questions about Ebay '79 308

Howdy! I'm not in the position to buy a 308 at the moment but I'm trying to learn what I can about them by reading here and watching what they are selling for on Ebay. Looking at this car:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/79-FERRARI-308-GTS-47K-ORIG-MILE-4-WEBER-CARBS-FULL-SERVICE-RUNS-DRIVES-PERFECT-/290653596513?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item43ac4deb61#ht_3273wt_1167

I'm curious what your thoughts are about these prices listed in the description. Are these the average prices for these parts? If/when I am able to purchase a 308 I would like to avoid putting $14,000 in to right away. I understand that it is necessary to count on spending a few thousand every year to keep up on maintenance. Thanks for your input!


BRAND NEW PARTS

1 CLUTCH KIT $ 1,500.00
1 PILOT BEARING $ 50.00
3 TRANSMISSION “O” RING $ 45 X 3 $ 135.00
1 CRUSH NUT $ 60.00
1 CLUTCH CABLE $ 120.00
2 TIMING BELTS $ 80 X 2 $ 160.00
2 TENSIONER BEARINGS $165 X 2 $ 330.00
1 IGNITION WIRE SET $ 350.00
2 DISTRIBUTOR CAP $ 425 X 2 $ 850.00
2 IGNITION ROTORS $ 150 X 2 $ 300.00
2 CONDENSERS $ 45 X 2 $ 90.00
4 IGNITION POINTS $ 75 X 4 $ 300.00
4 CAM SEALS $ 45 X 4 $ 180.00
1 REAR MAIN SEAL $ 75.00
1 WATER PUMP $ 725.00
1 SPEED SENSOR $ 600.00
2 VALVE COVER GASKETS $150 X 2 $ 300.00
1 FLYWHEEL $ 400.00
3 GEARBOX FLUID REDLINE $ 90.00
2 DISTIRBUTOR SEALS $ 50 X 2 $ 100.00
8 NGK SPARK PLUGS $ 50.00
1 LONG LIFE COOLANT $ 50.00
1 FUEL FILTER $ 50.00
1 ALTERNATOR BELT $ 50.00
1 AIR CONDITIONING BELT $ 50.00
16 BACK LASH VALVE $ 70.00
2 REBUILT REAR CALIPERS $ 1158.00
2 REBUUILT FRONT CALIPERS $ 556.66
1 SET OF FRONT PADS $ 145.82
1 SET OF REAR PADS $ 100.00
2 BRAND NEW FRONT ROTORS ATE $ 990.04
2 FRONT KONI SHOCKS RED $ 800.00
2 REAR KONI SHOCKS RED $ 800.00
LABOR $ 2,000.00
Replace front calipers, pads, rotors $ 237.00
Replace rear calipers, bleed brakes $ 158.00
TOTAL PARTS & LABOR $ 14,000.00

 

Wonder why they didn't want to pay the five extra dollars labor to put the rear bank timing belt cover that would save the 20k engine on?

 

Anyone who thinks that their US/NA version '79 308 B/S makes 255 BHP doesn't know their car (or their 150/78 OM) very well. Strange that the Seller mentions the air cleaner is missing for a reasonable reason, but doesn't mention why the 1-4 timing belt cover is missing. The air pump is missing (more importantly the bracketry for the air pump than the air pump itself) as are several pieces of the fuel evaporation control system. If you ever contact the Seller, please let him know that that beautiful yellow pulley is on backwards .

You can do better on some of those prices (distributor caps, water pump, etc.), that seems like a lot of brake work (like from long, long disuse), and you normally wouldn't need a new flywheel, but bringing a 33 year old car back too life does take $s -- a 308 needing that list of items wouldn't be worth more than $12~15K IMO.

 

Agreed, prices are high if your sourcing them - probably close to accurate if a mechanic is doing it.


When I got my 308, I had the major done. The shop told me the 1-4 cover was missing. I'm guess whomever did the prior major forgot to put it on & found it too late and didn't bother. That cost me a pretty penny.

 

A little birdy told me it would be best to forget this car.

