So, as far as the rain being a problem guess the Florida monsoon summer season would not be favorable for this 308?
I've used mine as a daily driver, and I have no problems with the lights at night. They're actually quite bright, and it's a 79 GTS. It doesn't get that hot in it either, and it's fine in traffic. My windows are only slow when it's really cold out.
I put 32,000 kms in one year on my 1976 308 GTB and drove it every day for three years. It was a blast and an experience I'll never regret. All the rubbish you read about carb cars was dispelled by this experience. No plug fouling or issues with points or carburettor synchronisation after it was set up right. It never gave any trouble except for when a new oil hose split at the crimp after I had a new one made so I can't blame the car for that. The air con was cold and heater worked in the winter. I did do regular maintenance as per the book. It was funny doing a valve adjustment every year because of the mileage and the car was off the road for 4 days per year with maintenace which I did myself. The only reason I stopped driving it was because I ended up losing my car park which was very safe and I became terrified of getting parking dents in a communal parking area. My advice, look after the car and the car will look after you. In my experience, Ferrari's (And pretty much anything else) costs about the same to run whether you drive them or not except for petrol. The reason, most maintenance is time based if you don't put the miles on, you are paying for the car standing there. Go for it. Regards, Carl.
No kidding?? Although there are posts to the contrary, most 308 owners are not impressed with the AC at all. How bad must the Mondial T be?? As a future Mondial owner (albeit a 3.2 if I can find a nice one once I'm in the market) I was expecting working AC and heat. Ken
I totally have to agree with this. I have gone up to the grocery store with the car, PO, bank, etc., and its really rather stressful. I feel like I just landed a flying saucer in front of the white house. Its almost like its not appropriate attire, like wearing a 3 peice Armani suit to your neighbors backyard BBQ. I do like being able to do something practical with the car while I am out global warming, but the fact is that its just not a practical daily car. But some of the other complaints about the cars are not so realistic. The slow windows and other electrical faults are primarily due to the old style fuse box and 30 year old wiring connections. Birdmans fuse box and a day spent cleaning connections will fix over 95% of the trouble with these cars, the slow windows, fans, wipers, and dim lights. I drove my "old" 77 carbed 308 over 100 miles in heavy rain last fall, and half of that was city driving. My heater fan switch decided to fail on me, but as long as I was moving the windshield remained clear. The wipers did as well as any car I have owned, my windows go up or down in 4 seconds, and my lights are useable. I also spent 12 hours in it last fall and found it very comfortable. But it is fatiguing if your not used to it.
As far as complaints on AC....AC is one of the biggest pains of any car needing constant attention as no ac system is really, truly, leak free. Freon (R134a or R 12) seeps out ever so slowly, eventually, things happen. Am not familiar with 308 aC system/ size of condensor/blower capacity/ etc, but I am asuming that for those who are not happy with their 308 AC, you are STILL using R-12, and there are NO leaks, and the dryer has been replaced if the compressor has recently failed/been replaced. Vacuum should be verified by a good AC guy you know, who will spend the time to hook up an evacuator pump for at least 3 hrs, and get NO movement on the gauge. If, like many cars, your AC system was converted to R134a, a simple refrigerant change can give cool air, but no where near as cool as R-12....you can get close, though, to R12 by adding a larger, more efficient condensor, but, I don't know how much space there is for that in a 308. Just , for whatever its worth, that's my little tid bit on Ac, not being an expert, only that I have put in / restored 3 complete systems on 3 cars-1 being the tiny Alfa which I was told by experts that the car wasnt made for AC, and it will never really work well. Well, after my work, and R 12(R134a will not work) I defied them. Job was tough, as there is hardly any room in those engine bays!! The tiny drier barely fit, and then , only with p[lastic zip tie. Still, it works, and I am talking about an environment in the FL humid, hot summer!! Hope this helps some. Joe
