These days, it can feel difficult to find the “hidden gem” among collector cars, and certainly among exotics. The ship has sailed on so many models, but there are still some smart buys out there. A Ferrari 400i, on the surface, is not such a car, but one with the elusive manual transmission absolutely is. This 1982 400i is in excellent shape overall, and that alone makes it desirable; however, the presence of a 5-speed manual puts it over the top. Factor in a somewhat rare exterior color and you have a home run. Check out this 400i listed here on eBay with an offer price of $85,500 and the option to submit a best offer.
At the time, a Ferrari like this was not what you’d think of when envisioning a model offered by the Italian sports car manufacturer. The 308 was the poster car of the era, and it really only spoke to one personality type: flashy, loud, and not afraid of standing out in the crowd. What, then, do you do if your idea of an Italian sports car doesn’t jive with this sort of unabashed automotive exuberance? The 400i is your steed of choice, loaded with a proper V12 engine, seating for four, handsome yet understated looks, and plenty of forward thrust. Despite the fact that it weighs over 4,300 pounds, it can still run to 60 in a tick over 7 seconds.
And oh, that interior – how wonderfully Ferrari. The three-spoke steering wheel and BarcaLounger front seats are far more preferable when using a Ferrari for daily transportation than some form-fitting sport bucket. The seller notes he did, in fact, use this 400i as a daily driver for a spell, which sounds absolutely wonderful. And with plenty of room for elbows and hips inside, the 400i is a car that you can actually use on spirited trips across long expanses of interstate. Road test editors at the time noted that the V12 really begins to sing above 5,000 RPMs, so some open road is a must if you plan to own this fast grand tourer.
Like any vintage Ferrari, your upkeep costs will not be cheap. This is the challenge with these lesser-loved models: a Ferrari with a massive following (and significantly massive price tag to buy) will always pay you back, to some extent, when you lean into maintenance and upkeep. A 400i like this requires a similar investment to keep that V12 running at peak performance, but I doubt you’ll see over $100K for this car when it comes time to sell. So, to keep those 310 horses running in the form the factory intended requires a bit of irrational love for the model and its unique qualities, more so than the modern-era Ferraris that are devoid of soul but seemingly only go up in price. If I had to own one, an older, more mature model like this 400i is the one I’d buy.
“…the modern-era Ferraris that are devoid of soul..”
Absolutely right, Jeff-devoid of Enzo’s soul. You knew his street machines were just a way to finance his racers but he had his name on them all and took pride in that.
The driving experience in modern exotics is completely detached compared to real driving machines. Launch control, electronic transmissions, hybrid electric, devoid of soul indeed Jeff.
Never seen one with all-amber lenses in the front corners like this before; usually the lenses towards the middle are clear, or later 412s switched to all-clear lenses including the corner wraparound units.
Wonder if that’s a decision the grey-market prep shop made (and these were all grey-market imports here, never officially imported by Ferrari) or something an owner decided they preferred.
Went looking for other examples like that and only found this one on BaT, likely the very same car given that detail along with the year, colors, and rare 5-speed spec:
https://bringatrailer.com/2013/10/16/1982-ferrari-400i-5-speed/
Looks great, but asking a bit too much.
One of my all time favorites. If only I had $$
Driving experience in modern exotics: Does the twin-turbo 540hp 12 cylinder AWD Bentley Continental GT count? A number of years ago Bentley had a special display connected with Pebble Beach and I drove one of these cars there. Wow! What a rocket in terms of pure visceral acceleration which I took advantage of several times! At the end of my drive the representative asked for my impressions. I surprised him by saying unimpressed, underwhelmed and disappointed. He was genuinely perplexed until I explained that I had an old Cobra roadster at home that burned rubber, fish-tailed all over the road and made all sorts of glorious sounds and noise as it shredded tires!!
Only 540 hp?
A couple of years ago, I drove one toan event and back. Close to home, I had to see if would meet it’s claims. Somewhere past 170 mph, I was sure it would do close to 200. I s t I’ll think it’s an a mazing c a r we with a back seat.
You park at convenience store and people walk past it like it’s a a camera or taurus.
Auto corrected!
A work of art. The V12 is its soul.
What a cool car! I actually saw one of these in the same color a week ago really motoring down the highway. I was not able to keep up in my 4cyl. Ranger to verify what I saw. You just confirmed it. A 4 passenger, cool looking Ferrari with a pleated headliner. What’s not to like? Oh yea,the price!
Tom Cruise drove one of these (a year newer) in Rainman. Couple of cool cars in that movie
Located in: West Hollywood, California
With Montana plates.