FERRARI 308 GT4 BUYING ADVICE | FerrariChat

FERRARI 308 GT4 BUYING ADVICE

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by BERTONE, Aug 20, 2004.

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  1. BERTONE

    BERTONE Formula Junior

    Aug 20, 2004
    662
    THE NORTH
    Full Name:
    ENZO
    IM LOOKING TO BUY A PRISTINE 308 GT4 NEEDING NO WORK AS MY FIRST FERRARI.
    I HAVE DONE MONTHS OF RESEARCH BUT CANT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS SUCH A PRICE VARIATION, £10,000 UP TO £25,000.
    ALSO, 308 GT4S SEEM TO BE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, SO ALTHOUGH THIS IS THE MODEL I REALLY WANT, IM A GREAT BERTONE FAN, IM THINKING OF CHANGING TACK TO A MONDIAL AS THIS IS THE ONLY OTHER MODEL IN MY PRICE RANGE AS IM NOT TOO KEEN ON THE 400.
    SHOULD I STICK IT OUT AND WAIT FOR A MINT ORIGINAL GT4 (IS THERE SUCH A THING?) OR POSSIBLY GO FOR A NEWER MONDIAL.
    ID BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY ADVICE OR NEWS ON WHERE THERE IS ONE CURRENTLY FOR SALE,
    MANY THANKS.
     
  2. 208 GT4

    208 GT4 Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2003
    1,763
    Brighton (UK)
    Full Name:
    Dan
    Julian...?

    There is a big difference in price because the cost of turning a £10k GT4 into a £25k GT4 is twice that.

    Plus there's the dealer factor...they need to have a suitable cushion of profit to make sure they don't lose money on a deal if it breaks down.

    Check out the £15k price bracket, and buy the best one you see. No matter what inspection you have done, it can still go wrong.

    There's always going to be a risk...but "He who dares, wins"

    Dan
     
  3. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 10, 2002
    4,667
    Chester, England
    Full Name:
    AndrewG
    The reason Gt4's seem to be thin on the ground is that most owners want to keep hold of them long term as opposed to gtb & gts owners who tend to trade up after a shorter period of time,
    The Gt4 is without a doubt the most underated Ferrari road car at the moment (probabley why the owners want to keep them, why spend another 5k to get a worse car?), I personally would rate them as better handling, riding than any other F-car under 20k, the only real problems seem to be Rust Rust and Rust! lots of the 8-12k cars have been through the hands of cheap owners and dodgy dealers who dig out rust just to fill it with fibre glass and blow some shiny new paint over the top!
    As always have it inspected before you start negotiating the price, you should be able to get a very good one for £15-17K
     
  4. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    If you want to see what the gt4 can do there is a video called Ferrari fury. If i remember some thrash the 308s and 328s, i think the mondial comes first. All this takes place in an hill sprint on the isle of man.I have it on the dvd and video, if you want it on the video geordiebranny ,which i have not used in years mail me your address and ill pop it in an envelope.
     
  5. jeffQV

    jeffQV F1 Rookie

    Feb 13, 2004
    2,976
    NZ
    Full Name:
    jeff
    as a mondial owner I have to say go for the best one you can find (loads of dogs out there, I looked at 14 cars before settling!) GT4 and mondial very different animals and both RUST!
    Chaa, I have not seen the Mondial beat 308/328's, if you have a copy I'd love to see it, happy to pay for the privelage too!

    jeff
     
  6. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    Jeff, the mondial P**S all over the others and wins by around 3 seconds over the 308 gt4 that came second. In fact the 328s were around 15 seconds behind and were last. Some of the results are as follows.
    1st Mondial driven by Jon Godman
    2nd 308 gt4 driven by Nick Lawrance
    3rd 308 gtb driven by Brian Jackson
    4th 308 gt4 driven by Richard Backer
    5th 355 gts driven by Ed Stratton.
    Like i said the 328s are last. The cars are driven well and i was impressed by the mondial and gt4s.I know some people have seen it and may say that some of the drivers were inexpereanced, but that dont wash with me becourse the bull sh*t stops on the tarmac.I mean it was a fair test, clear road with no traffic just man and machine verses the clock. If you want the vid Jeff mail me your address and if the thread starter does not contact me by sunday night its yours, no probs, you dont have to buy it, i have not used it for years becourse i have it on DVD, i will just post it to you.
     
  7. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 10, 2002
    4,667
    Chester, England
    Full Name:
    AndrewG
    Chaz,

    could the Mondial be a 3.4t?, the 8's and qv's arent as quick as a gt4 out of the box.
     
  8. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    You know andrew it could well be. I dont know much about these cars (mondials and gt4s) but i kinow with a good driver they are damed good performers.And in the hands of some one good they are shown to hold there own against more modern cars.They looked well ballanced and very fast. I am sumwhat suprised that you have not seen the vid being that you once owned one.
     
