Ferrari on a budget
Discussion
Hi guy's,
First posting over here and just thinking out loud really. Is it possible / does anybody here own and maintain a older ferrari on tight budget ? I've recently got interested in cars again after 10 years or so and have started out with a porsche 944 S2 as it ticked most of the right boxes that I needed. In the future my budget to buy a car would be bigger but I like to maintain the car myself (i'm an elctro/mech engineer by trade) and allways liked the 308 model.
Sorry if this has been talked over before.
Thanks
First posting over here and just thinking out loud really. Is it possible / does anybody here own and maintain a older ferrari on tight budget ? I've recently got interested in cars again after 10 years or so and have started out with a porsche 944 S2 as it ticked most of the right boxes that I needed. In the future my budget to buy a car would be bigger but I like to maintain the car myself (i'm an elctro/mech engineer by trade) and allways liked the 308 model.
Sorry if this has been talked over before.
Thanks
How big a budget?
Your best bet will be to visit www.fcars.co.uk. A number of 308 owners on there and some (many) who look after their own cars. Have a word with F308MAN.
I would expect it to cost more than a 944 to run, but probably not badly so.
Your best bet will be to visit www.fcars.co.uk. A number of 308 owners on there and some (many) who look after their own cars. Have a word with F308MAN.
I would expect it to cost more than a 944 to run, but probably not badly so.
There's a moral obligation to do the right thing. If things go wrong, are you going to gloss over the problem and sell it on? Are you going to put the car away until funds materialise? Are you going to bite the bullet and forego that indoor swimming pool?
Ferraris are very expensive to maintain - one part of the legend that turns out to be more than just a myth, regardless of cylinder count.
Having said that, if you're in a position to do it right, you'll never have so much fun in your life. I guarantee it
Ferraris are very expensive to maintain - one part of the legend that turns out to be more than just a myth, regardless of cylinder count.
Having said that, if you're in a position to do it right, you'll never have so much fun in your life. I guarantee it
As someone in a similar position, I have owned and maintained a Ferrari for nearly 4 years on a budget.
I owned probably the cheapest Ferrari to run, and I spent on average £2k a year. This might sound a lot, but when you include depreciation on a similarly priced car it's not so bad. You wouldn't want it to be your only car though!
I owned probably the cheapest Ferrari to run, and I spent on average £2k a year. This might sound a lot, but when you include depreciation on a similarly priced car it's not so bad. You wouldn't want it to be your only car though!
The other question is are you the type of person who can enjoy a car, knowing your on a tight budget?
If you will worry about potential problems, how much each mile will cost, can I park it in place X, etc. Then I would say don't bother. You'll just ruin the dream, and are better of waiting untill you have the budget to deal with all eventualities.
However, if you have a C'est La Vie stance on life, then go for it.
If you will worry about potential problems, how much each mile will cost, can I park it in place X, etc. Then I would say don't bother. You'll just ruin the dream, and are better of waiting untill you have the budget to deal with all eventualities.
However, if you have a C'est La Vie stance on life, then go for it.
Thanks for the response. I would not consider taking on ownership if I thought the spending would "hurt" to much. I need to do some more research over the next couple of years untill the little boy starts school.
Anybody out there who does not have children may be surprised to know it costs about £8K a year to keep 1 child in a private nursery, now that should go someway to supportiung a ferrari !!
Anybody out there who does not have children may be surprised to know it costs about £8K a year to keep 1 child in a private nursery, now that should go someway to supportiung a ferrari !!
castex said:
...one part of the legend that turns out to be more than just a myth, regardless of cylinder count...
Statements like this must be taken in context with ownership of any high performance car (which isn't to say the statement is incorrect).
IME, any car of this type that gets used "properly" will cost a good chunk of cash to run. Even my Caterham, when it gets used to its potential, ain't that cheap.
And when you factor in depreciation, I honestly think these cars are cheaper to own than significantly more mundane machinery.
Putting 2-3k a year aside is sensible. If you don't spend it, you get a nice slush fund to use. If you do need it, you're not left with the sour taste spoiling the experience.
murph7355 said:
Putting 2-3k a year aside is sensible. If you don't spend it, you get a nice slush fund to use. If you do need it, you're not left with the sour taste spoiling the experience.
Wise words - Maintenance costs for my 308 (admittedly not driven a lot) average £300-£500 per annum. Every 3 years add a cambelt change at £300-400. Tyres are £500 a pair every few years.
So £1000 a year would be my average figure
Problem is with unforseen things like a broken fog lamp on my 328 for example, no longer available, if you can find one they are £400!! Head gasket set £400, the routine bits filters etc are not too bad, but do not under estimate the costs if bits for Ferraris...other problem is where as Porsche have a very healthy network of parts specialists and breakers, there are very few used Ferrari parts businesses in the UK.
HOwever I would still go for it!!
