Bought an 84 Euro 308GTS QV today (July 2013) - now a maintenance thread

Hello gang,
It's finally time to properly introduce myself! My name is Gordon, I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I've been a car nut forever, a Ferrari fan since I saw a yellow Dino in 1972 when I was 12 years old, and a member here for nearly 8 years, soaking it all in (and mostly participating in the F1 section).

I've had a 96 Miata for 17 years, gradually modifying it to my tastes to the point where it doesn't look at all like a Miata anymore . I've owned a couple of Alfas waaay back in the late 70s. I've had the opportunity to drive a few newer high end cars in the past couple of years (Ford GT, 458), but never lost the urge for a 308. I've watched the prices slowly come down, then stabilize... and as finances finally put me in a position to be able to afford one, the time came to act... and it didn't hurt at all that a Euro GTS QV came on the market in Calgary.

I've browsed this forum off and on for the past few years, and more intently over the past few months. Read the buying guides, the upgrade guides, maintenance guides, tried to absorb as much as I could.

So, I'm the proud new owner of SN ZFFLA13B000052703, a late 84 production Euro GTS QV. 51K km, 16" wheels, due for a major soon based on age (a good thing, I'll do most of it myself), runs very well, shifts into 2nd when cold, all electrics work, A/C doesn't blow cold, windows work but slowly. Has the manuals in the pouch, top pouch, full set of jack and tools, and reasonable service history. About the only thing missing is that it has a TRX wheel and old TRX tire in the spare tire well... but better than nothing!

Before I drive it much, I have planned: new tires; replace fuel lines with SRI; replace coolant lines with SRI; install Birdman fuse boxes (owner bought them, never installed them!); do major service; chase a small oil leak or two; replace rear hood struts; install window accelerators and lube window gears (may have to perform disassemble and full solvent clean); bleed brakes and check pads; clean and condition leather. Maybe a coat of wax, too!

This forum and it's members are an incredible resource, and I want to thank you up front for sharing all your knowledge here - it made my research and buying process much better informed and confident. I'll be doing a lot more reading over the next few weeks as I prepare to get it caught up on maintenance, and may have some questions. I'm also planning to join the local chapter of FCA, and hopefully there will be a few more of the older cars for me to hang with at the back of the drives!

Here's a couple of photos of the new acquisition, along with two of it's stablemates - it's surprising how a 308 is hardly bigger than a Miata! About 11 inches longer, maybe 2 inches wider, and 2 inches less in height.
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Beautiful ride. Congrats and enjoy!

 

Congrats Gordon. Beautiful 308! I get to Calgary a few times a year. Hope to meet you and your car some day.

Mark

 

Looks great!

 

Well done Gordon
Like you, i have gained a lot of knowledge about my QV after reading through the 308/328 section, its a great resource.

 

congrats! great machine

 

Looks good, congrats!

 

Nice car, Gordon. Congratulations!

 

Congratulations

 

Congrats on the purchase. Great to be able to buy local. Will be interested in hearing your comparisons to the Miata; should be quite a change. Size-wise they are the same, but weight is different. Would love to see a side photo of the two together.

I lived in Calgary (Crescent Heights) through the Olympics: very fun. Awesome city.

Pace yourself on the mantenance. My surprise has been just how much work it is addressing all the issues in my "no issues" 308!

 

Congrats on the new ride!! That said, more pics of your modded Miata would be great!!

 

You are really going to enjoy the new car. I know where you are coming from as I'm also in Canada, have owned Miata's (3 of them), and got my first Ferrari earlier this year ('89 328). I've been doing some minor tinkering with it, but mostly driving it whenever I get the chance. It is so much fun to drive.

I really like the Italia body kit on the Miata. Did you do the install of it? I've got a Fiero project in the works that, like your Miata, looks nothing like the car it started with.

Rick
Bolton, Ontario

 

Congratulations on your new purchase! I can't wait to see your GTS at one of the coffee and cars, or maybe one of the FCA events. European car show on July 20 maybe?

 

Congrats and welcome to the QV Brotherhood! You'll love it! Drive it often and in good health.

 

As a fellow a 84 Euro QV owner, congrats and welcome! Good to hear you're going into ownership with a maintenance up front attitude.

 

Yes, congrats, beautiful QV. I too have an 84 but US.

 

You just have to love the look of the Euro cars

 

Congrats man! Hope all the water from high river is cleared so you can go cruising.

 

a TVR?,,Would you mind sharing the purchase price? I need to sell 47407,its very nice and very well sorted,Pat

 

Beautiful!

 

Beautiful car. Nice that it's red-tan rather than the red-black that is common in the euro QVs. Very different look at the rear without the basket-handle airfoil we're used to seeing. Euros also have their front hood and fender louvers painted body color... yours are black like USA models. You do have the euro bumpers, grille and mirrors, though.

 

No, it's a Miata with an Italia body kit.

 

Welcome to the euro 308 club! My brother's name is Gordon. I know you will enjoy your car.

 

Gordon -- Can you please post a shot, or two, of the engine bay? (Noted that it has had some outside marker light changes -- not as many as euro brought into the US -- but just wondering if there were/are and changes in the engine bay too.)

 

Congrats Gordon, I just took delivery of a 308 too, love the Euro front end, details here:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/mid-atlantic-region-usa-pa-de-md-dc-va-sponsored-competizione/412205-i-just-got-new-toy.html

Does your car have rear markers? I'd also like to see pics of the engine bay.

When I first saw your Miata I thought it was a 275 GTB