Anyone here driven a 288GTO?
Discussion
The 'Mondial' thread's got me thinking. I've read that driving the 288 is a bit of a let down considering it's the forerunner of the F40. Followed one round Brands Hatch national circuit last year and it was smoking like a chimney- all four barrels 'I'm not a happy car'. Didn't sound particularly special either, although we didn't get to max revs. No, it's the looks to die for that does it for me, which is why I think a 308 with front & rear panels (esp. the sharks gill vents) is not to be sniffed at. Couldn't really care less about rarity, I'd want to be able to use it.
So anyone here actually driven one themselves car to comment? More than academic interest (if only to get Manu toff my case
)
So anyone here actually driven one themselves car to comment? More than academic interest (if only to get Manu toff my case
)Wow! Now we're in business! 288GTO is absolutely one of my top top dream cars, surely the perfect thing to sit alongside a 360 if an F40's just too much? IMHO: Performance wise, the 360 would destroy it over a country road and edge away straight line. We're talking broadly similar power 400bhp (360) vs 427bhp (GTO), the GTO has considerably more torque, but this comes with a handy degree of classic 80's turbo lag. Which is either annoying or exciting 
depending on how you look at it. So broadly similar performance, but the 360 is more refined and linear. Handling wise, I understand the engine in mounted relatively high in the car as it is a longitudinal (as opposed to the 308's transverse) mount above the gearbox. This makes for interesting handling in the manner of early BB's due to the high yaw rate, and increased roll, suffering mid-engine trait of lift-off or trailing throttle oversteer. The steering is said to be fairly heavy although informative. Essentially the 288 will not feel anything like as planted as the 360, and will probably take a bit more thought to drive quickly, but hey, isn't that part of the man v machine challenge? In terms of useability it would be well ahead of, say, an F40. The interior was pretty sumptuously trimmed, with leather, deep carpets and air con etc so you could use it for travelling if you can live with the driving position and of course the ride height is manageable too. If I were you, I'd buy one on condition alone, because if you use it and find you don't get on with it, you can sell it on and lose bugger all bar the running cost and at least you can say been there, done that. Thing is, imagine a crisp spring Sunday morning; you look out you're window and - sh!t man - there's a 288GTO there. You grab the keys and go for a blast which ends up lasting all day and 500miles the wife's b0ll0cking you - where have you been? - and you don't care because you've just driven one of THE most fantastic cars and THE most beautiful one's and had an epic time. Go on, you know you want to.....
http://eng.autoscout24.com/home/index/detail.asp?id=14209901&sc=&make=27&model=&pricefrom=0&euroto=0&zip=
depending on how you look at it. So broadly similar performance, but the 360 is more refined and linear. Handling wise, I understand the engine in mounted relatively high in the car as it is a longitudinal (as opposed to the 308's transverse) mount above the gearbox. This makes for interesting handling in the manner of early BB's due to the high yaw rate, and increased roll, suffering mid-engine trait of lift-off or trailing throttle oversteer. The steering is said to be fairly heavy although informative. Essentially the 288 will not feel anything like as planted as the 360, and will probably take a bit more thought to drive quickly, but hey, isn't that part of the man v machine challenge? In terms of useability it would be well ahead of, say, an F40. The interior was pretty sumptuously trimmed, with leather, deep carpets and air con etc so you could use it for travelling if you can live with the driving position and of course the ride height is manageable too. If I were you, I'd buy one on condition alone, because if you use it and find you don't get on with it, you can sell it on and lose bugger all bar the running cost and at least you can say been there, done that. Thing is, imagine a crisp spring Sunday morning; you look out you're window and - sh!t man - there's a 288GTO there. You grab the keys and go for a blast which ends up lasting all day and 500miles the wife's b0ll0cking you - where have you been? - and you don't care because you've just driven one of THE most fantastic cars and THE most beautiful one's and had an epic time. Go on, you know you want to..... http://eng.autoscout24.com/home/index/detail.asp?id=14209901&sc=&make=27&model=&pricefrom=0&euroto=0&zip=
Hi
have a butchers at this from classicdriver last week
www.classicdriver.de/uk/magazine/3400.asp?id=11332
have a butchers at this from classicdriver last week
www.classicdriver.de/uk/magazine/3400.asp?id=11332
The F40 is a 288GTO with better brakes, better tyres and better aerodynamics... slightly lighter too. The extra power is from larger turbos/intercoolers.
The balance of the GTO is actually perfect - the engine is mounted virtually IN the cockpit - REALLY far forward. But it's got loads of Turbo Lag.
I have NOT driven obviously - reporting others' comments.
Either way - the 288GTO is THE best looking car of all time. That's what you buy it for. (BTW: Making it sound "good" is hardly a problem.
)
272 built I think - a few have been wrecked - Saw one in Joe Macari some time ago-
Nothing needs to be said about its looks.
P.S. Service bills are still not funny - They are NOT reliable.
I would probably get an F50 first.
>> Edited by manu on Thursday 17th October 15:20
The balance of the GTO is actually perfect - the engine is mounted virtually IN the cockpit - REALLY far forward. But it's got loads of Turbo Lag.
I have NOT driven obviously - reporting others' comments.
Either way - the 288GTO is THE best looking car of all time. That's what you buy it for. (BTW: Making it sound "good" is hardly a problem.
) 272 built I think - a few have been wrecked - Saw one in Joe Macari some time ago-
Nothing needs to be said about its looks.