POORCARDEALER said:
Problem is with unforseen things like a broken fog lamp on my 328 for example, no longer available, if you can find one they are £400!! Head gasket set £400, the routine bits filters etc are not too bad, but do not under estimate the costs if bits for Ferraris...other problem is where as Porsche have a very healthy network of parts specialists and breakers, there are very few used Ferrari parts businesses in the UK.
HOwever I would still go for it!!
Do the Maranellos guys in Surrey not carry a decent stock of bits?
Understood that they were *the* place to go to for "classic" bits (any cars 10yrs or older) as they hold all the factory spares etc.
Also believe their prices aren't as horrific as they might otherwise be.
That said, there are still going to be bits that are hard to find. They probably only made as many 3x8s in the model's life (14yrs or so) as Ford made MkI Fiestas in a week, so the number of spare bits made would be correspondingly lower...
I'd also still go for it though. Owning one of these things makes you smile in a way no other car can manage (assuming you like the marque, and with the possible exception of Lambo).
For used Ferrari spares as well as new, always give Eurospares a call. They have the largest stock in the UK and possibly Europe, are based in Halstead Essex and ship worldwide. I have used them for over 26 years withour problems.
As you are a Mech.Eng. you should have no probs working at all on 308s - Just make sure you get the Factory workshop manuals. A few tips from memory:
- Read manual, check twice, reread manual and then proceed but above all, take your time.
- Don't bother trying to set up the carbs unless YOU have first checked the float levels.
- When balancing carbs, ensure that all air bleeds are closed initially - only 1 per carb should ever be opened to balance the 2 chokes. With each individual carb roughly set, balance the carbs on each cyl bank and finally balance the 2 banks. Be prepared to spend some considerable time farting around readjusting mixture settings and idle speed as you proceed with balancing.
- Set the dwell angles with the distributor on a bench using a large 360 degree plate (intended for valve timing) and a decent ohmmeter / continuity tester.
- Check you get full throttle on all butterflies when fully depressing pedal. If not, adjust throttle stop behind pedal but do not strain cable
- clutch change is a piece of cake single handed after removing the inner wheel arch.
Hope this helps and don't be put off - Great cars
As you are a Mech.Eng. you should have no probs working at all on 308s - Just make sure you get the Factory workshop manuals. A few tips from memory:
- Read manual, check twice, reread manual and then proceed but above all, take your time.
- Don't bother trying to set up the carbs unless YOU have first checked the float levels.
- When balancing carbs, ensure that all air bleeds are closed initially - only 1 per carb should ever be opened to balance the 2 chokes. With each individual carb roughly set, balance the carbs on each cyl bank and finally balance the 2 banks. Be prepared to spend some considerable time farting around readjusting mixture settings and idle speed as you proceed with balancing.
- Set the dwell angles with the distributor on a bench using a large 360 degree plate (intended for valve timing) and a decent ohmmeter / continuity tester.
- Check you get full throttle on all butterflies when fully depressing pedal. If not, adjust throttle stop behind pedal but do not strain cable
- clutch change is a piece of cake single handed after removing the inner wheel arch.
Hope this helps and don't be put off - Great cars
I bought a 1979 carb 308 nearly 3 years ago and can honestly say it has been worth every penny. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive her, and after 3 years of ownership, I think that is a pretty good recommendation.
Insurance is surprisingly cheap but is on a limited mileage, which is not a problem as she is kept for high days and holidays, (10k in 3 years). I keep regular servicing, tuning & major maintenance by a specialist, but tackle some smaller bits myself. Had one large bill last year due to bad workmanship prior to my ownership, but overall it has been very reliable. If you pick a good car, there is no reason for it to cost the earth to maintain. I allow £2,000 per year. You can get an idea of some costs in the past 2 years from my profile, which I must complete, when I get time.
So it should cost less than your kids, and doesn’t answer back. What more can you ask for?
It may not be the quickest of cars now but there is so much more to it!!
Insurance is surprisingly cheap but is on a limited mileage, which is not a problem as she is kept for high days and holidays, (10k in 3 years). I keep regular servicing, tuning & major maintenance by a specialist, but tackle some smaller bits myself. Had one large bill last year due to bad workmanship prior to my ownership, but overall it has been very reliable. If you pick a good car, there is no reason for it to cost the earth to maintain. I allow £2,000 per year. You can get an idea of some costs in the past 2 years from my profile, which I must complete, when I get time.
So it should cost less than your kids, and doesn’t answer back. What more can you ask for?
It may not be the quickest of cars now but there is so much more to it!!
markrussell said:
How abouth this?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TRIUMPH-TR7-FER
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TRIUMPH-TR7-FER
OMG! All these apply:
Edited by Furryballer on Monday 19th June 12:58
Furryballer said:
I bought a 1979 carb 308 nearly 3 years ago and can honestly say it has been worth every penny.
Fantastic looking car Mark ... I am starting to really look hard at returning to the Ferrari fold. Even though my Carrera is an absolute beauty and value for money/bang per buck has the Ferrari beat hands down... it's just not the same.
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