| Author |
Message |
James Angle (Jimangle)
New member
Username: Jimangle
Post Number: 18
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 3:59 am: | |
Thanks for the response guys,
My car is an auto, 288 rear diff. I had the trans rebuilt at 107k miles, and had some stuff done so it is more responsive. The engine is strong, even at 133k miles. The guy who rebuilt my trans, told me that mine was the fastet xjs that he has driven. He was impressed. I've also had the powersteering rack replaced, and the beefed-up poly eurathane bushings installed. BIG DIFFERENCE in handling. I bought the car out in AZ, I've owned it for 6 years. I've had the car at 130mph easily, when I first bought it. I haven't gone much past 100 since, but it does it soooo easily. It just wants to go.
It does leak oil, and everything else, but since it holds 10.5 quarts of oil, I don't care. I just drive the crap out of it. I just figure, with the money I've put into it, I could afford a ferrari, and I love the 308. |
Steve (Steve)
Member
Username: Steve
Post Number: 285
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 7:44 pm: | |
James I had a 79 XJS and put 70k miles on it (total 95k) before I converted it to a TPI vette 350. The V12 was/is a low torque motor. Has lots of power in the 2-3k rpm range.I had 3:31 rear but which burned up the fuel. The TPI 350 with the 4sp auto is a great conversion. I would smoke the tires off the line and run at 2000rpm doing 70mph.I now have a 77 308GTB pre-cats and I think it might hurt the jag. I love both cars but they each have their plus'. |
Omar (Auraraptor)
Junior Member
Username: Auraraptor
Post Number: 249
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 2:42 am: | |
PRO (in favor of ferrari):
...cuz if still have an auto...even a 308GTS/Bi (the SLOWEST 308) can prob put the hurt on your car in nearly every performance category. A 412i would be the same. The 308 you are looking at seems to be in the fiberglass range, aka pre-many emmission controlers of the early 80s and with a lighter body, making it one of the fastest(after QV I believe) and rarest 308s $ can buy.
I am not beating on the jag because this is a ferrari site, its that the Jag is a bulvard(sp?) crusier..and barely quaifies as a GT car and thats only because it maintains reletively high speeds well...its hella slow with the 3 speed auto.
That said, if I had more garage space and the other cars I want, I would definately get a XJS.
CON (anti-ferrari)
If you are looking at 308s, parts costs are not that bad (compared to other f-cars) but I would think slightly more than the jags.
If its the 400/412i, I hear parts are very expensive.
Also, since you have a few posts, you probably know ferrari maintance scedules...and that the 30k is very pricey, and prob more so on the 400 than the 308
BTW as far as ride goes, remember, one is a sports car with sport suspesion, the other a crusier. For long trips, give me the jag!
In terms of reliablity, I cannot comment, but from what I hear, a well maintained 308 is very reliable...its just many times people sell the car rather than mantain it...and these cars show up most often as the well maintained ones are kept by the owners
However if I were you...look into this.
If you have a 5spd convsersion with sport springs/shocks...you have one mean ride to be respected! If I were you, I would look into such a conversion, since the orginal trany is a GM part, the 5/6spd would be/could be too, thus not making it very expensive. All you need then is short gears for 1-4 on the 5spd or 1-5 on the 6 and you car will instantly become quite noticeably faster.
My friend did this back in high shcool. I drove the before/after, and I must say, it was like a new, far faster, car. With the rest of the $ you woulda spent to buy the f-car, invest it and when you get tried of your basicly new sports car, buy a f-car then!
BTW great site(You prob already know of it): http://www.jcna.com/library/tech/tech0010.html
my 2c |
Omar (Auraraptor)
Junior Member
Username: Auraraptor
Post Number: 248
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 2:08 am: | |
is urs an auto or a manual conversion? |
James Angle (Jimangle)
New member
Username: Jimangle
Post Number: 17
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 1:50 am: | |
I was just wondering if anyone here has had the experience of being able to compare the two cars. Which has the better ride/performance, and the least amount of problems? I own an 85 xjs, and I just wonder how the ferrari compares to it, or the jag compares to the ferrari I should say. I'm also on the lookout for nice 77 308, would I be dissapointed in the performance of the 308 compared to a twelve cyl jag?
Thanks,
Jim |
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