term road tests blog, which is suppose to show the COMPLETE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE rather than the 150-mile drive around Malibu. If the later is the case then why don't they just simply do a regular road test instead of the long-term?
If in the pilot blog the editors have simply stated that they spent $25k to purchase it and are preparing to drop another $25k to keep it running no matter what because it's a Ferrari and money is not an issue then you won't see some of us b***hing here right now. Simple as that.
3. Still got the same old question, so far only Editor Josh answered it. Would you edmunds editors willing to pay for this car and all the repair cost if the money if out of YOUR OWN POCKET?
I'm really enjoying this series...I think it gives the general, car-buying public an interesting insight into the warped minds of us true, super premium in our veins, grease-caked, bank account abusing car enthusiasts. It sometimes feels like group therapy. I'm glad that I'm not alone in my affection for old cars which, by any economic measure, are a terrible investment.
There is no way to rationalize a car like this. That's sort of the point, though. It's an irrational purchase, bought simply for the joys of owning it and driving it. It's a hobby car...something to be admired, obsessed over...a diversion from all of the day-to-day drudgery. It doesn't matter what the neighbors think, how much attention it gets, or what badge is bolted to the hood. The only thing that matters is how much enjoyment the owner gets out of it.
A $500 Camaro or a $500,000 Porsche can be a hobby car. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Congrats on living your dream with this lovely old Ferrari. You are not alone!
if its irriantional. Then I'm glad you can admit it. mgjon- Thanks.
But alot of people are rationalizing it. And if they attempt to rationalize the car, I will bring them back to reality.
and to use the logic that some here do:
Ferrari = Good.
Well, I geuss theirs no hope.
The maintenance costs are really not that important in this type of purchase. I cannot recall Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, Jaguar etc. being noted for their reliability.
These cars are purchased based on physical beauty and visceral appeal. I wouldn't buy an 80's Ferrari, Lotus, or Jag if I wasn't prepared to absorb a relatively high level of maintenance costs.
you want relibility? Buy a 90's 300zx or Supra.
There's one advantage to the Ferrari that no one has mentioned. Resale value. If you buy a Camry and keep it for 4 years, it will lose half it's value.
The Ferrari will likely go up in value.
Which would you rather have... $15,000 in repairs and a Ferrari or $15,000 in deprecation and a Camry?
thats because the ferrari already lost its value. and is hitting the age where the price on it might creep up.
a 23 year old camery wouldn't lose much value in a year.
i'd personal rather have ethier a loaded wrx, or a mazdaspeed3.
even after 4 years I would be ahead of the ferrari, and I could get a new car which performed better
I don't think a 23 year old Camry would have any value, so you're right, it wouldn't lose any more.
I just have to add another factor: (People have been using the performance of a Civic SI in comparison of the Ferrari, so I'll use these two.)
If you were at a party, and someone knew you bought a toy, and asked you what you bought, what kind of response would you get with answering "I got a Civic SI."
Answer: "You got an economy car?" Most people don't know what a Civic SI is.
However, if you answered by saying; "I got a Ferrari."
Answer: "Oh wow. How does it sound? Have you driven it yet? ...etc.
In most circles, getting a Civic is not a conversation starter (unless you're part of the 20-something tuner crowd). You get a Ferrari, and instantly everyone knows what it is and you become a semi-celebrity. That's what you pay $700 a month for.
I think we are all tired of comparisons & comments about this car. My wife falls in this group of "why buy this car if you can get X?"
This is what I told my wife and it hit her like a ton of bricks! She understood why I followed this review now.
"It's like having a relationship, it can be for convenience or for chemistry. You can settle for good enough or for love."
You should have seen the look on her face! She told me that now she understands my emotion with cars and why I own a 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo!
Very nice quote.
Agreed. A good friend of mine bought a convertible 348 ferrari in France. Although not perfect, this is a choice he does not regret and a true subject of conversation however we put it.
Thank you Josh for this blog. You and other contributors said it so well, this is more about burning passion than cold calculation. Yes, they are much many more sensible choice, but, could I afford it, I would certainly consider such an unreasonable experience.
altimadude00 - and those people that woo and talk about the ferrari are general badge w$@*!$ anyway, so why impress them?
alot of people here sound like the 16 year old girls on mtv's sweet 16.
oh look daddy got me a bmw. oh look i got a 200k stretched humvee, Oh look its red and cost 150,000 dollars. Now everyone will talk about me. Oh look its an AMG. yaaa.
and my position should not be taken to mean that I only think of cars as being usefull for get from point A to B.
As for maintance, if these machines were/are the peak of engineering and performance. the phhf, they need better engineers because in my eyes reliabilty is part of the equation
Name-calling is unnecessary.
It seems like opfreak just cannot tolerate anyone else's opinion about this ferrari. Haven't you ever heard of beauty is in the eyes of the beholder? If people want to like this ferrari, then let them.
Stop trying to force your values (reliability, 0-60 time, etc)on rest of us. Your negativity is tiresome. And so far, the majority of us haven't bashed you for your love affair with all things statistical so stop attacking people for loving this car because it stirs their emotions.
Finally, STOP using rest of us or us regular readers in your arguments. You DO NOT represent anyone else. It is as if you know your view isn't shared by most so you need to artificially magnify the weight of your points by stating rest of us share the same view.
how am I different then those trying to force me to accept that this car is all that and some?!
I am the happy owner of an old (1986) Ferrari 328. For the non-Ferrari addicted, just the final evolution of the 308 Quattrovalvole. Not a fast car, not a modern car, in my opinion a great looking car. And a fantastic car to drive.
