| Author |
Message |
magoo (Magoo)
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 11:19 pm: | |
Paul, You make an excellent point. Drive a Ferrari for what it is , Not for what it isn't. Magoo |
magoo (Magoo)
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 11:12 pm: | |
Willis, Makes you wonder what they were smoking doesn't it. No joke they probably were. Magoo |
Peter S�derlund/328 GTB -88 (Corsa)
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2001 - 4:04 pm: | |
A lot of talk about slow Ferraris that upsets me. I made this research when I bought my 328. These figures comes from a catalogue of -89 cars, i.e. claimed performance of production cars (no one-off or kit cars) to buy all over the world 1989.
Only 6 other cars were quicker to 100 km/h AND faster, two of them were Ferraris...
Modell.........0-100 km/h.Max km/h BHP Torque Nm
F 40...........4,0........324......479.577
V8 Vantage Zag.4,9........299......438.390
Countach.......5.0........295......456.500
Testarossa.....5,8........290......390.490
928 S4.........5,9........270......320.430
V8 Vantage.....5,4........269......431.390
Ferrari 328....6,0........263......270.304
Considering its a baby Ferrari and that 0-100 is not what the car is designed for it cant be a bad car. Yes, its 15 years since the car was designed and 2001 ghettoracers might be faster to 100 km/h but not faster than a 2001 550 Maranello up to 320 Km/h. Basta. You must compare cars from the same period.
If you make the same comparison for a -80 308 you will probably end up with a similar table.
I have been at 250 km/h 155 mph and the car is steady as a rock. My friend says that he is afraid of touching his steering wheel at that speed in his C4 corvette. That is NOT a good car.
BTW, people still ask me if my 328 is a new car.
Ciao
Peter |
Frederick Thomas (Fred)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 8:23 pm: | |
William,
Another point about the speed of the 308 since it seems to be a hot point. When you have the car out on the highway it is rock solid at high speed. Sometimes I will look down and be suprised to see I am doing 90 or 95mph. If there isn't much traffic to have a point of reference when you are going 90 it feels like you are going 60. I had an MR2 turbo before my 308 and it was fast but did not feel nearly as steady at higher speed. I think this is an important point to consider when buying a sports car. It is not just how fast it goes but how good it feels going fast. |
Willis Huang (Willis360)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 10:42 am: | |
Bill, I've had similar experiences too. The Vette, Viper, and Porsche guys and girls are generally pretty cool and we would just wave to each other. People in vans, SUVs, and hopped-up trucks are just rude.
I was driving back from the F1 Race party on Sunday and got into heavy afternoon freeway traffic. A van full of kids in the left side carpool lane kept swerving into my lane about 2 car lengths ahead as the rubber-necking driver paid more attention to my car than the slowing traffic ahead. As I slowed down for the traffic and staying well away from the van, a yahoo in a huge black truck pulls right up to my rear bumper. He peeled off to the right and attempted to cut in front of me. I backed away even more as I see that the truck and the swerving van seem to be on a collision course to each other and the traffic ahead of me. At the very last second, the truck driver got smart and got back into the right-hand lane and avoided a disaster.
It's a bit off topic but I just had to share this story. |
Kenneth Brealey (Krbrealey)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 10:25 am: | |
William,
I have a 82' GTSi, and no it's not very quick "off the line". I didn't buy it to be a traffic light drag racer though. It does seem to attract the attention of every "boy racer" in town that seems to feel the need to prove that his Toyota/Honda/Pick-up or SUV can pass a Ferrari. There are an awful lot of newer cars out there will out perform a 308 "short term", but would probably melt down long before the 308 even starts to work up a sweat. The 308 is a great car, don't worry about being slow. I guess if I had my choice I probably would have bought a QV, but that wasn't in my budget (still isn't), but I don't regret buying the "slow Ferrari" at all.
