Is there a Ferrari that's not insanely difficult to maintain?

Old Lamborghinis are awesome, but yeah that sounds like what I have heard other places, you need to have pretty deep pockets and like spending months of hunting for parts (and paying to have stuff made that you cant find) actually own one. I read a post about a guy who bought a Jarama that ran and drove, but ended up putting ~$300k into it to get it how he wanted it. This is probably my favorite one that I have seen pics of. http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelwardphotos/990098456/in/photostream/

Actually there are quite a few Ferrari with zero maintenance.

A few months ago there was Urraco in Texas on CL with no engine or tranny for something like $9K asking. I wanted to get that thing and a put a Toyota 2GR-FE and five speed in it soooooo bad. Then my sanity returned.

What about a Pantera? All the looks but with a Ford V8. I love these things too. They have a few issues of their own,but most are easy to address if they haven't been already. Finding an unmolested one might be more difficult.

wearymicrobe wrote:

Travis_K wrote: Does anyone know how some of the other cars similar to the cheaper Ferraris compare as far as parts and maintenance, etc? I have seen Maseratis (Merak, Kyalami, Khamsin, etc) and Lamborghinis (Espada, Urraco, Jalpa) in the $25k-$50k range too, but I have a feeling they might be even more of a terrible idea than a Ferrari for people who dont have far more extra money than that to spend on them.

These will be MUCH more then a Ferrari to maintain and 10x times harder to find parts for it.

I thought Meraks were not to terrible to maintain.

Meraks aren't too bad - lots of parts-bin pieces other than trim and a decent production run - comparable buy-in to a mondial. The mid year cars have the citroen high pressure hydraulic system - no worse than fixing an old citroen. A maserati Indy (the maser competitor for a ferrari 308 gt/4) is ok on the mechanical end, but starts getting tough on body/trim. Most of the 70s maseratis share drivetrain bits - all the way through 1980s Q-ports. Even back in the 80s the shop I worked at had some trouble with Indy body panels - long wait. A couple of meraks were in and out. A pantera would be easy mechanically. Body-wise, maybe a little better than the f-cars since it's had such a long production run without much in the way of styling change.

Back in high school/early college it wasn't that hard to find early/mid 60s ferraris with chevy v8 swaps when the owner didn't want to deal with the expense/hassle.

just for grins - iso rivolta gt

oldtin wrote: Meraks aren't too bad - lots of parts-bin pieces other than trim and a decent production run - comparable buy-in to a mondial. The mid year cars have the citroen high pressure hydraulic system - no worse than fixing an old citroen. A maserati Indy (the maser competitor for a ferrari 308 gt/4) is ok on the mechanical end, but starts getting tough on body/trim. Most of the 70s maseratis share drivetrain bits - all the way through 1980s Q-ports. Even back in the 80s the shop I worked at had some trouble with Indy body panels - long wait. A couple of meraks were in and out. A pantera would be easy mechanically. Body-wise, maybe a little better than the f-cars since it's had such a long production run without much in the way of styling change. Back in high school/early college it wasn't that hard to find early/mid 60s ferraris with chevy v8 swaps when the owner didn't want to deal with the expense/hassle.

Much want, it isn't worth a divorse though!!

Pictures just don't do justice to the Merak. I can't believe that those have the buy in of a Mondial.

$25k will get you a decent SS. Scruffy drivers well under $20k. A little more for an Indy, but they also have 4.7/4.9 V8s

Give me a Ferrari piano.

Travis_K wrote: Does anyone know how some of the other cars similar to the cheaper Ferraris compare as far as parts and maintenance, etc? I have seen Maseratis (Merak, Kyalami, Khamsin, etc) and Lamborghinis (Espada, Urraco, Jalpa) in the $25k-$50k range too, but I have a feeling they might be even more of a terrible idea than a Ferrari for people who dont have far more extra money than that to spend on them.

