Hi everyone, I would like to officially introduce myself to this forum. I am the newest owner of a 1981 308 GTSi (Red/tan) and this is so exciting to me that I just have to tell someone. Only moments ago I closed the deal on a wonderful intro ferrari that I am sure will bring many years of enjoyment. I have wanted a 308 for over 23 years now and I can hardly beleive its really happening. I got her at a very reasonable price for a 2v inj and will have a little play money left over to make her mine with some nice gifts and upgrades as needed or desired. Whats going to kill me is the wait to see her. She will be loaded on a truck tomorrow afternnon (Sat 9/22) in California and I since I live in South Carolina (Charleston area) I have been informed that it could take a week or so before I get to touch her. Id like to thank you all for the great insight I received from many by spending tons and tons of hours (over a year) reading this forum. Okay.......I know, "If you did so much reading then why the heck did you get the 2v inj with less hp, oil consumption, etc, etc, etc?" I got it because I could afford it and I honestly believe that I will absolutly love this car.....heck, its a 308 and my dream car so I am thrilled! Anyway, just wanted to say thanks and I look forward to getting alot more help as I have fun playing with this car. -Darren
Congrats, Darren! I know exactly how you feel. Good luck with it, and be sure to post pictures when the car arrives!
Congratulations! Check out the "So you've bought a 308/328/Modial" thread here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103221. This will give you some good reading while you wait, lots of good, cost-effective upgrades there to really make the car shine! This next week - and in my experience, may be as long as two - will be one of the longer weeks of your life!!!!! Post pics when she arrives! Don't forget to photograph it being delivered off the truck!
The car will ooze with personality and will be a terrific ride. Nothing wrong with the 2v at all. Congratulations!
Congrats!!! Just got my '80 308 5 months ago and love it. 27 year wait for mine. You may long for a QV but you'll never have any regrets on getting an injected 308. Reading all the discussions on here about the difference between the QV and the i cars you'd think it was noticeable. Except for a little emblem that says quattrovalve and a couple of horsepower (that i can't feel when driving) there is no difference. A Larini exhaust and some 16 inch wheels and your golden. Just enjoy.
Welcome to the club! I think the 308 is more than an "intro" Ferrari -- it's one of the great sports cars of the early modern era. If it helps, I'm more excited about my 328 now than I was in '05 when I bought it. Enzo knew what he was doing. Just know that there will always be a 'project' list of stuff to do, have some patience, and you'll really love it.
Congrats! And have fun! You will find this webboard to be an indispensible source of info. And there are a lot of helpful folks here that will make your ownership experience much more enjoyable! Again, welcome!
Thanks guys! Yeah, I figured I was preaching to the choir when I was trying to explain how exciting it is to finally get one Sorry Bullfighter, I meant that it was my intro into Ferrari ownership........I hope to own at least one or 2 more in the long run. I love the 308's and in my opinion a true Fararri through and through! Thanks for the reminder and link Mike, I almost forgot about that. I remember seeing that a while back but never really paid that much attention before because I didn't own one but NOW!.......oh yes! Climb, you must have seen my list because thats 1 and 2 and I just started that list minutes ago
CONGRATS FROM DENVER!!! I just picked up my 84 308 QV in late July, and I love it so far. This is VERY true. With my car, I'm troubleshooting things here and there AND learning how the car behaves (both in terms of driving, but also the feels, sounds, guages, systems, etc.). Even after I get any "issues" straightened out, I've still got of list of "want-to-do's" and I'm not a mechanic . ENJOY IT and drive it like Enzo meant. James in Denver
* Try to VIDEO its arrival !, beg , borrow or steal a video camera, if you don't own one. The car backing down the ramps of the carrier is priceless !!!! (oh that Ferrari sound too !)
Hurray! I love reading thread from new Fchatters buying their first Fcar. And what all the veterans say about 'it only gets better' is true. I'm loving my 308. Enjoy yours!
and another one leaves calif. where did you find this one and did you do a ppi I'm asking becuase im insearch for a car and my look out of state but corcern about smogging and shipping, anyway grats, another early christmas present
I just love hearing stuff like this!! Many Congrats! I can still feel the excitement from watching my car being offloaded from the big rig. SERIOUS adrenalin rush!!! You are in for some bigtime PERMAGRIN! Enjoy it and be sure to share some pics. We want to see and share in your excitement! JIM
Man, great to hear your enthusiasm. Enjoy the car, but one piece of advice. DON'T SIGN the delivery bill of lading until the car is completely off the trailer, and you have inspected EVERY inch! Lot's of horror stories about shippers, they just don't care. Anyway, don't mean to worry you, but be sure it's what you expect when it gets home. Congrats!
PPI? Im a little embarrassed and reluctant to say because I know I will get some smack on this and its stupid not to get one but..........nope!, I did not get a PPI on it. I am not sure really myself why I did not get one, It's really the smart thing to do. I think its because of the deal I was swinging at the time and I was so caught up in just getting my dream car after all these years. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned here not to wait too long to get your dream car because as soon as I knew I was close on closing the deal It's like I was struck dumb or something and all I cared about was finishing the deal and getting the prize. Am I worried about it hind sight? Yeah, maybe a little, but I got a reasonable price and I called previous mechanics who have worked on the car, ran a carfax, and asked lots of questions and looked hard at lots of pics. I Know it will need work.....they all do, and the funny thing is I am actually looking forward to it I would never suggest to anyone not to do a PPI.......its the smart thing to do and I am taking a risk. Great idea! I was thinking only of pictures but I have an HD Video cam. The problem is, and it happens to me every time, I will be so excited that I will not want to miss anything "live" and will not take good shots afraid I might miss something. My Wife will be taking digital pics so maybe I can get my son to do the HD cam. I am a little worried about that but not too much. I will for sure check her out good when she arives. Thanks again everyone for the congrats! And yes I will post pics right on this post as soon as she gets here..........which is already taking too long.
No sweat on the lack of a PPI. Was it foolish? Probably. But a lot of us didn't get a PPI. It even came back to bite me a little with some issues on my car, but heck, I still think it's the best purchase I've ever made!
darren, if you asked all the right ? and called the ones that worked on it then I think you might have the right car and It sounds like you are going to enjoy the dream of a life tim, being in a ferrari, the people that I've been dealing with came back with a offer very close to mine so I might be getting my car soon to wish me luck and enjoy your car from calif.................lol mike
<rant><hijack>I bought my car in NC, had it shipped to CA. (When it was new, it was bought in FL, then shipped up to GA). I also had it shipped up to Monterey last month, and back to San Diego. Zero issues. Also bought a Porsche in MO, that had been bought by the dealer in MI and shipped to his location. Then I had that shipped from MO to CA. Zero issues. Six/seven-figure vintage Ferraris and Lambos get transported all the time (you don't pass many of them on the Interstate...) It's all a matter of getting a shipper that knows what he's doing. I would absolutely expand your search zone to the entire country. Despite all the "these cars are common" b.s., fact is they are hard to find when/where you want. </rant></hijack>
