Have found a dusty 308 GTB for sale; 1977, 66K miles, has been parked (outside) for a year. Newer 550 wheels w/ Dunlops. Car looks dirty but strait - no dings, dents or visible rust. Looks neglected but not necessarily abused. Question is, since it is not currently running, hard to do a proper pre-purchase etc... Is this a nightmare situation (unlimited downside) I should run from or a chance to score a diamond in the rough etc?!? Photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/staggart1/308 Sorry, they are big files. Please let me know your thoughts and thanks for the group support. Cheers!
You don't buy Ferrari's without a PPI, unless you absolutely know what you're doing. Why would anybody sell a rough diamond for the price of a pearl?
Doesn't look as bad as I envisioned when you said that it has been sitting outside. Those are not 550 wheels, just aftermarket wheels that look like 550 wheels. It has the wrong steering wheel and the wrong seats. The REAL question though, is what is wrong with it that the owner parked it. That is the key to how much it is worth. Birdman
I agree with the Birdman. The dirt is not the issue, the mechanicals ARE the issue. When was the last belt change? Major service? Unless you are a really good mechanic and are looking for a project, you could end up buying yourself a money-pit. And on Kona, I'm sure you don't have a lot of Ferrari mechanics competing for business, so the cost of repair work is going to be very high. I agree with the observation -- you need to know why the car has been sitting for a year. Obviously, something is wrong with that car. You need to know the full extent of the problems and go in with eyes wide open. Otherwise, you could be making a costly mistake.
You should figure it as a parts car. Once you have bought it, you can give it a thorough exam and decide if it should remain a parts car. I'm not a betting man, but if I were, I would bet on it costing at least 15K to bring it up to fully serviced, driveable condition, more if needs motor work which, at 66K, there is an excellent chance it will. Dave
Also, a 77 308 sitting outside will probably have rust, even if the mechanicals can be brought back. And they don't usually get parked outside unless something was broken to start. In my opinion, the non-original wheels are a big turnoff as well. Someone disrespected the originality of the car. Not damning, but it suggests 'kustomized' instead of appreciated. I'd say go buy a good, looked-after car. You'll save money and aggravation. If the engine's bad, you'll be putting $10K++ into that, and a proper respray is probably another $10K assuming bad paint but zero rust. And I don't want to think about how the normally crappy 308 electrical system would do after a year in the damp.
I won't disagree with anyone above, but I will note that the car has 2 things going for it: 1) it's a GTB 2) it's where he is -- the middle of nowhere I think it's easy for us to say "go get another one," but I suspect that shopping for Ferraris is a bit more difficult for him.
Look, it comes down to whether you want to own a 308. If you do, then you'll pay a 308 price: $35k for a nice example or $15-$20k + repairs/maintanence which will also land you in the mid $30's (hopefully). You can buy a car in LA and ship it for $1k or so, so if you want a 308 and this isn't it, you're not SOL by any means. If I was in the 308 market I'd give the guy $10k for this car sight unseen. But I'd have a $25k budget to restore it because it's going to need at least belts, hoses, WP, bushings, and lord knows what else. There's no cheap way to own a working Ferrari; a $35k total budget up front is realistic I think. Ken
If you have Never had a 308,,, that nero one would be a Bad choice! (you can get upside down $$$$ .$$ in a hurry.)
True... And I was prepared to say "Walk," before I viewed the pictures - just from the description. The car doesn't *look* that bad in the pictures, but it's certainly not a "time capsule" car, either. Too many things not original - wheels, seats, etc. I'll just say that if you can get it for (what you feel to be) a fair price i.e., very close to $10k +/-, AND ONLY IF you are comfortable doing much of your own work, buy it. Tow it home, and start going through it. Best of luck! Aaron PS - depending on how tolerant the owner is, it would be worth it (to me) to see if the engine will turn over by hand - not with the ignition key. See if you can remove the RR tire and fender liner to access the crank pully. Might be a stretch, but if he goes for it, why not?
Looks to me like a basketcase. I could be wrong. If the engine is good, maybe. I would wait for a nice, ready to go example to come up.
