What to buy: 246 Dino v 328 ?
Discussion
I have been mulling over what to buy next for some time. I've had loads of 911s and BMWs but the only Italian car was many years back (Lancia Integrale). I've always wanted to try a Ferrari but never made the leap. I've come to the conclusion that new cars are too quick (where I live the penalties for speeding can be severe and there are lots of hidden cameras and speed checks). Also, they are too easy to drive quickly. I recently tested the 12c. Incredibly quick but the car was doing everything. My other bugbear is depreciation. Owing to work and family I don't get to drive my fun car much and to me it makes no sense losing £20k - £30k in value per year for perhaps two or three drives a month (2000 miles a year) if I'm lucky. I'd rather buy something that won't lose much, if anything, in value, even if that means spending more on upkeep.
I started off thinking of 355s but having driven a couple I think they are also too fast. So now I am looking at even older cars. I love the look of the 246 and I hear it is lovely to drive (and isn't that quick). Does anyone on here have first hand experience of them? Any comments? Problem is that they have already appreciated so quite a lot to pay out. Plus they rarely come onto the market (there is just one for sale in Switzerland - first one I have ever seen - and as it is 3.5 hours drive away from me I haven't seen it yet).
An alternative would be the 328. Prices are much more reasonable and there is more choice. I am going to drive one next week but again, any first-hand ownership experiences out there?
Apologies for the rather long post!
I started off thinking of 355s but having driven a couple I think they are also too fast. So now I am looking at even older cars. I love the look of the 246 and I hear it is lovely to drive (and isn't that quick). Does anyone on here have first hand experience of them? Any comments? Problem is that they have already appreciated so quite a lot to pay out. Plus they rarely come onto the market (there is just one for sale in Switzerland - first one I have ever seen - and as it is 3.5 hours drive away from me I haven't seen it yet).
An alternative would be the 328. Prices are much more reasonable and there is more choice. I am going to drive one next week but again, any first-hand ownership experiences out there?
Apologies for the rather long post!
Edited by Schnellmann on Friday 26th August 14:53
Both are a pleasure to drive. Both look stunning without appearing flash. 328 slightly easier to live with if being used on a daily basis and you will need slightly deeper pockets to maintain the 246, but it's sound and looks can justify that ! Both are quick enough to lose your license, and neither will suffer depreciation. It all comes down to personal preference behind the wheel. A nice position to be in so enjoy the process !
One is three times more expensive than the other both to buy and maintain
A nice GTS would be a great summer toy as others have suggested previously
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
For example
A nice GTS would be a great summer toy as others have suggested previously
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
For example
Both the Dino and the 328 are of course lovely but for Italian charisma at a lower entry point (and speed) I keep thinking about those Alfa Romeo Bertone Giulia 105s...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_105/115_Se...
Here's a nice GT1300 Junior...
http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?wl=1...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_105/115_Se...
Here's a nice GT1300 Junior...
http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?wl=1...
Can't comment on the 328 specifically but I do have a 308 GTB as my fun car. Its the earlier iteration of the 328 and in my eyes is a purer design - absolute classic. To drive it is great fun, beautifully balanced and pure (no power steering or ABS) and best on winding roads. Its not that fast (my Audi 3.0 TDI is much faster) and would be ideal for what you are looking for plus slightly cheaper than/a lot cheaper than the 328/246. CMD
I bought a 246GT last October and have spent a lot of money having it restored. It's great fun to drive and very involving for the driver. Actually servicing costs aren't that high as the V6 is chain driven so doesn't need to come out for routine servicing. At the age these cars are now you may need to plan to rebush the suspension which is a labour intensive job (and therefore costly) but really transforms the handling. I had all of the coolant system hoses replaced on mine as a precaution and had the radiator refurb'ed. I also had a bigger alternator fitted and have recently had the starter motor rebuilt with a gear reduction system which has greatly improved hot starting.
The cabin can get pretty hot due to all that glass and also as a result of the cooling system pipework passing down the sill on the RHS of the car. Other than that there are no major minus points to the car at all.
I took mine down to the Wilton House meet and ran in a convoy of 20 or so more modern Ferraris and Lamborghinis and wasn't left behind at any point.
Prices will only continue to rise IMHO. As with all older models there are a lot of examples out there that have been neglected over the years and will need a lot of money spending on them to bring them up to a good standard. Parts are readily available for mosts areas of the car through a number of specialists.
The cabin can get pretty hot due to all that glass and also as a result of the cooling system pipework passing down the sill on the RHS of the car. Other than that there are no major minus points to the car at all.
I took mine down to the Wilton House meet and ran in a convoy of 20 or so more modern Ferraris and Lamborghinis and wasn't left behind at any point.
