308 or 456?

Should I buy a nice 308GTB for $40,000 or save up for a 456? What would you do in my situation? It would be my first Ferrari.

 

oh come on, there aren't even close to being comparable. Vintage vs Modern, 2 vs 4, and on and on

 

I see it as a legit question. I sort of had the same quandry. There is a point at which you can afford a $25k Ferrari and that will occur before you can afford a $50k Ferrari and that would occur before you can afford a $100k Ferrari, etc. So when you WANT a 456 but you can only afford a 308, what do you do? Jump into the Ferrari waters with a model that is not your dream or hold out and save up for a bigger ticket car?

I pretty much jumped in a GT4 as soon as everything lined up - available garage space, adequate money, understanding wife. Could I have waited a few years and purchased a 308GTS or 328? Yes and no. With more money in my pocket I would probably hit the trip point for one of the other cars on my short list (Esprit) before getting all the way to 328 savings territory, and I think realistically the 328 is the next Ferrai on my list (unless CA smog laws start exempting carb 308s). But am I still saving for that 328 while driving the GT4? No, that money is going towards GT4 parts. Will I ever save up enough for a 288 GTO or a Boxer? Doubtful. It's not money so much as it priorities. A a Sunbeam Tiger would get in the way. And a Ducati 916 and a 190SL......

Sorry Consolr, I don't have advice for you. You have to look inside and see what you really want and what you are really of capable of. Will you really save all of the money for a 456 without "blowing" it on something else first? If you get the 308 will it consume all of your potential savings?

 

Hello Scott. Great question that actually brings up some interesting points.
1. The value of good 308s will probably remain stable if not increase.
2. The price of 456s appears to continue to fall ( not a bad thing when you are in the market)
3. Maintainence. 308 is probably less on a car that has been well cared for. I hope others will comment on this.
4. Drivability. 456- air conditioner will work and it will be a comfortable car to drive to work or take wife to dinner in.
5. 308- A/C- non-existent . Driving fun, throwing around corners with targa top off, hearing engine wail and steering like a go-cart ( I personally love). Priceless!

I recommend you drive both and pick what fits you at this stage in your life. Chances are you will own both at point.
The "hunt" is the most fun. Enjoy!

 

308! hands down

 

Not sure I would save up for a 456. 308s will be likely be worth about the same in a couple of years as 456 values settle, and there's already some overlap between the best 308s and the mediocre 456 GTAs. 2+2's have a history of poor value rentention and low collector interest, in addition to being less visceral to drive.

But, if you have young kids, and need a big boot for the luggage, or want to use a Ferrari as a "normal car", the 456 is a lot more comfortable. A two seater doesn't work for some people. Parts, repairs and service on 456s are probably going to be a lot more expensive -- 308s are already very old, and the good ones have had the perishable bits replaced. 456s are now entering the old used car phase, and I suspect freshening one up could be a wallet-crushing proposition relative to the price of the car.

If you have the discipline to save up a bit, get a 328. $50K gets you in the door with a nice driver; $60K gets you a great 328 cosmetically and mechanically. Probably the most reliable Ferrari built, although 360s seem to have a good reputation as they approach the 10-year mark.

 

+1 What he said.

But have a look at Jim's white GTB photos recently posted and see if that gets you to lean one way.

Robb

 

For what it is worth, I would suggest jumping into your first ferrari as early as possible. You can always buy and sell a car, but the years don't come back. I have felt like I just started driving since getting my 328.

The 456 and the 308 are nice cars, get them both and you got start somewhere.

 

Thanks for the insight everyone.
@drjohn: You brought up some good points which I have considered myself (declining value, cost to maintain, a/c, etc.).

 

when i was searching for a car recently, a 328, 456 and 550 where on the list. ended up buying a euro 328. they are really different cars. i have owned a 550 in the past so i can extrapolate a little to the 456. i would say the biggest factor is if you have other cars. if you have other modern toys, then go for a 328. they have a great old school feel you won't find in a modern car. otoh, if you already have a classic car, try the 456. the modern 12s have less sound and fury than the older cars, but you can do anything with them: drive in the rain, run errands, AC that works, easy to drive anywhere, decent radio...

both can be enjoyable, really depends on what you want out the car.

john

 

HUGE difference between a 308 and a 456, in the driving experience, 308, true vintage sprotscar, 456, semi modern luxo car, with Ferrari V12! I'd say start with the 308, and you'll probably stay with it, or sell it someday for a nicer one! 328 IS way better, but personally, I feel that it's a mildly redesigned 308, style wise, that didn't go quite far enough for me. Although the front below the body cut IS much more together than the 308s, they should've integrated the upper part of the bumper better, like flush with the bodywork. Rear is great, and basically everything really is better, I just prefer the pure original style of the 308, even though some of the bits do look a bit "add-on-ish" especially the front bumper! Back to the original question though, they really are 2 totally different cars! Ciao!!

