Choosing my first Ferrari - 328 / 348 / F355
Discussion
Well I've been hunting for the right Ferrari, being my first.
I was tantalisingly close to picking up a 328, although someone pipped me to it as I was away for a week.
Ideal/perfect choice would be a 355, although finding a good/reasonable one is hard. There have been a couple of silver 355s with mileages circa 30000 that have sold for around 28-29000 very recently. Theres a high mileage red 355 and a Blue 355 being sold at dealers which I've just put offers in on although the blue 355 offer has been turned down already - I think both will hold out for a higher price but it was worth the try.
And as for 348s - I love the shape/style but I'm not keen on the depreciation and higher maintenance costs. Would be keen at the 20k mark but the closest I can find are LHDs.
So, unless someone out there can match my criteria for either of the above, it looks like I'm destined for the classic shaped 328. Not my first choice, however financially it seems to make more sense and might be an easier proposition for my first fezza. I'll just need the Hawaiin shirt and Magnum tash!
Either that or I wait out through winter and buy by early Spring - we'll see.
It's tough work trying to find the right car!! Anyway, anyone else have similar stories about they bought their first fezza and what finally swung it for them?
I was tantalisingly close to picking up a 328, although someone pipped me to it as I was away for a week.
Ideal/perfect choice would be a 355, although finding a good/reasonable one is hard. There have been a couple of silver 355s with mileages circa 30000 that have sold for around 28-29000 very recently. Theres a high mileage red 355 and a Blue 355 being sold at dealers which I've just put offers in on although the blue 355 offer has been turned down already - I think both will hold out for a higher price but it was worth the try.
And as for 348s - I love the shape/style but I'm not keen on the depreciation and higher maintenance costs. Would be keen at the 20k mark but the closest I can find are LHDs.
So, unless someone out there can match my criteria for either of the above, it looks like I'm destined for the classic shaped 328. Not my first choice, however financially it seems to make more sense and might be an easier proposition for my first fezza. I'll just need the Hawaiin shirt and Magnum tash!
Either that or I wait out through winter and buy by early Spring - we'll see.
It's tough work trying to find the right car!! Anyway, anyone else have similar stories about they bought their first fezza and what finally swung it for them?
Edited by shirazjiwa on Sunday 14th September 17:34
shirazjiwa said:
And as for 348s - I love the shape/style but I'm not keen on the depreciation and higher maintenance costs. Would be keen at the 20k mark but the closest I can find are LHDs.
Don't think 348's will depreciate much more. Also, running costs are similar to 355's. Only major difference is that the valves may need adjusting when the cambelts are done. Although there are also less things to go wrong on the 348 compared to the 355. Feel free to email me if you need info or help regarding 348's.
shirazjiwa said:
anyone else have similar stories about they bought their first fezza and what finally swung it for them?
I paid a few thousand more than it was worth because of the colour and rarity of that particular one as I probably would not have come across a similar one again. As it turns out no one has seen the other black 348 GTB.shirazjiwa said:
So, unless someone out there can match my criteria for either of the above, it looks like I'm destined for the classic shaped 328. Not my first choice, however financially it seems to make more sense and might be an easier proposition for my first fezza.
If it's not the model you want, don't get it. Just wait until your first choice comes along. shirazjiwa said:
however financially it seems to make more sense and might be an easier proposition for my first fezza.
Ferrari...financial sense......???? Wait till you buy one. 
Angelis said:
Ferrari...financial sense......???? Wait till you buy one.
Lol - so you're one of the rare/lucky owners to have a GTB/GTS! For a 328, I'd budget 1000-2000 a year for maintenance/repairs and.or 'luxuries' - If I bought a similar valued Exige or 911 I'd lose more than that in depreication/maintenance, and 328s appear to be holding their values. I just refuse to pay over the odds, and dont mind biding my time untilt eh right car/deal comes along - 328 or otherwise.Edited by shirazjiwa on Sunday 14th September 18:54
'shirazjiwa' As you know im looking for a car at the moment too, hopefully a 355, patience is the key, when i bought my Testa a few years back it took well over a year for the right car to come up... Now we're approaching the winter im sure a lot more cars will come to the market in the coming weeks, you just gotta hold out for the right car/spec for you, prices are definately softening too, you may well end up with a 348 or 355 yet...
robinredbrest said:
'shirazjiwa' As you know im looking for a car at the moment too, hopefully a 355, patience is the key, when i bought my Testa a few years back it took well over a year for the right car to come up... Now we're approaching the winter im sure a lot more cars will come to the market in the coming weeks, you just gotta hold out for the right car/spec for you, prices are definately softening too, you may well end up with a 348 or 355 yet...
Good luck in your hunt too 'robinredbrest' - and thanks for the help/info other week, although I was too late on that one (came back friday - was on the last flight out of egypt with XL!)Agree there ^
348s ... depreciation? I don't think so, they have done all they are going to do. The only thing that will depress 348 values is the market/economy as a whole, and that will affect all cars the same.
I bought mine in january and I could get my money back, if not more, quite easily going by the number of people looking for 'good' 348s.
And yes, mine is LHD, because having had a RHD Spider I specifically wanted the steering wheel on the correct side this time.
(you will never appreciate the improvement in driving position until you drive both)
348s ... depreciation? I don't think so, they have done all they are going to do. The only thing that will depress 348 values is the market/economy as a whole, and that will affect all cars the same.
I bought mine in january and I could get my money back, if not more, quite easily going by the number of people looking for 'good' 348s.
And yes, mine is LHD, because having had a RHD Spider I specifically wanted the steering wheel on the correct side this time.
(you will never appreciate the improvement in driving position until you drive both)
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