  9. BERTONE

    BERTONE Formula Junior

    Aug 20, 2004
    662
    THE NORTH
    Full Name:
    ENZO
    THANKS FOR EVERYONES ADVICE SO FAR.
    I LOOKED AT A GT4 AT A FERRARI SPECIALIST RECENTLY.
    FULLY RESTORED BODY AFTER CRASH DAMAGE, RESPRAYED FROM SILVER TO RED, RHD IMPORT FROM HONG KONG, INTERIOR WAS COSMETICALLY POOR YET THE PRICE WAS STILL £20,000.
    IS THIS THE PRICE IM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR AN 8/10 GT4?
    IM REALLY AFTER A 10/10 EXAMPLE, DOES THAT MEAN IM GOING TO BE PAYING MEGA BUCKS?
    I CAN GET A PRISTINE 308 GTB FOR MID TWENTIES!
    DOES ANYONE THINK IM BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE HERE AS IVE REALLY ONLY GOT £16-18K TO SPEND
    OR AM I GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE DO WITH MY CONCOURS FIAT X1/9?
     
  10. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 10, 2002
    4,667
    Chester, England
    Full Name:
    AndrewG
    No its not the price your going to have to pay, your budget is spot on for an 8/10 car

    I'll keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks for you (I'm a partner in as Jeep/Land Rover/Ferrari, dealer/specialist in Cheshire)

    Whats your name ?

    have you looked on the FOC's website (http://www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk/sales/sales.asp)
    There's a GT4 on there that I was looking at, seems to be a solid example you could get for £14k leaving lots left in the pot to retrim / service etc.
     
  11. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 10, 2002
    4,667
    Chester, England
    Full Name:
    AndrewG
    Chaz,

    could you please put me on the list to borrow your video?

    Thanks
     
  12. BERTONE

    BERTONE Formula Junior

    Aug 20, 2004
    662
    THE NORTH
    Full Name:
    ENZO
    YEP, IVE BEEN ON THE FOC WEBSITE, ALSO AUTOTRADER, FINDIT.CO.UK,
    AND SCOURED THE FERRARI SPECIALISTS UK WIDE BUT AS YET NOTHING. IM QUITE PREPARED TO PAY GOOD MONEY FOR A PRISTINE EXAMPLE NEEDING NO WORK BUT I CANT EVEN SEEM TO FIND ONE OF THEM. ID RATHER PAY MORE FOR A PERFECT ONE THAN LESS FOR ONE THAT NEEDS WORK, EVEN COSMETICALLY!
    JULIAN'S THE NAME, YES I KNOW, NOT A 'TYPICAL' GEORDIE NAME.
    DONT MENTION TODAYS RESULT!!!!!
    SIR BOBBY WONT LAST LONG AT THIS RATE!
    ANYWAY, THANKS FOR KEEPING A LOOK OUT!
     
  13. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 10, 2002
    4,667
    Chester, England
    Full Name:
    AndrewG
    Julian

    the thing is to just keep looking, once found a Gt4 for sale at a brick and salvage yard with a for sale sign in its window!!
     
  14. GavC

    GavC Formula Junior

    May 9, 2004
    492
    Lincolnshire, Englan
    Full Name:
    Gavin Culshaw
    I own a gt4 and went the other route I restored it myself. Granted it isn't concours but is very useable. If you want to get a mint one you are going to have to wait. Would look at the winners of the FOC concours for the gt4 cat you might twist someones arm to sell. There are alot for sale for £15k and all seem good useable cars. Nick Cartwright sometimes has a good one for sale but again you will pay dealers premiums. They are all now over 20 yrs old so you will have to put up with some work needed, as they are at the lower end in financial terms of Ferrari ownership they don't seem to get looked after quite as well as other tipo's. But they are a very underated car.Handling/sound(carb's) and practicality. If you want any more advice please feel free to email me.

    Gavin
     
  15. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    I know Nick Cartwright still has one for sale at £20,00. Its red with black.In fact he tried to sell it to me last year, but i wanted a 328.
    I am not lending the vid i am giveing it. So far jeffs mailed me, so if the thread starter dont contact me he gets it ,you will have to ask him. Andrew if you mail me with your address i will borrow you my personal DVD of ferrari fury as long as you send it me back. You do know that i will hunt you down across the UK and kill ya if you sell up and run with it, dont ya?
     
  16. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 10, 2002
    4,667
    Chester, England
    Full Name:
    AndrewG
    Chaz thanks

    Of course I know what will happen to me if I don’t return it, your reputation precedes you on this one, if only you did Repo and debt collection work..............
     
