Reliability

It depends on how and if it's been maintained.

 

Well maintained they are just fine. No worries other than the universal usual that come with putting miles on a 34 year old vehicle

 

Agreed - if all maintenance is current, they are very reliable.

That means all fuel hoses and coolant and heater hoses have been recently replaced (ie not 34 yr old originals), the cam belts and idler bearings have been replaced, oil, trans fluid, coolant, and brake fluids have been flushed recently, electrical system is clean with a good battery, etc.

 

Who cares?

I have '78 and never let me down in 10+ years.




Sent from a pay phone

 

There are two lines of thinking on the belt service. One is Ferrari saying every three years. The other is the common line of thinking here in this forum for every five years.

My personal recommendation is for a five year "major" service, which is not just the belts, but much more than that.

When I bought my car about ten years ago that major service was about $2,500 at an independent shop. Others can chime in but I'm guessing that cost is maybe double now?

 

Just belts, parts and labor, is about 1K in the south. There are a couple of coolant hoses that are a little bit of work to R and R. The one under the intake manifold is a tad of a job.

 

Not on a 308. The engine stays in. You dont start getting into serious money until you get to the 348

 

you don't just need to stay on top of maintenance, you need to have the right mechanic. I'm at 20 years of ownership. 2 years were a nightmare, then I got a great mechanic for 10 years with no issues. Then I needed to switch and had a bad 3 months right after the new guy "touched" the car. Found Another highly regarded mechanic and trouble free since then. I am in the full major se vice every 5 years camp. Also, replace all rubber bits before they dry out. When well maintained "by someone who specializes in these cars" , they are highly reliable.

 

These Ferraris have very few, if any, vices. They are robust in design and overbuilt in most respects. They are straightforward and surprisingly simple to maintain. I can't speak to the complexity of an engine or transaxle rebuild, but normal maintenance, even timing belt replacement, is within the capability of most competent owners.

 

Most important maintenance item - regular driving! And not just pootling down the highway; these cars NEED a good track day / hillclimb etc on a regular basis.

Only breakdowns in 15 years:
- distributor cap came loose because the autoelectrician 'checking' the car didn't replace correctly 2002
- thermostat failed at a track day 2012
- split a radiator hose (after the car had been in storage for 4 years when I had to go overseas to work...) 2016

Just did a 4400km trip last month (including 500km of closed road 'special stages') and the car is happier than she's been for ages (as is her owner). But note, the car did spend most of the 6 months prior to this trip being 'recommissioned' after the storage. Interestingly, Gordon C's list pretty well matches what was done over that time, plus an overhaul of the carbies.

I do my cam belts at 4 year intervals - no good reason except that's what I decided to do!

 

In 2008 I bought an unknown-to-me 328 in Las Vegas, immediately upon seeing it. It had just had a belt change and the day I purchased it I had 4 new tires installed. Two days later I drove it to MD, nearly 3000 miles, arriving on the afternoon of the third day. Car was bulletproof then and remains that way.

I concur that 5 years for a belt change is fine.

I just realize you asked about an '83 308, not a 328 so I guess my response MAY not be relevant...

 

Yes, I should have defined it better. Here is what I meant:

If an owner has successfully maintained most any other vintage sports car, he or she should be competent to do the general maintenance on a 308 or 328. These are magical cars, but you won't need magical powers to do the required maintenance.

And I think most owners will agree that once you get your newly acquired car properly sorted out, it will stay that way for a long time.

Best of luck with your quest! Jeff

 

True. The issue of "good mechanic" is the same as "competent owner". There are many of us, including doctors, who enjoy doing the mainenance as part of the car hobby. Survey others for reputation of the person you are thinking about using.

 

A car is a lot easier to work on than a human! Especially a 34 year old one. It is totally fine to pay a reputable shop to service a 308, but as far as cars go, they are relatively easy to work on yourself. Many of us do our own service and maintenance as it's fun, and not complicated. Hope you buy it and enjoy it! Totally different experience than driving a gallardo . Hope you are not too disappointed!

 

Sell it then. If you are not sure then sell it to someone who will appreciate it.