I love every mile I put on it. And I have been lucky as well. 15.000 miles in 4 years and just 4.500 US $ spent (two majors and the clutch).
I love this car, as I loved my 911 before it, and my Spitfire before it, and.....
I use it as a daily driver when at home (I work overseas for most of the year) and I do not give a damn about 0-60, G force etcetera.
To understand this sort of machines there is a very simple test.
Drive it without the targa to in the sun set.
If you have no special emotion, go and buy your civic. It will be cheaper, more comfortable and more reliable.
If you feel something special... go out and look for one.
P.S. I could afford a new exotic car, but simply put the Ferrari 3x8 serie has all I am looking for in a car, and something more
Nice to hear from someone who owns one. BTW...Is that your driveway? (wow)
Yes, it is my sea place driveway...
I have an 85 308 QV that I've owned for several years (1997-2008 so far). I've put about 60k miles on it, and I'm confused at the maintenance costs quoted. Sure, I do all my maintenance, but it isn't rocket science. Parts on that expensive 30k mile cam belt service are about $400 or less, and I've done it in a solid weekend. Other than that, I've had no really unusual maintenance/repair issues.
I used to use it as a daily driver until multiple kids. I've driven it in the snow and it doesn't go in the snow. I've driven it in the rain, but generally would pick another boring car to drive to work on a rainy day. Performance is great for a driver, and any day at work -- good or bad -- I can take the top off for the trip home and end up with a smile on my face....
http://www.mattboyd.org/cars/308/
I have an '87 328 GTS. My costs have been in line with what 'flyingboa' posted above. I had a Porsche 993 before the 328 - nice car, but for the same money I would take another Ferrari 100 times out of 100.
All the comments about Ferraris being expensive to service are true, but also as posted the cars are done depreciating (mine's probably gone up about $5K over the last few years, FWIW) and good ones are very reliable. When the big bills roll around, I know they're coming and I'm fine with it because I know a $90K BMW M6 or similar high-end coupe wouldn't put the same grin on my face or indulge my fantasy side nearly the same way.
I think until you've saddled up in one of these cars, revved it to 7800rpm in 4th and grown accustomed to the shifter and pedals, you can't appreciate that the 308/328 really is a serious driver's car. The proportions not only look sexy, which is important in a kind of superficial way, but you sit lower than in any modern car, and you can feel where each wheel is. Yeah, the a/c is weaker than a modern Kia, but everything that really matters is just perfect.
I guess you either feel your heart quicken around these cars, or you go back to the spreadsheets and buy something cheaper to maintain. I've been in the 308, 328, 348, 355 and 360, and you really get something in the older ones -- with the manual gearbox, airbag-free Momo wheel, compact proportions, and overall rawness -- that's worth quite a lot because you won't find it anymore among modern cars (except to some extent the Lotus).
I'm not a stupidly rich guy, so a $5000 bill isn't spare change for me. I'm a hardcore car guy, and the value equation of the Ferrari 328 makes sense to me. There's a dash of "you only live once" in that, and some logical analysis of what depreciation costs on more 'rational' modern sports cars. But if you've stuck with this blog to this point you owe it to yourself to figure out why those of us who keep these cars really treasure them.
Wonderfully written/said and thank you for the beautiful photos.
I have no doubt that Enzo loved that beast and that something went faster in his old heart when it fired.
Be well, -M
To all the clowns knocking "ownership" cost it's obvious you are sub prime check writers who don't know which end of screwdriver to hold. As a collector I've indulged in many of these cars. In selling them it take MONTHS to weed through the, "I have to check with the wife", and, "it's $5k to replace the T-belts" IDIOTS. But eventually a worthy individual comes along who understands what these cars, and all cars like it, are about. In the mean time i have a blast in them. Amazed at some of the logic put forth..trying to rationalize ownership...reminds me of the dreamers who waste my time.
No, not a sub prime check writer here. I love the 3x8GTB series. I've even learned to like its GT4 cousin. I've brought Alfas and Porsches back from operational hinterland into presentable reliability. The shame is that the 3x8 series parts CAN be extraordinarily expensive, even for DIYers... enough so to dissuade DIYers like me from salvaging some of the less loved examples in the same way we would for Porsches. Some can argue how their ownership hasn't cost them much, and others will argue that if they had replaced those original exhaust valves, that a broken valve stem wouldn't have sent their dream reeling on its financial head. Sure....one can drive a 3x8 for quite a while, in which they only do what is required by the maintenance manual. Common sense says that aging valves and synchros should be replaced sooner than later. Oh, and add to that cost the "while you are in there" seals and gasket add-ons. This amounts to quite a several 5-figures. Any red-blooded wrench has to love the 3x8 cars. Problem is that Enzo's heirs are perfectly OK with pricing parts for these old GTs so as to relegate more of the lonely examples to the used parts bin, instead of some youngster's dream project.
Oh, also.....
By txmatt1 on January 7, 2008 6:31 PM
"New cars are more competent in every way, but very few have the soul of old cars, especially ones like a Ferrari. Even a generic 60's Mustang in stock guise leaves an impression that new cars don't. "
This is so true, as demonstrated by Ford, GM and Chrysler *all* going to a retro look for high dollar muscle cars. Sixties and early seventies Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers and Barracudas were beautiful cars. So were 308s, Boras and Duettos. Some folks won't see the soul in a 308...that's OK. Others (including myself) do.