I'm in a quandry please help me decide on what to buy
Discussion
I'm in a fortunate position to have access to a Caterham 7, TVR Cerbera and Jaguar Mk2 but I'm starting to get bored of the 7 mainly because I just can't seem to get the time to do all the track days I used to do which was the main reason for buying it.
On the one hand the TVR and Jag are a nice combination and it would be more prudent just to sell the Caterham but I just fancy something something else which I've whittled down to a choice of three:
UR Audi Quattro 20V
Porsche Carrera 2 or 4 Coupe (964)
Ferrari 308 GT4
I've had examples of both the Audi and Porsche before and loved them but there's something beguiling about the Ferrari. My quandry is therefore not what to choose and please don't tempt me with anything else as I've been through that ad finitum and I realise it's a very subjective call but I'm worried that the alure and mystique of owning a Ferrari is clouding my judgement. What does everyone else think ?
On the one hand the TVR and Jag are a nice combination and it would be more prudent just to sell the Caterham but I just fancy something something else which I've whittled down to a choice of three:
UR Audi Quattro 20V
Porsche Carrera 2 or 4 Coupe (964)
Ferrari 308 GT4
I've had examples of both the Audi and Porsche before and loved them but there's something beguiling about the Ferrari. My quandry is therefore not what to choose and please don't tempt me with anything else as I've been through that ad finitum and I realise it's a very subjective call but I'm worried that the alure and mystique of owning a Ferrari is clouding my judgement. What does everyone else think ?
If its a regular driver, it has to be a 964 C2 , not a 4, too complicated, heavy etc. But for very little more money, grab yourself a 993.....
A Far better car in EVERY respect.
The 308GT4 was ok in its day, but i suspect will prove a huge disapointment. Many unloved/rotten/ tired/horific money pit dogs out there, a friends dad had a Red V-Reg one, shredded a poor cat in its engine after it fell asleep ! If you must have one, go for as late a one as you can find.
308GTB far more desireable.
A Far better car in EVERY respect.
The 308GT4 was ok in its day, but i suspect will prove a huge disapointment. Many unloved/rotten/ tired/horific money pit dogs out there, a friends dad had a Red V-Reg one, shredded a poor cat in its engine after it fell asleep ! If you must have one, go for as late a one as you can find.
308GTB far more desireable.
The final list I've settled on does give some clues as to the thought process chosen so first and foremost buy the best you can afford and must have vestigal rear seats which counts out both suggested alternatives on one or either parameter but as I said I'm not looking to expand the list any further.
The discussion I'm interested in is the power of the badge / heritage and it's influence on a buying decision. Put another way it could be head v heart, which I'm sure so many others must have faced this same dliemma.
The answer is to go with what you want as life's too short etc so I'm just interested to know other peoples experiences.
The discussion I'm interested in is the power of the badge / heritage and it's influence on a buying decision. Put another way it could be head v heart, which I'm sure so many others must have faced this same dliemma.
The answer is to go with what you want as life's too short etc so I'm just interested to know other peoples experiences.
Hand on heart.... I'd have the Audi.
For me the Ferrari is too temperamental and costs too much to repair for even minor bits and bobs. I would be constantly panicking about rattles, knocks and squeaks. I know a few Ferrari owners and unless you are totally besotted with them and therefore can justify to yourself spending many, many thousands on upkeep, you will begrudge the cost.
The Porsche C2 or C4 (although I love the 964 (but it would have to be the RS)) is simply not special enough.
The Audi is such an icon and just that bit more special. However, I don't need to tell you that good ones are very hard to find.
I'd go for the one that's just that bit more special and iconic. But that's because I love cars that are that little bit different.
For me the Ferrari is too temperamental and costs too much to repair for even minor bits and bobs. I would be constantly panicking about rattles, knocks and squeaks. I know a few Ferrari owners and unless you are totally besotted with them and therefore can justify to yourself spending many, many thousands on upkeep, you will begrudge the cost.
The Porsche C2 or C4 (although I love the 964 (but it would have to be the RS)) is simply not special enough.
The Audi is such an icon and just that bit more special. However, I don't need to tell you that good ones are very hard to find.
I'd go for the one that's just that bit more special and iconic. But that's because I love cars that are that little bit different.
Edited by hesnotthemessiah on Monday 7th February 16:07
First things first, a 308 GTB being more desirable than a GT4 is purely down to aesthetics, the compromised driving position of a GTB is one reason alone why many prefer the experience of a GT4.