Good Luck.. Buy it.. Drive it.. Enjoy it! |
Bill Shumaker (Gabriel)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 9:39 am: | |
The strangest thing about my limited experience with my TR is the type of cars/drivers that try to race me. Not vettes or 5.0s, but cars like a HONDA, or SUVs. I had an SUV that literally cut me off from the right lane *another coat of paint on that POS & he would have hit me* - he had been trying to pass me from behind & right DURING a left hand turn. I guess I just backed off after hitting 65 in a 30 mile zone - but this guy just annoyed the h3ll out of me. It's getting so I'm afraid to take it out at all .... |
paul s (Pes236)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 7:23 am: | |
you need to make a decision on if you want a drag car or a ferrari - you have 30K - thats a 308 or a 3 yr old corvette - the corvette will beat the 5.0 mustang - but the ferrari will get the guy in the mustangs girlfriend out of his car and into your car - i have a 98 355 spider - do you know how many cars there are out there that cost 2/3 of what my car did that can kick its a** in a race. A 355 is fast but there are others faster. My opinion - get a nice ferrari that you can afford. Let the other guy get a ticket for racing - he only wants to race cause he's jelous. |
William F. Newland (Wmnewland)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 4:18 am: | |
You guys are great and I really value all the advice. Yes if I could afford a 355 I would get one, especially with the F-1 transmission. My plan is to get my Ferrari feet wet with a 308 and if I am as addicted as I imagine I will be, in a couple of years I will then start shopping for some 12 cyl. version to add to the collection.
I am interested about he after market add ons to increase performance but I think I'll wait and see what the car is like for a year before I mess with Enzo's work. I do like the timing belt retofit mentioned by someone so you can drive more miles before doing that expensive service. I plan to drive my care and new belts every 30K miles seems silly if you can get aroung it with good engineering.
Thanks again for all the good words. They are apprecited. |
'75 308 GT4 (Peter)
| | Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2001 - 3:31 am: | |
How many opportunities will you get to stretch out at 130mph+ ?
Top speed is a moot point on this continent. |
billy zissis (89tr)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 6:48 pm: | |
I've owned both a 1980 308 gtsi and a Lotus Esprit. The lotus is quick and flashy but it is still a lotus and like Rodney Dangerfield gets no respect. A Ferrari 308 compared to lotus looks more feminine and earthly like compared to the lotus which looks as if it flew in from mars. The 308 is not as slow as everyone makes it to be if you do a couple of simple modifications this car hauls ass. Put an aftermarket cat free exhaust, K&N filter, put Bosch platinum +4 spark plugs and this car flies. I never tried the crane ignition but I am sure that makes a huge difference as well. You will be surprised how quick she really is. |
Frederick Thomas (Fred)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 6:12 pm: | |
I can't speak for William but I am sure that if he is like me if he had the money for a 355 he would not hesitate to buy one. But since he is looking to spend around 30k I would say the 308 is a great place to start. You will love it William. I have heard bad stories of reliability about lotus. My mechanic calls them glorified kit cars. Yes I know a Ferrari does not have a great rep for being reliable but he said the Ferrari was a much better built car when compared to a lotus. |
308i80 (Lamont)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 3:00 pm: | |
The 308 WAS fast for it's time 20+ years ago! It does it best a top end. The light to light racing or quart mile, isn't its bag. |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 2:08 pm: | |
Ferraris are fast, but not fast for the price.
I look at it like I'm buying a Ferrari and it happens to be fairly fast. |
1988 TR (Henryk)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 1:31 pm: | |
Aren't some "four" cylinder cars out there at about 205 HP with much less weight, then a 308?
Remember when 308's had, and still have, a reputation of burning out cluthes? The clutches weren't bad; it was the driver who had to hike the revs and drop the clutch in order for the car to get off the line faster, then it's usually slow self. The car is adequate at high speeds, and on winding roads, but where can you drive it 80-100 MPH for long? You will be diassapointed in the city. Those who burn out clutches should have bought a faster Ferrari!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you want an all around fast Ferrari, save up for a 355. In the mean time try out a '95 Lotus S4S......will beat and outhandle any 308/328. "It corners like it's on rails". (2.2 liter 4 banger with 300 HP)
Don't get me wrong; I think Ferraris are the GREATEST, but don't be mislead by by the thought that they are all fast. I am on my 7th Ferrari, and have had a Lotus S4S. After having the TR for the past 3 years, I am now thinking of my next Ferrari. |
Frederick Thomas (Fred)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 8:41 am: | |
I have to agree with Peter. No way is a 6 cylinder mustang going to beat a 308i. A 5.0 O.K but a 6 clyinder?!! |
Peter Boray (Gts308qv)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 7:24 am: | |
For not too much money, you can get a 308i to get up and boogey. If a mustang 6 is beating it, then there is something wrong with the Ferrari or the driver. The 308i is a great car and as our Fred indicated, it is a Ferrari and you can have as much fun in it as any other Ferrari. Just have to have the right attitude. What would you rather cruise in ? A worked 5.0 Mustang that can beat anything at the traffic lights or a classic Ferrari. |
Frederick Thomas (Fred)
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2001 - 12:11 am: | |
Willam,
I believe the car was originally priced at 29,900. He said he would take 28,500 for the car. I had the car inspected and my mechanic told me it would need around $1000 worth of work. I asked him if he would have the work done and he wouldn't go for it. The car was a GTB and I was really wanting a GTS so that also played into it. I planned on waiting and seeing if he would deal later but then I found the car I ended up buying. |
308i80 (Lamont)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 10:31 pm: | |
William, check 0ut http://www.ferrari308.com
it will answer somemore of your question. |
William F. Newland (Wmnewland)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 6:07 pm: | |
Fred,
If you don't mind me asking, how much did you not pay for the 308 GTSi that you ultimately passed on?