 

That is really bizarre. Critical parts protection 101.

 

I'm not actually interested in this particular car. I was more curious about his parts price breakdown and how accurate those prices are. Also why so much service was necessary. If the seller is being truthful it sounds like he paid the price for a nice car and then had to invest $14,000 on top of that. I'm in the very early researching period of getting a 308. I really like the look of the 308GT4 but it seems like most are pretty trashed.

 

Many line items sound really high, if you're doing it yourself. Troubling that after all that work and money, someone left the rear bank cam belt wagging in the breeze...as Stuart mentioned. You can find a sound 308, this one feels dodgy. Look for a good Quattrovalvole. Many improvements came with the QV.

 

Yes, that's the mistake to avoid, but nothing wrong with buying a needy 308GT4 at the right price and restoring it with $14K

 

I know someone who paid for PPIs on a few 308s before he purchased his, and that one wasn't perfect. These are old cars and condition can vary widely. If you like the 308GT4 look, then just stay at it. You may have to look at several of whatever model you want before you get the right one. It takes some folks over a year to find the right car once they start actively looking.

It really depends on what you want. Any car can be fixed up for big dollars, depending on what you are looking for, a driver can be easy to get. You are doing the right thing by looking around here. Go to the sticky at the top about what to look for when buying.

And have fun.

 

Ask yourself what it's value would be if all that stuff hadn't been replaced.

And any Eastern Canadian car needs close scrutiny for rust.

 

I know I was just saying incase another observer looks into it.

Like anything do your homework take your time. The GT4 is an amazing car and there are decent ones to be had at very good prices, especially compared to the GTs or Gtb's they are generally valued less. That's a good thing for those of us who want them.

There are couple available in Toronto, a nice fly yellow one in the Ferrari adds.

 

I can tell you bringing one back up to "maintenance updated" can be expensive. My rear calipers were a lot more than the fronts listed in this. I had to replace the cam seals, CV boots, brake lines, master cyl, etc. Total over $10K....and mine is just a "driver". Caveat Emptor my friend.
James

 

Why are the rear calipers so expensive? There is/was a 308GT4 on Ebay that said it was missing the rear calipers. Are the still being manufactured or do you have to hunt down new old stock?

 

Red valve covers? Was that standard on the '79 ?

 

What isn't expensive on a Ferrari? It's part of the game.

I hope rebuilding the rear calipers aren't $1500, all 4 of mine are being done now.


The ignition wires seem high, I think around $200 is what I paid. But you can cross reference on sites like superformance, aj imports, ferrparta, trutlands

 

My opinion, this one is much much more better deal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979-FERRARI-308GTS-/110803580485?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item19cc687645

 

They may be exclsive to the 308. The only other car that has a substantially similar (or are they the same? I think the center spacer is a different width) is the Porsche 914-6, not exactly a common car and one that Porsche has stopped supporting. And the 914 guys probably buy them up when they build replica 914-6s. So there's little actual demand for a part that doesn't really wear out so it is not worth it for any normal supplier to manufacture. But there is enough demand from the crazed enthusiasts to drive up prices of the used bits that are out there. And good luck with your NOS search.

Fortunately 308s are junked regularly so all you have to do is outbid the next eBayer or hit the Ferrari salvage yards (Rutlands, Ferrparts, etc.). You'll pay market price, whatever that is.

 

Fiat ignition rotors for $4.50/rotor at Vicks Autosport. Choose 1978 fiat spider dual point.

 

Not on my 79.

 

Gullwing motor cars has a 308 , a 1979 for $ 18k i think it was , if you want to make a comparison.

 

Not to my knowledge and not on my '79.

This sounds like a care to avoid unless you are interested in a major project. It sounds like someone, not well qualified, did some work on it.

 

The way I read his ad was that the owner he bought it from had spent those 14k not him. Maybe the previous owner did put that money into it, drove the heck out of it then sold it to him.

 

i agree anyone who has powder coated the valve covers is very unqualified. steer clear!
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Nice work, Geno!