328 - what petrol ?
Discussion
Aaah. This rings a bell now, and the answer I think is 'it depends'. Chap I know with a 328 had been running it on leaded when he asked the same question of someone on the Ferrari stand at a motorshow a few years ago; bloke went off and looked through a ring binder, came back and said 'yes'. Apparently some can and some can't run on unleaded, depending I suppose on when the engine was produced and which valves it has. May be worth enquiring at Ferrari UK or on the owners' site with your engine number, assuming no aftermarket conversion has been carried out.
Thanks for the info guys.
I did think that because of when the car was produced that it would fall in the change over period.
It's not a car that I own, but I am toying with the idea of what to get next and an early LHD 328 is one of the options.
Choices so far are:
TVR Cerbera
LHD Porsche 964 Turbo
LHD Ferrari 328 GTS/GTB
If anyone has any opinions on any of these they would be gratefully received !
Cheers
Paul
I did think that because of when the car was produced that it would fall in the change over period.
It's not a car that I own, but I am toying with the idea of what to get next and an early LHD 328 is one of the options.
Choices so far are:
TVR Cerbera
LHD Porsche 964 Turbo
LHD Ferrari 328 GTS/GTB
If anyone has any opinions on any of these they would be gratefully received !
Cheers
Paul
I suspect you're asking in the wrong place for objective opinions 
Cerbera will be the performance choice (in a straight line anyway) but will (from experiences of friends and other reports) be worth being a gold member of the AA. It'll almost certainly continue to depreciate quicker than the other two.
Ferrari is the prettiest of the bunch and it's a Ferrari.
Porker would probably be the sensible buy (but even these can cost huge wads judging by Autocar's experiences), but since when has a car like these been sensible.
Do these really all cost similar money?
If you fit in a 328 (I'm big and didn't) buy that. Run it for 6mths and sell it on if you need more poke. At least then you'll have had the privelage of owning a Ferrari. And if my mates are anything to go by you do get treated differently in one (usually in a positive way - not sure the 964T will give you that). There's something that bit special about owning one that you don't get in pretty much anything else.
PS You say "so far"...what are your criteria/budget/etc?
>> Edited by murph7355 on Thursday 2nd January 14:40
Cerbera will be the performance choice (in a straight line anyway) but will (from experiences of friends and other reports) be worth being a gold member of the AA. It'll almost certainly continue to depreciate quicker than the other two.
Ferrari is the prettiest of the bunch and it's a Ferrari.
Porker would probably be the sensible buy (but even these can cost huge wads judging by Autocar's experiences), but since when has a car like these been sensible.
Do these really all cost similar money?
If you fit in a 328 (I'm big and didn't) buy that. Run it for 6mths and sell it on if you need more poke. At least then you'll have had the privelage of owning a Ferrari. And if my mates are anything to go by you do get treated differently in one (usually in a positive way - not sure the 964T will give you that). There's something that bit special about owning one that you don't get in pretty much anything else.
PS You say "so far"...what are your criteria/budget/etc?
>> Edited by murph7355 on Thursday 2nd January 14:40
That's probably why I asked here !
I have loved the Ferrari's since I was a kid and I think it would still be my preferred option if it's viable one.
I spoke to Talcrest and they believe (to my suprise) that the early LHD 328's fall into my £20-22k budget.
I haven't driven a 964 yet, but I have driven the Cerbera & 328 & loved both, but for very different reasons.
Any other ideas for a 'toy' will always be considered !
Over to you guys ...
I have loved the Ferrari's since I was a kid and I think it would still be my preferred option if it's viable one.
I spoke to Talcrest and they believe (to my suprise) that the early LHD 328's fall into my £20-22k budget.
I haven't driven a 964 yet, but I have driven the Cerbera & 328 & loved both, but for very different reasons.
Any other ideas for a 'toy' will always be considered !
Over to you guys ...
I'm a bit biased, but 20-22k will get you a Caterham SLR. You will not drive anything as raw or direct and damn right eye poppingly fast (other than another Caterham or one of the more track biased cars like a Radical).
But it's an entirely different proposition - unbeatable on track, cheaper to run but you have to be prepared for a few compromises. It would also get at least as much attention as any of the other three you note, but all of it will be 100% positive.
