Would you trade your 3x8 for a newer Ferrari?

Were I a 3x8 owner, the limited legroom and headroom would be a major reason to consider a newer car; but at 6-2 I was never able to fit in these smaller, steel bodied models. The all aluminum chassis of the 360 and its successors provided a vast improvement in interior space and made ownership feasible for me. Carbon fiber racing seats in my present car (my third) make it even better. It would be interesting to turn this question around and ask owners of newer cars, many of whom likely are tall, if they would consider older ones.

 

I never had to go to a Ferrari dealer, ever having owned a 1978 308 for 30 years. With the newer cars, you will slowly get back to original MSRP with each trip to the dealers.

 

FINALLY a sensible answer!!!

 

In short...No. back in 2019, I was in the position to upgrade from my Nero/Nero 1980 GTBi (78K miles). I've had the car since 1985 (8,614 miles) and have enjoyed the interaction that an old-tech Ferrari provides (analog dash, gated manual transmission, no power assisted steering or brakes etc). I truly feel the car and I learned to understand each other (I was patient when starting up as I knew I had to wait until my old friend was ready to cooperate). The reward was a truly fun driving experience where I was an integral part of the driving experience (no chip technology to cover up my goofs). So, I decided to do an extensive refurbishing of the car with the intent of extending the car life another 40 years. This entailed: engine-out rebuild; suspension rebuild; electrical system check/repair; transmission check and new pressure plate/throw-out bearing; new brakes, new set of Michelin XWX tires; new radiator, water pump, hoses, thermostat etc; misc. odds and ends and a ceramic coat full detailing). I got my car back this past May and here is a photo showing my car (paint is 37 yrs old and virtually flawless). If you wish more information, I would be more than happy to send addltional photos and decision making process.
John Muller (#31371)

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I get that the tesla ( and Electric motors ) are instantaneous with torque and speed... but when you get out of it, you're still in a tesla.... ? they are just ugly and cheap feeling.... I don't get the comparison.

 

no Ferrari ever makes any real financial sense... so the money part is not helpful. You may make money on a car - true, but you'd likely do it faster and more reliably in the market. When I owned my 1985 308GTS I bought it when it was 9 years old. Paid $34,879 for it in 1994. had it till 2005 - 11 years. over that time I spend about another $38K in mtns, rebuilds etc... so I exceeded the cost of the car when new..... that is Ferrari life!

 

Follow up on earlier post...This is my '80 308GTBi last May after refurbishing. Better than new and good for another 40 years! Best way I could have spent my money as I know what I have so no surprises...

 

I've spent the last 30+ years buying/selling new sports cars in the ever-dwindling market segment of "manual transmission and honest handling", where driver engagement is the key factor. In the last 10 years, it became clear that segment was shrinking away at an alarming rate and I am sure it will be gone someday soon. My 2020 BMW M2 Competition may well be the last new sports car I buy since I don't see anything better coming along. The 328, in addition to fulfilling my love of that era Ferrari, hits the "manual transmission and honest handling" bullseye just perfectly, with wonderful driver engagement. I know there are 1-2 Ferraris from the 90s that hit the target too, but they are just not interesting to me like the 308/328. And nothing newer from Ferrari comes remotely close to my interests. If it doesn't have a manual transmission it's just not going to be on my radar.

I think the next car on my to-do list is a 90s Acura NSX. That was a close #2 to the 308/328 as I started looking to get into older cars.

 

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Trade this? No thanks. It handles nicely, looks and sounds great. A bit of headroom might be nice though!

 

No way! I bought my 1974 308 thirty-two years ago, and it has never left me stranded, nor presented service issues that I could not handle myself, although I just drove it to a specialist friend for some major cosmetic and normal service work, just because the investment in the car is warranted, and I love it so much.

On the other hand, my dealer purchased California with warranty has been one nightmare after another, after three major problems at one dealership, before making an appointment at another dealer in April for a drop off two months ago. No one knows when I will see the car again, and it is driveable. I won't say any more until the saga plays itself out.

 

I I just got my first Ferrari, a 360 Spider from 2004. I have a Porsche 993 and a Lotus Esprit standing. But I'm much happier with Ferrari. Will I be disappointed with a 308? Can it be used? I would like to replace the other two with Ferrari, but which ones? I'm afraid of being disappointed.. I really love my 360.

