First time post, but I did a search and couldnt find a good solution for this. I am on the fence about whether to buy my dream car or not. I have drooling over this car for some 20 years now. After researching the maintenance costs (probably do most of the work myself) it looks like I could afford this car even if I have to have someone else do the work. So, whats stopping me?? Well I currently drive a honda s2000 and love the way the car drives, feels, and looks. Plus (ignoring the already lost value) there is very little maintenance cost that will go into. Just tires and gas. I figure that these 2 cars are somewhat similar in performance (3000+ lbs, ~240HP), but I love the body of the Ferrari more. So, I guess what I really need to do is find someone that is at least willing to take me for a spin in one. There is one for sale locally, but I would hate to go test drive a car that I have no intention of buying (wrong color). Any suggestions on how to solve this problem? First post, but not the last. I have many questions lined up on my list already...
Be honest with the guy and take a look, or come by my house I'll let you thrash one around the Ranch.......try to stay on the roads and watch for the Longhorn that looks like Bevo..... Moorespeed is who you need to talk to...... As you noted your Honda will be worth less and less, the 308GTB more and more.
Sorry not to address your issue, but...... I have a factory hardtop, tonneau, etc for your car for sale if you're interested. 281-433-8956 Image Unavailable, Please Login
I have a car enthusiast friend in Austin who has had good things to say about Moorespeed. Is it an option to have both? I find my STI and 308 to be good complements for one another. One is practical and efficient, the other sleek and flamboyant.
Dude...it's very difficult to explain in words. I can appreciate your Honda but the best I can say is the Honda is transportation (no disrespect intended) a Ferrari is a lifestyle, an experience, a mistress and a demanding one at that. Ferrari is the "gold standard" against which Hondas, Toyotas, Corvettes, Porsches are measured. The Ferrari experience/hobby can be very rewarding especially if you are capable and do the work yourself. I say if you've always dreamed of owning an Fcar...just buy one. I suspect this is one of the things on your "to do before I die list". Don't delay. As my old Torts professor used to say the big yellow bus could hit you tomorrow. Live life, enjoy the ride...you can always buy another Honda.
Your S2000 can run rings around any 308. It's just much newer technology, so you may be disappointed in that regard. At a track event once, I had my Subie STI and my friend brought a QV. He was mad because I lapped him twice in a 30 minute session (he only expected to get lapped once). But, I have been lapped by STI's on tracks when I had my 328. Does that mean he was having less fun? Certainly not. I test drove an S2000 when they came out. At the time, I had a 308 and 348 and after reading all the glowing reviews thought the S2000 might be the ticket to replace one of the Ferraris with something as involving but a lot cheaper and practical. But, I was disappointed. I just enjoyed driving my old, slow 308 more. Ferraris are an entire sensory experience that involves drivers in a way that no other marque can (yet). I have nothing but respect for the Honda, it goes about its business with great competence, but, it's just different. Dave
Thanks for the invite BigTex. I wish I would have posted last week now. I just got back from Houston over the weekend. I might take you up if I have not found something around here before the next time I get back over there. The wife says one would have to go. Besides, I dont think I can fit both in the garage. One (the S) would need to sleep outside. Plus my pocket book wouldnt like the hit either. I do have a hard time parting with the cars I buy, but I think I would have to let go of the S. I think I probably agree with everyone in that I would prefer driving the Ferrari, but I just cant make that jump blind. Ill have to at least find a test ride before I can become a serious buyer.
Every potential buyer I had for my 85,, who drove the car (badly) didn't buy it. The last guy,,,, who came by, I wouldn't even let HIM put the (freakin) top down ,,, let alone drive it. I drove the masterpiece. SOLD!!!!!
I think when you first drive one the natural tendency is to be gentle and shortshift like mad. The car shines above 5000rpm and pushed a bit! It's great.
Life is short. Live your dream. A 20, 25 or 30 year old car will not perform the way a modern car will. It's just that simple. Most modern cars will outperform most classics. But that's not what you buy a classic car for. Classic cars have a feel unlike modern cars. They do not drive themselves. You have to drive them. There is an interplay that takes place between you and the car that is hard to find in modern cars. If you want a modern, high performance car, buy a Corvette, or a Porsche or a Lambo or an F-car. But if you want to enjoy the thrill of driving a piece of history and being a part of preserving one of the great cars of all time, go drive that 308 and do yourself a favor -- buy it!