P.S. Service bills are still not funny - They are NOT reliable.
I would probably get an F50 first.
>> Edited by manu on Thursday 17th October 15:20
I would probably get an F50 first.
Why's that then Manu?
Did you see my earlier post regarding the F50, and how people seem to slate it all the time.
I don't know why personally. IMHO I think it's a fantastic looking car, better than the Enzo, with a mighty V12 - No turbo lag here boys
Like you Manu, if it were my money on the line, I purchase the F50 - Without question
Ajay, has Manu put his money down on the F50? He seems to be trying hard to sway it in that direction 
. I'm closely watching developments and will contact you in due course, obviously I'll try and get in before the odds change (Manu let me know your insider knowledge as and when it becomes available)
Seriously though, I think a 288GTO/328 copy is the way to go. They look loosely the same anyway, just needs the kit to make it look near perfect. Screw what the engine is, you've got the 360 for that level of performance. The F40 or F50 on the other hand... If it weren't for the £18K service bill we would probably be seeing one sometime in March I think. Now, who wants to threaten the F50 owner into admitting that he was "lying" about his service costs??
. I'm closely watching developments and will contact you in due course, obviously I'll try and get in before the odds change (Manu let me know your insider knowledge as and when it becomes available) Seriously though, I think a 288GTO/328 copy is the way to go. They look loosely the same anyway, just needs the kit to make it look near perfect. Screw what the engine is, you've got the 360 for that level of performance. The F40 or F50 on the other hand... If it weren't for the £18K service bill we would probably be seeing one sometime in March I think. Now, who wants to threaten the F50 owner into admitting that he was "lying"
about his service costs??Ninja,
Manu thinks F50 and I think 550 barchetta. I know my punt seems like a bit of a long shot BUT I have a funny feeling in my bones (not an invite for perverse comments!)- it is definitely THE car of the moment and a bloody good one at that and I distinctly remember Kevin saying how much of a great car he thought it was.
By the way have you seen the 360s that Maranellos have? They have one in the PERFECT spec. Rosso/black, scuderia shields, red callipers, racing seats and manual. Tempting, no??? Go on Ninja you know you want to!!
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 16:58
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 16:59
Manu thinks F50 and I think 550 barchetta. I know my punt seems like a bit of a long shot BUT I have a funny feeling in my bones (not an invite for perverse comments!)- it is definitely THE car of the moment and a bloody good one at that and I distinctly remember Kevin saying how much of a great car he thought it was.
By the way have you seen the 360s that Maranellos have? They have one in the PERFECT spec. Rosso/black, scuderia shields, red callipers, racing seats and manual. Tempting, no??? Go on Ninja you know you want to!!
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 16:58
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 16:59
Jay - GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE !!!!(recently a friend of mine introuced me to the phrase "fools never differ" )
The F50 is WAYYYYY superior to the F40 and I've actually come to prefer the way it looks - which is - in my opinion UNBELIEVABLE - no it's NOT pretty (not in the way the GTO is) but then neither was the F40 - but it DOES look the way a £300,000 car ought to look - some of th shutlines on the (fantastic) F40 are shocking - like a kit-car.
It's not exactly a depreciating asset either seeing as there are only 350 in the world.- VS the ~1300 for F40 and 272 for the GTO.
It's quicker than the McLaren f1 round a track and if you don't like it in my opinion, you haven't seen/heard or driven one (yeah righty!!) often enough!
The GTO actually started the love affair with Ferrari - I LOVE THIS CAR - and I mean that - but I'm just a young pup (as Kev would say) and I want ......... brute force, naturally aspriated F1-derived V12 - (not 2.8 litre twin turbo) with HYPER performance.
F50 VS 288GTO (money no object quick poll everyone?)
P.S. Wouldn't go for a bodykitted "308GTB 288 wannabe" - unlike Ninja I don't like handling fake things!!!
) The F50 is WAYYYYY superior to the F40 and I've actually come to prefer the way it looks - which is - in my opinion UNBELIEVABLE - no it's NOT pretty (not in the way the GTO is) but then neither was the F40 - but it DOES look the way a £300,000 car ought to look - some of th shutlines on the (fantastic) F40 are shocking - like a kit-car.
It's not exactly a depreciating asset either seeing as there are only 350 in the world.- VS the ~1300 for F40 and 272 for the GTO.
It's quicker than the McLaren f1 round a track and if you don't like it in my opinion, you haven't seen/heard or driven one (yeah righty!!) often enough!
The GTO actually started the love affair with Ferrari - I LOVE THIS CAR - and I mean that - but I'm just a young pup (as Kev would say) and I want ......... brute force, naturally aspriated F1-derived V12 - (not 2.8 litre twin turbo) with HYPER performance.
F50 VS 288GTO (money no object quick poll everyone?)
P.S. Wouldn't go for a bodykitted "308GTB 288 wannabe" - unlike Ninja I don't like handling fake things
!!!Kev,
Check out the 550 barchetta for sale at Lancaster Colchester Ferrari!! Bloody decent spec, looks fcuking gorgeous.... what more could you possibly want??? Heavenly.
www.lancasterferrari.co.uk
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 17:17
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 17:17
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 17:18
Check out the 550 barchetta for sale at Lancaster Colchester Ferrari!! Bloody decent spec, looks fcuking gorgeous.... what more could you possibly want??? Heavenly.
www.lancasterferrari.co.uk
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 17:17
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 17:17
>> Edited by ajaym on Thursday 17th October 17:18
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