Would anyone swap a 993 C4S for a Ferrari 328GTS?
Discussion
I drove a friend's 328GTS and while I was expecting to like it (older, pretty, not actually all that fast) it was underwhelming for me, even on lovely roads.
(And I definitely shouldn't have driven a Caterham immediately afterwards!)
I'd keep the 993. Or at least spend a good while trying the Ferrari out before you commit to anything.
(And I definitely shouldn't have driven a Caterham immediately afterwards!)
I'd keep the 993. Or at least spend a good while trying the Ferrari out before you commit to anything.
not a great comparison IMO
the 328 is a 964 era car and even then up until the 458 you always have to age adjust with ferraris in that the closest porsche will be the one that was a generation behind IYSWIM
so I guess what I am saying is that a 328 will feel prehistoric in comparison to a 993 and as far as the build quality goes they are even further apart
i wouldnt have a 355 over a 993 let alone a 328, far inferior to drive and in build/reliabilty terms too
lovely looking cars though the 328GTS's ... not exactly quick by any standards but a wonderful thing to pull out teh garage on a sunday morning
the 328 is a 964 era car and even then up until the 458 you always have to age adjust with ferraris in that the closest porsche will be the one that was a generation behind IYSWIM
so I guess what I am saying is that a 328 will feel prehistoric in comparison to a 993 and as far as the build quality goes they are even further apart
i wouldnt have a 355 over a 993 let alone a 328, far inferior to drive and in build/reliabilty terms too
lovely looking cars though the 328GTS's ... not exactly quick by any standards but a wonderful thing to pull out teh garage on a sunday morning
Edited by jackal on Saturday 8th September 13:05
Over the years, I've owned several 993's, a 328GTB & a 355GTB.
If it's a weekend car, it's got to be a 993 or 355, the 993 being more usable because of its size, but in terms of occasion, a really nice 355 is worth considering IMHO.
I would'nt even consider a 328 again, as I found it slow, flimsy and very temperamental; the only saving grace was that it looked good when standing still.
If the car is to be used more regularly, I'd stick with the 993.
I know they're not local to the OP, but Nick Cartwright is a Ferrari specialist in Matlock, and I'd definitely recommend them for supplying cars as well as maintaining them; Nick is a top guy, and has the most wonderful car collection.
Good Luck.
If it's a weekend car, it's got to be a 993 or 355, the 993 being more usable because of its size, but in terms of occasion, a really nice 355 is worth considering IMHO.
I would'nt even consider a 328 again, as I found it slow, flimsy and very temperamental; the only saving grace was that it looked good when standing still.
If the car is to be used more regularly, I'd stick with the 993.
I know they're not local to the OP, but Nick Cartwright is a Ferrari specialist in Matlock, and I'd definitely recommend them for supplying cars as well as maintaining them; Nick is a top guy, and has the most wonderful car collection.
Good Luck.
Edited by carcrazypop on Saturday 8th September 13:17
jackal said:
not a great comparison IMO
the 328 is a 964 era car and even then up until the 458 you always have to age adjust with ferraris in that the closest porsche will be the one that was a generation behind IYSWIM
so I guess what I am saying is that a 328 will feel prehistoric in comparison to a 993 and as far as the build quality goes they are even further apart
i wouldnt have a 355 over a 993 let alone a 328, far inferior to drive and in build/reliabilty terms too
lovely looking cars though the 328GTS's ... not exactly quick by any standards but a wonderful thing to pull out teh garage on a sunday morning
I've ran a 993 and 355 side by side. Totally different cars but the 355 is far from inferior to the 993. the 328 is a 964 era car and even then up until the 458 you always have to age adjust with ferraris in that the closest porsche will be the one that was a generation behind IYSWIM
so I guess what I am saying is that a 328 will feel prehistoric in comparison to a 993 and as far as the build quality goes they are even further apart
i wouldnt have a 355 over a 993 let alone a 328, far inferior to drive and in build/reliabilty terms too
lovely looking cars though the 328GTS's ... not exactly quick by any standards but a wonderful thing to pull out teh garage on a sunday morning
Edited by jackal on Saturday 8th September 13:05
It's quicker and far more beautifull but as you say build quality it can't compare to the 993.
The 355 is a proper future classic IMO.
Problem is with all early Fezzas is they break!!
After I sold my 964 (owned for 9 years) I bought a 348. Similar age - 1989 964, vs 1992 348.
I don't agree with the comment about relative ages - the 348 does not feel a generation older than the 964 at all and I think the interior also looks considerably less dated than 964 or 993.
Parts generally cost more than Porsche, and some can be quite eye watering if you're unlucky. However, in the year / 5k miles I've had mine it's been reliable and any niggles it has had are only what I'd expect from a 20 year old car - be it Porsche or Ferrari.
Whilst I would never claim the build quality / reliability of an old Ferrari is as good as an old Porsche - they certainly don't seem to be as fragile as many people fear (including me, before I bought mine).
