Finally ready to buy... help!

Welcome to FChat.

First thing is to take a deep breath and try not to be in a hurry. I don't know many (any?) guys who bought a 25 year old Ferrari and didn't have to put a few grand into it. I would recommend keeping a $10K cushion for a 308/328 for routine stuff and 'oh cr@p what was that noise?' things.

In fact, I'd say your best bet is to get one due for a service, and that passes a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) by a good Ferrari mechanic, with no interest in the transaction, and then spend the $3K-$4K to get a proper, thorough major service done to start your ownership. You can negotiate a bit based on the 'due for service' thing -- I got $2K knocked off the price of my 328, which helped with the service cost -- but ultimately your goal should be to buy a car in great condition, and one with some service history so you know it was maintained properly. Otherwise you'll spend a mint getting it there.

I wouldn't worry about buying a really low-mileage car if it passes a compression/leakdown test as part of the PPI. But the ideal arrangement is to find a garage queen that was in hibernation forever until the previous owner bought it and drove it out. Mine was like that - scary few miles for the first decade, then went to the FCA president in Atlanta who actually drove the car, so the mechanicals were great by the time I got it.

As far as the 1980, I'd try to verify that odometer reading -- it's very easy to disconnect/replace these mechanical odometers. You almost have to 'buy' the integrity of the previous owner, and trust him. If the service history is there, everything works, the car looks well-sorted and has a good PPI result, it could be a good car. It is the slowest of 308s (yeah, yeah, I know -- not by much) and the market doesn't like them as such. But if it makes you happy, and the price is fair...

If you can, I'd say get a 328, just because they have extensive electrical/mechanical upgrades that make them easier to live with. Market demand is brisk for them (unless it's an ugly/oddball color combination), and service costs are the same as the 308. Repair costs will probably be less, although Ferraris can always bite you.

If you can't stretch to a 328, I like the 1984-85 308 QV. There was some attempt at rustproofing starting in '84, the emissions system seems better thought out, and most of the 308 bugs had been worked out. The early carb'ed cars are also neat - no cats, great sound - can be a little tough to get through smog inspections, depending on where you live.

Good luck!

(Oh yeah - and fill out your profile. You might have another 308/328 owner right up the street...)

 

No way that car has just 11,000 miles on it. If you doubt me I can give you 129,519,547,867,452,567,867,811,823,697 examples of broken and disconnect sending units.

 

Wow. So you found a few more since last time...

 

It should be noted that the 79-81 had specific issues with sitting a long time and oil consumption. I believe it works out to be sticking rings, but don't quote me. Some have reported good success with Marvel Mystery oil to loosen the rings. On the other hand, I too seriously doubt the 11,000 mile figure. I probably have the only vintage Ferrari that has true odometer reading, and mine is just under 100,000 for an 83.

As far as the QV vs 2 valve, I wouldn't let that sway me much. I would be much more concerned about the generarl condition of each car in terms of regular maint and history. If the 80 has been siiting a long time, it's due for a major service. negotiate on that if it is the better car. If the QV shows signs of having been well taken care of, and serviced regularly, it could be worth the extra $$$.

 

It took me 6-8 months of DAILY looking at, Ferrariads (above), Cars.com, Autotrader and even Ebay which is known for selling lots of junk Ferraris. So take your time and have an Experienced Ferrari person examine the car. Pay more for a good car up front and save a TON of money wasted on fixing up one that was poorly maintained but cheaper.
In the meantime, learn as much as you can about the 308's, so when the right one comes your way, that you're ready to take good care of it.
308's ARE worth the wait !

 

I think eBay is the worst place to look. You could subscribe to the Ferrari Market Letter, or join the FCA and follow the classifieds there to get a good one from a private seller. Or check FerrariAds (link above on this site). Or check dealers that handle these older cars -- here are a few:

Ron Tonkin (rtgt.com) in Portland listed a very sharp '79 308 GTS in AutoWeek - carbed car, 14K miles, and Tonkin is a reputable Ferrari dealer that wouldn't knowingly sell you a bad car.

Sport Auto in NC gets 308s from time to time. I think MrNiceGuy on FChat bought his there, and I bought my 328 there. Talk with Steve Barney and Darrell Kimrey.

Motorcars Int'l in Springfield, MO, usually stocks 328s, not 308s, but they know where to find them as well.

etc.

 

Don't forget Hemmings. That is where I found mine.

 

If you are not much of a mechanic and on some sort of a budget, I suggest a fuel injected car. The later the better. Its possible to get a driver 328 for $42k and a driver QV for $32k. I have a carbed glass car and they are more finicky than injected cars. Sure, they sound better, are faster, but they are also less driveable than the newer cars. Take your time and get a PPI.

 

So what were your options for a project car; what were you looking for? How good are you at metal fab or carb rebuilding or engine diagnostics or following directions in a shop manual? The more you can do the less costly ownership can be

 

What would be the worst color combo as far as resale value goes? What is the most/least desireable exterior/interior color?

 

My 308 is still for salw, havent really advertised it yet, PM sent

 

It's kind of subjective, but FWIW, and for 328s only, here's my opinion:

Red/tan, black/tan, red/black, black/black are probably the best for resale, in that order (328 interiors in black don't appeal to everyone, maybe because there's no chrome to provide a contrast.) People don't need to see these in person to make a buy decision. Red is certainly the "easy out" color, because it plays to the Magnum image and the stereotype that all Ferraris are red.

In the next tier, there are generally-liked-but-not Ferrari-signature colors like silver, blue, grigio and others. Silver 328s are stunning, and blu sera and blu chiaro are very attractive -- but it takes a secure buyer to veer off the red or black path.

Then there are sometimes-liked colors like white and yellow that look great to some people, bad to others, and give most buyers pause.

Finally there are colors that need the right buyer to come along or they sit for months or years: prugna, marrone, certain greens, gold, etc. There's a rosso metalizzato '87 at Marshall Goldman in Cleveland right now that is in great condition (I have seen it in person), listed at $54,900 that has sat for months. It isn't ugly, but the color could make you look like your job is selling for Mary Kay Cosmetics. A black/black one at Goldman with higher miles was listed several $K more and sold immediately. It was a stunning '87, similar miles. I didn't see that one in person, but it couldn't have been much nicer than the rosso metalizzato car.
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Then spend $15 here to subscribe and post on FerrariAds instead of spamming us.

 

AMEN!

 

Jon - the color of the car at Marshall doesn't look bad at all - is it a bit more jarring in the metal?

Ram - I found Bullfighter's advice most helpful in deciding which car to buy. When I bought my 328, everything worked perfectly and it's given me great pleasure, but in the interim the radiator hose shattered and now I'm dealing with a minor electrical problem that has had the not so minor effect of preventing the car from starting, so you definitely need to be prepared for the unexpected.

 

It does look kind of pink-ish in person. I could see the next owner of that car being female, and then it would probably look incredibly fashionable.

Ugly? No, but you would definitely be the center of conversation at any Ferrari meet.

 

since your in texas If I were you I would check out bigal's car foe sure its a euro and will taken cure of If I was there It would be on my list girst to see, he my even let you take it home, I'm in calif so Its hard to take off from work and do a ppi on the weekend, but ram go searching now, and enjoy the things of life(ferrari)go concorse shows people who own ferrari's love to talk about thier cars and will be very helpful to you , good luck
mike

 

I think just about everyone on Chat would prefer a Euro version to a US version 308. I think they have better looking bumpers, many have the deeper front spoiler, and I think they all make slightly more power. So I don't see any problems with the value of a Euro car.

Aaron