Which one to go for...
Which one to go for...
Author
Discussion

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

259 months

Thursday 6th December 2007
quotequote all
Having a sudden desire for a Ferrari, i thought I would do some virtual shopping, and i've hit a dilemma...

Simply put, £25-30k will buy a 308, 328, 348 and, at a stretch, the bottom end of the 355 market?


So, the question is, which is the one to go for?


The 308 is the prettiest, but the oldest - I imagine the 348 is the most 'practical' one on offer...

But which is the better buy?

360boy

1,828 posts

252 months

Thursday 6th December 2007
quotequote all
328s are on the up.
Prettier than a 348 and a bit more civilised than a 308.
A £30k 355 is not likely to be much cop unless it's a good LHD one.

Buttmonkey

453 posts

253 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
Testarossa wink should get a nice one for around the £30k mark

Redwing

912 posts

256 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
328GTS every time!

XXVIII

2,800 posts

244 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
mid-80's Jalpa with a few shillings of change and much, much more credibility ...

paperbag

Ade355

337 posts

270 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
Fidgits said:
Having a sudden desire for a Ferrari, i thought I would do some virtual shopping, and i've hit a dilemma...
Simply put, £25-30k will buy a 308, 328, 348 and, at a stretch, the bottom end of the 355 market?
So, the question is, which is the one to go for?
The 308 is the prettiest, but the oldest - I imagine the 348 is the most 'practical' one on offer...
But which is the better buy?
Go for a '94 or '95 355 Berlinetta. Usually asking prices are around 33-35K, considering nearly all buyers offer at least 3K under asking prices - these are within your budget. Make sure it has had lots of money spent on it over recent years, dont worry too much about mileage and make sure you get a PPI. You wont lose much money on a car like this, just your running costs. Good luck

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

259 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
Ade355 said:
Fidgits said:
Having a sudden desire for a Ferrari, i thought I would do some virtual shopping, and i've hit a dilemma...
Simply put, £25-30k will buy a 308, 328, 348 and, at a stretch, the bottom end of the 355 market?
So, the question is, which is the one to go for?
The 308 is the prettiest, but the oldest - I imagine the 348 is the most 'practical' one on offer...
But which is the better buy?
Go for a '94 or '95 355 Berlinetta. Usually asking prices are around 33-35K, considering nearly all buyers offer at least 3K under asking prices - these are within your budget. Make sure it has had lots of money spent on it over recent years, dont worry too much about mileage and make sure you get a PPI. You wont lose much money on a car like this, just your running costs. Good luck
PPI? (inspection?)

And just out of interest, what are the running costs of a 355...? (which i admit, is the one i'd really, really want)

burriana

16,556 posts

284 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
Ian - if your budget is £25 to a max of £30k ... buy at £27k max and have money left over for running or a Tubi if needed.

I will try to be objective: 308 and 328 are very very similar ... the 308 has the pure curves and the lovely chrome and black toggle switches. You would be best with a late QV model (unless you had a desire for the very early carbs). The 328 has a slight power advantage, a slightly more modern look, but was the first appearance of the flat plastic Fiat controls.

Both are lovely cars and you should be able to get a good 308 for just over £20k ... a few k more for the 328.

This then brings you into 348 territory. A more modern looking Ferrari but still retaining a very raw go-kart type feel. Strong engine with very few common faults. Quite a hike in performance over the 328. You can get very good ones for around £25k. In fact there is a late model RHD GTS in classifieds at the moment at £25k which is a good price. There is also a nice Giallo Spider just like mine up for about £27k.

The 355 - at £30k you will be looking at the very bottom of the market. The styling of the 355 is subjective. Undoubtedly a very pretty car, and it has a power hike of around 60 bhp on the 348 ... although only an extra 8mph or so at the top end. In real time road driving it is not hugely noticeable. There are however several known common faults with the 355s such as valve guides and cracking manifolds. Even ClubScuderia.com fondly describes the car as "the F355 - only 37 known common faults" biggrin

However, it does rev an extra 1000 over the 348 and it has an extra gear. The interior is also more modern and luxurious than the 348, which is more spartan and functional.

In summary: Given a budget of £27k I would forget 308/28 unless you want the delicious old school curves and go for either a 348 Spider if you want soft top, or a 348 GTS/GTB.

Have a look at SteveW's GTB over on Ferrarichat ... page 13 ... gorgeous!

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=150254&page=13 


sleep envy

62,260 posts

279 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
993

:cough:

Fidgits

Original Poster:

17,202 posts

259 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
sleep envy said:
993

:cough:
if i was spending £30k on a 911, it'd be a 996 facelift mate wink (And yes, been shopping for those too!)

damn i need a new job and quick!

burriana

16,556 posts

284 months

Friday 7th December 2007
quotequote all
there's a reason why 996s are coming down in value and 993s are going up Ian wink

That air cooled engine is a beaut and I will have a 993 one day yes

MG511

1,754 posts

271 months

Friday 7th December 2007
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burriana

16,556 posts

284 months

Saturday 8th December 2007
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Bugger! Now if that was coming up a week later I might have had a chance to look at that. I would certainly be interested yes

Freewheeler

1,416 posts

238 months

Saturday 8th December 2007
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MG511 said:
Interesting!! Does anyone know of a black 88/89 RHD, twin turbo 328 GTS with GTO bodywork and Gotti split rims? I used to own said car a couple of years back when it had just 4000m on it! Would love to know where it is or who owns it!!

Thanks

sneijder

5,231 posts

264 months

Saturday 8th December 2007
quotequote all
Was that 328 turbo offered by Joe Macari a while back, I seem to remember drooling over that months ago. Stunning looking thing.

Edited to add, yes it is now I've bothered to read Barons listing properly !

Edited by sneijder on Saturday 8th December 16:19