My favorite local mechanic had a Lamborghini LM002 in the shop for 6 months waiting for parts. (and this is not a tiny operation, he specializes in old sports cars.) He said you can't even get a wiring diagram because they left the wire routing up to the individual craftsman. Parts aren't stocked, they're made to order if at all. I think the old Lamborghini parts situation is horrible compared to Ferrari.

oldtin wrote: $25k will get you a decent SS. Scruffy drivers well under $20k. A little more for an Indy, but they also have 4.7/4.9 V8s

Found this on the evilbay with an $18.3k BIN price. I can't belive it's still got those hidiouse Federal bumpers on, you would have to find some chrome Euro bumpers for it.

BTW, I'm only dreaming here, my challenge priced Saab is the limet of my current project budget.

Just remembered, there used to be a silver Merek arund SE Michigan with the perfect licence plate "DOES 185" I haven't seen it in a few years come to think of it.

I squint my eyes hard and this Ferrari replica looks pretty good. My wife then fussed at me for squinting my eyes. Not sure if it is the face squinting, or the fact that I am trying to make a kit car Ferrari look better.

FERRARI 355 - $3950 (DALTON,GA) http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3436825772.html

This is a replica of a Ferrari 355 it needs to be completed..$3950.00 Firm...More info call 706-618-7953,,,.NO EMAILS>>.NO TRADES,,,.No I dont need to any help selling this vehicle..

If we are talking crazy talk I want a Jalpa. I actually looked at one that somehow had gotten through the California DMV for something silly like 34K. Needed a bit of interior work and a clutch at some point. Talk about a marriage killer.

In reply to dculberson:

Evans?

Flight Service wrote: Actually there are quite a few Ferrari with zero maintenance.

I totally envy your collection.

Anyone have any idea what the most affordable pre-1973 Ferrari is to purchase and maintain? My father-in-law is looking for something classic with appreciation potential that won't bankrupt him in the mean time.

I know I have a tendency to go with the underdogs and ugly ducklings, but sometimes I feel like I am the only guy who really LIKES the Mondial. And just the wheels make it bridge the gap between the pre-80s and post-80s Ferraris.

Awesome old wheels:

Swanky new wheels:

it sure does look cool. I think that with ANY modern drivetrain would make a sweet car.

i remember a few years ago almost buying a mondial for $11k off cl - it had 40k and needed 45k service. I called the dealer & found out it was about $4k to do it (and i had a shop / hoists / even knew a old italian mechanic so I wasnt too worried about doing it myself). It was a lovely car (everything worked) & sounded fantastic. Seller must have had remorse as he kept avoiding me when I talked about coming back with some cash. I think I bought a chassis dyno instead.

I still see the odd Cl posts for new & old F cars - like this one: 360 on CL I'm pretty sure its a scam though (no palm trees in PNW).

KJ

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote: In reply to dculberson: Evans?

Specialty Sports Cars. Cool place, lots of awesome cars.

Travis_K wrote: Does anyone know how some of the other cars similar to the cheaper Ferraris compare as far as parts and maintenance, etc? I have seen Maseratis (Merak, Kyalami, Khamsin, etc) and Lamborghinis (Espada, Urraco, Jalpa) in the $25k-$50k range too, but I have a feeling they might be even more of a terrible idea than a Ferrari for people who dont have far more extra money than that to spend on them.

Cheap? My $2013 Challenge Car....I'm more than halfway here.

There are always a few Ferrari replicas at the Carlisle Import & Kit Car show in May. Some of them are pretty convincing. I remember a F40 in the for sale corral that looked like the real thing (to my untrained eye) until you saw an engine bay full of SBC. IIRC, his asking price could get you a decent 308... a real one.

I have to admit, I normally don't like older cars with newer style wheels, but that blue Mondial looks really good and they really do erase a few years worth of age from the car.

I always liked the Mondial, ever since seeing it on an episode of Motorweek when I was in middle school :)

Not to derail the thread, but here's a Photoshop (Gimp-chop, technically) I did a while ago (I just added the badges to someone else's photo) :P

add burbly exhaust and Pininfarina badging.....all set :D

singleslammer wrote: it sure does look cool. I think that with ANY modern drivetrain would make a sweet car.

yeah, cause those Ferrari 4 cam V8s don't hold a candle to ANY modern drivetrain.

It would be sooo much better with the engine from a Versa, base Fiat, Rio,etc.