I am 80% sure a 308 is in the future. It was that or a 550. I am siding with a308 because I want a carb version. My questions is this. I am failry comfortable in my F355. Is the 308 smaller or same? How big of a deal is the dry sump version? I see the price difference, and have my finger on one. I read the article about this on here and am still up in the air. Last, there is so many purchasing choices for this car. I feel like I really want a GTB though, as it's more rare and I already have a GTS, which is rare for a F355. Thought comments? Really feel drawn to the 308, wish I could purchase even older Ferrari but so much money involved.
Wow. In my opinion that is quite a move. I will stay away from commenting on the 355. I do have a carb 308. So here's what you are looking at, in my opinion, at this time... -- ultimate steel GTB is the 77 so if you want that expect to pay the most -- no rustproofing etc on any of these models so pay attention to where the car lived -- complicated mechanically so expect to pay the most anyway for something good -- complicated mechanically so expect to pay the most for maintenance if paying someone else to maintain -- complicated mechanically so expect to pay in personal time and money if DIY -- sodium exhaust valves (potential issue) Still great cars! P.S. As for smaller I would guess "yes" but I think all these cars are made for small people.
How tall / big are you? The 308 is small. I'm 6'3" and don't really fit. But, with a 1" steering wheel spacer and an adjustment of the rack, I manage. I don't agree that the cars are complicated. The vast number of pop rivets alone show the level of complexity... They are extremely inconvenient to work on though, and shops charge a lot to do so (and that's in addition to doubling the shop rate because it's a Ferrari.) I am finishing my carb 308 now, I have done all the work myself and there was nothing a hack mechanic like me couldn't handle. If you like the GTB, get the GTB, IMO it's the better long term buy.
Fitting a Ferrari seems to be very individual. Make sure you sit in one and try the seat adjustment before you buy. Yeah, older would be cool, but the prices go crazy. The 308 is the last of the non-electrically controlled Ferraris. You can even pick a technology point with in the 308 line: do you want points ignition? Do you want carburetors? Do you want simple fuel injection? ... or do you want fuel injection with an electronic feedback (lambda)? It all evolved through the 308 line. I'm 6'0" and was surprised I had to scooch the seat forward to fit. Its to allow me to tilt the seat back downward. It is comfortable. I now tend to adjust any car seat that way now, even Avis rentals! +1
I had a 355 manual Gts till recently which I regretly sold. Also have a carb 308 and a 308qv. I love the carb 308, its sounds and drives Amazingly. I would not trade a 355 for a non carb 308. Both look fantastic but the driving experience in the 355 is far better. If you have a good 355 example, that's a keeper! Enviado do meu iPhone usando o Tapatalk
How good is the rest of the car? It's a racing pedigree rarity that gets you bar bragging rights. If you intend tracking the car or doing very regular long high speed sharp turns, check out the windage tray mod as an alternative.
I don't plan on tracking the car. The car is in overall ok shape and I use that sharply. It is in above average condition but not the likes of a one owner car. They have extensive records, but my big thing is rust, which is does not have.
308 is smaller inside and out, lower roof height, considerably slower, no power steering, but a different era and really a difference between modern with the 355 and classic with the 308. If the lower nose valence is US market, you won't have to worry about dragging the nose of the 308 like you do with the 355. If you get a euro valence car, will then back to watching dips. I don't think there are any dry sump GTS versions. The B is more sought after at the moment. 77 suits your desire of carb, dry sump in some cases, and berlinetta. Euro is also preferred for the bumpers and valence and exhaust treatment. More performance in those euro versions too on the years post 77. The clutch on the carb cars is heavier than the later injected cars. Got to watch for rust in the bottom of the doors and low behind the front wheels, and high behind the rear wheels on the fender. Tires will be expensive if on the original wheels. You can get replica 16" wheels and modern tires for about the same cost as the original tires in many cases. The 308 is so much simpler than the 355. Much easier to do the periodic service and belts. Its a comfortable classic drive and handles nicely. Best of luck with your search. I have a 308 and a 355 in the garage at the moment. Enjoy them both for very different reasons and their different personalities.
There's a number of threads on this subject. Search for them. I'm 6'3, 190lbs and own both 355Spyder & '83 308GTB. I have about 1/2" headroom in the 308. I do have the seat almost all the way back & tilted. Otherwise, no fitment problems. They are very different cars with the 355 being more comfortable, though I've had the 308 from NJ to Canada a few times with no problems. The 308 will probably have more issues as its older & parts wear out. I love them both.
The deep spoiler is an option, not a euro feature. I switched this year from injected 1980 308 to carb 1978 308. No difference in the clutches whatsoever.
Paul, I'm not sure exactly when Ferrari changed their clutch, but the early cars have an entirely different mechanism that is much heavier. I am in the process of updating my '78 308 now.
I actually like the heavy clutch. For me, it goes well with the gated shift & is part of what makes the 308 an engaging car to drive (pun intended ). If I wanted easy gear changes I'd get the F1 on a 355, 360 etc. My DD is a tiptronic & I don't need easy shifting
I'm 6'03" and have a GTB. Its certainly not the most comfortable but I fit just fine. The seat bottom is not all the way back but reclined about to the firewall and my head does not hit. The GTB may have some extra reclining space as there's no roof to store behind the seats.
