[Daily412]

Those with experience, please share your wisdow, and help me avoid making a big mistake? I've restored US musclecars for years, so I can fix everything (except autotrans and A/C) my self. And these days parts for these simple cars are cheap and plentiful.

Now, I consider buying a 365 GTC/4 or a 412i. Why them? I think they're beautiful and affordable for me. I plan to drive the one I would buy almost daily 8 months a year, 10000km/year.

But when I read buyer's guides etc., the potential costs are scary. Please explain why. I understand that 12 cylinders/48 valves/16 quarts are more than 8 cylinders/16 valves/5 quarts when it comes to maintenance.
1. Are parts so much more expensive, per part?
2. Are parts also unique? Oil filters and brake pads, can they be bought OEM or do I have to beg my local Ferrari dealer to sell them to me?
3. Are parts available? If I bend a fender do I have to wait for someone to crash their car? What about a rear end? Or a camshaft? Or even wearparts like a waterpump?

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

[Boxer]

You are considering 2 very different cars. An average 365 GTC/4 currently will cost you at least twice what the very best 412i you can find will be. The 412i will carry four adults in some level of comfort, the 365 GTC/4 will only if they have very short legs. Do to the low values, 412i are poster children for differed maintenance so buy very carefully. Most 365 GTC/4 have been better cared for.

In terms of maintenance:
1. Yes, part really are much more expensive
2. Yes and no. Some are unique and some can be bought OEM
3. Availability is very good both from Ferrari directly (via Maranello Parts in the UK) or through a number of specialists in both the UK and the US.

Hope this helps.

 

[Spasso]

They only made 500 365 GTC/4's so unique parts will be a little harder to come by. A valve adjust requires removal (and reinstallation/set-up) of all 6 Weber side drafts! Yikes! Thats where a lot of the maintenance costs come in, LABOR!

The 412i should have more in common with the preceeding 365 GT4/2+2 and 400i models reducing the hunt and cost factor. All are fuel injected if I'm not mistaken.

One advantage of a 365 GT4/2+2/,400i/,412i automatics is the use of GM Turbo (300?)400 transmissions. Easy and cheap to source parts.

Purchase price of a perfect 412i, 5 speed car should be less than half of a decent 365 GTC/4. Prices are climbing on those.

 

[jungathart]

Good luck on your search. Hope you find the right car.