One of the more satisfying details when reviewing a vintage sports car is to see that it actually racked up some mileage. Too often, collector cars – especially the European sort – are left as static display pieces to be preserved as low-mileage keepsakes, or they are used to a point that they break and never repaired. So, to find a desirable Ferrari 400i with close to 100,000 miles on the clock and appearing to still be in excellent condition is truly refreshing. This 2+2 V12 Ferrari appears to have been loved throughout its life and is listed here on eBay for $55,000 or best offer.
The seller doesn’t shy away from the fact, either, that he’s racked up some miles, which he credits to the Ferrari’s reliability. I often wonder if some cars don’t deserve reputations for being maintenance hogs when so few drivers have ever actually used them regularly enough to prove otherwise. There’s a popular school of thought that leaving cars unattended for months or years at a time to keep the miles low actually does more harm than good, and creates the illusion that it’s unreliable when it needs thousands of dollars in maintenance stemming from lack of use. This 400i would certainly be a logical suspect for such an accusation, but the seller claims just the opposite.
The seller is the type of individual I’d want to buy a potentially high-needs car from, as he uses it regularly for road rallies and even commuting! He points out that regular driving allows you to identify the flaws and weak points in the car’s drivetrain and chassis, which then enables you to fix them rather than driving a car with 20,000 miles and wondering what will break next. The interior has been kept up despite seeing plenty of seat time, with the seller noting he replaced the dash with one in better condition and has converted the air conditioning from R12 to ensure it is comfortable to use in the warmer months.
The V12 is paired to a reliable TH400 automatic transmission and makes a healthy 315 horsepower. The seller reports that he has solved many of the car’s known electrical faults and that regular maintenance and checks have helped make the Ferrari a reliable dance partner for both work and pleasure. The nuisance TRX wheels and tires have been ditched for conventional sizes with an attractive set of replica wheels, and some of the major recent maintenance includes a new timing chain and tensioner; rebuilt water pump; rebuilt distributor; new fuel injectors, and much more. This 400i looks like the one to buy if you’ve been hunting for a four-seat Ferrari, and aren’t scared of a few miles on the clock.
The most reliable Ferrari is the car that gets driven on a regular basis. One of the Alfa Romeo customers had a 400 he used to bring to me for service. He had no issues with his car and as a former F1 driver he drove his cars the way Enzo would have wanted it. The 400 is a working dog happiest when given a job to do. I say bravo to the owner who used this car.
@alphasud So beautifully put – Agree with you completely, but I unfortunately don’t live what I preach as to getting my cars out as much as I’d like. But as you say, they are meant to be treasured of course, but that certainly includes driving them!
That method of logic may be wonderful in another world, but in real life, no. If I had for sale a 15k mile 400i needing service from sitting, and a 100k mile 400i needing no service, no one would touch the 100k mile car with a ten foot pole.
You’re right. And that logic is what makes the used car market backwards. Every used car I’ve sold, the potential buyer usually asked, “How many miles does it have on it?” People think that a car with over 150,000 miles is past its usefulness. I don’t agree with that logic.
A 30-year-old car with that amount of mileage breaks down to 5,000 miles a year. A lot less than your average “daily driver”. And it it’s been well maintained even better.
Nice car but I believe V12 Ferrari + 100k miles @ $55k= financial suicide
I applaud the seller for using his car as intended but sounds like he is knowledgeable and knows this car will require lots of $ soon ? Maybe why he is letting it go? Maybe not but but I am not in the Ferrari market anyway
Run do not walk!!! Any auto with that kind of mileage on it is needing or will be. The asking price is way too high ….greedy seller!
Ferrari’s cost about the same to keep whether you drive them or park them. I had a 308GT4 with 140k or so when I sold it and it ran just fine. I think his price is a little high and I find the 400 to be a bit boring, but everything with the dancing donkey on it keeps going up.
High Mileage Driver Ferrari. If that doesn’t just bring a smile to your face.
One of the prettiest automobile designs of all time at a middling modern-day SUV price. Some lucky somebody’s gonna drive away feeling satisfyingly Miami Vicey. I’d be buying a pair of vintage new old stock pleated white pants and a period Calvin Klein sportcoat for such an occasion.