  17. BERTONE

    BERTONE Formula Junior

    Aug 20, 2004
    662
    THE NORTH
    Full Name:
    ENZO
    THANKS LADS,
    IVE SEEN BOTH OF NICK CARTWRIGHTS (LOVELY BLOKE) 308S, ONE IS IMMACULATE FOR £23,000 BUT ITS GOT A TAN VELOUR INTERIOR.....YUK!!
    THE OTHER FOR £20,000 IS BODILY PERFECT, BUT ITS BEEN CRASH DAMAGED, RESPRAYED FROM SILVER TO RED, ITS AN RHD IMPORT FROM HONG KONG AND THE INTERIOR WAS COSMETICALLY POOR. WOULD ANY OF THE ABOVE PUT YOU OFF BUYING IT FOR 20K? IM STILL HUMMING AND HAAING ABOUT IT! IM AFTER PERFECTION, I DONT REALLY WANT TO START WORKING ON A FERRARI EVEN JUST COSMETICALLY ESPECIALLY AT THE 18-20K MARK!
    ANY THOUGHTS?
     
  18. 208 GT4

    208 GT4 Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2003
    1,763
    Brighton (UK)
    Full Name:
    Dan
  19. andrewg

    andrewg F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Sep 10, 2002
    4,667
    Chester, England
    Full Name:
    AndrewG
    Nice looking car, pity the owner changed the colour to resale red, looks like it needs a good service though which would also allow the engine and bay to be tidied up to look as shiny as the outside
     
  20. BERTONE

    BERTONE Formula Junior

    Aug 20, 2004
    662
    THE NORTH
    Full Name:
    ENZO
    YES IVE SEEN THE ONE ON EBAY, IN FACT I THINK I KNOW OF EVERY ONE THAT IS CURRENTLY FOR SALE!
    THERE SEEMS TO BE A HECK OF A LOT MORE MONDIALS FOR SALE THAN 308 GT4S AT QUITE REASONABLE PRICES, BUT ITS THOSE BERTONE LINES THAT DO IT FOR ME.
    WOULD A MONDIAL BE EASIER AND CHEAPER TO LOOK AFTER?
     
  21. mario308

    mario308 Karting

    May 15, 2001
    62
    UK
    Guys,

    I've got the Ferrari fury video at home. PM me If you want to buy it. I've only watched it twice and yes the Mondial is a 3.4 T.

    First come first served.

    Cheers,

    Mario
     
  22. HectorZauss

    HectorZauss Guest

    Aug 17, 2004
    21
    Hampshire
    I doubt you’ll find an original and mint GT4 – they’re all at least 24 years old and many have been through numerous owners many of whom have not treated the cars particularly well.
    I agree with AndrewG’s comments above - once you get a good one you tend to hold on to it - I spent ages looking at all sorts of clapped out clunkers before buying mine back in ’91. If a car gets used you have to expect a few stone chips here and there but remember – a new coat of paint is far more suspect on an old car – it’s been painted for a reason so what are they hiding? 70s Ferraris can rust prodigiously if not looked after -look at the car overall and don't be put off by minor blemishes.
    BTW, all the Ebay gt4s I have seen so far have looked like rubbish.
     
  23. BERTONE

    BERTONE Formula Junior

    Aug 20, 2004
    662
    THE NORTH
    Full Name:
    ENZO
    HI HECTOR,
    THANKS FOR THE ADVICE......I SEARCHED FOR A NEAR CONCOURS FIAT X1/9 FOR 3 YEARS BEFORE I FOUND ONE SO I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.
    THERE IS A MINT GT4 AT RUNNYMEDE MOTOR COMPANY BUT ITS £23,000!
    THERE ARE SENDING ME MORE DETAILS TOMORROW, ALTHOUGH I WAS HOPING TO SPEND SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THAT.
    NICK CARTWRIGHT ALSO HAS A CRACKING EXAMPLE AT A SIMILAR PRICE BUT ITS GOT AN AWFUL TAN VELOUR INTERIOR!
    ALTHOUGH I REALLY WANT A GT4 MY NEXT OPTION COULD BE A MONDIAL, ANY THOUGHTS?
    JULIAN.
     
  24. HectorZauss

    HectorZauss Guest

    Aug 17, 2004
    21
    Hampshire
    There are benefits of going the Mondial route, as the cars are newer so it should follow there are more good low mileage Mondials about than good GT4s.
    It wasn’t my choice because in my opinion the GT4 looks and drives better – sounds better too with an Ansa. And to get a Mondial worth having you'll have to up your budget!
     
  25. RAY430RED

    RAY430RED Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,112
    Marlborough Wilts
    Full Name:
    Ray F
    Mario you traitor trying to sell that Ferrari Fury video you well know im on that with my 308GT4 Must admit it was a few years ago and i am not on it for long But it was filmed on the Isle of Man How is your car m8 have not seen you or The Testarossa lead man for a good while

    Kind Regards Ray360M
     

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