 

The 308 is an old car, a classic! The 456 is a modern car that you can be used a lot more. It is a high performance car (180+ mile top speed) and represents good value. Maintenance is a cosideration as no computers are needed for pre 1990 Ferraris. It is possible that early 456s will be $40k within five years. If you buy now at $60k, you will experience some drepreciation. If you drive both cars, it should be an easy decision. Remember that $40-45k will buy a nice 328 that will not depreciate at all. F355s are also starting at $60k. 550s start at $75k. The future of the used Ferrari market is alive and kicking!

 

I seem to recall, when RifleDriver was posting, regarding serious issues with 456 parts availability that would render the car utterly useless and a lawn ornament. Not so with 308 parts availability. Until these issues are remedied, I'd stay clear of the 456:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118551&highlight=456+gearbox+rifledriver

 

http://www.ferraris-online.com/pages/carintro.php?reqcardir=FE-456GT-101424 Price was just reduced to $59,500.

 

Get what you can WHEN you can. The money put in the 308 will stay in the 308. Can always Trade Up later.
The money left in an account might be spent on something else.

 

I think depending on what you want to do with the car, I would go for a 308... you would be able to get a super nice car for around 35 - 40K, and have some money left for mtns... a 456, at around 50- 60K would be a nice modern car, but one service will kill you... and the modern electronics would mean Ferrari authorized service = $$$$$$... just my opinion.

I like the 456 look, but the 308 is much prettier hands down.

 

I'm kinda going through this - I'm looking for a 328 but I have a good friend who has found several nice 456s and he recommends them over the 328. BUT, and this is TOTALLY a personal opinion, I just can't warm up to the 456 despite the fact that it's newer, much more powerful, etc, etc, etc. The 328 looks (AGAIN -IMHO) like a Ferrari is supposed to look and I have concluded that if I bought a 456 I would feel about it the same way I felt about my Porsche 911 - a really competent car but one I never developed any real love or passion for. When I sold it after 7 years in 2006 (bought it new), I didn't miss it for a second though it seems that everyone else (wife, etc) did. I have determined that a 456 would be the same to me and that I'd regret not buying the 328.

So you have to figure out what YOU want from the car and go from there...

Please DON"T anyone with 456s take offense - all this is personal; I know it's a great car for those who prefer that kind of car.

 

I concur with those here who advise you to jump into a Ferrari without delay. Look at it this way: You could keep saving for the 456 (anything from a simple savings account to an investment account), but let's say something *else* you've always fancied comes up, we'll use a Lotus Esprit as an example since it was mentioned earlier...You might find that you will talk yourself into the other car because it's available and affordable *now*, so boom! there goes the money, and bye bye 456. If you put the money into a 308 and kept it up well, you'll have a "safe investment" which should appreciate nicely over time. Besides, why jump right into the 456 from the get-go? You should experience an 'iconic' Ferrari first

 

Test drive both models, Scott. Decide if you want to buy a sports car or a GT.

 

No question.....308 all the way, for all the above mentioned reasons.

 

Consolr,

You cannot go wrong either way, both are excellent Ferrari to own. I would reccommend you drive good examples of both models and you will arrive at a satisfactory decision regardless.

Also, I notice you are in Chicago, Continental has a stunning Barchetta Red 456 that is way nice and also a very unique color compared to the typical Black or Navy 456 in the market.

Both are way different vehicles, however both are very enjoyable to drive. So make a decision with your gut and you cannot go wrong.

But...If it were my $ I would buy the 456 as they are extremely easy to push hard and use all of that excellent V12.

Good luck!


Greg

 

The best advice is to research both cars very well and also drive excellent examples of each so you can decide what you really want. I have an '85 308 QV and couldn't be happier but then again, it is exactly what I wanted since I was 12 years old. The bonuses for me is that it is a more affordable Ferrari that is easier to maintain than most of them and is starting to appreciate in value. I love the way it looks, feels, sounds, and drives. It's not the fastest car on the road but that's okay. I've owned my car for nearly 2.5 years now and I have yet to become bored with the car. I have driven it over 6000 miles and it still puts a smile on my face. Heck, I even spent all day today with a Ferrari mechanic doing routine maintenance today and I enjoyed that. It has really been a trouble free car for me but then again, I bought a really nice one and it was certainly not the first one I looked at (it was the third). I hope you find and buy the car of your dreams and that it is as fun and rewarding for you as it has been for me.

Paul

 

Greg:
Saw the one at Continental. It's a pretty nice car. Thanks for the advice.