WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A 308/328 - BUYERS GUIDE

Im trying to locate a workshop manual for the 1981 308 gtsi. Can anyone help? I cant find a paint code off the car, all the paint tags are missing. How can I can I get the number? Where can I get paint chips to find the color?

 

Don't panic - if you'd have tried a search instead you'd probably have ended up at a site called Steve Jenkins yesterday

There is no dedicated GTSi manual - its a combination of GT4 & QV/328

And as for the color you haven't said what you think it might be or posted pics so I doubt anyone can help yet - there's many threads covering all the possible color codes - again try a 'search'

 

I have scanned Forza issue #25 (Thanks JimShadow) to pdf. Its a 7MB file in B&W.
Anyone know how I can upload to FChat for interested parties to read online?

John

 

Was doing a search and came across this article which seems as it may be useful...

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=434697

 

Would you point me to a link where I can find period mag road test results of euro 308 carb/i/QV and 328 models? My own search has produced zero results... Thanks!

 

I found all of these pieces very helpful in researching the car I wanted to buy. The one thing I would add to them is that once you have worked out which cars you are interested in, before going to see them, it is wise to click on the search function here, and search for the dealer you may be buying from. If you live in the UK, you can probably also search the dealers name on the pistonheads forum as well.

I would have saved myself a lot of hassle if I had done this early on in the process.

 

Great info. This was a good read since I've been looking into a 308 for myself.

 

Hi John. I'd love to have a read of that if possible. An online library of reference material would be ideal. Could you PM for for contact details to arrange a copy?

Cheers
Clive

 

you might try this if your F-car is red,Rossa Corsa FER 300.This is the paint code on my 82 hope this helps.

 

Here's the bottom line, as I just went through this:

Early carb car, small wheels (which should be kept), great sound (one of the best sounding of all F cars), really stiff clutch, high horsepower (if set up without smog crap), interior is not the best in the series but acceptable, no rust protection.

308i car, low on power (early injection zapped power), better clutch, lovely interior (better seats, dash etc.), rust protection, best price.

308QV car, more power (almost as much as carb car when it is set up right), better clutch, great interior, big wheels, rust protection, higher price.

I bit on a '77 GTB because the song of the carbs lured me right in!

 

Im looking to buy a carbureted 308. Birdman states "The 1978 and 1979 308s had leaner jetting for emissions and lower lift and duration cams, to keep the emissions down". Is the USA 1977 version a better year in that this car has euro spec cams? Also did the USA spec '77 come cat free? Do USA 1977 308 GTS exist or just GTB?

 

To my knowledge the cams in '77 were the same in all cars. The '77 is cat free. The GTS was introduced in '77 but I have only seen them in '78.

 

a very helpful thread.......thank you

 

hi guys
308 gts qv. is the way to go, has it all, plus last of the 308's, you can't loose
going up in VALUE slow but very strong $$$,will soon be in demand !
j

 

For those looking at 308's, a good thread on this topic.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272089

 

Hello I found a white 308 for sale. It looks like a clean car. The only thing is it has 48,200 miles on it. For a 79 308 is that alot of miles due to the age of the car or is the average. I found 2 others and one advertised as 1 of 5 white 308 gts's. Also is that true as well

 

We have a buyers guide (Free of charge on our website) It is based on UK models but you can never have too much information. www.walkersport.co.uk

T.

 

Hello, and welcome!!!

IMO, a 1979 that at this age "looks clean" is a well mainatined car.

Also, averaging the mileage against age, 48,200 would not be "alot of miles" at all!
My 1977s have between 30,000 to 37,000 miles and I consider them to be 'low miles' against their age.

You see 0 - 20,000 miles on early 308s and that's really considered "time capsule" usage.

As far white is is cetainly not a common color, but looks very nice on the lines of the car.
Be careful of the "1 of 5" type claims, it may be correct with the addition of "in America" or "in Canada" but at the time it was built they made 1000 - 1200 per year!!!

Most of them are red by now, of course...

 

Hallo, are these buying guides applicable to the 208 too? Is there a more detailed one available in book form perhaps? I am thinking of taking the plunge though I pause a bit thinking the servicing costs. Do you have any idea how much your cars have appreciated in the last decade? My childhood dream is to drive a Ferrari (so it could be heaven to own one). The timing is quite right as my father is nearing retirement and it can be a great present for both of us. Last but not least it can be an alternative investment in the volatile times we are living. What I got from the tips was: must have history, should be checked by specialist and that with little research you can service most frequent stuff cheaply.

 

If you have a particular car in mind, post pictures. The community will all chime in as to what they think. I would make it a separate thread, many more people will see it.

 

I have , I wait some clarifications from the dealer. As it is not near to go easily to see it. Also I wait some interior pics as it is described in very good condition but no pics.

From the outside it seems to have wrong decals (both Dino and Ferrari front and back but not in the right places) and on the side an out of period Scuderia sticker (The shield with the prancing horse seen in 348 and later models. But it has correct wheels and tyres. Though the photos were not clear enough to see if the yellow decall on the Cromodoras is Dino, Fiat or Ferrari.

It is certified historic in Italy which is something to start with. As soon as I have more info from the dealer I will post here. The asking price is around 22000 euro when most price guides value the car in the 15000-19000 range.

Another big plus is that I have a trusted friend in the city where the car is who can go see it before I take the plunge to buy airtickets. Unfortunately he most probably cannot drive it as he has a problem with his foot nerves, and though I have seen him still driving quite nice a stick despite that , I can hardly picture the dealer entrusting him with a Ferrari for a test ride but he knows cars so he can understand some stuff as a passenger or inspecting it at the dealer.

Another concern is that the dealer seems not to be specialised for either Ferrari or historic cars and that can be a mixed bag. But have asked if he is willing to get the car to the nearest Ferrari dealer for inspection (nearby town less than 100km from where the car is).

If he agrees to the above how much should I budget for a dealer report on the car?

I wait detaills such as chasis and engine number, history and servicing, interior photos and in which FIVA class has the car being certified to before deciding if I will seriously consider it. I have the opportunity of buying a 75.000 chunk of a 7 year corporate bond BB rated for 6.5 % coupon but the Ferrari seems a sexier choice and maybe will make a good invenstment not just sentimentaly but financialy too.

 

Ferrari Dino 208 GT4 als Sportwagen/Coupé in L'Aquila

This is the car I am contemplating. The dealer said it has matching numbers. There is maintainance history with some gaps. Was restored 6years back and has been in storage mostly since (~ 4000 km in the last 5 years). Never crashed. Had service 1000 km back.
No rust. Waiting for interior pics. The dealer is open to any inspection and am thinking of shelling out for a specialist from a nearby Ferrari to go check it.

 

I got the interior pics plus the certificate how can I upload here?

 

Car looks nice from the pictures. 208 GT4 is much the same car as the 308GT4, just smaller engine volume. Less powerful, but a very nice ride. Any advice for a 308 GT4 works for a 208 GT4. Search for petroliciuos 208GT4 on youtube for a very nice film. Exhaust is a 308 on that car, 208 is nla and we all put 308 on instead, no big deal. Rear mirrors, badges etc can always be fixed after buing. "Service" is just about everything. What have they done? Belts or just new plugs? I have just renovated both cylinder heads on mine, a 208 GT4, since emission test indicated worn valve guides. If you can make an emission test it might be good information for you.

Good luck!
/Peter

 

I think you need to be a member, but not sure.
/Peter