Of the TVRs I've always felt the Griff' was easily the prettiest. But I also hear these are almost as bad as Cerberas reliability wise.
Can you not get a 993 Porker for your 22k ceiling? Wouldn't be a turbo, but would be prettier than the 964 and as quick as the 328.
Outside of this I can't think of much else I'd have. Porsche 928 perhaps? Jag XK8 (not for me but nice enough)? Any number of older classics, Japanese sports cars etc??. Subarus, BMW saloons etc don't do it for me at all and from your list of 3 I suspect they wouldn't for you.
But when all's said and done, you can buy a Ferrari and if it's been a childhood dream, you should do it! A quick look on this board and www.ferrarichat.com will give you detailed pointers on running costs and what to look for etc.
But it's an entirely different proposition - unbeatable on track, cheaper to run but you have to be prepared for a few compromises. It would also get at least as much attention as any of the other three you note, but all of it will be 100% positive.
Of the TVRs I've always felt the Griff' was easily the prettiest. But I also hear these are almost as bad as Cerberas reliability wise.
Can you not get a 993 Porker for your 22k ceiling? Wouldn't be a turbo, but would be prettier than the 964 and as quick as the 328.
Outside of this I can't think of much else I'd have. Porsche 928 perhaps? Jag XK8 (not for me but nice enough)? Any number of older classics, Japanese sports cars etc??. Subarus, BMW saloons etc don't do it for me at all and from your list of 3 I suspect they wouldn't for you.
But when all's said and done, you can buy a Ferrari and if it's been a childhood dream, you should do it! A quick look on this board and www.ferrarichat.com will give you detailed pointers on running costs and what to look for etc.
Paul,
You can certainly pick up a 308 for that money and I can believe you could get a LHD 328 as well, although in both cases you will be pushing it to find a good one.
From a quick look in Top Marques (strangely, I always seem to have the current issue...) alternatives I can suggest are:
1) Caterham SLR- agree- what a laugh these cars are!
2) Elise- I will have one of these one day
3) Joe Macari have a Strathcarron on @ 19,995
4) Cobra- Hallmark cars in Chingford have several from 9K to 29K and a Jaguar Kougar for 15K
5) Early Boxster
6) Evo VI or Impreza T
Difficult isn't it? So many cars, so little time.
Have fun!
You can certainly pick up a 308 for that money and I can believe you could get a LHD 328 as well, although in both cases you will be pushing it to find a good one.
From a quick look in Top Marques (strangely, I always seem to have the current issue...) alternatives I can suggest are:
1) Caterham SLR- agree- what a laugh these cars are!
2) Elise- I will have one of these one day
3) Joe Macari have a Strathcarron on @ 19,995
4) Cobra- Hallmark cars in Chingford have several from 9K to 29K and a Jaguar Kougar for 15K
5) Early Boxster
6) Evo VI or Impreza T
Difficult isn't it? So many cars, so little time.
Have fun!
Hi Paul,
I'm mulling over the same decision myself:
Cerbera
Ferrari
Esprit
Are the front runners so far. If it was purely down to the drive, a Cerbera would be in my garage early next year, especially considering the fantastic value they offer at the moment. Unfortunately such things as engines that don't go bang and electrics that work at least some of the time are important! The thing is, its like any car - get a good one and you'll love it for ever, by a dog and your done for - be a Porsche or a TVR.
Recently been thinking about Esprit's because they seem to offer knockout performance/handling/looks for the money and even a very good late 4 cyl will be easily within £22k Tempted even by some higher milage V8's - anyone got an opinion on these? Haven't really found much info regarding the reliability / useability of these.
And finally, the Ferrari 308. Seems to be the 'sensible' option in this company! Good reputation for solid reliable mechanicals, amazingly beautiful to look at and nice to drive. Problem is that the Cerb blows the 308 away as a driving machine - indeed I'll be dropping a couple of notches performance wise from my 4.3 Chimaera. But then, its still a Ferrari.
Choice's, choice's....
Let me know what you go for...
Edited to add that I fleetingly thought about a Skyline GTR. Then I remembered what they look like.
