| Author | Message | ||
| Harlan Mott (Hmott3)
New member Username: Hmott3 Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2001 |
I think you should drive them all (gt4 and gts (i/qv/carb) before you even consider buying one. Then if you don't have the money to get the one you want WAIT! I recently had the same choice (although not a Ferrari) and rather than wait I got my second choice. I wish almost every time I get in my car I had waited. As a matter of fact the car I wanted has come down enough even if I didn't save any extra I could have it now and its only been about 6 months. I wish I would have waited, if you don't make sure you get the one you want you could be wishing the same thing yourself. | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
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Tillman, like I said the GT4 was not my first choice either...But it got me in the door. Expect to spend a few thousand off the top to do bushings, shocks, brakes on any Ferrari you buy, but at least you are in the door with the GT4. You will never lose money on a used Ferrari, the value is always there, and you have fun...you can't put a value on the fun you will have in any Ferrari. If it were me (which it was a month ago) bite the bullet and buy the GT4. MAKE SURE YOU TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC WHO KNOWS FERRARIS BEFORE YOU BUY THE CAR!!! Don't take the sellers word on anything, get it checked out. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
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The Mondial Cabriolet is a great car. I have a 348 Spider and sometimes wish I would have opted for the Mondial Cab. so I could haul my kids to soccer practice in it. | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
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Hi everyone. The 2+2 is not a requirement, and a roof is _definitely_ not a requirement. The reason that I'm looking at (the concept of) a GT4 is the fact that one recently showed up here in the area at an extremely affordable price. My first preference, and my wife's preference, is a GTS(x), but if we decide to go with the GT4 we can pick it up now, as opposed to saving for another year or more. Maintenance costs aren't really an issue, but there's always something that seems to slow the accumulation of cash in the Ferrari Fund and perhaps now is the time to break the piggy bank. Of course, good things come to those who wait, and what I'm afraid of is that I'll get the GT4 and then be reminded that it's not what I really want every time I drive it. That's why I was asking whether GT4 owners here enjoyed their cars, and whether they would really prefer to drive a GTB/S. A Mondial is really not interesting to me at all, unless someone knows of an relatively inexpensive convertible in the Dallas area. In any case, thanks again for everyone's input. Buying one's first Ferrari is a bit terrifying (at least for me) and I appreciate the time and effort your answers represent. Hopefully by Tuesday I'll have made some type of decision, and will then start bugging the seller  T | ||
| 89MondialCab (Jmg)
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The list of 2+2s is short...without a roof even shorter. I like both the GT4 and Mondials (prefer the T obviously) - is a roof a requirement? The T is a great daily driver... | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
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If you are going to buy a Mondial go for a T. But then for that price you might as well get a 348. | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
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If they got rid of the big cheese grater on the quarter panel, they wouldnt be so ugly. Just my opinion. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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16" Speedlines (Pentastar) were avaliable as an option on later GT4's (after '79). Jim, no one mentioned the Mondial because it sounds like Tillman is set on the GT4. A Mondial QV would definitely be better than a 308 GTSi. I have been away these past few days entertaining my Aunt and Uncle. One of the benefits of owning a 2+2 Ferrari, I gave them both a ride, my Aunt squeezed into the back seat and my Uncle up front. They had a blast! | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
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I'm surprised nobody has brought up the possibility of a Mondial. It should be priced between a GT4 and GTS/B with the performance of the later models. I've seen them less than $20k. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
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I think a lighter GT4 will b a bit faster than a GTSi which is the 308 with the worst power/weight ratio. As far as 308s u r better off with an early carbed car or a QV | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
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Here's one I snaped off tonight.  | ||
| Skip VanDenBerg (Skipgt4)
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The yellow gt/4 is a '75 and it belongs to a guy in singapore. He said he had a Tubi put on a few months back. | ||
| Harlan Mott (Hmott3)
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Looking at the 3 pictures posted by Tillman, there is something very different about the second car. Is it maybe a Euro? It also looks much more like the Yellow posted below. It doesn't have side markers (or they are really small). It does have a slight forward rake, and the front and rear bumpers are less pronounced. There also seems to be some difference between the rear view mirrors on all of them. I must admit the more I look at that yellow car the more I like it. | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
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I'm a "stock" wheel guy too (especially with 16" 5-star reproductions now available at the same or less cost than aftermarket wheels). My 308GT4 wheel preferences are: 1. 16" 5-star (QV or reproduction) 2. (tie) 14" 5-star or 14" sunburst 4. Anything aftermarket On a side note, while the "boxer" paint scheme is not unattractive, I also prefer the 308GT4 coachwork in a single color (and with just a hint of forward chassis rake). | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
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I guess I'm an old timer but for a Ferrari's appearance, I would stay with the stock wheels. That's the way God and Enzo intended the car to look. Performance modifications are different because they only bring the car back to where God and Enzo intended prior to government interference. | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
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Definately upgrade to the 308 style rim in 16" I believe there are aftermarket ones. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
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Hm, my 208 is a Euro, obviously but when I took that bumper off the car I almost broke my arm. That thing was heavy as sh"t. They had welded extra steel into the bumpers, also into the doors. My advise> If you can afford the Gt4 now and like the car when driving it, buy it but keep your eyes on the 308GTB/S for the future. How much more could the GT4 depreciate? At the end of the day it is still a Ferrari, so nothing to lose. Worst case keep the GT$ when you are ready and add a 308GTB/S to it | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
