help with a 308

Welcome and you might want to try and do a search on 308 and see what it turns up here. This topic is discussed all the time.

 

Forza magazine has the best Buyers Guide...

Short version:

1976 Fibreglass is first/fastest....
1977 is THE LAST year carbed, without catalytic converters.......
1978 - 1989 All the rest!!!!! LOL!

Class dismissed.

Bubba
1977 308GTB #22127
1977 308GTB #22641

 

Oh, a Euro version, of any year is better, but DOT papers MUST accompany the car!!

Best to buy a North Anerican version! (Includes Canadian cars)

 

Only if you go and see the car for yourself or have someone that you trust look at the car and this is very important get a PPI done no matter what.

 

PPI = Pre Purchase Inspection

E-bay can be legit but be careful and Caveat Emptor.

As for specific questions to taking the plunge, a search is your best and fastest bet as just about all questions have been discussed many times over. Good luck in the search.

 

I bought a 1982 308 GTSI from cars.com 4 weeks ago. I used this forum to have someone go and check the car out before I even started negotiating with the seller. I ended up with a great car at a good price and more importantly I am thrilled. I would be more than willing to share what I know, just PM me and I will send you my phone number.

Andy

 

Paul,

I bought my first 308 from Peter Sweeney at Forza Motorsports. Bill Pollard, an independent mechanic nearby and one of the best in the business, can do a thorough PPI for you.

http://www.forzamotorsports.com/Default.htm

Good luck. Dane

 

I'm in the "end game" of buying an 85' 308gts (red-tan), so I know exactly what you're going through. (should be delivered next week- paid for it today)
1st thing I did before even asking questions of the car owner, is to run a "CarFax" report on the car $24.95 gives you a month of unlimited reports- I eliminated dozens of nice looking cars because of suspecious mileages reported, or accidents etc. That was always my first screen, that any potential car HAD to pass. A recent(within 2 years) Major service (5 yrs or 30k miles) was another filter. (very expensive)
Third- be patient !!! this process usually takes a few months to find that special car that has a clean Carfax, reasonable mileage, most if not all service records and an honest seller who is willing to answer all quesions without ducking any. Ask to see the receipt for the Major service and any other that are significant. Ask if all systems electric and mechanical are in good functional condition. When all of these things are ok, then pay for an inspection by a "Ferrari" mechanic, not just a local garage or PPI service. Ferraris are not like other cars, you need an experts point of view.
I hope this helps - good luck hunting.
Steve

 

where the hell have you been! ? nice to "see" ya!



re : 308


depends on what you want. the later QV'S are said to be quick and reliable, the early carb cars ( cough like mine ! ) are more seat of the pants "viceral" to hear, feel and drive. a 78GTS will drive totally different from a early carb GTB. i have yet to see, drive or ride in a glass gtb, but i bet the Euro dry sump cars are top of the heap !

plenty of us here can help with your questions, many answers can be found in the archives in Tech and the Classic sections. happy hunting. Michael

 

Be very careful. Most are cheap for a reason..................

 

I am located north of Baltimore, and have been through it twice. My 2nd 308 is now a '85 QV. I am probably not too far from you, so if you want to come up and get some pointers as to what you are looking for. Let me know.

 

Carfax only works on 1980 and newer cars with 17 digit VIN. Pre 1980 you have to rely on VALID maintenance records and a good inspection to determine the value of the car on it's own merits/condition. A stack of records a foot high doesn't mean anything if the car has rust holes in it.

An ebay car is only as good as the sellers honesty and the thoroughness of your PPI. Actually that would hold true for any sales venue.

I hold a more critical eye towards ebay cars because it's a good place to unload "pigs with lipstick".

Not to say there aren't good cars on there as well as honest sellers but BUYER BEWARE.

 

Keep me posted, and PM me if you have any questions for now. Glad to help.

 

Paul,

I am also fairly close and just went through this process ~1 yr ago. Please feel free to PM me with any questions/thoughts.

I picked up a 308QV and couldn't be happier but it was a looong time searching.

thx.

- sean

 

Here's one: http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/89557612.html

'78 GTS for $24,000. 58k miles. Listed Aug. 7.

 

Forza has the most informative articles on 308
#25 is the actual buyers guide
#59 on choosing the right one
#63 owner experience from a carb 308 GTB

Mine is 33603, a red/tan 1981 GTSi purchased from Rovers America (Nashville) in March 2004. I've put closed to 5K miles (1k alone when the family got transfer to Montréal, Canada) since without any major issues except for a minor flywheel problem. Parts are usually readily available from a host of sources : All Ferrari Parts, Italian Car Parts, Leatherique, Ferrai Web site and the local dealer. Just make sure you have a complete car as bits and pieces will add up quickly.