 

Yes...and I did.

Loved my '84 308 QV for about 15 years, and with everything working perfectly, sold it for a decent price and bought an '02 360 F1 Spider. I actually liked the F1 shifters, the full convertible, and the more modern stuff. The 308 was very reliable, but still needed some TLC to keep it that way...the 360 was less trouble.

I sold the 360 and now wouldn't mind a California or 458. I really enjoyed the "classic" Ferrari experience (both in driving pleasure, and...uhmm...mechanical tinkering) but maybe it's out of my system. I suppose if I didn't ever own the more classic cars I might feel differently, but now I'd like to spend more time in a car than under it.
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Oddly enough, I have both a 2000 F360 6 sp, and a 1989 328 GTS. I love them both, but VERY different cars. My gf tells me everytime I mention just how much I love driving the 328 that I say that EVERYTIME I drive the car. must say something Im suppose. I feel that the 328 is as close to driving a race car (on the street) as you can find. Raw, all the right noises, no power ANYTHING . So glad I bought it. Compared to my 456 GT, well, that is another story. Yet another completely diff ride....

 

I'm thinking of going the other way.. Trade my Cali T for a 328. Paddles just aren't the same as a manual.

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I have a 308 and a 328 and I would not even consider a trade for a 360,430 or a California because I think the 3-8s are sculpturally beautiful and uniquely
"Ferrari-looking" more so than the alternatives you posted.

 

So, I've got a 328 GTS and a 348 spider. The Spider is pretty quick, but the GTS is really easier to live with as a DD. And I have to have Open Top cars. ( jeep TJ, Pano roofs etc.) I'm an auto technician and I have lived the evolution of the Car. I have 5 cars with throttle cables. When someone says Analog, ask them if it has a throttle cable!! I have to say that the under 30 crowd really digs the GTS also. So, maybe there is hope for the future!!

 

Probably not. As you note, values for earlier 308++ and even my gated 360 have gone mental. But if, as you say, you have a 'decent' 308 or 328, why would you trade / sell it in the first place? I bought mine because the newer ones (458+) have too much electronics and interfere with my enjoyment - Hell!! I have a 1200kg car with 400hp under my right foot - what a hoot! I can switch everything off and have no interference (except ABS), only the tight feel of a directly connected steering wheel and the feedback I get through it (with no crappy dials, buttons, etc on it .. thank you very much).

As per a lot of people here, my Ferrari isn't my only marque which I enjoy tinkering with, restoring, doing-up and of course driving - so my 360 is a bit of a unicorn in my stable (even beats the Uracco I bought in 2009 for GBP17,000 + shipping to AUS and while it goes, I'm still "fixing" it), but they all have their place. More power, turbos, electric motors, enhancing electronics all conspire to take away the pure enjoyment of driving - feeling, hearing and sensing the power come on through natural aspiration and V8 grunt.

So.. no, I wouldn't trade up. The Uracco or Holden Monaro would be the natural up-sizers for me, but again, why?

 

Funny, going the other way here. Have a 458, buying a '88 GTS. Will keep both for a while and decide, although really tempted to sell the 458 given how crazy its gone up in value.

 

No, and I've aggressively driven 430s, 458s, 488s, Californias, and even a Lusso GTC4. Great cars but NONE delivered the driver experience I get with my little, old, "underpowered, entry level" 308. I ALWAYS look back when walking away from it and I ALWAYS grin. It's different for a lot of reasons and in my opinion, much better looking than anything Ferrari has made in the last 30+ years.

 

I would trade or sell my all original, bought new, 360 F1 in TDF and crema with 9300miles, in very fine condition.

 

i agree about the esthetics of the 430, especially the front

 

I don't know, the F430 is very special and a distinctive look, rear and front. it's aggressive and smooth at the same time, I think the shark nose is very unique, something of heritage and with the rear's Enzo touch.

I will add a 360 or F430 but will not swap for my 328, no way. I'll have a 458 also, especially the Italia but anything beyond that I don't have an interest for at this point.

 

No, bought the 308qv because I liked the styling. $20,000 not running...no sparky...Electromotion kit good sparky plus easy to install. Fortunately newer Ferraris are not for me.

 

After years of various 911's and 356's I still enjoy a drive though the Malibu hills in my 308 Gt4. Easy to maintain and huge fun factor!