Has my dream of 308/328 ownership become irrelevant?

Well, I'm on the verge of finally getting a 308/328, the object of my desires for over 20 years. The questions that loom largest are: "Has my dream expired? Are these cars even relevant anymore?"

I've owned 3 E36 M3s, 2 300ZX TTs, and I currently own a 350Z Track model, which performs phenomally. (Please everybody, don't bash my "Jap Crap"! I'm aware of the limitations of Japanese -vs- European machinery!!)

I need to justify spending over 30K to finally realize my dream. I know the performance will let me down, but the aesthetics and aura certainly won't.

Anybody out there want to convince me either way?.......

 

Simple.

Every true petrolhead must own a Ferrari at sometime in his life.

 

I finally fulfilled my 30-year dream in March and purchased a 328. I knew I couldn't afford "more" Ferrari, so I didn't dwell on that. Yes, the performance may not match other supposedly less-exotic cars, but that hasn't bothered me one bit! Everywhere I take the car people are happy to see it, and many say they like the styling better than the newer models.

Porsches and Corvettes have become somewhat "irrelevant" simply because there are so many of them out there. But Ferraris have always been made in small enough numbers that they will always be "relevant".

So don't worry, be happy! Get your 308/328 and enjoy! You'll be a member of an exclusive and exciting "club".

 

There is a current thread going on comparing 328 and 350Z so you can have a look at the comment there also.
I think it depends on what you want you ceratinly have experienced the jap sports cars already and it probably give you the today innovative performance.
However, 3x8s are TOTALLY different things: the ride, the smell, the concentration while driving, the raw Go Kart typed of feeling, the sound etccccccccccccc.
Once you have owned one then you will realise that the jap cars WILL NOT give you the THRILL every time you get 3x8 engine running. I still also get excited every time I drive it. I have owned Porsche, XK8 and driven a few jap sports cars before but UNCOMPARABLE in terms of expereince.

 

Adding a Ferrari to your collections is my advise. I agree that your fast and furious Jap cars give you such performance. But owning a Ferrari is another world by itself. Driving fast is never the only way to enjoy a fine automobile...

For my cars below:
The Lotus accelerate 0-60 in the top 4 second and topping at 300 km/h...
The Ferrari tops about 255 km/h but it's so much fun in its own way...
But when it's sunset, nice weather nothing beats the top down MGA...

Sometime you feel like a nut, sometime you don't.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

If you really like cars you will never regret having a Ferrari. What I mean by that is that if in owning cars you enjoy working on them, maintaining them and dealing with all the little issues that pop with them then you will be fine.
"Performance" is irrelevant in my opinion. I had a 5.0L Mustang GT in my early twenties and there were only so many bunrouts, stoplight races and crap you an do until it gets old. Sure there are alot of cars that will be faster and...blah, blah, blah... they are not Ferrari's.
Believe me, I don't live in a magical word where I think Ferrari is the best car ever built (it's far from that) but the history, the passion the commnity... there are intangibles that can't be measured with a stopwatch.
If that's what you like and drives your passion for cars then Ferrari is for you. If you want a car that starts and runs like a toyota everytime and has performance, stick with Japanese or German cars otherwise you will be dissappointed.
A Ferrari can be tempremental, cold, mysterious and frustrating... it's also beautiful, magical, alluring, and at times the sweetest thing on 4 wheels. It's the closest thing you can have to a mistress and still be happily married.
Of course this is a Ferrari board and we're all a little biased.

 

If after owning half the cars you list you will need something with more power and modern amenneties than a 308/328 . Mybe a 355 or a a 12cylinder of anything ,.

 

Spend the money if you have it and realize your dream. There's nothing like a Ferrari--I don't care what model Ferrari we're talking about.

A good Ferrari is like a piece of gold--it will hold its value. You should be able to sell it for just about as much as you paid for it later on in case you don't like it or you tire of it.

Just do your homework on what constitutes a "good" 328. Consult the very knowledgeable people on this board and/or do a search if you need information.

 

Interesting concept -- expiring dreams. I would say fulfill your dream and enjoy the pleasure of a dream fulfilled.

Then move on to the next dream!

 

I have a stable full of very exotic current cars and a bunch of significant older cars, but the car that defines "Ferrari" for me is still my 1977 308GTB. It just looks like a Ferrari should and it never fails to draw a crowd whenever I am out in in it.
In my mind there is no such thing as an irrelevant Ferrari. They are all very special cars because there were never many of any particular model. The most successful recent models, 355's and 360's have collectively accounted for about as many cars as GM turns out in the average week.

 

Drive it first. Thats the only thing that will let yourself know if that is what you really want.

 

Greg,
I'd pretty much go with what people are saying but in the end it's you who has to decide. I'd also add....

How can you say no to this???
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

You are where I was 18 months ago...
I fullfilled the dream and never regret.
Ciao
Eugenio

 

If you want one, get one. If you want a bunch of people to "talk" you into it, you probably should hold off until you're sure YOU want to get one.
Yes, it's true that your 350 is much faster and better handling/braking, but that's not really the reason to get a 3X8. There are plenty of faster and more reliable cars out there...

 

Well Greg, I think you have been given a lot of opinions about the subject already and in the end it is you to decide. Asking this thread in this website, you probably knew what to expect. You probably get a mirror-imaged opinions if you go into Jap-cars enthusiasts webstes.
But I think both sides are right in their views as Jap cars have their good points and also Ferraris' but you are not comparing 'apple to apple'.
Like you are comparing a private jet liner to F16!!!!

 

Grow up and decide for yourself. Why do you keep asking us to justify your purchase. If 30K is too much then don't buy it. Don't ask people to make your decision for you.

 

It´s not unusual to buy a car also b/c of what other people think about the car. In this light it seems legitimate to ask for thoughts from others in a forum like this ... ?

 

You should park the MGA in between the Esprit and the 308 as their yellows clash

 

Mr PONG, WHAT A GREAT GROUP OF CARS!!!! i can imagine the fun you must have!!!

 

if you're already questioning it
you will definitely become bored with the car
soon after you get it

start looking for something else

 

Thanks for your responses, everybody--even the negative ones!
I really don't need to be "talked into this decision", I just want to hear many different opinions on this subject. I learn by listening to others. I'm still gonna do what I gotta do!

I'm not a wealthy guy, so I'm treading carefully towards this purchase. Yes, I can afford the car and service/maintenance, but it's not going to be paid for with my "excess cash"! I don't have any of that! This will be a decision based on passion more than logic, but I guess every Ferrari ever purchased was bought that way!

 

Greg,

good luck with your decision...............
I just bought my 308 about 6 weeks ago and absolutely love it, they are truely great cars to listen to and to experiance. They are by no means speed demons (308's) but they are no slouches either.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Nice car, Charles!

 

Greg

Buy careful, look after it and if you don't like it sell it..... We live on average 70 years.. so what is 1 year out of this?

Rod

 

Greg,
You said it in a nutshell right there! For once...(or in my case three times...) we must follow our passion, and get the car of our dreams! Once you find it, and drive it, all is forgotten...as a Ferrari makes all other cars almost irrelavant. It is more than the raw numbers, but the overall experience that makes these cars so enjoyable. If performance concerns you, then do try and find a 328...they are a tad faster, and a bit more refined. But they are all great cars. Just remember that there are four distinct 308 variants...early carb, late carb, 2v FI and 4v FI. Each have their pluses and minuses.