The Truth About Buying Classic Ferraris: 328 GTS vs Testarossa

[@autofanaticcars]

I just finished a restoration on a 89 328 GTS i love the car so much fun, i also love my F355. I had a 550 years ago i loved the drivetrain but the car was way to soft for me, too much of a cruiser for my taste. The TR are also cruisers but still love their iconic style

[@HernanSpeed]

I remember driving a 328 for a few months here in Miami, it was great. Everything was light, very little effort at the controls…it was even great in traffic. Thanks for the video!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

You are so right! That car has the lightest controls, even for non power assisted! It’s not an issue to drive around in a city in that car! But you’d be happier on a mountain road! 😉

[@naturepicture]

Great and realistic Video, thx for this. Greetings from a german 328GTS Owner, who loved his "Diva". Driving is such a pleasure every time.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Thanks a lot Eric for the note! Great to meet another owner in der Gegend! 😉

[@naturepicture]

@@jasonjcr_cars819 Yes, but Gegend is relative. ich wohne 100km von der Nordsee entfernt in Niedersachsen, ein weiter Weg in diese schönen Berge bei Dir.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@naturepicture ach ja. Das ist schon ein bisschen weit weg von Salzburg Land.

[@Bighand4]

I've had a Testarossa for 11 years, and a Mondial t coupe for 6 years. I am thinking of buying a 328 in addition to the other 2 cars.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

It would be a great compliment to the Testarossa! Definitely a little easier to enjoy!

[@GTC4cam]

Definitely find a copy of the August ‘86 edition of Road and Track. Great article on all of them.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@GTC4cam ah! I actually have that one! Was a great one with Paul Frere reviewing them! They don’t make ones like that anymore

[@leo-.-258]

Thats life!

[@stuffa01]

Great Video! Very thorough. Its amazing how much the market on these have shot up on these cars. I remember back in the 90s you could pick up a Testarossa for 50K. people were so turned off by the maintenance cost and potential Huge repair cost. Apparently not so much any more. hahaha. congrats on ownership of these classics! An 80's Porsche 911 is also an amazingly fun and Very unique car to drive.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Yeah I would have preferred to get mine in the 90s too! Or actually in the early 2000‘d even. I think people will (and probably should) stay cautious about these cars, unless they’re a good DIYer. Or they just let desire take over and override good judgement. Thanks a lot for the comments! It definitely puts the biggest smile on my face, and that’s what it should be about! Definitely a good 90s or 80s Porsche does just that too! 😉

[@mcomet]

Great video. Amazing cars and Mountain View’s. 🏎️ I test drove a few 308s as well as 348/355/360. All amazing cars and it’s cool to see and feel the progression of the technology. The 308 and 348 were quite raw. One day I’d love to add a 328 to my garage. I landed on a gated Gallardo for better modern comfort maintenance and performance. It interestingly still feels a lot more raw than todays cars. But not as direct as 348 and earlier for sure. But I love the v10 sounds. The 328 looks amazing but doesn’t quite land in the sound department.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Thanks for taking time to comment! I’m sure you’re very happy with the performance from your beast! Actually my 328 has a Tubi and most prefer it over the other options out there. Stock is not that exciting for sure! As gated cars / experiences go, the 328 / 308 or Testarossa are hard to beat!

[@maseraticc2834]

Jason thank you that was a brilliant review of your 2 incredibly iconic Ferraris (plus the 550 ;-) ) - fascinating to hear your comparisons of both models. As much as we adore our V8 328s, Ferrari was built on the 12 cylinder cars and the Testorossa was really the last of the true analogue 12 cylinders. The sound from the V8 is superb, but the Testarossa is just another level as I sometimes am lucky enough to witness when I'm out driving with my pal who owns a 512TR - its just such an old school sound that is not heard anymore, something so very special. It would be interesting to know how you decide on which car to drive for which situation/route. I hope that the day that you need to decide which car has to go (328) and which one to keep (TR) is way out there in the distant future! Keep the reviews coming please!!!!! Cheers Jason, Simon

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

You are so right about the sound! If you were to break the experience down into meaningful parts, I’m sure most would agree that sound is more then 50% of the experience, and I’m probably not being truthful with that. My car is still stock so it could be louder and more hypnotic! lol. As for what to drive? Yeah, I just try to give each one the attention they deserve, perhaps the Testarossa got more as it’s new for me, but after driving one or the other, you quickly determine both really are very special if you’re a fan of analog. Both work really well where I live. The Testarossa is ultimately more comfortable over distances but I’ll be the first to admit my drives tend to be 1 hour ish max so the hardness of the 328 doesn’t really come into play. But the Targa top and an clear mountain road is hard to beat too! 🤦‍♂️ it would be a difficult choice…

[@mathibugatti4960]

really loved the video Jason! Nice to see your eyes on both cars!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Thanks Mathi!

