ferrari 308 gtb or 1985gts

[Crallscars]

GTB nice car,

the 85 GTS...a great car

What was the question again?

[stevel48]

My 2 fav models. I have an 85 GTS and it is the best looking of the GTS styles IMO. A carbed GTB and also the tops. It's a toss up for me. With the 85 you get some extra rust protection and a few less demons to deal with. Steel carbed gtbs are going to be the next collectible in the 308 series.

[hardtop]

I have owned both plus I had an 85 GTB for a while. The 77 is just plain cooler, more raw. If you have some mechanical ability, that will help. If you just want to get in and drive, the 85 will most likely be easier to live with. I am very partial to GTBs. They are much nicer driving cars.

Dave

[Aurum]

Add my name to the GTB side of the debate. IMHO, the GTB is second only to the hardtop 2X6 dino for "sexiest" Ferrari. And I truly mean "sexiest".

[jsa330]

After owning my '83 GTS, I wouldn't mind trying out a carbed GTB.

IMO, the GTB is the purest design. I don't take the t-top off very often, so lack of the open-top option wouldn't bother me. No problems with the carbs or a "rawer" car here...I got all that down with my '64 Series I 330 2+2 and previous Corvette. The carbed cars undeniably sound the best and a little more go would be nice.

My biggest concerns would be the GTB's sodium-filled valves and letting go of a nice, sorted out, and dead-reliable car.

Conclusion: Get a spare t-top and have it painted to match, do some tweaking for better throttle response. Expensive, but not as much as changing cars.

Decide what you really want before you buy, not after.

[Matto]

Throwing in my vote for the '85 GTS. I do love mine.

[miketuason]

This guy Goliath used to own an 85 GTS, So, unless you're 6"5 or taller, GTB would be difficult.

[Crowndog]

My vote GTS. There is a reason they made more of these.

[Matto]

6'3", 235lb and I am very comfortable in my GTS (stock interior), including extended trips and with the top on. It's just a matter of taking time to find the right adjustment settings for everything. I haven't needed a steering wheel extender. I really like the driving position, as-is. First gear puts the shifter against my leg, but that's fine now that I went from the giant aluminum knob back to the original small knob. To me, a very comfortable car.

[George Vosburgh]

I just went through this. I went with a '77 GTB for all of the positive reasons stated above.

Good Luck!

[butcher]

GTB is so beautiful!

[shashi27]

QV GTB. Why compromise. ;-)

[ztarum]

Nice. That's the route I went.

Everyone tends to push what they own, and I'm no different. I really like my GTB QV, but what I really like is that it's a euro spec car. I would love to try an earlier carb GTB, but for me it's euro or nothing. Unfortunately there weren't may euro carb GTB's floating around when I was looking, nor are there now.

[wazie7262]

Originally Posted by ztarum

Nice. That's the route I went.

Everyone tends to push what they own, and I'm no different. I really like my GTB QV, but what I really like is that it's a euro spec car. I would love to try an earlier carb GTB, but for me it's euro or nothing. Unfortunately there weren't may euro carb GTB's floating around when I was looking, nor are there now.

Don't blame ya there ;-) I've had a dry sump 308 and currently have an early U.S. version that I've somewhat "Euro'd" -- bumpers and such. However, my current car came with QA-1 shocks, thicker roll bars, Wilwood brakes, faster steering rack, and 17" Speedlines, so it's kind of hard to compare the two cars, as the current car is much more dynamic in its handling and braking. I DO remember the dry sump blowing the snot out of a U.S. 328 I also had at the time; it was just a raw, snotty little car. So...as you state...definitely go Euro if you can.