| Author |
Message |
J Dirk Carnahan (Dirk989)
New member
Username: Dirk989
Post Number: 42
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 04, 2002 - 11:08 am: | |
Daily driver? Of course. Although daily driver means something different with a 308. I've put about 15,000 per year on my 79 GTS. When I drive it, I drive it everyday and everywhere I want to go. I live in Indiana and don't drive it when the snow and ice are particularly bad.
You will have some downtime though. These cars are 20 years old. Most 20 year old cars will have parts wearing out from time to time. If you aren't comfortable with your own wrenching, find a good mechanic. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you need a Ferrari mechanic. These engines are soooo simple. If you have a service manual (they are poorly written and confusing as hell) then you can figure most things out. A competent mechanic can fix any problem without charging you a penalty for owning an F car.
Sure parking is tough and sometimes they get hot, but for a 'nearly' daily driver, you can't beat it.
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JohnR. (Rivee)
Junior Member
Username: Rivee
Post Number: 119
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 9:40 pm: | |
Kenneth,
He didn't say he was driving only in the city, where parking IS troublesome and yes the turning radius is large. But not everyone lives and works in a city. I drive mine every chance I get and carefully find places to park besides parking in carparks. |
Joel Belser (Driver)
New member
Username: Driver
Post Number: 8
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 9:31 pm: | |
I use my carb 308 quite often...an 80 mile roundtrip commute on Long Island. Have I gotten stuck in horrendous traffic? You bet. Overheat or die? Never. It's not fun on traffic days...but the "clear" days more than make up for them. |
Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Member
Username: 4re_gt4
Post Number: 367
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 6:19 pm: | |
I've heard good things about Mark Spencer at Veloce Speedesign - San Jose, I think.
DIY repairs: Most people on this list do at least some of their own repairs. You almost have to. The REAL adventuresome types like Peter Rychel, Rob Garven, and a few others have damn near disected their cars bolt-by-bolt. I do probably about 1/2 my own work, leaving the rest for a back-alley specialist in Portland.
Daily driver: It should probably be mentioned that although things tend to go wrong with these cars, seldom (if ever) will you be left stranded along side the highway. Most of what happens comes on gradually (e.g. carbs giving out, power windows failing, etc.) and you have ample opportunity to put it on your to-do list for later. On the older cars, the most common fatal failures are ignition coils, clutch cable, throttle cable, fuel pump. Alternators (usually voltage regulator) go bad, but often you can get home. Water pumps are also problematical, but, again, you usually have ample warning. Note that the above list sounds a little scary. It's not that bad, and I'd wager that more than a few of those reading this have not had problems with any of these items. Also, parts prices vary dramatically (you'll get quotes ranging from $300 to $1200 for the same clutch), so check around. Generic replacements exist for most bearings and seals, as well as a lot of electical items. If you are a real miser, you can maintain/repair these cars for very little, using your own labor. |
stephen r chong (Ethans_dad)
Junior Member
Username: Ethans_dad
Post Number: 90
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 3:36 pm: | |
Taek:
You might consider Skelton Ferrari down the street from Patrick's shop too. He was trained by Patrick and went out on his own some years back. I highly recommend either as an alternative to the dealers. My experience is that unless you drive a fairly modern Fcar, the dealers are not too helpful. Pity. I am very impressed with the quality independants in the Bay area offering Fcar service and care.
On using the 308 as a daily driver, every opportunity to drive them is special. BUT Bay area commutes are really bad and the Fcar is going to heat up pretty quick. Do this on a daily basis and I'm not so sure that you'll enjoy the car as much as you should.
Regardless, I highly recommend you take the plunge. In Fcar ownership, I am amazed by the joy it brings to our daily lives.
All the best in your search.
Steve
feel free to email me! |
magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 3369
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 3:26 pm: | |
Not to give you a short answer but it depends how inexperienced, untrained and a novice that you are. I think each person has to evaluate themselves on this question. It will also depend on what model Ferrari you are considering. |
Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 343
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 3:26 pm: | |
Lucky for you that there was not much going on technology wise in the late 70's. Everything is pretty straight forward. Most if not all the work can be done with the proper tools and books. I tend to leave stuff like the clutch and belts to the dealer. I would stay away from Ferrari of S.F. however. Keep the important stuff maintanined and create a "fix later" list for the really big repairs. Leaking cam seals and fluid leaks can usually wait for major service intervals. The key is to not getting obsessed with every click, clack and clunk they make. And they do make a lot. Every car is different and yet similar. They all act different in the same conditions. But get what ever car you are looking at checked out first. But not a Ferrari of S.F.
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Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
New member
Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 2:47 pm: | |
I live in the Bay Area, to answer Matt's question.
I'm sick of having contemporary cars. I've always loved the feeling of driving an older car (although I've never had an opportunity to do this for any long stretch of time), prefer analog switches to digital buttons, etc. etc.
