which 308?

Hello, I have finally sold my Dodge Chargers off.

I am now looking for a 308 Ferrari. Which one is the most valuable one?

Which one is the most reliable?

Which one is the hardest to sell and worth the least?

 

Have you read any buyers guides such as the one at the top here ?

Have you read the most desirable 308 thread from a couple of days ago ?

Have you read any other threads here ?

If so I think it unlikely your basic questions would still need answering

 

Most Valuable= Glassfiber dry sump
Most Reliable= 4 valves or QV's
Hardest to sell= 80,81, and 82 FI and/or the one that has issues

 

Based on personal experience, I can only answer the second question.

My '83 GTS QV has always started on the first crank and run smoothly, with no stumbling on acceleration or detonation after shut-down.

Exceptions:

-Two years ago, the battery that came with it lost a cell in very cold weather and had to be replaced. I've had this this happen with other cars in extreme temperatures...it's not a "Ferrari thing".

-A year ago, a timing sensor attached to the drivetrain failed. This caused intermittent backfiring on deceleration. The fix was easy but expensive: about $1,000 for diagnosis and replacement of the dead part.

These failures can be rightly attributed to buying a twenty-five year old used car.

 

I need some info...perhaps a knowledgeable guy like you can answer: Will my 308 run on unleaded fuel?

 

Yes, there was TSB on the subject. QV's are fine with unleaded.

There remains a debate as to whether you need to run it on Premium unleaded or not though - arguably, with the compression ratio the answer is not. On the other hand premium fuel tends to have more additives/detergents in it which probably makes it worth the extra cost given the limited mileage most of these cars do. The cost of rebuilding the injection unit alone makes it always worth buying the best/cleanest fuel you can.

 

Worth most are probably the Group 4 Rally 308's.

Most reliable are the injection cars, probably later QV's.

Hardest to sell and least valuable are probably early US injection cars, in white or gold.

Try to find the best car you can afford. Buy a car with complete history, with a nice colour and no weird looking modifications. I think steel carburated GTS's are a good buy. But if you can afford a Vetroresina (fiberglass) or a well sorted QV, that would be even better!

Be patient and good luck! (oh, and ask someone who knows these cars to come along to check the car or ask on this forum)

 

Does this help ?
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Thanks for feedback, I missed the buyers guide thread, sorry.

Will look for a QV whichis 83-85 yes?

Was there a fibreglass version in the QV?

 

Yes.

No.

 

The 'glass cars were the first 712 308GTBs made, in 1975 and 1976......

 

Also Look for a Euro Model if you can, They are lighter and in the purest form. Thin-clean bumpers, no saftey bars in the doors, no emissions bolt-ons like Air pumps and Cataltic convertors, hotter Cams, and timing. Registration in California can sometimes be an issue, but other wise Euros are what Ferrari wanted the car to be, and didn't add on stuff to get it to pass US DOT/EPA. To me the (Swiss) Euro Quattrovalvole with the closer gear ratios, and the Deep Dish Spoiler and horsey on the grill is the best all around 308, oh course that describes my car. QV's Starts and runs like a modern car. The carb'ed cars may sound a little better, but playing with carbs can be a pain or a hobby to some people. Check out my car in the Nov Issue of Popular Mechanics, the artical may give the 308 model more exposure, and drive more buyers into the 308 market... 308's are Fantasic good luck!

I'm a little biased, so take it with a gain of salt, everyone love their 308 the most.....

Performance Comparisions
Model.............0-30....0-60....1/4mile....Top Speed
308 GTB Euro......2.3.....6.5.....17.0.......154
308 GTS Euro......2.5.....6.6.....16.6.......150
308 GTB US........3.1.....7.9.....21.1.......140
308 GTS US........2.3.....7.3.....19.8.......145
308 GTBi US.......2.5.....7.6.....22.6.......140
308 GTSi US.......2.9.....7.9.....22.1.......140
308 GTB QV-Euro...2.1 ....5.7.....14.3.......154.5
308 GTS QV US ....2.3 ....7.4.....18.5.......144


83 SWiss 308 GTS QV
First 1:13:303
second 1:8.719
Thrid 1:6.274
Fourth 1:4.611
Fifth 1:3.529

Final drive 17/63 or 3.705

 

Wait, is all this information new or something??? LOL!!! j/k




PDG

 

Thanks

I live in Australia. Will get a car from Britain as they are RHD there and euro-spec.

Will let you know how it goes.

 

Be different; Get a GT4.

 

Yes, and be looked down upon by your F-car bretheren!
Or get a Mondial 8. They're prettier, but slower.

 

There's a RHD 'glass 308GTB in LasVegas......calling your name, for $100K USD.
VERY collectible.....

Enjoy.

 

+100, but I also may be biased.

 

Yes! As you pass them by, 'cause they're lower, cooler and (can be) faster.

 

As am I, Swiss Euro QV is high watermark (boosted to 360+bhp, even better)

 

GT4's are awesome.... (like Jack in the box tacos, a little hard to figure out what they are and why, but they ROCK, and everybody loves em) Bertone vs Pinnanfarina.

You forgot to mention slightly longer wheelbase = beter handling (I actually want one, someday) Please don't dis me 308GTS brethren.

 

Hi G-man

Check this link out:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3311933.htm

I've had some emails from the owner. If I could buy it, I probably would (after a PPI). Looks pretty straight and original except for the bonnet which is from the later QV cars. Still looks pretty sweet and cheap compared to here!

 

IMHO, the early GT4's are the fastest of all the USA 308's.
The european 308's have a slight advantage.

 

Interesting mod to improve airflow away from the footwell - I'm sure when discussed here in the past there was something about it being a very difficult complex change due to the hinges (?) being different or or something