I used to live in Venice Beach. I have a T-shirt with an image of Miles Davis on it, and for some reason, the shirt always attracted the oddballs. The nut jobs would always engage me in conversation when I wore that shirt. Not any other shirt...
So it is with the Ferrari. My luck, I suppose. It's a wacko magnet. Actresses? Models? Randy stewardesses? Never. But in Venice on Sunday, the assorted nut jobs suddenly seemed compelled to approach the Ferrari. My favorite question: "How fast does it go?" (Uh, depends on how much gas you give it, I suppose.)
"It's not faster than a Lamborghini. Lamborghinis are COOL!" "What is that thing, about 100 grand?" "C'mon, man. Peel out!"
People really do love to talk about the car, though. They love the design. They ask how much it cost. They remark on its enduring style. Occasionally, they ask me what I do for a living. Sometimes I tell them I'm a hitman. Occasionally a fourth-grade English teacher. Some of my neighbors now think copy editors make a LOT of money.
Doug Lloyd, Senior Copy Editor @ 52,246 miles
redliner says:
04:38 PM, 03/ 3/08
The truth is that you do need a "LOT of money," not so much for the purchas as for the service. Servicing this car can get (and for edmunds, has been) expensive.
desmolicious says:
06:50 PM, 03/ 3/08
Was that photo taken in Venice? I live there but don't recognize that intersection (!).
(yeah, I spend my non motor activity time skateboarding around!).
funkymunky says:
06:55 PM, 03/ 3/08
Photo is Santa Monica.
estreka says:
07:48 PM, 03/ 3/08
I'm surprised you guys haven't attracted unwanted attention. By that, I mean thieves.
aps2 says:
09:04 PM, 03/ 3/08
redliner,
Do you speak from experience?
12rings says:
05:16 AM, 03/ 4/08
I think it is cool that Edmunds had the guts to buy an old Ferrari. This is a blog that true driving enthusiasts can appreciate. Most people are to scared to attempt anything like this, even though they could easily afford it.
I like the comment about the guy asking if it was 100k....reminds me of a time I was fueling my Audi TT, this guy pulls up in a new Tahoe, gets out and says, "what did that thing set you back, about 80k?..." I paused for a moment and said, "no actually about 10k less than your Tahoe brand new." He looked at me in amazement.
I say let the camccord drivers complain about the maintenance costs, they are worth it to hear that Ferrari V8 scream behind your head. Something they would never understand.
redliner says:
09:05 AM, 03/ 4/08
aps2,
I have never purchased an older Ferrari, however, in the past i purchased an older Jaguar. (a 1974 XJ12 Series II) I loved that car, mint condition, but over the five years in which i owned it, i spent more than 15k in repairs and maintenance. Sadly, it became too expensive for me to keep, so i sold it to my father who is able to keep up with the repair bills.
The price to "buy-in" may be low, but the day-to-day cost are definitely not!
I know that older Jags have a terrible reliability history, but i'm sure that for some people who can afford the bills, they are great showpieces....and i belive the same to be true of any classy older car.
P.S. The lease on my Chrysler 300 is going to run out in a few months. Any suggestions as to what i should get next? (under $55k)
firstwagon says:
09:21 AM, 03/ 4/08
The trick with old Jags (and ferraris) is to learn how to do the work yourself. If you have to take it to a speciality shop everytime something goes wrong, you're going to go broke.
You'll also find that parts are cheaper when you source them yourself then if you let the mechanic buy them for you (And you will actually know where the part came from).
robbie_p says:
11:27 AM, 03/ 4/08
aps2 - for $55k you could get a nicely sorted 348 spyder. Arguably not the prettiest or best behaved in Ferrari's stable but no doubt more reliable than our long term 308...I assume you're looking for a 'rari right? Many here would probably say that an NSX is a better all round buy though
desmolicious says:
11:57 AM, 03/ 4/08
Get another old Jag but this time do the Jagrolet conversion. Looks, ride and interior of a Jag but with the reliability of a Chevy V8 powertrain.
Dood up my street has an XJS Jagrolet. Sweeet.
redliner says:
12:03 PM, 03/ 4/08
robbie_p,
No, i'm looking for a daily driver, a new or new-ish car. I already have two older, "collector" cars, but i need one that i can drive in any weather, carry 4 people, and that is fun-ish to drive. I'v been looking at the new Saab 9-3, and the Audi a3. Also been looking at a used E39 (2003 BMW M5)
stephen987 says:
04:19 PM, 03/ 4/08
Redliner, if you're looking for a $55k daily driver, I'd say get an M45 and put the rest in the bank to keep the Jag sorted out.
aps2 says:
05:40 PM, 03/ 4/08
redliner,
In my opinion, Jag V-12s are more maintenance intensive than older Ferrari V-8s, the 308 in the Edmunds blog had differed maintenance issues, which are now almost worked out (though I am of the opinion that the fuel tank filler line and the rest of the fuel lines should be replaced as a precaution). 308 and 328 Ferraris are actually not too bad to work on and are quite reliable if maintenance is kept up.
Regarding my opinion on buying a car: If you want somthing newer for under $55k, I would go with an M3 or an M5 - very impressive, in my opinion, and good snow tires make them very drivable in winter.
If you want something newer but impractical, go with a Maserati.
robbie_p,
I prefer lots of little cylinders (8 is not enough...) and I already have an old toy that I play with, I think it was redliner that wants a new car.
That said, it is my understanding that any Ferrari model 348 or newer is much more maintenance intensive than a 308/328. The NSX is a nice car but, at present, isn't my taste.
estreka says:
10:16 PM, 03/ 4/08
Redliner - How about a Hyundai Genesis? For that kind of money you could get one fully loaded. And make my CSX stock go up. ;-)
redliner says:
06:58 PM, 03/ 5/08
estreka
Yours and mine too :-) IDK, I like the Genesis, but i never have felt a desire to own one.
I am strongly considering an M5 purchase. The only thing that gives me pause, is that I can't afford a new one, and I know that being a performance car, it will have been abused some, especially the older ones.
I liked the suggestion of the M45, but isn't it about to be redesigned?
I could also buy my Chrysler 300 (its an srt8), and keep it until there are more options on the market.
billymay says:
10:06 PM, 03/10/08
I have a black 328 - more subtle than your red car, but every time I take it out someone comes up to ask about it. As aps2 posted above, the 308/328 are good cars. Last year I had about $400 in repairs, from a bad Bosch fuel accumulator and a rear decklid latch that broke. Also there was a $500 oil/coolant/brake fluid service and inspection.
On the downside, every idiot in a 911 or Corvette has to drag race you away from the lights.