The 308, what a masterpiece of design!

Well, I've had two good days of driving my car, and I have to say, I've noticed a bunch of very clever little design elements: Full tank filler is designed with a handy stop and go (and stop, and go, and stop...) filling technology so you're sure not to fill the tank too quickly. Car is equipped with a convenient carpeted idle adjustment surface, located by under the driver's feet. Floor pedals were clearly designed for maximum comfort... by a contortionist. Luggage compartment doubles as a food warmer. Fuel and Water Temp gauges were conveniently placed behind steering wheel, so you don't have to see at them. Fuse panel has quick release fittings, thoughtful for that necessary everyday access. And finally, windshield wiper controls in two different places, with multiple settings in each place, for maximum control from sluggish all the way to slightly less sluggish.

So, in other words, I'm finding the car a bit quirky. But quirky I like. After driving it today, I just sat in it after turning it off and thought, "This is truly the best thing I have ever purchased!"

 

Hell to da yeah!

Odd but loveable and addictive.

 

Absolutely one of the most beautiful cars of all time. A design that will with stand time.

 

I agree, the design looks balanced from every angle. I was at a shop where ferraris are serviced and I stood at a distance from a 308 on a hoist that had no suspension in it at the time. The profile even without wheels on it looked like art, perfect lines and still fresh today.

 

LOL! My wife and I got a kick out of your comments.

The fuel filling thing happened to me only the first time I filled the car. Oh, and Ferraris shouldn't need windshield wipers anyway. I haven't even figured out to operate the heating controls on mine yet.

But I agree wholeheartedly - it is just simply gorgeous. The only car I think I might like better is the 288 GTO, which is basically a 308 that works out a lot.

 

erm... did you guys read his post?

 

The battery is situated for rapid access as well. There should be a phone located in the boot for when you fall in and need a rescue.

 

your jokes are as old as you

 

Interesting post....

 

Clearly, you're not too over-joyed with your recent purchase, do I hear buyers remorse? Eh, I'll take it off of your hands, feel free to give my your final price, and I'll undercut that by 20%!

--- tongue clear in cheek ---

Enjoy her well!!!!!

James in Denver

 

Ohhhhhhh. You guys complain way to much. 21181 is in pieces, mostly in boxes, a piston sits as a paper weight, its body shell sits up in storage. 21645 sit out in the garage, patiently waiting for me to go out and wrench on her and take her out for a jaunt. One fricken home or yard project after another, but ill get back to her. But after 30 years of waiting, and 3 years of owning, it still confounds me to admire them. I find a new curve somewhere all the time I never noticed before. Its just a fascinating machine to look at.

Being I'm 6-1, finding a way to drive it took some learning, but the GTB has so much more leg room than a GTS, I actually have to pull the seat forward a bit or I cant push the clutch in fully. As far as not seeing all the gauges, well, I havent found to many cars that you didnt have to peek around the wheel to see some gauge at one time or another. I have no trouble fueling mine up, but maybe being non-catalyst with no unleaded fuel restrictor makes a difference? My heater and defroster works wonderfully, my wipers work great, if you snap the floor mat down it stays out of the gas pedal, and once I relearned how to drive an Italian car, the foot pedals seem to be right where you want them.

 

Hey, I understand. I tend to tune out also when I'm looking at the beautiful lines of the 3x8.

There is definitely a lot of buyer's remorse. It's the sinking feeling in my gut that says, "Oh, crap, I'm going to be buying more of these, aren't I?" So, I tell you what, I'll give this one up for the bargain price of $1.2M. (That's only $960K after your 20% discount!) As I saw in an ebay ad recently, "It's completely unmolested! The various improvements I've made only make it better."

 

C'mon, you almost left out the windows! What an elegant design there! You can eat your whole big mac waiting for the window to roll back up. And unless you replace the headlights with something a little more modern, the headlights are about as bright as a candle in front of a mirror!

Birdman

 

My 77 308 GTB is easier to drive and has a more comfortable driving position than my modern BMW 3 series. (not counting lack of power steering!)

My size 13 feet have no problem w/ the pedals, plus, I'm 6'3", and I have enough legroom/headroom--weird for such a short car.

My gas goes right in, not sure why yours doesn't...

Oh yeah, and it's the most beautiful design of all time, to boot...!



Greg

 

I think it has a lot to do with what kind of pumps your state requires, and which gas station you go to. Luckily I'd heard of other people having the same trouble or I would have been annoyed. As it was I just chuckled and thought I'll have to try another station.

 

I've been experiencing the same problem here in NH... the constant "pop" as the pump handle kicks off...

I see this as a unique opportunity to talk with the 2 or 3 people that inevitably come over to look at the car

You also forgot the cleverly designed A/C ducts that leaves you frigid below the knee - obviously designed to prevent your feet from sweating...

 

LOL!

 

Jeremy,

Wait til you use the defrost.

 

You should only need to access the battery every 4-5 years, so not a big deal. There is a battery disconnect , that requires nothing removed for access. A battery "tender" can be plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. So why access the battery, other than replacement ?

 

The stop and go fuel fill on my 308 went away when the filler hose was replaced. Not sure why that fixed it, but the hose was original and obviously not in good shape.

 

Welcome to FChat!

Very true. I'm a compulsive car buyer, but after the 328 it would be very difficult or impossible to go back to a 'normal' car. Most of the others on my wish list are now Ferraris or vintage stuff.

With regard to the fuel filler/shutoff issue, try a couple of different gas stations. I've had the best luck with Chevron - no idea whether their pumps are different. You also might experiment with the position of the nozzle when you insert it to see how she reacts. (All those sex analogies swirling about Ferraris aren't total b.s. after all...)

Lol. Toll collectors also lose patience and just wave you on.