Ferrari or TVR???

[tu51john]

Hi

I have a dilemma and hope you can help. I currently have a TVR Tuscan tucked up in my garage (it's raining), prior to that I had a Porsche 911 (964). My daughter and I recently tried to work out how many cars I have had in my 43 years, and lost count.... and that didn't include the motorbikes (I'm not allowed bikes anymore!)

The dilemma being I have never had a Ferrari. I haven't even come close being honest. I have had some utter crap. The worst being a TR7 when I was 18 - god that was bad.

If I sold the Tuscan I could afford to put some cash and get a 348 ( or something in that price range) - would it be worth it? not financially but emotionally?

I could wait another few years or so and probably get something more expensive, but I could also be pushing up daisies. Regret what you didn't and all that.

Would the 348 compare to the Tuscan? I don't rag it and I don't do track days. I spend more time polishing every nut and bolt. It's more about the sense of owning something special that going mad.

I've already spent about 2k this year on the Tuscan so hopefully the Ferrari wouldn't be any more expensive.

I'd love to hear your views - Any sensible opinion appreciated.

PS Hope to see some of you in Corbridge next weekend. I'll be the one in the Megane if its raining.

Regards
John

[Kickstart]

There is something special about a ferrari - I have never had a 348 but whilst it is not known as one of the great ferraris I am sure it still has that F car magic.

I would tend to have a think about a few models to see what suits - after all that is one of the best bits

I am guessing your price range is circa £25k so the other choices would be a 328 or a 456

have fun

[neilfroggatt]

Hi -

I had a tuscan for 3 years (red rose) but decided to part with it as I also never had a ferrari. I searched for a year and bought a low mileage 328 gts - I just had to have one before it was too late!

They are different beasts and evoke very different responses but I think that I get to use more of the fezza just because the tiv was just a bit too scary in the wet...

the only thing I really missed about the tiv was the noise but since getting a tubi installed, it's been resolved!

good luck with your search..

cheers
N.

[Don1]

It will feel slower than the Tuscan, but there is that certain something about a Ferrari...

If you are happy with going slow, then do it. You only live once, and if you buy well, then if you want to swap back, it shouldn't cost you... (or upgrade to a Sagaris!)

[turbobloke]

Ferrari.

It would be worth it both financially and emotionally.

[XXVIII]

... whilst less obvious than most (obviously) but even more a likely big-hit on the 'emotional' front, might a very rare mid eighties Lamborghini not hit that spot rather better than a Ferrari-most-usual for you?

It's just a thought and in the case of this car below, probably close to your budget and by relative standards as near-unbreakable as you'd want and as far as these kind of things need to go...



hth

[JCB123]

Don1 said:

... (or upgrade to a Sagaris!)

+1

[JoyZipper]

XXVIII said:

... whilst less obvious than most (obviously) but even more a likely big-hit on the 'emotional' front, might a very rare mid eighties Lamborghini not hit that spot rather better than a Ferrari-most-usual for you?

It's just a thought and in the case of this car below, probably close to your budget and by relative standards as near-unbreakable as you'd want and as far as these kind of things need to go...



hth

Carlo at Top Gear in Scotland (Lamborghini specialists) had a Jalpa for sale a few months back for £15k !!! I think that they are generally advertised at least £10k more than that though.

Having bought my first Ferrari a while back (Testarossa) I would say go for it. You won't regret it.......

[300bhp/ton]

tu51john said:

Hi

I have a dilemma and hope you can help. I currently have a TVR Tuscan tucked up in my garage (it's raining), prior to that I had a Porsche 911 (964). My daughter and I recently tried to work out how many cars I have had in my 43 years, and lost count.... and that didn't include the motorbikes (I'm not allowed bikes anymore!)

The dilemma being I have never had a Ferrari. I haven't even come close being honest. I have had some utter crap. The worst being a TR7 when I was 18 - god that was bad.

If I sold the Tuscan I could afford to put some cash and get a 348 ( or something in that price range) - would it be worth it? not financially but emotionally?

I could wait another few years or so and probably get something more expensive, but I could also be pushing up daisies. Regret what you didn't and all that.

Would the 348 compare to the Tuscan? I don't rag it and I don't do track days. I spend more time polishing every nut and bolt. It's more about the sense of owning something special that going mad.

I've already spent about 2k this year on the Tuscan so hopefully the Ferrari wouldn't be any more expensive.

I'd love to hear your views - Any sensible opinion appreciated.

PS Hope to see some of you in Corbridge next weekend. I'll be the one in the Megane if its raining.

Regards
John

I disapprove of the TR7 comment

I suspect an older Ferrari will rate lower in the performance and sensation meter and possibly even noise compared to the Tuscan and might be a little less practical too.

Also an older car is an older car. So expect more problems, rust and lower condition.

That said, if its what you want, then its very much the right decision

Also, while the 348 might not be remember as such a great car, its still very good and IMO looks way better than anything Ferrari have produced since the F355.

Personally I like the 308, 328, 308 GT4 and Mondial.

ok, have a look here and then tell me you don't want a 348? http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[turbobloke]

300bhp/ton said:

I suspect an older Ferrari...

Also an older car is an older car. So expect more problems, rust and lower condition.