>> Edited by trackdemon on Thursday 2nd January 17:54
I'm mulling over the same decision myself:
Cerbera
Ferrari
Esprit
Are the front runners so far. If it was purely down to the drive, a Cerbera would be in my garage early next year, especially considering the fantastic value they offer at the moment. Unfortunately such things as engines that don't go bang and electrics that work at least some of the time are important! The thing is, its like any car - get a good one and you'll love it for ever, by a dog and your done for - be a Porsche or a TVR.
Recently been thinking about Esprit's because they seem to offer knockout performance/handling/looks for the money and even a very good late 4 cyl will be easily within £22k Tempted even by some higher milage V8's - anyone got an opinion on these? Haven't really found much info regarding the reliability / useability of these.
And finally, the Ferrari 308. Seems to be the 'sensible' option in this company! Good reputation for solid reliable mechanicals, amazingly beautiful to look at and nice to drive. Problem is that the Cerb blows the 308 away as a driving machine - indeed I'll be dropping a couple of notches performance wise from my 4.3 Chimaera. But then, its still a Ferrari.
Choice's, choice's....
Let me know what you go for...
Edited to add that I fleetingly thought about a Skyline GTR. Then I remembered what they look like.
>> Edited by trackdemon on Thursday 2nd January 17:54
Edited to add that I fleetingly thought about a Skyline GTR. Then I remembered what they look like.
Helluva car though! Remember coming back late one night in the 456, chasing one of these down. He was doing quite well too, until I heard what sounded like little pieces of grit hitting my windscreen. I pulled past him just as a sliver cloud puffed from his exhaust and he disgorged his cat. Driven a few Elises and found all of them uninspiring, though quite nippy. Not as quick as a 7 though, barely any more practical and even more of a pain in the arse to get into. Also understeered like a bugger.
A well set up 7 (i.e. not one of their press cars - not sure why they set those up like they do, perhaps to stop journos trashing them) is night and day to an Elise. The 355 isn't dissimilar in many ways...
Then again, I was brought up on the right wheels being driven.
Think I noticed some new Strathcarrons in the back of Autocar over the last few months for 15-16k. Think they were being sold by the liquidators or something. Reviews on them were never all that and you'll have a job keeping one running. Smash some panels and you're buggered.
An Aerial Atom would be interesting but they still need set up work I believe. And again is somewhat different to the cars noted.
A well set up 7 (i.e. not one of their press cars - not sure why they set those up like they do, perhaps to stop journos trashing them) is night and day to an Elise. The 355 isn't dissimilar in many ways...
Then again, I was brought up on the right wheels being driven.
Think I noticed some new Strathcarrons in the back of Autocar over the last few months for 15-16k. Think they were being sold by the liquidators or something. Reviews on them were never all that and you'll have a job keeping one running. Smash some panels and you're buggered.
An Aerial Atom would be interesting but they still need set up work I believe. And again is somewhat different to the cars noted.
murph7355 said:
Of the TVRs I've always felt the Griff' was easily the prettiest. But I also hear these are almost as bad as Cerberas reliability wise.
TVRs that are regularly used are not really any more unreliable than any other car. The later Rover V8 engined ones (Griffith and Chimaera) are generally the most reliable of the marque.
I would agree with your analysis:
Sensible choice (maybe boring?) Porsche 964T
Performance choice TVR Cerbera
Badge choice Ferrari 328
BUT consider a later TVR Griffith 500, performance more than adequate (280bhp, 1125kg, 160ish mph, 0-60 4.8 secs) with a gorgeous engine sound and a great visual presence too.
Thanks for the input guys !
I have a friend with a Griff 500 and although it's undoubtably very quick, it's just not 'my thing' in the looks department.
The 993 would be my preferred choice if this car was to be an everyday car, but I'm going to have a cheap run about for everyday work. Similar thoughts apply to the boxster.
I drove a couple of Elises and they are very entertaining cars, but I just felt like I needed (a lot) more get up and go !
I thought about the Esprit, but from what I have read, reliability issues maybe more of a concern than with the Cerbera or Ferrari. Anyone had any experience of one of these ?
Trackdemon - let me know how you get on with your decision making !
456mgt - where would you recommend looking for a 308 or 328 and do you think I would be unwise to go for one at this level ?
