[Dane]

I need to get back in the saddle. Now that I'm a father (scary, I know!), I need an option for a child seat carrying 2+2. I loved my Mondial as far as fun to drive cars but the FI'd 3L just didn't compare to the 77 GTB's pure carburetion.

I hear nothing but fantastic things about the GT4s and am impressed with, obviously, Peter's and what he's done with his; nice job, Peter!

I'm afraid to admit it here, but I've been looking at 928s since you do have a sizeable V-8 in front of you if you get smacked and, of course, the 2+2 option. The 911's "2+2" is just to cramped for a seat whereas the 928's may not be.

My question (after all this): Is there enough room in a GT4 for a kiddy carrier? I would greatly appreciate anyone who would buy a car seat, install it in their GT4, take pictures and post them here! Is that too much to ask?!? :green:

Thanks for letting me ramble.

"Four"za.

 

[Pete04222]

Well Dane,
I know you want to get back into a sports car, but from what I know of you if you were to get the Porsche it would always be in the back of your mind "Man, I wish I had a Ferrari."

I doubt that you would be driving around in a GT4 thinking "Gee, I wish I had a Porsche."


Somebody help Dane out and show him that a car seat fits the GT4!

 

[Dane]

Pete,

You know what? You're right. Of course, there just has to be a couple of very nice GT4's on eBay right now. The others I've seen around (FerrariClassifieds.com, Autotrader.com, etc.) have been priced way too high; mid to high $20s. Fine if they're concours condition but these just weren't.

Yes! Do as Pete says! Show and tell please!! :lol:

F(our)za.

 

[Andrew]

Dane,

What about a 412?

http://www.ferrariforum.net/classified/view.php?id=46

Or how about getting a 308 gts again and getting the wife a sedan. Isn't that how it is suppose to be?

 

[Dane]

Andrew,

$40K is too much for this kid! I'm looking for the F-car that can handle the family unit; wife, kid and I together.

I am considering a 400 series but certainly need to learn more about their durability and cost. Research, research, research!! It's an excuse to have my head stuck in Ferrari books, web-sites, etc. If nothing else, at least I added something to the grey matter.

Forza.

 

[Dane]

Andrew,

Just thought of something about that 412; is the $42.5 USD or Canadian?

 

[Andrew]

Andrew,

Just thought of something about that 412; is the $42.5 USD or Canadian?

I have no idea and prices are flexible. You'll have to contact the owner using that contact box. I have nothing to do with those ads, other than the programming for them.

 

[Dane]

Got it and thanks. Sent you a PM as well. D

 

[jsa330]

2+2

Get on http://www.tomyang.net/cars/ferrari.html - All you want to know and more.

 

[Andrew]

spook is right. Tom Yang is a great site but he deals mostly with pre-1970 2+2s. Do check it out though, I love that site.

 

[Boxer]

Dane, If you decide to go the 400 route. Suggest you also take a look at what is available in Europe. Over here they are changing hands for as little as $10k, as it is one of the more under appreciated models. If the car is more than 25 years old, bring it into the US should be relatively simple. The 400 series has a great 12 cylinder engine with reasonable room in the back. Only major issue to watch out for is rust. The Feb 04 issue of EVO had a buyers guide on the 400 and 308 GT4.

 

[Andrew]

Dane, If you decide to go the 400 route. Suggest you also take a look at what is available in Europe. Over here they are changing hands for as little as $10k, as it is one of the more under appreciated models. If the car is more than 25 years old, bring it into the US should be relatively simple. The 400 series has a great 12 cylinder engine with reasonable room in the back. Only major issue to watch out for is rust. The Feb 04 issue of EVO had a buyers guide on the 400 and 308 GT4.

Do you have a scanner and or camera to send that buyer's guide to me? I'd be curious to see how it is formatted.

 

[Dane]

Boxer 42 (by the way, cool name!)

Can you point me in a direction as far as web-sites for the 400s? The farthest I can reach is my key board if you know what I mean!

Since we have a Chevy Z-71 (big four door truck in case they may not be known in Europe), I won't be using the Ferrari full time. Still, it'd be nice to take the "family unit (Raising Arizona)" for a cruise instead of waving "good-bye" while I go...

Thanks all for the continued help. Please keep it coming if able. I do appreciate it. Plus, when I do get the car, I'll be able to put a FF.net sticker on her!

Forza.

 

[4kids3fish]

Dane,

Sorry no photo of a car-seat in a GT4 but I've gotta tell you that it is MUCH tighter in there than a Mondial. I have looked hard at both, and with the front GT4 seats pushed back enough for a reasonably tall person (say 6') they almost touch the back seats. Even small kids need to sit splay-kneed with their feet to each side of the front squab. :ugh:

The rear seats also have a pronounced vertical curvature or dishing, especially from the front down & up the backrest(a bit like a hammock) as well as side-to-side, so I'm not sure how well a child seat will fit. They are generally designed to sit onto a fairly flat surface.

I'd say there's no substitute to finding one and trying it out, plus checking what seat-restraint fixings it has (bearing in mind the age of the GT4 - kids seats weren't invented then I don't think).

Finally, if you had a Mondail 8 or even QV before you should still consider a 3.2 or the 3.4 "T" model. The 3.4 has a genuine 300hp which is WAY WAY up on the 8's 215 or so. It may be a good compromise. Good luck!

 

[confused 206 (Fiat Dino)]

Although, I do like the 308 GT/4 very much as a driver's car ... handles well, a lot of fun, and almost reasonable to maintain (in the context of Ferrari anyway) trying to put a child into a car seat in the back of a GT/4 might not be the easiest thing one has ever done. The car is a bit low and a bit cramped when one is trying to climb in and put anything into the back much less a child.

The 400 series (an injected model with automatic) can be found in reasonable condition at a similar price to a comprable GT/4 if one shops around. The one major problem with the 400 series is the costs of things that break. Some components are priced higher than even one's worst expectations ... total suspension rebuild can be a shocker: total engine rebuild will cost about twice the value of the car. The handling is "sure footed" if not nimble.

The thing to remember about the 400 series is that these automobiles were constructed in their time as the "top of the line" GT cars from Ferrari: sort-of-like the 612 of today. The first owner probably had tons of money to maintain the car, the second owner maybe not so much maintenance, and the third owner may have only fixed what was necessary to keep the car on the road. Careful inspection and evaluation of the overall condition of all systems would be in order with these cars.

Just my opinion

Best wishes

 

[Boxer]

Dane, Suggest you take a look at http://www.rainbolt.com/articles/, http://www.qv500.com/indexferrari.htm, and http://www.evo.co.uk/. The EVO Feb 2004 issue has a buying guide for the 308 GT4, Mondial, and 400.