Anyone know of any good mechanics in the area? I've heard of Will Haibel (?spelling?), and Patrick Otis, as two who really know their stuff. Unfortunately I'm too young to know what driving in the '70s was like, although most of the machines I've fallen in love with are from the 50's through 70's.
How much of the maintenance can be done by an untrained, novice grease monkey? Or should I just hand it over to the dealership? I kind of want to "get to know" the car by tooling around in it. I want this purchase to be more of an experience than just a fun toy. If things look good I'm planning on adding some more Ferraris to the garage (after selling some of the late model stuff). |
Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Member
Username: 4re_gt4
Post Number: 362
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 1:45 pm: | |
Really good advice here. I'd echo the thought of parking probs, tho. Difficult to park sometimes, and you tend to worry that some twit will door ding it, or back into it - which just happened to me a couple of weeks ago.
Make sure you have an alternate car, tho. These cars do need a little 'down time' once in a while.
I have been using mine as a 'near' daily driver. |
magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 3366
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 1:16 pm: | |
Kenneth, Very good point. |
KCCK (Kenneth)
New member
Username: Kenneth
Post Number: 9
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 11:18 am: | |
Yeah. But the Ferrari's ghastly turning circle of nearly 40 ft. makes it a nightmare to park in tight spaces. There are carparks into which you simply cannot take the car. |
JohnR. (Rivee)
Junior Member
Username: Rivee
Post Number: 117
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 11:12 am: | |
Jim, I couldn't agree more.
People that put their F-car(s) in cold storage and ocasionally look at them are missing the point in owning one. The pleasure in these cars IS to drive them. |
Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 342
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 10:22 am: | |
I agree Magoo,
It can be cumbersome in the city. Still a hoot though.
M |
Jim Glickenhaus (Napolis)
New member
Username: Napolis
Post Number: 25
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 10:15 am: | |
I've used Ferraris as daily drivers for over 30 years. I put 75,000 miles on my 275 GTB, 85,000 miles on my 308, and 130,000 miles on my TR. I've driven them in the rain sleet and snow, on the potholed streets of NYC, and even strapped a baby seat into one. Look at old pictures of 250 GTO's driving through the snow at the Monte Rally or P4's driving through the rain at Spa. These cars should be driven not locked away and stared at! |
magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 3362
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 9:29 am: | |
I think a carbed. 308 would be a great daily driver. I have a 79 GTS. However I can tell you that I would only want to drive it from point A straight to point B and that would be it. If you were do any city driving or parking and turning it would get tireing pretty quick. But I love the car. |
J. R. Vallandingham (Jrvall)
New member
Username: Jrvall
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 9:07 am: | |
Sure a carburated 308 can be used as a reliable daily driver. I have a friend/customer that drives his 77 B daily and even in the rain.
Forget all the fancy modern baloney magic and have the carbs adjusted on a gas analyzer to factory specs after bringing your ignition system current, ie: rebuilt to insure advance mech's works correctly and new points along with factory type/spec ignition wires. That and normal maitanance and your carb 308 will run like a dream. |
Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 341
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 8:39 am: | |
Get the car inspected first by a Ferrari shop or a if there is a f-chatter local to you, have them look at it. A regular mechanic will not know the "ferrari Specific" areas to look at.
Where in California are you?
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Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Member
Username: Mlemus
Post Number: 340
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 8:34 am: | |
I have a 78 that is my daily driver. I agree Greg about the warm up time. Usually about 5 minutes in the morning. It drives like crap until it is up to temp. I find it a joy to drive at times. Traffic can be a pain if it is for long streches. The only problem that can crop up is the fact your maintenance schedule comes up very quick. I average about 15k a year in miles. I take it to Ferrari in Woodland hills for my service needs. They give loaner cars (p boxters) and get your car out fast. Winter in the car can be rough. the temp in the car is usually very cold or very hot. No in between in the winter. Think back to driving in later 70's. This car is no exception.
my 2 cents. |
Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
Member
Username: Joechristmas
Post Number: 518
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 8:16 am: | |
You can use it as a daily driver. They are reliable. Do you work on your own cars? If you do this will help as many of the problems I have experience on my 78' were elec. problems. If it is still on points I would change it over to electronic ignition. There are many options here, Crane XR700s, Direct Fire, MSD, etc. You won't be able to fire it right up like a Honda and just take off though. It will need sometime to warm up. Check the fuse blocks as they can cause lots of problems. I replaced the original fuses with glass fuses when I replaced the fuse block. If you take into account what you are looking at and looking for it should be fine. They are very reliable but a carb 308 isn't like a modern fuel injected car nor like a FI 308. HTHs. |
Taek-Ho Kwon (Stickanddice)
New member
Username: Stickanddice
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 8:07 am: | |
Alright folks, my first post.
I wanted to know how a 1976 308GTB would be as a daily driver.
I live in California where the weather is nice enough and there is a lot of highway miles.
Any chronic problems I should be aware of? Anything that would make the car unreliable? Is it a car I can trust will start every morning to take me to work/not break down in the highway etc.?
Anyone use these as daily drivers (over 12k miles a year)? |