308 v 328 360 vs F430, running costs and speed bumps...

[carphotographer]

In the market for a Ferrari but which one.

I've always been a big fan of the 308 and 328 ever since I was a school boy and seeing a black Ferrari 328 GTS being driven every day through the village. Always remember the Cibie covers on the spot lights for some odd reason.

Fast forward to today a F430 takes my fancy.

So a classic or a modern ? The one thing that puts me off with the 308/328 is the engine out every three years so I would presume the running costs would be higher .

Who to use to service the car.... Maranello is only 5 miles aways but a decent indie would be cheaper ( ? ) .

If there's anyone near Chertsey, Surrey who would be happy to show me their car that would be great.

Lastly my road has speed ramps, does anyone suffer when driving over these ?

Many thanks

Jon

[mike01606]

308/328 is serviced engine-in. It’s the 348/355 that’s engine-out.
430 has no belts so should be lower service costs.

IMO they should all cost routhly the same to own. Earlier cars are relatively cheap to service but will be getting on for 40 years old, so lots of items will need to be kept on top of and rust may be an issue.
430/360’s - cheaper service costs will be off-set by extra suspension maintenance (ball joints). 430 will need new exhaust manifolds if not changed already.

Best advice is to buy a well sorted and regularly used car. Any additional outlay at purchase will be saved later. GLWS....

[johnnyreggae]

There are buyers guides here to help but another factor is your budget and/or your desire for manual

308/328 are probably better over bumps but many 360/430 have aftermarket skid blocks under nose to help

[garystoybox]

As already mentioned the 430 is a very solid car, with its weak points being well known and easily addressed (as per above comments).
Mine was fine over all but the very biggest speed bumps as it is higher than you think but I did catch the front lip a few times on spirited drives round more undulating country roads (dips) as the front overhang is significant. Multi storey car parks and sloping drives will be a bigger problem than speed humps. Also if going for the F1 gearbox, make sure you have a good test beforehand as pretty slow and ponderous compared to the latest.

[ettore]

308/328 much cheaper to run, surprisingly reliable/tough and more charming. Later cars increasingly more competent, a little less charming and more expensive to run.

One of the very best indies QV is in Windsor just down the road from you - they specialise in exactly the above!

[hunter 66]

Problem with speed bumps is the damage to rose joints

[Hurri360]

Having owned both 328 and 360
Both have similar running costs at the garage but insurance costs much higher with the 360.
328 you have to be careful that you respect any speed bumps, as someone has said above, the 360 is fine except for the biggest of speed bumps which is the same for most cars.
Loved the 328 but felt exposed physically and the brakes are not up to modern standards, it was pre abs.
The 328 used to be serviced by indies but I used to get the 360 picked up by Carr’s of Exeter in the early spring for service etc.
For modern driving preferred the 360.
Very different cars and levels of performance
Hope this helps

[carphotographer]

Hurri360 said:

Having owned both 328 and 360
Both have similar running costs at the garage but insurance costs much higher with the 360.
328 you have to be careful that you respect any speed bumps, as someone has said above, the 360 is fine except for the biggest of speed bumps which is the same for most cars.
Loved the 328 but felt exposed physically and the brakes are not up to modern standards, it was pre abs.
The 328 used to be serviced by indies but I used to get the 360 picked up by Carr’s of Exeter in the early spring for service etc.
For modern driving preferred the 360.
Very different cars and levels of performance
Hope this helps

Thanks for this , When you say exposed physically, what do you mean ? I have a Caterham 7 Superlight , no doors, aeroscreen - often thought I was physically exposed when driving.

[67Dino]

Few other thoughts:
- how tall are you? The 308/328 are pretty cramped for anyone six foot or over
- do you ever want/need comfort? The 308/328 are noisy old cars for a long drive, and pretty basic inside. A 430 would be much more civilised
- how important is speed? 308/328 are not that big on horsepower (250/270) or quick (6.2/5.5s 0-60) by modern standards - an Audi S3 is faster and more powerful. It’s all about experience.

Any reason why you’ve ruled out 355 btw?

[Hurri360]

Thanks for this , When you say exposed physically, what do you mean ? I have a Caterham 7 Superlight , no doors, aeroscreen - often thought I was physically exposed when driving.