Prices will only continue to rise IMHO. As with all older models there are a lot of examples out there that have been neglected over the years and will need a lot of money spending on them to bring them up to a good standard. Parts are readily available for mosts areas of the car through a number of specialists.
Both cars fit your brief well. The 246 would be my choice but is significantly more expensive. If coming from a modern car you will find it shows its age not just in lack of driver aids but also in poorly performing ancillaries such as headlights and wipers (as did the later 308gt4) but otherwise a fabulous car and prices only going to go up. Not driven a 328 but as said would fit the brief well with a much more modern feel.
Hadn't seen a 308 in a while, and saw one turn up at Cliveden earlier in the year. Grubby and rough around the edges but looked fantastic, it has a great stance to it.(the 328 isn't quite the same)
Not the same cachet as a Ferrari but I really enjoyed my X1/9 for the reasons your looking for.
Not the same cachet as a Ferrari but I really enjoyed my X1/9 for the reasons your looking for.
MogulBoy said:
Both the Dino and the 328 are of course lovely but for Italian charisma at a lower entry point (and speed) I keep thinking about those Alfa Romeo Bertone Giulia 105s...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_105/115_Se...
Here's a nice GT1300 Junior...
http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?wl=1...
Those are absolutely lovely to look at. I'd love to try one but haven't got around to it. however really nice examples in Switzerland aren't that much cheaper than a 328. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_105/115_Se...
Here's a nice GT1300 Junior...
http://www.autoscout24.ch/AS24Web/Detail.aspx?wl=1...
isuk said:
I bought a 246GT last October and have spent a lot of money having it restored. It's great fun to drive and very involving for the driver. Actually servicing costs aren't that high as the V6 is chain driven so doesn't need to come out for routine servicing. At the age these cars are now you may need to plan to rebush the suspension which is a labour intensive job (and therefore costly) but really transforms the handling. I had all of the coolant system hoses replaced on mine as a precaution and had the radiator refurb'ed. I also had a bigger alternator fitted and have recently had the starter motor rebuilt with a gear reduction system which has greatly improved hot starting.
The cabin can get pretty hot due to all that glass and also as a result of the cooling system pipework passing down the sill on the RHS of the car. Other than that there are no major minus points to the car at all.
I took mine down to the Wilton House meet and ran in a convoy of 20 or so more modern Ferraris and Lamborghinis and wasn't left behind at any point.
Prices will only continue to rise IMHO. As with all older models there are a lot of examples out there that have been neglected over the years and will need a lot of money spending on them to bring them up to a good standard. Parts are readily available for mosts areas of the car through a number of specialists.
Interesting. Sounds like a lot of work. Did the price you paid for the car reflect all the work you had to do? Do you think what you have done represents a normal amount? GT I am hoping to see was restored about 15 years ago. Pictures look lovely but I wonder what might need doing. The cabin can get pretty hot due to all that glass and also as a result of the cooling system pipework passing down the sill on the RHS of the car. Other than that there are no major minus points to the car at all.
I took mine down to the Wilton House meet and ran in a convoy of 20 or so more modern Ferraris and Lamborghinis and wasn't left behind at any point.
Prices will only continue to rise IMHO. As with all older models there are a lot of examples out there that have been neglected over the years and will need a lot of money spending on them to bring them up to a good standard. Parts are readily available for mosts areas of the car through a number of specialists.
My car had had two restorations prior to the work I had done on it. The first was around 1985 and was extensive. It involved replacement of quite a few body panels due to rust (there was no no real corrosion protection on these cars at all from the factory). The second was around 8 years ago from memory. Not all of the work I had done was strictly necessary but I intend to keep thecar for a long time so wanted it to be in good shape.
If the car you are looking at was done 15 years ago then it will likely need a mechanical overhaul - suspension bushes, cooling hoses, possibly a radiator recore, routine service, possibly new tyres (depending upon their age) etc. It depends how frequently thecar has been used and how you intend to use it. If you want to take it up some alpine passes and have fun in it then youll want good brakes/tyres/cooling/suspension. You may also want to get the fuel lines looked at and replaced if necessary. These can be weak spots and the engine bay gets very hot so a fuel leak isn't a good idea. The same issues apply to the 328.
Here are pic's of mine beside a friend's 328GTS for comparison.
If the car you are looking at was done 15 years ago then it will likely need a mechanical overhaul - suspension bushes, cooling hoses, possibly a radiator recore, routine service, possibly new tyres (depending upon their age) etc. It depends how frequently thecar has been used and how you intend to use it. If you want to take it up some alpine passes and have fun in it then youll want good brakes/tyres/cooling/suspension. You may also want to get the fuel lines looked at and replaced if necessary. These can be weak spots and the engine bay gets very hot so a fuel leak isn't a good idea. The same issues apply to the 328.
Here are pic's of mine beside a friend's 328GTS for comparison.
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