Can't decide

I'm looking for a car and I've read some of the thread on the 308,328 and the 348. Although I like the power of the 348 I have heard that it's a little heavy on the maintenance and that the 328 is more durable bu has less power. and that the 308 is a little underpowered. I want something fun, Reliable and that I wont be working on when I should be driving it.

Any thoughts on whats best

 

'85 308 GTS QV

 

89 328, make sure to get a PPI done on the car. I was also torn between a 328 and 348. My deciding factor was the overall cost of maintenance between the two.

 

'87-'88 328.

Save the markup on the '89, get the upgraded electricals of the 328 over 308; power is halfway between last 308QV and the 348 and it's a lighter car due to the fiberglass bumpers.

If not a 328, I'd go for an early carb'ed 308 but be prepared to spend some quality time with your mechanic. Performance will be close to 328 territory.

Make sure you like the old-school driving position of the 308/328. The 348 has a wider, much more spacious cockpit.

 

An early carb 308 is A LOT of fun--very raw-the way Enzo intended!

Really, you can't go wrong with any of your choices--heck, they're all Ferraris!

Also, hang around here and learn how to dismantle and reassemble the thing after you buy it!


Enjoy,
Greg

 

One of several similar threads recently

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=136355403#post136355403

 

These cars are getting to be pretty old and as a result their conditions tend to vary widely. I would go with the finest example you can find. If you want something reliable, get a Toyota.

 

Hi, roger66.

Will this be your first Ferrari? If so, congratulations -- it's truly a wonderful experience.

Please realize, at least for me, I purchase Ferraris because I am an enthusiast of a particular series -- speed and power are definitely aspects of my purchase; however, it's not the primary reasons -- hell, if all I wanted is speed, I could easily buy a Shelby Cobra, Viper, or Vette -- for me, owning and driving a Ferrari is an experience unlike any car that is out there.

That aside, in answer to your question, the 328 is my favorite Ferrari; and, it will stay in my paddock, while my other Ferraris will come and go; I'm making room in my paddock for a 360, which I hope to get by mid-2007.

If you like, you can visit my website, as I have documented the maintenance history of my 328, and it might give you an insight of the expected cost and service activities of which you might get involved in your prospective 328: http://www.AlfonsoFaustino.com.

I'm working on putting the documentation of my other Ferraris on my website, soon -- it's just a lot of logistical work. ;-)

In short, my recommendation to you when purchasing any Ferrari, is to get the car inspected -- especially, have the engine tested for leaks and compression.

Many Ferrari owners don't drive their cars; hence, erosion of seals and gaskets take place in the engine that is not easily visible, especially to an untrained eye; hence, the results are air and fluid leaks, which will cause damage to the head decks, valves, guides, and all that other stuff -- what does this mean to the end-user? Expensive and labor-intensive activities that hold your car up in the shop, which is no fun for any Ferrari owner.

I use to treat all my Ferraris as garage queens; I recently found out in my major service that I damaged their engines due to infrequent use.

Now, I drive my Ferraris, as God and Enzo intended; and, I drive them like hell, and I drive them as if it's the last time I'm going to see them.

Good luck with your search -- keep me posted and send me pictures.

/s/ Alfonso Faustino

 

YES!! This is the thread I have been waiting for but was afraid to get the "go do a search" reply! Thanks for the great 328 maintenance site ASFJr. Im selling off a couple of my Porsches to I get my first Ferrari.

 

Hi, Bimota.

Which series are you targeting? 308? 328? 348?

Thanks for the compliment; and, I'm glad you found my site useful. I came from the PCA community, as well, in my previous life. Congratulations! Keep me posted with your purchase -- please send me pictures when get your Ferrari -- I am happy for you!

 

I think the sweet spot in 3x8 pricing is for the '83-'85 308i QV cars in consideration of durability, driving fun, etc. Buy the best car u can afford, but do not be cheap. If money becomes an issue, don't be shy about the carb 308's so long as u do not have the smog laws we do out west here. The tweener cars just don't do it for me (injected 2V models). Also, the 328 is really really nice and the ultimate of the model, but collectors have bid these up abit so I do not find value for money there.

I have a 348, but that is a different story and requires a greater up front outlay, though maintenance is not too dissimilar (except for engine out belt replacement).