He’s 50k too high…
The important thing is to know how it was used and how it was maintained. 100,000 miles in nearly 40 years isn’t a lot.
As for the asking price, I have no idea.
Kudos to the seller for using this beautiful machine as it was intended. I’ve always thought that not driving an exotic car to keep up it’s value was like not banging your super model girlfriend to keep her tight for the next guy.
Call a mechanic of the Ferrari ilk and ask how much an oil change on one of these is. Then when you stop laughing, ask how much the 100k service is. You will stop laughing and go buy a old American whateveritis with an inline six and wing vents and leave it at that. Then again, losing all your money can be nostalgic.
It is now $52k or offer, years ago you could get these very cheap. Boring with a automatic.
yep, I love the 400, but a Ferrari has to be a 5speed for me ……
@tomP ….so correct! Understand that until a couple years ago when pricing on the 400 went up slightly, it was and continues to be the lost moniker in the world of Ferraris. A few years ago, you could not give one away at $22-24,000, today , just as bad but with slightly increased value. Top that with his running 100,000 miles……I repeat: Run …do not walk!
I like the car. I think the popularity of them went from obscure to slightly less obscure when Tom Cruise drove one in Rain Man.
Some of you folk are decidedly strange. Did anyone hear of the extremely high mileage P1800? 1,000,000+ miles. Mr Irving, was it? Met him, nice guy. What about the old Vancouver lady with the 1959/60 850 Mini with 500,000+ miles on it? Driven to Mexico, more than once. Both of these cars were regularly maintained, and were serviced properly when needed. Anyone who pays $1000 for an oil change needs help. I’ve owned cars that were sold on with 200k+ on them, and I was never a bear for servicing on time. Last week, was admonished for putting over 6000 miles on my last DTS oil change,, and I drive it like my old Mini racecar. It still needs an oil change.
Because, 60 years ago, they used to not even primer their bodies-in-white, I will never be a Ferrari buyer, but a number of them have sweet lines, and this is one of them. Methinks the critics are trying to beat the price down. I applaud the seller, as I would bet he doesn’t pay for too much high-priced service work.
“Boring with a automatic” Give me a break! Guess which transmission Jim Hall used in the Chaparall? Hint: it was based on the Corvair AT, or so I’ve read. Too bad you can’t come for a ride with me, in the DTS. I would love to show you “not boring”.
So long for now, my High Horse.
Old car guy
A Ferrari is certainly no Volvo or mini and parts to maintain those brands are at least 1/10 the cost of Ferrari parts fact is any car’s parts wear out and need replacing the cost and availability is the difference I too have had cars well in excess of 250k one a 69 cutlass s convertible that I made 12 cross country trips in and it ran great at 275 k when ( regrettably) sold it but every wheel and axle bearing had been replaced several times as well as and engine and trans rebuild but the cost of parts was cheap and I did the work myself with friends help
My 2005 Ford F150 XL had 400k miles on it, with typical regular maintenance. I only sold it recently because I moved to another state. I could have put another 100k on it with full confidence in its reliability… I’ll bet a Ferrari couldn’t do that.
We’ve had these models in the shop for over 30 years, the best ones are drivers with maintenance records and updates, this car checks all 3 boxes. Mileage is a consideration, if a customer brought this into my shop, we would do a road test, compression/ leak down test, and due to overhaul expense, send oil sample for analysis. If all is acceptable, this a great opportunity for an “Enzo era” V-12 for reasonable cost. Alphasud got it right, you need experience to accurately estimate the value of 400’s, as condition and prices are all over the map.
owner seems a ‘car guy’ so ok w/me.
Like taxis better than cop cars (dont idle as much so no ‘hidden miles’),
commuters better’n in-town mom cars (‘combo’ miles) and his seems like the 1st in each pair. Nothing of note here – plus (or minus) so no attraction for me.
I want the 50s, 60s ferrari. Would not go for this to just get in the brand. May B if had a lill easier. Like the balloon – let it fly over the rest of the country B4 thinkin of shootin it down?