[zack356]

I'm looking at a 328 to buy. Don't know anyone who's ever owned any ferrari. I really can't afford too high a maintenance car. The periodic maintenance is OK, but can't afford any WAY out there unexpected "things". So how "bullet-proof" is the 328 engine? Or anything else for that matter (drive-train, transmission, etc).

Thanks so much for your advice, comments, honesty... please be brutally honest.

Zack

 

[adlinyusman]

i know a guy who bought a 328 a couple of months back from the UK. He's shipping it back to Melbourne (cause that's where he stays), and according to him, it's been pretty good except for the occasional bad starts in the morning. (And he's never had a Ferrari b4, he doesn't know the difference between a 355 and a 360..) According to him he's not serviced the car yet, and has been serving him quite well. I guess the only maintainence worry you have to think about in the long run, is the timing belt i suppose. Aside from that, i don't think it should cause you any major problems. Make sure it's not been in an accident b4 and you'll be dandy! :green:

 

[Pete04222]

Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) will save you headaches down the road.

I personally have never heard a 328 owner complain about their car or wish that they had bought something different.

 

[4kids3fish]

Have been looking for a good 3.2-engined car for a while. They are generally regarded better than early 3.4 vehicles which had lots of teething problems with the rearranged engine & transmission setup.

Timing belts get a lot of mention but the parts themselves aren't expensive, so look for a service company with competitve labour rates. With higher-mileage cars the valve clearances need checking at 80K kms (50K mi) and this is a slow and expensive process. Any Ferrari garage will be able to give you estimates for all the services required by the manual (generally 10K kms).

I haven't come across one yet which has had anything "BIG" happen unexpectedly but as the cars get older the risk must increase. If it happens then the car will be off the road for as long as it takes to get the money & fix. Good luck looking!

 

[YannPeier]

Our first Ferrari was a 1989 328GTS, loved that car it is on my point of view the best way to start into the Ferrari family. It is a car that procures a lot of pleasure the GTS is the Ferrari that was the most produced over 6000 cars the GTB is a bit harder to find. The 328 has a wonderfull sound and what a look. There is not a day that I say I wish I could have keep it. We have now a BBi512.

 

[jimpern]

I just bought a 328, and I've heard the drivetrain is pretty stout if the car has been serviced properly. Mine has about 48,000 miles on it; it had the "major" service at 32,000, the "semi-major" at about 46,000, and oil and filter changes every 3000 or so, so until I get around 60,000, all I hope I have to do is keep up with the oil and filter.

The problems are the niggling little things: the parking brake operation is erratic, the instrument panel lighting is incredibly dim, and the driver's-side fresh air vents insist on blowing heated air. (On the other hand, the air conditioning, which I've heard is a troublesome area, works fine!) But if these are the worst problems I have, I'll be satisfied.

 

[Andrew]

Being brutally honest, IT is a great car. If you visit the tech section you'll see few complaints on this car. If you are a handy man some of the work you can do yourself.

The 328 is reliable and as everyone has said worth looking into. Just to add to Pete's comment. If you get the car inspected (and you should) have it done by a independent Ferrari specialist. We can help you find one if you need it.

 

[Stradale]

My first Ferrari was a 1989 328GTS. It's the last year of production and supposed to be the best of of that series. I truly love the car. It's the one that I took pleasure in looking after. It did not give me problem and service was relatively cheap.

Then I decided to get an F355 and I took to driving the 355 much more than the 328, so it was left idle in the garage for 6 to 8 weeks before I take it out again. That's when the problem started. The electrical contacts started to foul up due to dirt/idle or whatever and when the car stopped, it was always the electrical. I never had any problem with the engine or the gearbox. It was a good car and when we have a weekend drive I always loaned it to a friend to drive it while I drive the 355. It has good pace and for most of the times, it could keep up with the convoy of 355s and 456, with normal trffic on the road. So it was not far off in terms of highway speed.

But when my 360 arrived, the 328 was used even less because I had 3 Ferraris then. The less it was used the more it became problematic to start. It was because of that that I decided to sell it. But it was a beautiful car. Use it regularly and it will be fine. I would recommend you to get it.

 

[Pete04222]

It was a good car and when we have a weekend drive I always loaned it to a friend to drive it while I drive the 355. It has good pace and for most of the times, it could keep up with the convoy of 355s and 456, with normal trffic on the road. So it was not far off in terms of highway speed.

Now is that a pal or what? The guy keeps a spare Ferrari for his friends to drive!