[Frank]

Hi to all from Belgium,

here's the details of the car I looked at yesterday, would like some expert opinions before I move to Episode II - The Dealer Check Up

Car specifics:
Chassisnbr: ZFFWA20B000059533
Red with black interior
Originally sold in Italy in 11/1985, so among first couple of hundred 328 GTS models produced
69.000 Km (about 45.000 miles ?)

+

- car has maintenance book (not all Ferrari though) and recent belts done (2000km ago) and clutch replacement in 01/2004, also lots of repair/ maintenance bills from the past available
- outside looks very good, no traces of accidents etc..
- all tools and spare tire available
- price a reasonable 33,000 Euro

_

- seat has small tear in it
- trunk zip cover is torn and should be replaced
- antenna switch not working (antenna needs to be pulled manually)
- right side window cover panel will not open
- small traces of potential rust under wheel arches
- interior could do with some clean up and maybe new carpets

So, main question is, how much should I calculate for fixing the items in the minus side ?
For pictures of the car follow the link:

http://www.automagazine.be/NL/Buy_Car.cfm?BienId=143292


Seller has agreed to have it inspected at Ferrari dealership, but upfront advice still apreciated.

Thanks and regards,
Frank

 

[Stradale]

- seat has small tear in it
- trunk zip cover is torn and should be replaced
- antenna switch not working (antenna needs to be pulled manually)
- right side window cover panel will not open
- small traces of potential rust under wheel arches
- interior could do with some clean up and maybe new carpets

Looks like the owner doesn't really take bother to keep his car in tip top condition! Have you looked at others?

I believe if you're patient enough you'll get a pristine example. The 328GT/S are now almost collector's items and owners will pour a lot of care and attention on them and when these come into the market, they're worth the buy. My 2-cents worth.

 

[Andrew]

Frank,

Stradale is right on the collectors portion so this could perhaps be a fixer up car if that is something you enjoy. In which case you will get a good deal and should try to get the seller to come down in price a bit.

The zip cover shouldn't be too hard to replace, recovering the seats would be at least $3,000 - $5,000 and you would want to do both so they match.

I'm not sure about the antenna swithc, probably needs a new motor which should run more than $400.

Why will the right side panel cover not open? Rust? That seems strange to me, its just a simple hinge.

The rust is the biggest thing to worry about.

 

[Pete04222]

Sounds to me like it just has normal stuff wrong with it. The owner had the belts and clutch done so I don't think that he didn't care about keeping the car up. And like you said, the price is reasonable. I think it is worth going the next step and getting the PPI. You can buy the antenna from antennaworld.com for $25 and install it yourself (comes with new switch). If it is just the switch, you can get a new one of those for $5 from Radio Shack, if you absolutely have to have a original Ferrari switch it is well over $100. As for the rust starting to show, if you keep the car in a garage and dont put a lot of miles on it, it could be years before it gets any worse if you keep the car clean and dry. I've got a couple rust bubbles on my car that haven't gotten any worse in the 3 years I've owned the car and no one notices them unless I point them out.

The trunk cover, is it just the zipper that's bad? That's an easy fix. I was able to fix mine myself with a pair of pliers. If it is too far gone an upholstery shop can install a new zipper. The right side window cover, it probably won't open because it has never been opened. There's nothing underneath it (except the window you can't look through anyways). Probably some lube would free up the lock.

So yeah, I think it would be worth the next step for the PPI, you could try and get him to come down a bit for the seats and the rust. Sounds like a mechanically sound car with a few minor issues normal for the age and mileage of the car.

 

[Frank]

Thanks for feedback !

I think all of you have a point.

Generally, I am quite patient and have been looking for the 'right' car for about 8 months now, but being in a smaller market place than US, supply is limited, unless you travel around Germany and get through the whole import procedure.

I do think the car was mechanically taken care off, so I am setting up an appointment with the Ferrari garage. They said they will take 2 hours to go over the car (at 120 Euro cost) and tell me the deal.

I think the seats can be taken care of at reasonable amount, it is just a small tear in the bottom, so maybe, it can be stitched/fixed.
Trunk cover I have seen advertised at Ferrariparts.com for about 250 $, so that seems ok.

Other stuff seems small items...

I think a general clean up, and good feedback from the garage could prove to convince me, although I would still have a late 1985 model without all the small improvements that happened over the lifetime until 1989.

I could also spend 10,000 to 15,000 Euros more on a low mileage, pristine 1989 model, but I think you would be scared to drive it )

Will let you all know how it goes.

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Pete04222]

Look forward to hearing how you make out. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't spend all your time and money trying to buy a car that is perfect. No car that has been driven is perfect and Ferrari's were meant to be driven.

If this car needs a few thousand Euros to bring it up to your standards it is probably better than 10,000 Euros more to get a pristine example. Plus you can do a lot of the stuff when you are ready to do it. A small tear in the seat isn't going to stop you from driving and enjoying the car now.

 

[backindauk]

Echoing what others have said, i would say to let this one go. I'd go for a later model as well. A bit more refined and you may have less problems with it. Maybe not 89, but 86 at least ?

 

[Boxer]

Frank, How did you make out ? Is there a Prancing Horse on your driveway now ?

 

[Frank]

No horse in my stable - yet

Hi All,

been away from the forum for a while, as I had some family business to arrange which involved $$ and therefore, have only just now begun the search again.

On the previous car, the Ferrari dealership estimated that another 5,000 Euro worth of additional work would be needed, and therefore I let go of the car.

Am back on the hunt for that ultimate red 328GTS.

P.S. already have the piece to extend steering wheel (for longer legged men, a necessity), but still trying to figure out how to lower the seats, for closed roof driving.... all suggestions welcome.

Regards,
Frank

 

[Boxer]

Frank, I saw a 328 GTB LHD in the UK recently. It was originally a German car, its condition was really outstanding, and price quite reasonable. Let me know if you want details.

 

[Frank]

328 GTS search

Hi All,

the search continues and now have my eye on a 88.5 red/tan Belgian car being sold. 2 owners since new.

It already has the changed door lever and looks ok, and what is more.... almost complete service records from day of delivery.

The garage is not an authorised Ferrari dealer (Gipi Motors) ,but mechanics working there used to work at offical Francorchamps dealership and have been maintaining the car for the last 2 years.

Some minor work is going to be done by current owner. Asking price 39.500 Euro
Car has done 68.000 Km...

Will keep you posted if things work out...

Anybody having experience with this garage, let me know

Cheers,
Frank (Brussels)