Yes, that’s it exactly. Built to old standards of protection.

[davek_964]

carphotographer said:

If there's anyone near Chertsey, Surrey who would be happy to show me their car that would be great.

Although you mention 360 in the title, you haven't mentioned it much in the thread - so suspect it's not really on the short list. But I'm not far from Chertsey and have had my 360 for 6 years - happy for you to have a look around it at some point if you like.

[SFTWend]

When I bought my 355 Spyder from a Ferrari specialist c.10 years ago I was told budget 2kpa to run a 308 and 4k for a 355. Can't comment on actuals as I only kept the 355 for 18 months.

With a 308 you have to budget for rust repairs. That said, 355s need buttresses doing every few years unless you have the Spyder.

[carphotographer]

Hurri360 said:

Thanks for this , When you say exposed physically, what do you mean ? I have a Caterham 7 Superlight , no doors, aeroscreen - often thought I was physically exposed when driving.

Yes, that’s it exactly. Built to old standards of protection.

can't be much worse then my Superlight :-)

[carphotographer]

67Dino said:

Few other thoughts:
- how tall are you? The 308/328 are pretty cramped for anyone six foot or over
- do you ever want/need comfort? The 308/328 are noisy old cars for a long drive, and pretty basic inside. A 430 would be much more civilised
- how important is speed? 308/328 are not that big on horsepower (250/270) or quick (6.2/5.5s 0-60) by modern standards - an Audi S3 is faster and more powerful. It’s all about experience.

Any reason why you’ve ruled out 355 btw?

Actually love the 355 but doesn't the engine need to come out for the belts to be replaced

[67Dino]

carphotographer said:

67Dino said:

Few other thoughts:
- how tall are you? The 308/328 are pretty cramped for anyone six foot or over
- do you ever want/need comfort? The 308/328 are noisy old cars for a long drive, and pretty basic inside. A 430 would be much more civilised
- how important is speed? 308/328 are not that big on horsepower (250/270) or quick (6.2/5.5s 0-60) by modern standards - an Audi S3 is faster and more powerful. It’s all about experience.

Any reason why you’ve ruled out 355 btw?

Actually love the 355 but doesn't the engine need to come out for the belts to be replaced

It does, but only every 3 years. Costs about £3k (vs under £1k for a belt change in an early or later model). I‘d budget annual running costs of £1-2k anyway, so it adds another £1k pa. Depending on how you do your manmaths, this could be less than the difference in appreciation compared to a less desirable model.

[SFTWend]

It's engine out for belts on the 360 as well isn't it?

[davek_964]

SFTWend said:

It's engine out for belts on the 360 as well isn't it?

No

[superpippo]

I have both a 328 and a CS and none have given me any problems in terms of maintenance or speed bumps.
They both are very easy cars to live with.

I'd recommend a 360 unless you really are into something more classic. I still think the 328 is one of the most beautiful cars ever.

[SFTWend]

davek_964 said:

SFTWend said:

It's engine out for belts on the 360 as well isn't it?

No

In that case I suggest a 360 might be cheapest option overall. Nice ones look to be c.£60k now so lower purchase price than 308/328, 355 or 430.

Depreciation is the other running cost assuming prices fall further as market adjusts. I recall 10 years ago 308s started at c.£25k, 355 £35 and 360 c.£45. Obviously values won't drop back to those levels but will be interesting to see if 360 still cheapest when market settles.

[67Dino]

SFTWend said:

davek_964 said:

SFTWend said:

It's engine out for belts on the 360 as well isn't it?

No

In that case I suggest a 360 might be cheapest option overall. Nice ones look to be c.£60k now so lower purchase price than 308/328, 355 or 430.

Depreciation is the other running cost assuming prices fall further as market adjusts. I recall 10 years ago 308s started at c.£25k, 355 £35 and 360 c.£45. Obviously values won't drop back to those levels but will be interesting to see if 360 still cheapest when market settles.

Of course, values could drop back to those levels.... But do think the 360 has been a bit overlooked between the 355 and 430, and has a lot to commend it. Still looks like a bar of soap though.