1982 308 gtsi

This is my first post, and I'm seeking your expertise fast. I hope this is the right place to post this. I have always wanted a Ferrari, and I always figured a 308 would be my best chance at owning one. I finally got a good job and within the same week a guy down the street puts his 1982 308 up for sale (red with black interior). It is a clean car. It has 31K miles and it has had its 30K mile maintenance. I talked to the tech that did the maintenance, and he said he saw no rust and everything mechanically was good. The car has a few dings, but they are small. The seats show a little wear. The windows go up and down slowly and the power antenna does not work. It will need new tires soon. Other than that I do not see anything wrong with it.

He is asking $27,500. I used a few sources to price it and I keep coming up with prices in the low $20s. In addition the 82 308 is the least desirable among collectors, but I still think it is awesome. I offered $22,500. I appeared to have insulted him. After talking some more he appears to be willing to take $24,000. I do not want to make an impulse buy. With out pics what do you guys feel is a fair offer? Do I spend $30K and try finding a 308 QV? (loaded question) Please ask if I left out important info. I hope to be on this forum discussing my own car soon.

 

Let me say my 82 has been more reliable and a ton more fun than any of the jags I have owned. If the service is up to date and the mileage is true the price is right. I have mine for sale for 29K and it has recent belt service SS EX valves and 11/2 year old rubber with less than 40K on the clock. Don't be afraid to buy an injected car------------- are they down on power compared to carbs? yes but it is not relative! Keep in mind these are beautiful classics and the FI is easy to maintain. QV---- more valves to worry about!
cheers, Lost

 

Sounds like a very fair price. Welcome and best of luck with your purchase. Jim

 

Feel like I was in your shoes before..

Questions:

How long do you plan to keep it?


Reason I ask; You can always think about a 3.4 conversion for added power. QV isn't a bad choice with the market these days and in 84 they switched to galvanized steel - which is a big plus!!!

A good engine on a car that is deteriorating due to rust or any bit of it is not a good canvas for the future painting you wish to display..

Just my 2 cents

 

If the car has no issues and a fresh service, I would pay $24,000 for it in a heartbeat

That is a pretty close number. You could do a lot worse.

BTW, the 2Vi cars had some unique issues but they are still my favorite model of anything Ferrari ever made. Performance in no big difference from 78 to 85 with USA cars. Don't let someone lie to you and tell you otherwise.

Go for it.

 

I am also thrilled with my '82, totally reliable and more fun than you can imagine! Anything under $30K for a good 308 is fair in my opinion, a good one is a maintained one!

 

One of the unique features that Dr. Tommy mentioned is oil consumption on these 2 valve models. My first F car was an 82 308 GTSI. It burned about a quart of oil every 200 to 300 miles. IIRC, I think there may even have been a recall to replace the engines because of this. You may want to ask the seller about oil consumption.

 

Most did and there wasn't a "recall" per se but many engines were replaced under warranty - and even some of those still did it with the new engines!

Just keep oil in it and your fine. I don't know of any problems long term other than the aggravation.

 

39K on the clock (82) and it consumes about a qt. in 400-450mi. Just the facts. Lost

 

I agree - 24k for an '82 in decent shape sounds like a good price.

 

I can add that I have an '84 QV that I've had for sale that you might like, but particularly if money is an issue I'd recommend sticking with the '82 and putting the extra 6k aside for future maintenance.

 

The i's are heroes. Ignore the received wisdom. Go for quality every time, whether it be carb, i or qv.

 

Here is the thing - You always wanted a Ferrari. You always felt a 308 was a good start (it always is). This car pops up "down he street"

The planets have aligned for you. This is one of those things that never happen except in a dream for a 308 guy. You will spend months (year?) and tons of cash on travel and PPI's looking for another one if you are serious about getting one. You could dump a couple grand trying to find another one and end up going home with nothing.

Get this one for 24K. If you don't like it - sell it. You will get your $24K back.

Of course this all depends on if it checks out as a good car. But if it does - do it.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I will definitely ask about oil consumption.

 

If it does - don't sweat it. Just use it to haggle on the price if you want to.

trick - pull the tag off the back. If it is oily/extra dirty behind it, it is probably one of the oil burners (no one removes the tag everytime they wash the car)


If you get it, we are on board to help with everything.

 

Take your camera and post some photos. You will be amazed at the keen eyesight the guys have here.

 

Excellent. I will get some good pictures tomorrow, and I will post them tomorrow night. I talked to the owner, and he will sell it for $24K. He can not meet me tomorrow when I'm available, but I will get some pics of the exterior. Plus I will look behind the plate. Thanks for the help.

 

Like you, I literally had one pop up just a few miles from my home. If you think this is "the one", I would definitely invest in a PPI. A little money spent now might save you a ton of money down the road. It's the same advice I received from folks here when I was looking.

I hope yours turns out like mine. It was "the one" and I couldn't be happier.

Mark

 

2V cars are a pretty good bang for the buck. Reliable, farily easy to work on and lots of online support from places like this.

If you are looking for performance that will keep up with average sports cars on the road today, you'll have to open you wallet much further in the Ferrari area to compete. But in the end thats not the point...its a ferrari, and fun to drive.

 

Jump on that thing!

Take a deep breath and double check that everything works and there is no antifreeze in the oil and vice versa. THEN buy it, drive it, enjoy it and say to yourself HOLY ***** I OWN A FERRARI!

My 1980 still makes my heart skip a beat every time the the garage door goes up. Starts, runs and everything works just as is should after six years of ownership.

 

I thought it must be the rings. Maybe it still is and air pockets sling it?

My brother had one of these. Even offered me a low mileage odo from the replaced motor -- in jest if I needed it.

How were they slinging oil like that to douse behind the tag?

 

Great call Larry. Man, you wouldn't believe the stuff the guys will notice from a few photos on line here.

Take a few pics and post them and you will be stunned what you can learn from the guys here...

MB

 

Oily residue from the exhaust over a long period of time.

 

I had to do a two hour ride tonight, and I'm overzealous about this car. So I swung by and took totally random pics of the car. I included pics of the car, and then I tried to take pics of anything questionable. I included a link to a skydrive folder that contains the images.

http://sdrv.ms/1dYNpBd

Be frank and honest. I want to spend my money wisely. Thank you guys for your knowledge and expertise.

P.S. The pic of my finger is after I swiped it behind the plate. It was free of oil. Just some Texas + Indiana dirt.

 

If that black stuff on your finger is a fine black powder, that is just an indication your running a little rich. Easy fix. No worries there.