[@alpinepilot]

thanks Jason, that was a good run through all of the three cars. Loved it. Keep the videos coming. Cheers Benjamin.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Thanks Benjamin! I hope you’re sharing the 550 adventures soon!

[@Instacarhk]

Great video, very detailed! So true regarding the pedal position of the 328. Surprised to hear it has the best transmission out of the three though. Only complaint is you did not step on it enough! Although the last scene with the Testarossa gunning it with that glorious exhaust note more than made up for it 😄.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

I’m sure there is some variability between other 328s transmission J, but it is super clear between the three cars that the 328 comes out on top. I will need to share some more higher RPM driving I think! 😉 thanks for taking the time to comment J

[@Instacarhk]

@@jasonjcr_cars819 I don't disagree that the 328 shifting is pretty good, but didn't know it was better than the Testarossa and 550, no complaints from me about that!

[@hogster5935]

I'd go with the 328 or 430 Scuderia . Very nice vid.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Scuderia is definitely on the shopping list!

[@davep.4053]

Awesome video and review Jason! Two of the most iconic Ferrari’s of our time!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Thanks Dave for the note! Cheers Jason

[@normsallitt2753]

Another fantastic and in-depth review on two of my all-time favorites. You nailed every aspect of what I'd want to know about if/when deciding on which of these to purchase, including the aspects of the 550. I came within an inch of buying a Nero Daytona 575M prior to purchasing my Granturismo. Thanks for the great content yet again, Jason. Stay well, my friend ✌️

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@normsallitt2753 glad you can get some value out of this Norm. If I can inspire you to take the plunge and save you some aggravation when you buy yours, that’s my goal! Thanks Norm!!! Cheers J

[@Juanpasilver]

Great review and comments. Thanks! Agree that the sound of the TR with its Boxer 12 is unique, but the design and looks of the 328 is just perfect!!! Size, shapes, proportions, lines flow...everything is so close to perfection. The TR is more "exclusive" I guess as less where produced. However, to me the 328 is the winner for its perfect balance and harmony.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

I agree with your logic! It is a very close race for me. And usually after a drive in the 328, I find myself not really needing anything else!

[@susannero6401]

The maintenance costs of the 328 go down considerably if you can do your own work; you don't need to drop the motor to replace the timing belts, so you can do it in your garage for the price of assorted fluids, gaskets, and of course the belts themselves. Not horrible by any means. Not so for the TR, which is going to be massively expensive no matter what. Nice video.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Yeah, if you are the DIY inclined, the 328 is pretty easy to live with. Just need to take into consideration if the “next” owner is ok with having less / no invoices or stamps from a certified maintenance shop. That’s the one draw back, but I’m assuming you save all the invoices and have lots of history, images to backup the work you’d do! But you are right vs the Testarossa

[@RockBassTv]

Hi Jason, where in Austria do you live? I live in Vienna, would love to see the 328 one day in person. It's one of my favorite Ferraris. The closest thing I saw to it was a brown 308 GTB parked on the street in Villach, Austria last year. It was amazing.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Hey I’m in Pongau! Yeah, they’re not too many around our streets are there!!!

[@majorp7967]

Very objective test. Well done. I prefer the 328.

[@protectandswerve]

Great vid and thank you. I really miss my 85 308.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Any chance to get another one!?

[@protectandswerve]

@@jasonjcr_cars819 Oh, of course. We just bought a new to us home so a lot of my $ is tied up there. Otherwise I'd have to sell my 2017 Porsche Turbo S and downsize to another car to free up some $ to buy a 328. I've been wanting a 328 instead of another 308, even though the 308 from Magnum P.I. was my first love and all time favor car. A Testarossa is also on the bucket list. However, I don't make the kinda $ to keep one properly serviced over time. So many classic cars from my childhood that I'd love to own as an 70's & 80's kid. Well done on your collection Sir!! Enjoy in great health!!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@protectandswerve yeah, those are the life decisions that we have to make. Better to have one you love and keep it running well then many and they get neglected. We both know that will only bite you later on. 328 is great one to live with. It may not have all the charm as the 308, but it makes up for it in many ways!