I really want to thank everyone for the imput, it's very helpful; keep it coming. |
1988 TR (Henryk)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 5:58 pm: | |
William,
My first Ferrari was a 1980 GTSi (US model). It was exciting to own, being my very first. However, they are NOT very fast off the line....in fact, disappointently very SLOW!!!!!!!!
Any 6-cylinder Mustang will beat it from a stop light. The acceleration picks up with speed. Enjoy it in the country where it is fun on the winding roads, but don't even try to drag race anything. The only problem was that every young kid in a Mustang, etc. wanted to drag. I believe it had only 205 HP. I would recommend a 328, since a QV is not much better, with only 230 HP. |
Frederick Thomas (Fred)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 5:53 pm: | |
I have an 83 qv that I have had for a year and love it. That being said I test drove an 81 and an 82 308. The 81 was in rough shape so I passed on it. The 82 was in great shape and I really thought it was going to be the car I would get but we did not meet on price. To answer your question on speed. Yes they are the slowest of the 308s, BUT when I drove the 82 2v car on the highway I loved it. It pulled right past 100 mph no problem and sounded great doing it. How much more do you really need. When ever I go over 100 it is just for a few seconds so if you like the car and it checks out good go for it. There is nothing like owning a Ferrair. In fact I am going for a drive in a few minits. Goodluck and let us know what you go with. |
Sam NYCFERRARIS (Sam)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 4:27 pm: | |
The 2 - valve injected cars 1980 and 1981 are sold at a discount for their poorer performance tothe 4-valve (QV) cars. However the off-the-line R&T 0-60 acceleration times for the two cars is very slight. FOrget about the 0-60 times anyway you are not buying a drag racer. the 2valve cars are perfect value for your needs, ask Herb and others, they handle well and have plenty of pep, yes the QV cars are a little more refined and have much more torque for low and mid end acceleration but you will have plenty of fun in this ride for under $30k. much much more impt. is the condition of the car and it engine and suspension -- that will impact your performance more than anything. It is still a used car - be careful out there |
David Harris (Dakharris)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 3:39 pm: | |
William: My advice is to make a budget and don't test drive anything outside of the budget. You won't want to come back down after driving a more expensive car. If you shop around, you should be able to find a nice, complete, clean, "ready to go" GTSi or even a QV for under $30K. There was a an award-winning 308GTB at the Concorso Italiano that the owner was asking $31K for. I have a 10y.o. BMW as my daily driver that I think is a great car. But it isn't as fast or as fun as the Ferrari. Rule of thumb: Don't buy any Ferrari that doesn't give you a bigger thrill than the BMW. |
William F. Newland (Wmnewland)
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 21, 2001 - 2:59 pm: | |
Anybody care to comment on just how slow the early injected 308 GTSi is? Is the issue lack of acceleration, or top speed, or both? I have found several on the market listed for what seems to me a reasonable price ($27k to $29K). As I don't plan on racing but instead to do nice comfortable drives on winding country roads, will I really notice the lack of performance? It should still handle like a Ferrari, right? Are there any other considerations to take into account on these models of 308's?
What price (high $$ & low $$) would a real good Ferarri expert expect to pay for a 1981 308 GTSi in good shape, with records, tools, etc, and about 50K miles? Just a guide for the novice please.
I have no previous Ferrari experience to compare with, so while I am testing a 1981 308 GTSi tomorrow, I have no point of reference for performance other then my 1990 535 BMW, which is actually pretty cool car, from my very limited high performance car experience.
Thanks for the help and thoughts. |
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