The virus has struck me. 308's are 'too quick' for city living. I'm rarely on a freeway, nor a stop light hero. I think I need a 208 in my life. But, where, oh where, to see one? To perchance, run the gears in a feverish race to 50 mph and multiple redlines... The Ask: got a 208gt4 in North America? Can I come visit and drive it a bit?
Your quest is kind of pointless since no 208GT4 were ever officially imported to the US as far as I know so there might be one private import for every few hundred official 308GT4 - there were never even many in Europe - a regular 308GT4 is still not a quick car
Lomotpk, where are you located? I have a 208 GT4 here in Florida, and I am also aware of another somewhere in the northeast (New York as I recall?). Both were imported last year.
I've seen a 208GT4 near Boston at an Italian car event. However, I don't know the owner or if it is still in the area.
There's definitely 208 GT4s here in the US (as a few have already noted), but there's not many. Being the owner of a 308 GT4, I can attest that it's not a fast car, and I find it perfect for the kind of driving you mentioned. Seems odd to pursue a 208, but to each their own. There are some design differences that I find less desirable on the 208 when compared to the 308. Good luck finding one, you'll likely have to buy it overseas and have it imported… at which point you'd be paying more for a technically "lesser" car than if you just bought a 308 here in the US.
I saw one in Greenville, S.C., about six months ago. Not too far from you. But you may be a bit misguided, no offense intended. I’ll just second Chris’s @dyerhaus comments above re: the 308GT4.
Maybe it's better to frame this as a technical question. 308, 2nd gear, 7000 RPM... How fast are you going in mph? 208, 2nd gear, 7000 rpm... What speed?
My 328 is at 7800 RPMs in 4th gear at 120 MPH , not that it matters, but it would be much more exciting than this 208 / 308 GT4 your talking about, Im in So Cal if your ever in the area. Most 308 s prior to 83 / 84 / 85 are gutless , not that the latter are that much faster, same with a 328 , but you make up for the lack of speed with the driving experience. Mr. G
I currently own a 1975 Dino 308 GT4, I've spent a lot of time behind the wheel of a 1984 308 GTS QV, and I've driven two different 1986 328 GTS on occasion… Hands down the 328 is the best of those cars in terms of drivability, performance, and power. An incredible driving experience is almost an understatement! I'm still kicking myself for not buying one when I had the chance several years ago (a really stupid mistake). That being said, I will never let go of my GT4 as there's just something special about that car, and I just love the way it drives and feels so much better than I do that of the QV or the 328—and those are both great! Kind of weird how that works.
Ok folks... For context, my car lineage has been 930 to 997 GT3 to...84 911 SC to 72 911 T... to 68 912 soft window targa Notice the trend in HP... I know what I'm doing. I have 2 or 3 _daily_ set routes that I drive on - None Of It Freeway - maximum speed for 50 mph - as such I am trying to optimize for... Smiles per Hour. For me (could be different for others) Smiles = Number Shifts (at 7k rpm) per Drive. Thus, a 'gutless' car that requires 'taking it to redline at wide open throttle, just to stay with traffic' is _better_ than a car that can hit 100 in 1st gear (no shifting, no fun.) To wit, I drove a 308 yesterday in Ft Lauderdale. Wonderful car. But...a touch too quick for my desires. Hoping a 'gutless' 208 fit the bill. Hope this helps
You are not entirely wrong. I see the 208 GT4 as 'the 4 seat X1/9...with a Badge' in some ways. And it's what I think I'm looking for.
A little technical 'proof' or support for my point. According to the comparison site: https://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_cmp2.php#gsc.tab=0 0-60 in 308 is a One Shift process 0-60 in 208 is a Two Shift process Image Unavailable, Please Login
I thought the same thing! But once you are inside you cannot see its “individuality”. It is a lot of fun to drive with a cool exhaust note and rifle bolt shift. Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
Here are 3 208's in NY State. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Love the black car with gold coffin spoke wheels! Do you know the owner? Need to order my wheels and need to commit to 16s or 17s. The size on that car are perfect to my eyes. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
