308 drivers perspective on 550/75, and Testarossa

Love my 308, but wondering how it compares (speed aside) with the driving experience of 2 other very different cars. The Testarossa, and the 550/575

 

The feel of the Testarossa in comparison with the 308 is heavy. Totally different. Seating and steering position also different. I prefer the seat of the 308. Tilt steering in the TR makes it better for me as I like LOW steering. Stiffer suspension in the TR.

I like both but the TR is like new shoes to me and the 308 like my old slippers.

 

Some day I'll be able to write a back-to-back comparison.

 

it's like a car vs a light truck.

ciao

 

I've driven & passengerd in a 550 quite a lot, but it's been 30 years since I drove a 308GTB VR. THE 550 is magnificent, light to drive, easy gears, the steering is like nothing else I had driven, but then I have never driven anything newer, but so much more alive than my 928. I struggled with the gears of the 308 where the 246 was so sweet & the 365BB just SCARED ME! I've done a classic rally in the 550 as navigator & spent quite a bit of time in passenger seat on tracks. It's so good. I have 3 mates with them now, they all love their 550s

 

I agree on the difference , though I prefer the tr seating.

The 308 is best for city driving, and light mid hwy driving , best.

The tr is a hwy animal, and an on ramp, amd off ramp delight.

Two different cars, two different driving characters.

The main reason why I have both .... So different.

 

Steering position is adjustable in 308.

 

TR & 550 are better on long drives if for no other reason than you have more leg room and there is room in the foot box to move around a little. TR and 550 both are much bigger cars and feel it. All are great but aside from power the biggest difference is comfort for longer trips.

 

You are right, they are very different cars. 308 is fun and games on the back roads. TR kind of surprised me in that it shrinks as you drive it. My initial impression was that it was much bigger than the 308 and so I thought it would be this big ol' thing on the road. But that really isn't the case. You are aware of the difference in weight of the mid engines though. I definitely am more conscious of the TR 12 cylinder sitting back there. Handling isn't quite as charming as the 308.

550/575 is a completely different animal for a different purpose. Yes it handles great and you have buckets of power, but it isn't quite the same bit of fun on the slower back roads. All that potential and nowhere to go. However... get that sucker out on some big western open roads and it's a whole 'nother story. It sits down over 120 or so and you are just glued to the road. Amazing feeling of confidence that you will never experience in a 308.

 

Test drove a 575 recently. Fast and comfortable. Great car.

If I needed a daily commuter and had a long highway drive to the office, maybe. But I don't.

I wouldn't trade it for my 328 which I find to be more fun on short intown drives, mountain drives and just for pleasure on the weekends.

 

ATR is a large car. heavy on small roads, and you can feel the mass behind you when you are going fast ... on a track. TR's are very fast cars even by todays standards.

550 - is an even larger car from the outside, but once inside it seems small. the front engine is different but you actually dont see it much. the interior is way way way better than the 308 328 - everything works for the real world.... slow windows still....

ac works, shifting is a pleasure etc... but its a much bigger car sits higher etc... love it over the TR.

the 328 is a classic and the 550 is an every day luxury car. i love them all... repairs on the TR ... make the 550 hands down the modern choice.

 

I know! I ajusted it to my taste but still higher than the TR it seem.

 

You can? How?

 

Loosen the bolts that secure the colomn Under the dash, the hole are slotted. Ajust it to your liking and tight them back. FIXED to the level you prefer.

 

I just picked up a 328 GTS and have owned a 550 for over 4 years now. Agree with most of the comments above. I love the 550, refined, comfortable, tons of power and drives like a high powdered, kick a$$ sounding luxury sedan compared to my Bora and new 328. The reason I bought the 328 was to have an iconic, open top, nimble mid engine Ferrari for quick local runs and it fits the bill perfectly.

 

My 80 GTSI is in MINT Condition but if I go over 120mph it scares me. I think that the safest, fastest, fun road speed is between 80-90mph.

I once hit 140mph but it took about 10 miles to get it.

Drive it for what it was designed for.... a great car to fly on twisty with lots of breaking acceleration and quick turns.

 

This...Except I have a 328 instead of 308.