[@GTC4cam]

Ah, getting into the 328: right foot in, rotate yourself to face outwards, left hand down on the carpet by the door sill, lower yourself in. Only way to go. And to exit, basically the reverse. You probably need to slide the seat all the way back to do this, which I do every time I exit any of my sporty cars now that I think of it.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Actually I don’t have to adjust the seat. Unless I lost some change LOL! My ridiculous system is only to avoid sitting on the bulk of the outside bolster, which you know takes a beating on our cars. Seems to work well. 😀

[@NuvoVision]

Love this video, man!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Thanks man!!

[@svenderikbrdsgaard9398]

I have had a 328 GTB for 3 yers now…. And I simply love that design. It is and Old car, yes. And it is not fart by modern standards. But what a driving experience…. The Testarossa is the icon of Ferrari. At fisk of biens slaugthered by Ferrari inthusiasts, I dare to sat…. But in my eyes a little too vulgar

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

I agree with the driving experience of the 328! I think it’s something you need to experience to decide if your impressions are right or not!

[@darrellsimpson6966]

The Testarossa sounds fantastic and looks amazing. Pretty impressive, but not Pretty. I'm a 328 man. Biased of course.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

It’s not pretty like the 328! I agree to that!

[@RootBeerGMT]

I’d imagine the 328 is about 1/4 the running cost.

[@darrellsimpson6966]

@@RootBeerGMT cam belts easily changed and tensioners. TDC easily found. If I can do it, can't be a problem.

[@shaundavenport621]

The Testarossa sounds like a GT car!With the big heavy V12.!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

That’s technically what it is! 😬

[@bigbird540]

Interesting video 👍… take the Ferrari sticker off wings of 328 … kills it 🤷‍♂️

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Kills it?! Lol. Ok!

[@kavinskysmith4094]

Yeah with the gearbox on both the 308 series and the testarossa, and probably that 550 your having issue with, it turns out alot of the issues with these older ferrari's have is the oils, you need the right oils and for the linkage to be set up so its right, and alot of them are way too thin, its something Donnie Calloway, the guy who was on Jay leno's garage with his white 308 and actually owns a TR too found and showed off to Matt Farah when he was rebuilding his 328 series Ferrari, so contact him and see if that could help with that too, as I ran into a testarossa owner with a 88' TR and he had none of those issues that people claim with them, probably thanks to that and someone who knows what their doing both with the car inside and out, which is part of the fun, not all people can drive a ferrari right

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Thanks for the note! Oil temperature is key, but you can’t play that much with the type of oil you use in these cars. The TR is inherently, going to be harder to shift vs the 328. I’ve driven friends Testarossa’s and 328’s and they’re all the same. There is a more complex linkage on the TR / 550 and you simply can’t dumb it down that much. I love the work it takes to drive them, but the 328 is a gem. It’s so easy.

[@kavinskysmith4094]

@@jasonjcr_cars819 ah fair enough, hell maybe the car that really needs to be looked at by a professional is the 550 Maranello, as their getting old enough that people cheap out on maintenance given the price of entry so maybe someone mended something on the cheap like a clutch master slave cylinder, and its leaking as i've always heard people complain about the testarossa and the other cars, with the effort needed for the double clutch that they switched to in late 86, early 87 with the testarossa, that they then compensated with via a new ball bearing clutch on the revision after it, which can actually be put on an original apparently, as theirs one on here that claims to be driving on it, but not the Maranello

[@The_BM]

Hello Jason, great video, thanks for that! Your personal opinion as I am considering both options: 328 GTS/GTB or Testarossa, if you would have to decide today? Also regarding gaining long term value. Thanks again for the great video!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@The_BM thanks for the comments! Honestly, if I had to decide today, I’d take the 328. I’ve had two breakdowns this summer with the Testarossa. The 328 is so easy to live with and it pushes the right buttons! That’s with my rationale brain! lol

[@The_BM]

@@jasonjcr_cars819 Hello Jason, thanks a lot for your honest feedback based on your experience. Much appreciated! So let's see what I will do as I fear that I would always be afraid of driving the Testa as something might break. And I wuld expect that this would hopefully be different with the 328 - or at least cheaper to maintain and repair, I guess. Mmh...

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@The_BM it’s a lot safer bet if I’m honest. For a first Ferrari experience, it’s the logical way to go!

[@TheSwanlake2009]

Because of Miami vice I'm getting the Testarossa

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

You should follow your heart and buy what you truly want / makes you happy! My only advice is, do your homework and really check the car over very thoroughly to make sure it’s a good example. It will bring you a lot of amazing experiences, but if you get a bad example and can cause you alot of unnecessary stress too.