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Thanks everyone for their input so far. I think that I'll have to see a GT4 in person to decide whether I want to drive one. One thing I have noticed is that the wheels seem to have much more of an impact on the look than with a GTB/S. The wheels of the early GT4 look, IMHO, bad with the car. Is this also one of those "it looks better in real life" elements? From the pictures I've seen, it looks like aftermarket or later wheels are almost necessary to liven up the car's looks. Does anyone else feel this way? As a followup, are the aftermarket wheels hard to find for the GT4? As an example, I've attached a few pics from various sites. Look at the difference in the look of what should be identical cars:    Thanks again for your help. | ||
| Rolly Astrom (Swede)
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Tillman Click on my name to bring my profile up and see my favourite view of my car. Lovely from the top front angle. Rolly | ||
| Rolly Astrom (Swede)
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Tillman Ahhh.....the 308 GT4 conundrum continues. Undoubted performance value, but not universally loved looks. I agree with others who have posted here that the car is much, much better when seen in person than in photos. Having spent most of my adult life lusting for a Ferrari (any model), I noticed that the few times I did see a GT4 on the road, it appealed to me more than I expected. When the opportunity arose to purchase an extremely fine example, one drive with the performance, great visibility and added space behind the seats sold me. A great bargain! I have had the car just about a year now and everyone who has had a chance to ride in or drive it has been impressed. It makes the right sounds, has the right smells (connolly leather), performs as a Ferrari is expected to, and turns lots of heads. Luckily, mine was converted to Euro bumpers, which lightens the car both visually and in lbs. If you can find a Euro model....do it. I'll try to attach a few pics (first try, if it doeesn't work, email me and I'll send them to you) Here goes:.....awwww nuts! Don't have time right now but I'll try again on the weekend. | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
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There is still the small issue of the timeless lines of a GTB/S compared to the GT4 and its instantly recognizable shape. I like them both but the GTB will always be easier to sell and command higher prices because its nicer looking to the majority of Ferrari and non-Ferrari enthusiasts. | ||
| Gerrit Visser (Gerritv)
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Hi, I was originally looking for a GTS. But once I saw a GT4 in person, I changed my mind. It generally does not fare well in photographs. And the interior space factor is not to be ignored. It is great to drive and kids/adults still recognize it as a Ferrari. All in all a great choice that I will enjoy for years. To top it all of, the car is easy to work on. No polution crud, nothing much to change from original except to replace the points with Crane units. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
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They might look weird in pictures but they look great in person. | ||
| Timothy J. Dressel (Tjd)
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The acquisition of my gt4 was in response to opportunity and, as I may have mentioned before, to an interest in learning the engineering that goes into such a car. I wasn�t very impressed with the body aesthetics, and neither were many of the critics when the car was introduced. It has been referred to a the �ugly duckling.� (I think bertone should have slightly rounded the rear roof corners.) But like the proverbial ugly ducking, it�s gained respect with time. And I�ve been much encouraged by the enthusiastic support for the car�s styling the other FC members. --tjd | ||
| C. Smith (Italianauto)
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The styling of the 308GT4 has aged very well....imo the car is beautiful and looks more exotic than it did 25 years ago. Also, they are a treat to drive...visability is great. I have 2 1981 308GTSI's and would consider trading my black/red car for a very clean GT4. | ||
| Nika (Racernika)
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That is a pretty car- clean lines........I wouldn't kick it out of MY driveway - that's for sure | ||
| Don Hewey (1975gt4don)
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As for myself, I bought one in 1982 for a little over 23K, with 28K miles on the Odo. 2nd owner and I have enjoyed the car non-stop. The extra ponies that I have without having cats(75 only year without cats in California---255bhp vs 205bhp with cats)that the newer F cars cannot match was the #1 selling point with me. 4 seats and in my opinion, better styling than the gtb/s series. The car is also easier to work on without having to deal with FI induction systems. Also, being a 75, this car will be smog exempt in California sooner (23 more months to be exact) than the later models. Air pumps and cannisters will be in the trash can in that time. Easier access to engine without all of that garbage in my way. | ||
| Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
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Jeez, I really like how that yellow GT4 looks. NIKA, have you seen that picture?? | ||
| Mark C. Gordon (Markg)
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My original intent was to get a GT/4, I actually like the style, and they are reported to handle better, have more interior room and are quicker than a GTSi ( I have an '82). If I decide to stay in the exotic car market when I sell mine I will get a GT/4 and invest the rest of the price difference in my 401K. | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
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The GT4 would be quicker than the 2 valve gtsi, if that matters to you. If not GT4 then carbed gtb/s or QV for the performance. I like the look of the GT4 and would like one as a ferrari I can go out in with my wife and daughter. I cant do that with my GTB. If money permits, I would add a GT4 to the GTB and probably use it more. | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
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I wish!!!!!! No I found that car on the internet at this site http://sanghoyoon.com/FERRARI.HTML It has some sweet pictures of the GT4. It is what I aspire to! | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
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Jay, is that a picture of your car when it was running? | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
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I bought the GT4 stricktly to get in the door of Ferrari ownership. They are realatively cheap (compared to other Ferraris). I never liked the styling of Bertone of the 70's, with the exception of the Countach. The GT4 never jumped out at me. However, That has now changed. The more I look at the car the more I'm falling in love with it's looks. They say performance is better than the later GTS/GTB's (From what I've heard). However the price of repair is the same as a 308 GTS/GTB. I haven't driven my car yet (look at thread "Look what is in my garage" and you'll know why) but I'm already having tons of fun with this car! In my opinion, the GT4 has been the black sheep of the Ferrari family for years. This car has nowhere to go but UP in peoples esteem and value.  | ||
| Tillman Strahan (Tillman)
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Greetings. I am currently having to decide whether to pursue a 308GT4 or wait another year (or more) until I can easily afford a GTSi. I've always been neutral towards the GT4 styling (it's Ok, but not _wow_, at least to me). So, my question to you all that own the car is why you chose the GT4, and how do you like it? Do you think you would have enjoyed a GTB or GTS more? Thanks for any opinions. |