First-time Ferrari owner's first impressions

TGF · #1 05-14-2007, 08:51 PM

Friday I took home the '85 308 QV I posted about oreviously and I thought you might be interested in an “after action report.”

I spent a little while getting everything adjusted properly in a parking lot near the shop. On the road, I was immediately thrust into heavy traffic on Routes 95 and 2 (Boston) to get home. Luckily the weather (as the entire weekend) was perfect. I noticed immediately that everyone keeps a respectful distance and stares. I stopped for gas and the car received some admiring comments/questions from an early 20s guy. I drove gingerly, but the car was fine in the traffic and I got home with no problems. I put it in the driveway and just walked around it.

When my wife got home at 8:30, we drove to dinner. She loved the car and was very surprised by how well it ran and felt. It stays warm inside with the top off even when it’s cool out. The lights are terrible and I will replace them. It was hard to leave it in the lot. No one even parked near it, though.

Saturday I got up at 6:00 and detailed the car. With a few errands thrown in it took me until early afternoon. I was pleased to find the paint in very good shape (he had used a red wax, so you never know). Spending time getting to know the details of the car was a lot of fun and it cleaned up great. Some of the defects I thought I saw, such as hazy gauges, turned out to be grime and cleaned right up.

We took a scenic drive up to my folks' in NH and also did some highway driving. In total my wife and I put a few hundred miles on the car over the weekend. Top down motoring on windy back roads in the New England spring was just awesome. There was more admiration at gas stations, and lots of waves, hoots and light flashing. Sunday when we went to get my STI from Worcester, my wife drove the 308 back and I followed. It was great to see the car from outside, as well as funny to see the reactions of other motorists to blond chick in a Ferrari.

The car holds the line and corners extremely solidly, especially considering all the rubber on there. It brakes well and runs well. We had no operating issues except for a slightly sticking throttle that a little carb cleaner took care of. My buddy noticed I have a bolt missing from my seat and I think I need to play with the side mirrors some as they may be reversed or just wrong for the car. The suspension is taught, but comfortable, as are the seats. My wife said they are the most comfortable seats for her of all our cars. Undulating or consistently broken up pavement gets it vibrating and is best avoided, but dips or single events are handled well. Acceleration is modest, especially compared to the STI. It likes to be revved, with more power later, and sounds amazing - especially near the 7700 rpm redline. The transmission works well with a forgiving clutch. The pattern of the shifting (reverse is where first should be) takes some getting used to. I have now slightly ground the gears a couple of times...

Open air motoring in such a visceral car leaves you with a “day at the beach” tiredness after a few hours, but it is a happy tiredness. Driving the STI last night I found the steering touchy and the controls to feel comparatively dead. I also missed the lack of audio feedback to my actions. One can easily see why the Ferrari holds the reputation it does. It is quite an experience.

TGF · #2 05-14-2007, 08:54 PM

A couple of other comments: I am amazed by how many people don't know it's not new and think it is a $100K+ car! It's a little embarassing at times.

In case you missed the pics before; this is pre-detailing: https://home.comcast.net/~tfieldiii/Cars/

**gerritv** · #3 05-14-2007, 08:56 PM

Hi
Congrats, and trust me the grins just keep on coming, even 6 years later :-)

Gerrit
http://dino308gt4.com

**jdubois** · #4 05-14-2007, 09:13 PM

Hey TGF,

Stop it! You're making me jealous of your getting to drive your 308! I was just at Boston Sportscar this afternoon looking at mine for the first time, but didn't get a chance to drive it yet. Darin figured he should have it ready for me by the weekend. I'm not sure I believe him, but I hope so. Anyway, we should go for a drive when mine gets out on the road.

TGF · #5 05-14-2007, 09:25 PM

Thanks Gerrit!

Jeremy - good timing. I just saw you PM belatedly and responded. We should indeed go for a drive. If you don't have yours by this weekend, you are free to take mine for a spin. BSC was a little slow. I suspect they just want to tell you what you what will make you happy, but I honestly prefer the straight up. I did finally get my car and they did well by me.

