Who has bought a 308 without all the service records???

I recently bought my 308 in May and paid a "Premium" for it because of the records and work that was done (I figured about $7K more). I just wanted to get in the car and turn the key and go without having to worry about what was or wasn't done. I have 3 kids under 5 years old and don't have the time or patience to worry about it. The file folder is over 3 inches thick. I even have the original bill of sale from 1978 (I was wondering if I should laminate it?). The last owner was very anal, to say the least, and even had bills for bulbs and key blanks. The car was repainted in August of last year and I have over 30 pictures to document what was done at each stage of the process. I felt more comfortable knowing what I was getting into and liked having the added benefit of full disclosure.

Although, funny once I did have all the records I thought to myself "Holy SH*$" this thing is expensive to maintain...LOL! I don't know what is worse - Knowing what it costs to maintain or just buying blind?

 

Keep the records, just don't ever add them up =)

 

Does a seized head bolt count? I've got one of those.

 

I've bought two 308's that way. I have bought quite a few cars in my life and I trust my instincts. I test drive and look around and I listen to the car and the guy selling it decide if I trust him then I decide if I will buy the car. So far I have never gone wrong. (knock on wood)

 

I bought my 85 308 in March with 30K on the clock. There was a couple of (somewhat) recent receipts; the last one was 4 years ago with around 1K less on the clock when the major was done at the local Ferrari dealer. Other than that, nothing.

I bought the car in spite of the lack of records and some minor cosmetic issues because it drove great. Good power, good shifting, good brakes, etc. A/C didn't appear to work at the time but I've now learned if the A/C is started when the car is cold, it will blow cold and remain cold. Just don't turn off the car and park in the sun! Overall, the car felt "right" and I have no regrets. I've done the maintenance and most of the cosmetic work myself; it's now a pretty nice car but it will always need a thing or two, but that's the nature of owning a 20+ year old car and I accept that.

Good luck,

-w-

 

I purchased my 78 308 GTS without any records and 68000 + miles. I have since restored most of it except the paint. I had it checked out from an independent guy, talked a lot to my mechanic also and bought it. Then I took to my mechanic who did a full top side service on it. That was over 6 years ago. Since then, I did another service, changed the oil every 5000 miles and smoged it twice. I now have just under 79000 miles and I would do it all again. It was fun. Smoging for me has been the most horrify experience because it is a carb car and it must be detuned and tuned back up.

 

I wouldnt think so.

 

It all depends. I bought mine froma friend, an engineer who does all his own work on all his cars (Ferrari, Maserati, Lambo, Jag, Rolls, Aston) I knew the car well, and up to his ownership all stamps are there and the paperwork is complete. There are no records from his work, he did the major, drove the car 4000 miles before I took it and the belts were changed when the car came to me. I also do my own work, but keep records of it, the car is healthy and reliable.

That said, if it isn't seriously reflected in the price, a no-record car would not be considered, unless you know that it's got good provenance.

 

Bought mine without any records, 3 years ago.... cost me $28K to rebuild the engine 6 month later.

 

$28K!?!?! Egads, what did you have done to it?!

 

I bought my 85 with 51,000 miles off eBay sight unseen, no service records, no ppi, no info at all didn't test drive it, the dealer drove it on the trailer, 800 miles later my wife drove it off and finally I got to drive it up and down my street.


PPI's are good if you can trust the guy who does them. Receipts and invoices are great too, but they don't tell you of the current condition, what's sight unseen and about to wear out or break on a 20 plus year old car that has how many drivers and guys at the Valet to park her.

I walked up to the car, looked at it carefully, made sure there wasn't an obvious trail of no or poor maintenance made sure there wasn’t anything there I felt uncomfortable tackling and knew what ever the condition I was going to be doing all of the service at some point.

Fresh oil and a record of regular oil & filter changes dosent protect you for a talented...or untallented driver starving the engine for long periods on a road course...etc...etc

2 1/2 years later......I have no regrets, a few repairs, some replacement parts....and a lot of fun with the car

 

bought my 81 gtsi with no records. did a long prebuy drive and then sent it to a local independent for a ppi. bought it and then had the independent do the belts and valve adjustment before driving it any further. have spent plenty of money fixing all the defered maintenance. the car is now almost completely redone - i trust it for long trips and have had fun working on it. it hasn't been cheap but i expected that. lack of service records didn't matter. good luck with yours. jon s.

 

I bought mine with it missing the first 16 or so years of records. Pretty well documented after that. Not necessarily well taken care of, but pretty well documented. It has been EXTENSIVELY documented the last nearly 5 years that I've owned it. In fact it's almost documented me to death!! I'd still do it all over again though!!

And of course if or when I sell it all of the paper will go with it. The funny thing is I can't seem to find anything out about the car prior to the owner that all the records start with. I know who he was, where he bought it, who he sold it to....etc. but nothing before he bought it. Kind of strange, you'd think I'd be able to come up with something at least.


.

 

I bought my 79 308GTS 3 years ago without any records. I was told they would be sent but many calls produced nothing. They changed the belts before it was sent to me. ( I looked at them when it came). Some small problems but nothing major. I plan on doing the belts myself again in the spring. The other records mean nothing to me. Only what has been done recently. I keep my own book of records for what I have done.

 

I bought my 77 GTB with only a few records, drove to NC to see it, drove it , bought it, had it shipped to Mich. Been happy with it. Like some one said you see full records it will probably scare you to death, for me it's what's been done recently that counts. I looked at one before the one I have now and it had full records but there were so many bills (a Stack) that it actually scare me away and I had to think this wanting to own a Ferrari thing over again. Finally bought mine 2 years later. I will keep records for it from my day of purchase.

 

I bought my Mondial out of the DC area and my 308 out of Chicago. In both cases, I was sitting in Shanghai bored with cash burning a hole in my checkbook. The Mondial has a decent stack of records, the 308 not so much. I did have the belts and tensioners changed before I drove them myself.

I think I actually owned the Mondial for four or five months before I saw it for the first time, the 308 maybe three months...

 

No records came with mine. Did 2 ppi's. Test drove it 2 times. Had my wife look it over with her eyes (while I was looking over it with my heart ). Asked a few 308 owners what to look out for. The car was in proper condition for a 25 year old vehicle.

6 years (and 15K kms) later, no surprises.

Like mentioned in other posts. Look at it, drive it, have it inspected.

Heck...anyone can fake records.