Regarding driving experience - I was under-whelmed when I test drove the 348s - but decided to take a chance. It is quite a different drive to the 964 (and a 328 would be even more different to a 993) and it did take me quite some time to gel with the car (although partly due to very old tyres). Now, I absolutely love it - driving it is a blast.
When I had the 964 and my 996 turbo, I found I stopped using the 964 - hence I sold it. With the 348, I use it pretty often - at least once every couple of weeks, more if weather and time allows.
And last winter, I certainly did use mine all year round. As a daily car - definitely not - but as long as the road is not caked in snow, ice or salt - it's really fine.
If you fancy one, try it. If you don't like it you can always sell it again - that was my logic, and I'm glad I did it.
I don't agree with the comment about relative ages - the 348 does not feel a generation older than the 964 at all and I think the interior also looks considerably less dated than 964 or 993.
Parts generally cost more than Porsche, and some can be quite eye watering if you're unlucky. However, in the year / 5k miles I've had mine it's been reliable and any niggles it has had are only what I'd expect from a 20 year old car - be it Porsche or Ferrari.
Whilst I would never claim the build quality / reliability of an old Ferrari is as good as an old Porsche - they certainly don't seem to be as fragile as many people fear (including me, before I bought mine).
Regarding driving experience - I was under-whelmed when I test drove the 348s - but decided to take a chance. It is quite a different drive to the 964 (and a 328 would be even more different to a 993) and it did take me quite some time to gel with the car (although partly due to very old tyres). Now, I absolutely love it - driving it is a blast.
When I had the 964 and my 996 turbo, I found I stopped using the 964 - hence I sold it. With the 348, I use it pretty often - at least once every couple of weeks, more if weather and time allows.
And last winter, I certainly did use mine all year round. As a daily car - definitely not - but as long as the road is not caked in snow, ice or salt - it's really fine.
If you fancy one, try it. If you don't like it you can always sell it again - that was my logic, and I'm glad I did it.
Edited by davek_964 on Saturday 8th September 13:25
POORCARDEALER said:
My 328 GTB was totally reliable...I didnt like it much at low speeds and found it became alive at speed, sounded lovely with a Quicksilver exhaust on....Did very few miles in at, as headroom was very limited (6ft 1)
+1328's generally have solid reliability (there are always a few exceptions to any production run / marque) but is quite a different proposition to the C4S. As a classic, it's still quick enough to lose your license, but not a car for those who dislike attention from admiring strangers, or a visceral soundtrack coupled with engaging workout at the wheel
328gts is 911 3.2 gen. Not 964...
I had one for two years.
Childhood dream.
They say 'never meet your heroes. In this case was right.
Wanted to love it and just could not.
One of the pretiest cars i know but crap drive.
No power steering. Feels heavy, burns fuel like crazy. Slow. Sounds poor on standard exhaust... I could carry on and on...
It is such a pretty car though.
I now have a 993c2s manual with a very loud exhaust. Less pretty, but such a better car.
I had one for two years.
Childhood dream.
They say 'never meet your heroes. In this case was right.
Wanted to love it and just could not.
One of the pretiest cars i know but crap drive.
No power steering. Feels heavy, burns fuel like crazy. Slow. Sounds poor on standard exhaust... I could carry on and on...
It is such a pretty car though.
I now have a 993c2s manual with a very loud exhaust. Less pretty, but such a better car.
No, don't do that. I sold my 328 to buy a 993 & that was a good upgrade. I didn't miss the 328 at all. If you want to go for a Ferrari you need to be looking at a 360 but even then you will still miss the 993 - for example, when it rains or when you're on a narrow, bumpy B-road or when you're parking at the supermarket.
Don't do it! My old 328GTS was a total nightmare from beginning to end, the worst ownership experience of any car I have ever owned, thankfully it was short lived. They look great of course and they are fun to drive, they sound great with the roof off but they aren't particularly fast and nowhere near as fun as a sorted 993. Most importantly, in my experience at least, they are very, very fragile. I would never buy another.
POORCARDEALER said:
I'm surprised about the build quality comments, always had the 328 down as being well built... It was better built than the 308 for sure
Had my 328 for 13 years & the only thing that's ever gone majorly wrong with it was a water pump failure some years ago & an ignition module last year, neither were that expensive to fix (especially if you can DIY) & otherwise its never let me down. 328s are not fragile & the engine/drivetrain is both strong and pretty uncomplicated - standard Bosch fuel injection & an electronic ignition system on which there is no adjustment. Some parts are expensive, many are not. Cars of that age are not going to be daily use vehicles I would imagine, so buy what you like. As long as you buy a clean, rust free, 328 & keep it in a dry garage its a good thing to own (though maybe not of you are over 6'2" tall!).
Edited by Wombat3 on Thursday 13th September 08:34
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