You're talking up TVRs by dissing older Ferraris on reliability and condition? Big mistake

I'm still waiting for local Councils to erect signs on grassy roundabouts and verges 'Park your broken TVR here and await recovery' - purely judging by the numbers seen in those locations, you understand

yes I know you said you liked a list of F cars

Edited by turbobloke on Wednesday 29th April 09:10

[300bhp/ton]

turbobloke said:

300bhp/ton said:

I suspect an older Ferrari...

Also an older car is an older car. So expect more problems, rust and lower condition.

You're talking up TVRs by dissing older Ferraris on reliability and condition? Big mistake

I'm still waiting for local Councils to erect signs on grassy roundabouts and verges 'Park your broken TVR here and await recovery' - purely judging by the numbers seen in those locations, you understand

yes I know you said you liked a list of F cars

Edited by turbobloke on Wednesday 29th April 09:10

Lol

I wasn’t meaning in terms of pure everyday reliability. But more in terms of wear and tear.

And older car is likely to have more paint damage, more dirt (in difficult to clean places), more chances of things being seized or nuts and bolts rusted (should they need to be undone).

Even the youngest 348 must be pushing on for 20 years old now. And on such an age of car silly things start to need replacing, such as seals, bearings, bushes and other assorted longer term consumables.

I personally would approach buying a 348 in the same manner as I would approach buying a classic car. Check it all over very carefully, expect a few faults and budget on new faults and niggles developing.

However, as I said, take a look at the thread I posted and then tell me you don’t want a 348

[stephen300o]

What dilema?

[900T-R]

turbobloke said:

300bhp/ton said:

I suspect an older Ferrari...

Also an older car is an older car. So expect more problems, rust and lower condition.

You're talking up TVRs by dissing older Ferraris on reliability and condition? Big mistake

After having probably seen hundreds of 'affordable' Ferraris up close, I'm not so sure about that... 'six of one, half a dozen of the other' spreings to mind. In either case, it's all part of the character

[turbobloke]

900T-R said:

turbobloke said:

300bhp/ton said:

I suspect an older Ferrari...

Also an older car is an older car. So expect more problems, rust and lower condition.

You're talking up TVRs by dissing older Ferraris on reliability and condition? Big mistake

After having probably seen hundreds of 'affordable' Ferraris up close, I'm not so sure about that... 'six of one, half a dozen of the other' spreings to mind. In either case, it's all part of the character

Only probably?! As to hundreds, jeez, you can see that many TVRs parked up on verges on any decent run

True, Ferraris have more character, but even with a dose of obligatory PH TVRness it's not even close on reliability, condition may be in a similar league as both are likely to be cherished as somebody's P&J

[900T-R]

turbobloke said:

True, Ferraris have more character, but even with a dose of obligatory PH TVRness it's not even close on reliability,

I would seriously doubt that. Moreover, it's not rocket science to make a '90s RV8-powered TVR nigh-on bulletproof, try if you will with a pre-Luca de Montezemolo Fezza... you'll fail and the thing will continue to drain your wallet faster than any OH could.

How many older Ferraris out there that do any decent mileage, say 6,000+ a year?

[turbobloke]

When did Luca appear? The 328 is recognised as one of the most bullet proof Ferraris, was that BL (Before Luca) or AL?

[900T-R]

Before - I think the 355 was the first bona fide AL Ferrari. I'd wager to guess 328s weren't as sorted when they left the factory as they tend to be now - although you do have a point as the one I know of that got driven is a 328 which belongs to the former CEO of Volvo Cars USA and Saab Cars USA and has done a high five figure mileage. I recall from his tales it did (and probably still does) cost him a mint on occasion.

[300bhp/ton]

turbobloke said:

900T-R said:

turbobloke said:

300bhp/ton said:

I suspect an older Ferrari...

Also an older car is an older car. So expect more problems, rust and lower condition.

You're talking up TVRs by dissing older Ferraris on reliability and condition? Big mistake

After having probably seen hundreds of 'affordable' Ferraris up close, I'm not so sure about that... 'six of one, half a dozen of the other' spreings to mind. In either case, it's all part of the character

Only probably?! As to hundreds, jeez, you can see that many TVRs parked up on verges on any decent run

True, Ferraris have more character, but even with a dose of obligatory PH TVRness it's not even close on reliability, condition may be in a similar league as both are likely to be cherished as somebody's P&J

You evidently have some beef with TVR's not sure why.

Personally I've never noticed many on the sides of the road. Although you do see a lot more TVR's in general compared to Ferrari's - so does this prove something else???

I've known two people with TVR's - no problem with either. I've known one person with a Ferrari (F355) - loads of hassle and was gotten ride off because of the reliability (or lack thereof).

[turbobloke]

900T-R said:

Before - I think the 355 was the first bona fide AL Ferrari. I'd wager to guess 328s weren't as sorted when they left the factory as they tend to be now - although you do have a point as the one I know of that got driven is a 328 which belongs to the former CEO of Volvo Cars USA and Saab Cars USA and has done a high five figure mileage. I recall from his tales it did (and probably still does) cost him a mint on occasion.

The 328 represented the end of a line of development and was reliable out of the box. 348 came next, new package, not the same at all.

One car? Not representative.

Keep looking on those verges and roundabouts

[900T-R]

turbobloke said:

One car? Not representative.

Um, it's the one I know of that isn't a garage queen... how many miles on yours?