Any more advice or opinions would be very welcome !
Cheers
Paul
I have a friend with a Griff 500 and although it's undoubtably very quick, it's just not 'my thing' in the looks department.
The 993 would be my preferred choice if this car was to be an everyday car, but I'm going to have a cheap run about for everyday work. Similar thoughts apply to the boxster.
I drove a couple of Elises and they are very entertaining cars, but I just felt like I needed (a lot) more get up and go !
I thought about the Esprit, but from what I have read, reliability issues maybe more of a concern than with the Cerbera or Ferrari. Anyone had any experience of one of these ?
Trackdemon - let me know how you get on with your decision making !
456mgt - where would you recommend looking for a 308 or 328 and do you think I would be unwise to go for one at this level ?
Any more advice or opinions would be very welcome !
Cheers
Paul
Paul,
I think you need to be *careful* going in at this level, that's all. If you are serious, I would strongly recommend that you talk to Ajay @ Scuderia Systems; Ajay has done some sterling stuff for me recently, looking into all the ownership issues of particular marques. He knows far more than I do.
Don't bother with main dealers for these cars- they're going to be at specialists or independents; you will also see them at a range of other garages where they've been taken in part exchange, the giveaway being how they describe the car.
Some examples of places to look:
www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk/sales/sales.asp
Talacrest, Verdi, Kent High Performance, DK Engineering etc.
A search of the Top Marques website is also worthwhile, particularly as regards pricing.
Good luck!
Kevin
I think you need to be *careful* going in at this level, that's all. If you are serious, I would strongly recommend that you talk to Ajay @ Scuderia Systems; Ajay has done some sterling stuff for me recently, looking into all the ownership issues of particular marques. He knows far more than I do.
Don't bother with main dealers for these cars- they're going to be at specialists or independents; you will also see them at a range of other garages where they've been taken in part exchange, the giveaway being how they describe the car.
Some examples of places to look:
www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk/sales/sales.asp
Talacrest, Verdi, Kent High Performance, DK Engineering etc.
A search of the Top Marques website is also worthwhile, particularly as regards pricing.
Good luck!
Kevin
trackdemon said:Problem is that the Cerb blows the 308 away as a driving machine
It depends what you define as a "driving machine". If the only thing that goes into making a driving machine is pure grunt, then yes your statement is correct. However, the 308 is known for having a sublime, lotus-esque chassis and fabulous handling, which I can vouch for.
Trefor (PH member) has commented before that when following me in his TVR, he has to try pretty hard to keep up with me through the twisties (and *Im* running bulbous 70's tech Michelin XWX's)
I would also suggest that anyone thinking a Cerbera is a driving machine takes one on track with a mixed bag of other cars.
Not meaning to be rude as I really like the look of the Cerbera and think the boys from Blackpool done good in many ways. But they're straight line cars really (straight lining's fun a few times, but it's corners where the real fun and involvement happens).
My guess is that a 308 would dice them up all day on any track with less than a 2 mile straight.
Not meaning to be rude as I really like the look of the Cerbera and think the boys from Blackpool done good in many ways. But they're straight line cars really (straight lining's fun a few times, but it's corners where the real fun and involvement happens).
My guess is that a 308 would dice them up all day on any track with less than a 2 mile straight.
Thanks for all the ideas & opinions guys.
The Beemer & bike are up for sale, so as soon as they have gone my search will start !
If I can find a good Ferrari 328 or 308, then this will probably be my preference, but I will be looking at both the Porsche & Cerbera options in more detail first.
murph7355 - when I was speaking to a guy at Racing Green TVR, he said he had gone round the outside of a 911 turbo in his 4.5 Cerbera on a circuit ! Mind you I think you would have to be a brave man to try it.
The Beemer & bike are up for sale, so as soon as they have gone my search will start !
If I can find a good Ferrari 328 or 308, then this will probably be my preference, but I will be looking at both the Porsche & Cerbera options in more detail first.
murph7355 - when I was speaking to a guy at Racing Green TVR, he said he had gone round the outside of a 911 turbo in his 4.5 Cerbera on a circuit ! Mind you I think you would have to be a brave man to try it.
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