[@BluebirdAero]

Nice review. I am seeking to buy a white or blue Testerossa. Where do you live? It is absolutely beautiful.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Thanks a lot. Either colour would be great! I’m in Salzburgland Austria!

[@Paul-fq9pj]

Good video did you look at a Euro 308 Quattrovalvole or a earlier 308 Carb model ?

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

To be honest, I didn’t, because I wanted all the updates that the first 328 had, but without power steering and ABS not that I don’t appreciate that model(a)

[@darrellsimpson6966]

​@jasonjcr_cars819 no 328s have power steering. 88.5. and 89 have abs.

[@cestusfr]

I have a question for you. If you could get another Ferrari, which one would it be?

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Hmmm. I’d keep a classic, the Testarossa and I’d probably get a newer- ish one. 458 or a Scuderia

[@raymondchan9077]

My opinion is the look of a classic car is most important! 328 is wonderful but Testarosso is wonderful and unique! In comparison 550 is completely out. I will compromise for the agility of Testarosso. Any mid-engine car after year 2000 is better than 328 in terms of agility! The only point for 328 is the price now !

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

It is a safe bet that any sports car in the 2000’s and on will beat either car in terms of handling, but that’s not the point either. What is your point on the price of the 328?

[@raymondchan9077]

@@jasonjcr_cars819 in UK 328 is half price of Testarossa ! My 09 Cayman is also a mid-engine car plus the specification performance is similar to Testarossa by acceleration and top speed. A short wheelbase narrow car basically is more agile than Testarossa plus electronic engine control for better and safer curves performance! If I have the money for both 328 & Testarossa, I will choose Testarossa ! My point is not to choose a classic by handling but other parameters !

[@NuvoVision]

Have you driven a Mondial? How does it comparen to the 328?

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

I have! It’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing! Very capable car!

[@NuvoVision]

@jasonjcr_cars819 Interesting!! I never liked them until recently and now I'm obsessed for a not daily...but town run a round car. They dipped so low $ there for a while I got super tempted. Almost won a brown one on BAT but got edged out🙉. Anyway...thanks for the info. Keep the content coming!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@NuvoVision they are a pretty simple car to maintain. No electronics! I will do what I can to get you ready to buy one! 😬

[@NuvoVision]

@jasonjcr_cars819 thanks bud!

[@st939]

Both the Testa and the 328 have power assisted brakes and 1200Kg (actually closer to 1300) makes NOT for a light car.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

You are Correct, by that I mean No ABS, but the 328 at 1270 is almost 450 lighter then the Testarossa, that’s the point..

[@eddie1975utube]

Has there ever been a more beautiful car than a Testarossa?

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Perhaps just the original TR!?! lol

[@aliengoth]

I agree with the cost of maintenance but I have to say if you're going to own something like that you should learn to work on it yourself it's the only way you can truly appreciate the machine.

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@aliengoth why should one have to work on it to appreciate it? Curious your rationale on that. One needs the tools, the lift, time and desire. With family and a very busy career I have zero interest to work on something when I expect it to work and hold its value. Ultimately I have zero interest to buy a car that’s maintained by a hobby mechanic. That’s my position!

[@1979jon]

328 for me

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Good call!

[@aliengoth]

With the window switches try some contact cleaner

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@aliengoth did the many times! So I finally bought brand news ones!

[@Crew2motorboy]

My nonno has 328 gts

[@e.prasadhana9630]

😭 these beasts are beautiful I wish to dream it - only in my dream

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Old but beautiful. Still…😊

[@gunnsmoke357]

Love your toyz

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@gunnsmoke357 thanks! 😊

[@Eleven2Eleven22]

You're handsome! 🙂

[@ingocernohorsky]

Testarossa not Testarosa ...

[@alecjones7299]

More money than I probably will ever have 💩

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

@@alecjones7299 classics aren’t that bad..

[@esser300kumpun]

บรรยายโดยภาพ..ดีกว่าบรรยายโดยบุคคล...

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Very true

[@jayernster7869]

As gorgeous as the cars are, so is the scenery in this informative video. Jason does it the right way; by driving two ‘80’s icons and the 550 Maranello for good measure. Keep it ‘80’s, ladies and gentlemen!

[@jasonjcr_cars819]

Thanks for the comments! Looking at parts of the background video, it almost looked a little fake and green screen like but it was is the real deal! Salzburgland at its best!