I've not owned a Quattro or 964 yet, but my GT4 was an everyday commuting car and it was excellent. A lot of nonsense is spoken about 308's being temperamental/unreliable etc etc. Buy a 30 + year old car and guess what? It may break from time to time. That applies to 911's as much as Quattro's and Ferraris. At least a GT4 is all nuts and bolts, it is really basic mechanically, not diagnostic socket in sight! I had a coolant hose fail and a fuel pump die which were my only breakdowns I think. To be fair I had been warned the fuel pump wasn't well at service time but ignored the advice!
If you are planning to have it for very occasional use then I would think twice, they do not appear to like sitting still for months. If you intend to use it regularly, I would have no hesitation in recommending a Dino GT4, but look at lots and buy the best you can afford, and make sure it is one that has seen regular use. If it has only done 500 miles since the last MOT, be very careful.
The big drawback of this era of Ferrari is the quality of the body work, find one that has been restored, and restored well. They rot from the inside out, so by the time the wheelarch is bubbling you're facing major bills. But the other cars mentioned can hide plenty of big bodywork bills too.
As for parts prices, service bits and tyres are cheap as chips, and engines/gearboxes are as tough as old boots. Yes the electric windows will be slow, but even the air con worked in mine, and it worked well!
Go drive one (or three or four preferably), it won't depreciate, it sounds excellent, it feels like an event every time you go for a spin, and it doesn't look like a show-off's Ferrari.
I've not owned a Quattro or 964 yet, but my GT4 was an everyday commuting car and it was excellent. A lot of nonsense is spoken about 308's being temperamental/unreliable etc etc. Buy a 30 + year old car and guess what? It may break from time to time. That applies to 911's as much as Quattro's and Ferraris. At least a GT4 is all nuts and bolts, it is really basic mechanically, not diagnostic socket in sight! I had a coolant hose fail and a fuel pump die which were my only breakdowns I think. To be fair I had been warned the fuel pump wasn't well at service time but ignored the advice!
If you are planning to have it for very occasional use then I would think twice, they do not appear to like sitting still for months. If you intend to use it regularly, I would have no hesitation in recommending a Dino GT4, but look at lots and buy the best you can afford, and make sure it is one that has seen regular use. If it has only done 500 miles since the last MOT, be very careful.
The big drawback of this era of Ferrari is the quality of the body work, find one that has been restored, and restored well. They rot from the inside out, so by the time the wheelarch is bubbling you're facing major bills. But the other cars mentioned can hide plenty of big bodywork bills too.
As for parts prices, service bits and tyres are cheap as chips, and engines/gearboxes are as tough as old boots. Yes the electric windows will be slow, but even the air con worked in mine, and it worked well!
Go drive one (or three or four preferably), it won't depreciate, it sounds excellent, it feels like an event every time you go for a spin, and it doesn't look like a show-off's Ferrari.
Pleasant dilemna. Although I see you want to stick with the three options quoted, may I suggest a variation? A Ferrari Mondial would give you a newer car for the same money as you'd pay for a GT4, you'd get the vestigial rear seats (and a bit more room) and there are cabrios to be had within the budget you'd presumably have (mid 20k's?). Doubt you'd lose much on one of those (and I reckon they will make money) after keeping it clean for a few years and a car to be enjoyed in the meantime.
Mark.
Mark.
Have to be the ferrari - even if it was only for 12mths - just to sit back in your twilight years and know you owned probably one of the greatest marques ever.
Ok the porsche or Audi might be an overall better drivers car, but if its just for a weekend blast, high days and holidays what better way than turning up with a prancing horse on the bonnet
You've already got the TVR for out and out performance and the Jag for luxury, no contest for me, just wish I had the same dilema!
Ok the porsche or Audi might be an overall better drivers car, but if its just for a weekend blast, high days and holidays what better way than turning up with a prancing horse on the bonnet
You've already got the TVR for out and out performance and the Jag for luxury, no contest for me, just wish I had the same dilema!
Go for the Ferrari - as posted above, find one in verifiably excellent condition in the first place and use it regularly.
From what little I've read Quattros are often a pain to work on and there seem to be shortages of certain key parts/spares, so I wouldn't see it as any lower risk than the Ferrari or Porsche.
I've been tempted by the 308 GT4s ever since there was an article a year or two ago in one of the big classic mags looking at cheap exotica (the 308, Merak, Urraco and 928), where the featured 308 was used for sprints and track days and looked fantastic.
From what little I've read Quattros are often a pain to work on and there seem to be shortages of certain key parts/spares, so I wouldn't see it as any lower risk than the Ferrari or Porsche.
I've been tempted by the 308 GT4s ever since there was an article a year or two ago in one of the big classic mags looking at cheap exotica (the 308, Merak, Urraco and 928), where the featured 308 was used for sprints and track days and looked fantastic.
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