**Glassman** · #6 05-14-2007, 10:18 PM

Interesting comments. For me the 308 is without question the most uncomfortable car I've ever owned. I get a lower back ache every time I get in it.

TGF · #7 05-14-2007, 10:23 PM

Arrgh, sounds frustrating, Glassman.

**jimshadow** · #8 05-14-2007, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glassman

Interesting comments. For me the 308 is without question the most uncomfortable car I've ever owned. I get a lower back ache every time I get in it.

Maybe its time for an aftermarket seat!
Just a thought...

**oregonferrari** · #9 05-14-2007, 11:10 PM

I bought my first 308 last august and I still get a rush driving it. Everything from the smell of the ferrari leather to the feeling of looking up to a honda accord because it sits so low.Join your local ferrari club and you will meet some of the best people.

**Dr Tommy Cosgrove** · #10 05-14-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGF

. It stays warm inside with the top off even when it’s cool out.

Pretty soon you will be saying that it feels HOT inside nomatter what. 308's have a bad habit of blowing hot air on you from invisible vents all under the dash.

Mr. Nice Guy · #11 05-15-2007, 07:44 AM

Congratulations on a beautiful car! There's nothing in the world like a Ferrari.

manta147 · #12 05-15-2007, 11:33 AM

Congrats TGF! Ater 2 years of ownership,I'm amazed how bullet proof and well built these cars are.After 6,000 trouble free miles,my heart still races every time I get behind the wheel.

**Easyrider7467** · #13 05-15-2007, 12:38 PM

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!

Glad to read that you were out "driving' ... Especially in NH, that must have been great....

TGF · #14 05-15-2007, 08:38 PM

Cool to hear that the thrill stick with you. I did buy it to drive and enjoy it and I plan to do it as often as the weather in New England allows.

**chrismorse** · #15 05-15-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glassman

Interesting comments. For me the 308 is without question the most uncomfortable car I've ever owned. I get a lower back ache every time I get in it.

Glassman,

I have had a lot of minor back problems, but when i get into the 308, I can drive 200 miles in what i feel is comfort, (disregarding the fun for the sake of argument :-)

Without question, it is hard to get into, there is virtually "no" luggage space, but when you are driving the 308, it fits.

If you have back problems, get a good upholsterer, take advice from your chiropractor to get a good, "fitted" seat.

I should take my own advice with my work truck, but I get along.

regards, chris

**Mike C** · #16 05-15-2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGF

I am amazed by how many people don't know it's not new and think it is a $100K+ car!

Yep, I've gotten that from people too...

SonomaRik · #17 05-16-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

Yep, I've gotten that from people too...

I sometimes even get it from Ferrari people who are only familiar with older models....the myth is magical...

**Bullfighter** · #18 05-16-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGF

... The pattern of the shifting (reverse is where first should be) takes some getting used to. I have now slightly ground the gears a couple of times...

Open air motoring in such a visceral car leaves you with a “day at the beach” tiredness after a few hours, but it is a happy tiredness... It is quite an experience.

Congrats and nice post. IIRC, reverse doesn't have a synchro on the 308/328 gearbox. I usually press the clutch, move the lever briefly into first and then into reverse. It won't grind and becomes second nature.

They're definitely great convertibles - the engine sound with the top off is great, and if you get tired of it just put the top on and it's more subdued.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glassman

Interesting comments. For me the 308 is without question the most uncomfortable car I've ever owned. I get a lower back ache every time I get in it.

Wow. I love the seats in my 328. Properly snug and firm. Guess we're all built a bit differently.

TGF · #19 05-16-2007, 07:51 PM

Thanks for the shifting suggestion! Will try and glad you enjoyed the post.

**Rifledriver** · #20 05-16-2007, 08:03 PM

You will soon say other cars have first and reverse in the wrong places. It was felt that 1st would only be used for starting off from a stop and once rolling out on the open road it would not be used again so put them both out of the way of useful gears. When reentering town and slow speed maneuvers were once again needed you can pull the lever all the way over.