 

plus 1

 

If its a two seater you want then I would go for a 328 as its the last of its line, fully developed and fairly easy to maintain. If you want practicality as well a Mondi 3.2 would be the way to go...IMO of course! Good luck with your search and I'm sure everyone else says it as well but, get it checked out before you buy!

 

Can’t decide?
Well let me help you. I have a 1981 GTSI that I am very proud of. Yea it may lack the break neck speed of an ENZO and it is not as fast maybe as an earlier 308 Carb car, but guess what, I also own a 2005 Ford F-150 Ranger Pickup truck and a 2006 Toyota Sienna family van. In my life, I have owned a 1980 MGB and a TR-6, and no matter how you shake it, the Ferrari kicks ass over all of them, and that is what counts to me.
The fact is, I OWN A FERRARI!!! And when I am out and around in it, people turn their heads and I always get questions about the car. Even when the car was not running right, and I would give someone a ride, you should have seen the look in their eyes. It’s a Ferrari. So I would suggest that you find one you can afford to purchase that you like, look foreword to working on it and learning all you can about it. I don’t care how fast someone else’s car is, the fact that I am learning how to fix mine when its running poor, getting it running great and the pride of ownership is something you just cannot put a price on. I have always wanted to own a Ferrari and now I do. And nothing can beat that feeling right now.

Jeff

 

I would go with the 89 328GTS. I've heard nothing but positive things from different Ferrari mechanics.

 

go for a 328. i got one last year and i think it is the best driving and most enjoyable of the 4 different ferraris i've had. especially with the top off. it has the best engine sound (stock), great driving position and easy enough shifter. it is a take-anywhere kind of car. and a good looking one at that!

carb 308s are hard to deal with...heavy steering and clutch, kinda smelly, hard to start sometimes. but they have a nice classic feel you won't find with the 328.

no experience with 348s, but they will have the best performance of the trio.

john

 

Forget all the stuff about maintenance, power, etc. It's very simple.

Which one makes your heart skip a beat when you see it? That's the model to buy. Now find a good one.

The 328 looks much like a 308, and has more power. The 348 has more power still but looks completely different. But to me, the 308 is the quintissential Ferrari. The black bumpers, the low stance, it just does it for me. Every time I walk into my garage I am taken aback by how incredibly beautiful this car is and I never fail to linger looking just a moment, even when I have something I need to be doing. It's not logical, it's not financial. The car is pretty, it is like a beautiful woman. Who cares if it is not as powerful as a 348? Buy the one that makes you lust after it. That's the one for you. If you love the look of the 348, that's the one for you. They all cost money to fix, they all will break, they all need maintenance and they all are fun to drive. Buy the one that speaks to your soul.

Birdman

 

I was in the same position about a year and a half ago. Everyone I spoke to said get the 328, without question. I happen to like the 348 as well. It came down to a black 328 with cream, or a metallic black 348 with grey leather. Both were about the same price once I figured in shipping (348 was around the corner). I still went with the 328. When I drove the 348 it didn't seem that much faster to me and I actually had more leg room in the 328. The 348 is definitely much more modern looking but most people have told me that the 328 looks more exotic. I think the 308/328 is one of the most beautiful car designs of all time. The 328 is fast enough that you won't get bored with the speed and is really fun to drive. I would recommend you drive both. I'm sure if I had not driven the 348 I would have had some buyers remorse. Once I drove both I felt much better about picking one over the other. Good luck.

 

one more thing in favor of the 328...it has just the right amount of power for the street...just enough to keep you smiling and let you have fun with car if you want to explore the car's limits. high horsepower cars aren't as much fun on the street. like the 550 i just got...too much power to use so i'm basically at less than half its capabilities almost all the time. the 328 gives the driver the ability to use more of the car, which is fun

john

 

And/or the 308 QV

 

Concur.

 

Good point.

 

I agree with your concurrence.

I've been toying with getting a 550 at some point in addition to the 328, but I'm not sure where you could really wind her out without buying track time.

 

Great advice, in my opinion.... I LOVE my black 308 QV. There is almost no more iconic a car than this... Yes, ain't no Enzo, but if you're quibbling over horsepower, you don't get the point.... My new Audi is faster than my Ferrari. Does it matter one bit, NO. Nothing can replace the mystique of Ferrari, and the 308s in particular are already a classic legend (and actually quite fun to drive).

Whatever Scuderia Ferrari you end up in, good luck and drive happy.

J.

 

True That