Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Good Afternoon

[Gavin (gavinnz]

Hiya mate,
As a relitively new Ferrari owner I might have some inside into your 
situiation....

I to am a child of the Magnum series.  For 27 years I have wanted a Ferrari 
with a passion.

Earlyer this year I spoted one of the road when I was on my way to work one 
day and followed it for about 10 minutes....
The sound, the look, the total lack of body roll.. It was the final thing 
that made decide that enough was enough and the time was right to make the 
scarifices I would have to make to own one.  So I arrived at work and sat in 
the van for an hour with a bit of paper and a pen.... I wrote "how I am 
going to get MY Ferrari" at the top of the page and processed to make a list 
of what I have to sell, clubs I had to join, new groups I had to join etc... 
people I needed to call...

Less that two months later I drove my RHD dry sump full Euro spec 1978 
308GTB in red and tan home.
The EXACT model I had on my list to buy.

My advice for you is to pick THE model you really want and get that first. 
Buying a Ferrari is something you for for passion not for practical reasons 
so don't get a 328 if you are really passionite about a TR....

So the choice of model is all about passion.... now here is the irony... the 
choice of which actual car to buy is all about being practical!

I almost bought a unknown car from the UK, still the right model.   I was so 
hooked on getting one I almost made a HUGE mistake looking back.
Then JUST as I was about to pay for that car one came up here In New Zealand 
3 hours away from me that was perfect, only a very small amount more money 
(which I would have blown on the UK in seconds).

So my advice is pick the car you want down to colour and upholstry and 
proceed to check every one out that comes up until the right car comes along 
and it will.
If it takes 2 years then that good because by then you will be an expert on 
that model and it's issues and know the right car when it comes along.

Well that was a bit of a ramble I hope some of it might make some sence?

Regards
Gavin
'78 308GTB







> After joining your Ferrari list a few months ago and being a lifelong fan 
> of these beautiful automobiles I was hoping to get some really good 
> first-hand knowledge and information from anyone and everyone who cares to 
> respond.  I am hoping to one day own and care for one of these pieces of 
> art, honestly it will probably be  a few years down the road but I'm 
> optimistic that it won't be too long.
> This would definitely NOT be a daily driver, I have a '99 MB S420 for that 
> but I would hope to drive the car weekly. I grew up with Magnum's 308GTSi 
> and later the Testarossa which I still love! There's one in my 
> neighborhood but I haven't been able to get the guy to slow down long 
> enough to chat with him about his car! He's always having too much fun in 
> it I guess?
> I have many questions, but one of my first would be is there such a thing 
> as a "starter" Ferarri for a beginner someone who is not a millionaire and 
> not a mechanic. I have seen alot of 308s out there but many seem to had 
> some hard years and been neglected. I have looked at a '91 348ts which was 
> very nice and a 360 Modena which was outta my price range but I still have 
> a"thing" for that 12 cylinder Testarossa! Am I crazy? Yes, I probably am! 
> Not sure how much of the maintenance I could do myself, costs, ride, etc. 
> on any of these cars much less a Testarossa or Modena 360? Should I just 
> start with the best 308 I can afford and look to buy up from there after 
> enjoying that and learning about Ferarris or should I go with the dream 
> and find that special Testarossa? Any ideas that people may have? I would 
> love to hear them!
> Also, do you think that I'd be welcome at some of my local Ferarri club 
> events so that I could learn about these cars even though I don't own one? 
> Have a great day and enjoy those beautiful automobiles, oh and keep 
> writing in to the message board so I can live vicariously through all of 
> you!  Thanks alot.