I think most of us started out with 'the neighborhood' as the purchase area. Ultimately, even 308s are uncommon cars, so I'd advise anyone to cast a wider net and look for reputable sellers. (Hell, I had a hard time finding a nice 328 GTS in black/tan here in southern California...) As far as GTBs, if the buyer can live with the combination of the hardtop and crappy a/c, I think carreaper was selling his on FerrariAds(?). It's also black, and likely a much better car that can be driven immediately.
Why bother? This one has an asking price of $30K and it actually runs: http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=2118&sort=1&cat=11&page=7 308 GTB prices are soft (except for the 'glass cars). Forget the 'sat outside for a year' car and grab this one.
Thing is, if it drives, it will likely run poorly after have been sitting so long. It might just need a few 100 miles and carb rebuilds, or it might need valve guides, valves, or other expensive stuff. So it's a pig in a poke for sure! Still I could spend a year or two restoring it myself and have a great time doing it! That would spread out the expense too. Of course, I'd have to move to Hawaii! LOL Ken
I don't disagree....except for the fact that by the time carreaper's car gets to Hawaii, it's a $35k car (if not more). It was previously suggested that the car could need $25k worth of work - thus the $10k number I threw out. Add the two together, and you're at the same price. It's just a matter of whether you're a "tinkerer" or not. If not, by ALL means do NOT buy the Hawaii car and pick up 'reaper's. If so, it might be a fun project - might be a nightmare - damn near guaranteed to be less cost-effective than buying a "turnkey" car, but you have to know that going into any "restoration."
You can turn the engine over with a 1/2" drive, long handle ratchet with 32mm scoket (if I remember the size) and short extension from under the car with no disassembly. There is just enough room between the engine and frame. Only turn the engine clockwise. Just put the rear end up on jack stands. If the engine does not bar over freely I would not consider the car. If it does, it eliminates quite a few expensive problems, but not all of them. The car looks like it would make a nice driver to me. The big question is the mechanicals. It is not all original, that is a matter of choice and intended use. It looks pretty complete and you would not be afraid to drive it. If the engine will not run, you also cannot assess the transmission. Assume $5k to $8k for a trans rebuild if you cannot verify condition. Likewise carefully inspect the half shaft CV joints and boots. The air intake mod looks like Bubba has been working in this thing.
I assume the car is in Hawaii, true? But if you decide not go through with it let me know I might know a guy that has been looking for a basket case 308GTB. Best of luck!
not sure about this one and NOT trying to sponsor any kind of sales, but have dealt with this person before and he's been very much on the up-n-up http://www.sportscarcompany.com/detail-1982-ferrari-308-gtsi-1526617.html this is just an example [only] of 'not a bad price' to get what you want from someone who stands more behind their sales IMO
nice car, but many of us are polarized between carbs or injected. kind of depends on what the thread starter is looking for as i bet shipping would be a fortune to Hawaii! great link though, i am so sick of red cars!
If I couldnt at least spend some time with the car and see that it turns over, if the owner wont let you play with it, I wouldnt pay more than $15k for it. Because if he wont let you play with it you have to assume the motor is junk, its just that simple. If I could spend some time with it, I would pull the plugs, and see if it would crank over. If so, I would check for compression. I would crank it a while and see if it registers oil pressure, checking most electrical stuff. It needs all new hoses, new plug wires, probably new brake hoses, it needs a full service on the whole car. The paint isnt so hot, but its not bad, The seats are totally not right. I wouldnt try running it, Lord knows how long its sat and if a timing belt slips, well, its back to a $15K car real quick. Seats are $2-3K. A full service on that car could run $10K if it needs a lot, and it looks like it has needs. Just because you do all the work yourself doesnt mean your time is worth any less. Lets start with a decent $30K 308. Deduct $10K, $3K, and maybe another $3K for cosmetics. Now ADD back the cost of shipping a car from the midwest US to Hawaii. If you can get it for anything under $15K I think your doing okay. Looks like only $975 to ship it. http://www.matson.com/pov/booking/shipping_rates.htm
wow, it was over $2k to ship my Jalpa from Georgia to the new buyer in Kalifornia, and that was a year ago. hell my Urraco was $1k to ship from Boston to Georgia!