Aaron, you are trying to equate a 308 with an S2000. They are completely different cars. A 308 is an old car, a classic, a collectible. It's not a daily driver, common transportation. You don't buy it for performance, you buy it for something else...a love of the 308 design, or because you badly want a Ferrari and its the only one you can afford. But if you are trying to decide if its fast enough, honestly, you need to forget about it. No, the 308 is not slow (well at least the early carb ones are not slow) but it isn't fast either. Compared to other 30 year old cars, it is an amazing car, but compared to a modern car, well...it just isn't a modern car. It's not as fast, reliable, fuel-efficient or cost-effective as a modern car. Then again, a 308 parked next to an S2000 renders the Honda invisible. Birdman
I know how you feel. When I purchased my 308, I had never driven one in my life. Ever since I first saw a 308 back in 1980, I wanted one. I have always dreamed of owning a Ferrari. I can now look back at all the cars I have owned over the years and realize that all I was ever doing was dancing around the fact I wanted a Ferrari. I was looking into a 1968 Camero SS with a 396 when I found my Ferrari 308 GTSi. I said to myself that if there was ever going to be a time to own one, now is it. So I bought it and I am glad I did. Every time I sit in my 308 I get a rush and it is much more fun to work on then the other cars. I do not think I will ever sell her. The looks I get from people when I am out and about and the questions I get just make it that more fun to drive. And these kids in their Hondas, who could most likely tear my doors off in a race, I never give them the chance and that just adds to the mystery of the car. They are not sure if they could beat me or not. Rather cool that way. If this is your dream car and you plan to do the maintenance and can afford it. BUY IT......... Jeff Image Unavailable, Please Login
Last week I had the 308 out and was just cruising along and some kid in a new Mustang pulls up alongside me and is trying to get me to race him. I just laughed and shook my head. He then takes off and I catch up to him at the off ramp waiting for the light. He yells over that he is glad I didn't race because I would have killed him, if he only knew the truth. I too like the mystery and that is the beauty of the Ferrari!
Last night I beat a Dodge Hemi (400HP?) pickup truck in a mini-race on I-10 in my 1977 308 GTB. Everybody keeps saying 308s are slow. Well, mine's not. Pre-cat, no air pumps, my car pulls hard. Higher revs are necessary, though. Plus, I've updated my entire suspension/wheels/tires/brakes/steering, so I can lean the car hard in a fast sweeper and she holds fine... Get a pre-cat carb 308 (1976-77) and you'll be happy with the power. My .02... If you're ever in Houston I'll let you test drive mine--with me in the right seat of course!! Greg
No kidding. The first Ferrari I ever drove, a QV Mondial, I didn't rev out. But that was before I bought my Lotus so I had no idea. Next time I'll know what to do! Ken
I know, that looks pretty silly!! But heck, those big V8 Hemi pickups are fast in a straight line! Around 70 MPH we both got on it and I walked away from him! Felt pretty good. I wouldn't try that w/ a Dodge Viper, however! Greg
hey, those trucks are not slow to 60. Some of those trucks have all kinds of off-the-line pick-up. I almost got my tail handed to me by a v8 Toyota truck. Then again, I did not hit the gas until I was going 30mph already. DId not know they guy was being a smart-A$$ in tyring to race a Fcar. Anyway, he held up pretty well until 70mph, and then he was toast. I raced a '82 911sc the other day and I was about a car length in front of him by 90mph, and I had a particularly slow 1st to 2nd gear shift (don't we all). Not slow, not really fast, but definitely satisfying. My gtech meter showed 6.4 seconds to 60 without beating my clutch too hard.
The carb'd 308's are not slow. My car will accelerate from 80 to 125 (leaving it in 5th the entire time) rather quickly. I've beaten some cars that have more hp with no problems. For only 230hp I'm impressed with the performance. I would think the car has about 50 more hp. On the road during one of our drives I had no problems keeping up with a new '06 911. Now from a start, I'd get killed, mainly because I'm not going beat the clutch, and the 1-2 shift is too time consuming.
More horsepower doesn't always mean faster. Ex. is my 77 Lancia Scorpion with 1.8cc 155hp. that beat the Camaro IROC Z-28 with a 350ci (5.7littre) chevy 210 plus hp. by far.
If I could, I would trade a 308 for a 166MM Barchetta in a heart beat, even if the 166 wasnt worth as much. That tiny 125 HP V-12 would just be a joy to rev out to all of 6000 rpm. Or maybe a Jaguar SS100. Or...... A 308 is 30 years old. In a way its to bad everyone still holds it up so high, its really an old car. And yet its still a hot lil performer. With one of those blower kits and old slow 2V injected could really stand up strong along most new cars. With 400 plus HP it would really haul some serious butt.
I hope everyone is not thinking that when their speedo says they are going 125, they think they are going 125. It is more like 115. Remember, 126 in 5th gear in an early 308 is 6k rpms. A very good and strong car will top out at 145 at the very most which is almost 7k rpms. Still, that is pretty good.
