hello everybody, I stumbled across this forum a few days ago while I was looking for information on the 308 series. I was quite impressed with some of the projects and information I found, so I thought I'd join up and say hello. like I said I've been looking for information on the 308 series as I've been considering getting one in a couple of years, situation permitting. so far I'm leaning towards the 308 GTS QV, are good ones difficult to come by? so this gives me lots of time to get my facts straight, I'm not adverse to doing work myself, but I don't want to buy a complete dog and never get to drive the thing because it's in a pile of bits on the garage floor! my daily driver, not Italian I'm afraid, but it is red lol
Welcome! You'll never look back if you go for it. Don't know much about the 308's I'm afraid. I considered one when I was researching, but opted for the 328 largely because of the information I gathered regarding maintenance and reliability..but then I am hopeless with a toolkit, which you don't appear to be. I would suggest not getting one with very high (50/60k) or very low (sub 10k) mileage - low mileage means it has been a garage queen and if you are intending to drive regularly you won't be doing it any favours..very high I feel is just a riskier proposition..and full history is important. Good luck!
Hello & welcome .I'm sure our 308 Guru {Stig} will see this post and give advice. He has 1981 car............ Tony
Oh, so I'm a guru now? The only thing I'm a guru of is talking utter bollox. Now if anyone wants lessons, my rates are very resonable.... But that notwithstanding I am happy to offer what advice I can. How is you knowledge of the beast? Are you aware of the advantages/disadvantages of a GTS, a GTSi or a GTS QV? What are your reasons for wanting a QV? The best way of ensuring that ownership is as trouble free as poss is more related to the actual car (ie service history, mileage, bills), than which variant to choose from. And from what you say you are a year or two away from that, so you can worry about that a little further down the line. Thankfully, the 308 series of cars are not awfully complicated to maintain, which good if you are mechanically minded, but it's also good if your not because it means that servicing is not as expensive as some of the later (and more complicated) models. Doubtless this conversation shall continue and I will be delighted to attempt to live up to the epithet "guru".. Regards Stig
Welcome Cal of Southampton, I'm sure you'll get what you need, I'm a bit pushed for time right now, But I'll give you my threpence worth later. Cheers, Steve
hi, that's for your replies, the thinking behind the QV version was, from what I've read, it seems to be regarded quite highly, also its the newest of the 3, but I'm sure they all come with their fair share of problems to boot. I believe the GTSi is the cheapest, so from that point of view quite tempting, but allot of things I've read also seem to serest that this version was the most compromised by Ferrari, due to emissions regulations and the new injection system. the carb versions seem to be fairly sought after from what I can understand, and there was some mention of the carbs being a bit of an arse to set up? of course I can't really comment on any of this, as it's just passing on what I've noted so far. but from what I understand the QV is a good engine, and relatively easy to care for.
Stig , My one and only experience of driving the 308 was when this likable old guy let me drive his car around a car park , Stiff clutch "like its had a viagra" steering to match and a real silent engine which im sure can go from a pony to a full on stallion at a squeeze of it knackers. So Cal For a first timer I would say the 308 is a great car, and I never did get that old guys name Stig???????????????????????????????????????????? And a big welcome to Fchat , be careful its very addictive... Image Unavailable, Please Login
My Wife and kids are giving me counciling over it , however ive been cold turkey a few times and given in to the fact that its now my duty to post on the site. "Whats that dear" yes im doing a work study on the PC Image Unavailable, Please Login
Evening Cal Welcome to f-chat, I'm new here too. People here are very friendly. Hope you find the car you are looking for. Best Regards MOD.
Welcome! I had a 328 which was fabulous, and not that different fundamentally to the 308... I'd ditto all the advice above- mine had 50k miles on the clock when I sold it; it drove beautifully and never gave a scrap of bother. Robert.
Hi Cal, First check the service history of any model you look at, the more you have the better it will be. Buy the best car that you can afford, unless you are handy with the spanners? I always recommend that you get the car checked out by a Ferrari specialist, it will be money saved later. I suggest that you join the Prancing Horse Register section of the Ferrari Owners`Club, this will get you to meet owners with the model you are looking for and all the information you need and what to look for when buying. Southampton is in the Wessex Area Group and they will look after you down there. Which model to buy?? 308`s are fine, the first GTB`s were fibreglass and are sought after (less to rust, higher price). GTS models can creak and rattle a bit and you may find can leak in the rain. GTB-Si model I would pass on this model (lack of power), Qv is the best one unless you like the sound of carbs sucking. That is just a small insight to the world of Ferrari, I could go on all night (but I won`t). Best of luck with the search, any help you need just ask. Organiser.
hi cal, hi all.....me new too.....another important option/element to consider is the orchestra of twin choke webers in your right ear when at full chat, with the roof off on a gts carburettor model (rhd obviously).....beter than sex ! regards, david, isle of man
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you say 25 - 30k for a decent car, i've seen some examples for sale between 17k and 25 recently, i've not seen them in the the metal, but for this kind of money would you expect them to be a little rough? i imagin it's been sold as i can no longer find the add, what about prices for the GTSi? like this one for example? fair,poor? http://www.saccl.co.uk/search.php?index=284&action=display
The GTSi is a good bet, but the ones I have seen have either been rough and cheap, or mint and expensive, with very few "real" cars inbetween. Generally, with Ferrari, you get what you pay for. If you don't mind driving a lefty, you can save yourself a good £5k on the price. But with LHD car you have to think "why is it here". If the owner is foreign, and they have moved here, then fine. If however it had been purchased overseas, it was probably done by someone trying to save money. And if they intend being "cheap" when it comes to purchase, can you be sure they have not been "cheap" when it comes to maintainence. The only real way to chase this issue out is to get it inspected, and don't touch a car, from either a dealer or privately, if the vendor cannot provide you with a complete service booklet (copies are not unusual) and a good history when you go to look at a car. Don't do what I did and get carried away with the moment and trust a dealer who say's that he will provide the history. I did this and got burnt, and the arsehole is still in business, and I still do not have any books or service history or warranty. I was well and truly shafted! Thankfully I have hooked up with Karl at Verdi in Middx, and he has been a godsend in minimising my problems. He's definitely a good person to phone and just have a conversation about what your thoughts are. He will probably be able to help with sourcing your car, and he'll certainly be good for inspections and servicing (good rates for Fchatters!). Hope this helps Stig
It's way worse than that. We are below that which is below the seventh level; the frozen body of Judas Iscarriot.......you are now entering ..."The Sad Zone"... well, according to the wife anyway!
Here it is then, The Decision....... The GTO is Stopping, The DB4 GT is moving on, (but staying in the family), & I am now actively looking for the mythical beast known as the 275/4 GTB ! I have just made arrangements to Fly to Zurich, Where, I will be viewing a Rosso 275/4 GTB (S/n 8423 - '66 vintage), next weekend with a view to making an offer if I'm satisfied with condition and history etc. (Don't worry I'm taking someone with me who really knows what he's doing). However, The GTO is stopping on sale and if I get an offer I can't refuse then she'll have to go - Wife made me promise, She's also giving up her prized SL55 for a 2nd hand AMG SLK32, with a promise that she gets a new SLK when it's launched later this year. Fair I suppose ??? OK, so there it is guys - Let me just thank you all for your input, You all DEFINATELY had an influence on my decision one way or the other. My Stable will soon be complete, although I really would like another 512BB - Fabulous Car ! ATB, Steve