Which, in your greatly valued opinions, is the better choice? Same mileage, condition, and svcs. completed. Price not an object. Driven both and appreciate them both for what they are. I know that I'll be happy with either but was wondering what people here thought.
I owned a 1977 and a 1983. My preference was definitely the 77 in that it was easy to maintain with very basic tools & knowledge. Carbs, points ignition, nothing requireing sophisticated equipment. The 83 is fuel injected and has solid-state ignition. I did not have the equipment to service either. The 83 (Mondial) was a bit quieter and more comfortable but the 77 (GT/4) was a much better performer. Bob Z.
You might get different answers depending on market/version -- e.g., there's more of a performance difference between a '78 US 308 and an '83 US 308QV than between standard (euro) versions of each. Where are you, and what versions are the cars?
Both U.S. cars. Planning on keeping the car and will put on over 3k miles per year so reliability and cost of maintenance are concerns.
I just purchased a 79 308 gtb over a qv. I felt that although a carb model might be alittle more finicky, and require alittle more maintaince, I don't think you will ever get the same visceral feel from the qv. There is something to be said for the sound of those weber carbs. Steve
Depends on what your looking for in a car. As far as horse power numbers go for U.S. cars, The 76 & 77 308 were 240 HP 78 & 79 dropped to 205 HP 80, 81 & 82 injected cars were down to 194 HP 83, 84 & 85 injected QV cars were 235 HP.
I agree with the previous posts. I had a 77 GTB which was a fickle starter but it sure was fantastic when it would fire. My "old" Mondi' 8 was a turn the key and ride car. I loved the sound of both but, to be honest, never got on either enough to notice the horsepower difference. It's all up to you. d
Other than the different hp figures and induction systems, what are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of '78 vs. '83?
....I prefer the carb'ed cars myself. I know I can work on them. My friend has a euro 83' QV. Its really sweet. He let me drive it and I thought it was really nice. He really liked the sound of the carbs on my 78'. My car is not as refined as his but has a classic style to it. Both cars are in great shape and are nice in there own way, only differ'nt. You should really take some time and sit in or drive each as much as you can and see which one really appeals to your sences the most. After you experience both a few times I'm sure you will really know which one does it for you. And that is really the most important thing. Don't you think? Good luck and enjoy! Kurt There is nothing like a Ferrari, there never has been and never will be!
I don't think a '78 had any rust protection. '83 had minimal, and galvanized bodies started in '84 (?)
If you are going to drive the car regularly as a daily driver, the injected one is going to be better for you in a number of ways: 1. Less finiky to start 2. Better fuel economy 3. More reliable 4. more power (83 is a QV, '78 is a smog-strangled car) 5. No carb issues (fuel starvation in turns, etc.) If you are buying the car as a sports car "toy" to have fun with, well, there is nothing like the sound and throttle response of the carbs. (I'm basing this on my '77 with no cats and earlier cams, so I don't have any direct experience with a '78). The carbs require more attention than the fuel injection system, and they get worse mileage but it sounds more like a Ferrari, especially if you do the airbox mod (see Tech Q&A section). Birdman
IMO if you like to tinker and are mechanically inclined go for the carb car if you are more of a turn the key and go guy then go for the 83. 84+85 qv's had better rustproofing protection from the factory.
I have a 79, and I have never had a problem with fouled plugs. I had one starting issue when I first purchased the car, but that was because I didn't know how to properly start it. If I drive my car everyday, it fires right up. If I wait a couple of weeks, I have to crank it a couple of times. Go for the carb'd car.
I have had 77, 84 & 85 308's. The carb cars are pretty different animals from the QV's. I like them both. However, no injected car can match the cool factor of multiple carbs. I would have this advise: If you go carbs, I think the pre 78's w/o cats are a better choice, but there are no GTS's. If you want a QV, the 84-85 had considerably better rust protection, no air pump and some other minor improvements. Locally, I know of 2 83's that have some rust and these are western cars. I have not seen a rusted 84/85. Also rated at 5 more HP. The engine has a different model number, but dont know why. Early 83's had 390 wheels which are a big minus in my book. If you want a GTS to drive often, I would go with the QV. Dave
An '84-85' GTS QV is the way to go. And if you can find one, the Euro version is 273 lbs. lighter and faster than the US version.
I can't agree with you more! Here is a direct quote from a friend of mine who owns a (US version) 308, after he drove mine around the track, " Dammm, it runs like a 328!"
I've yet to drive a carbed 308 but I've heard they have the advantage when it comes to throttle response and engine sound. Since I've seen this come up before I'll ask here: Isn't the 83 the last year of true dual exhaust? My opinion is this: When I was looking for a 308 I contacted Bill Pollard of Sport Auto to see which QV he recommended. He said 83, hands down. He said he had seen the emissions equipment on the 84's and 85's cause too many issues (something to do with addtional complexity and frequency valves?). Bill is well represented on this list and I trusted his judgement and have not had issues. I highly recommend his shop for anyone in the northeast. I know this is an issue of opinion, and people will disagree. I figure you can't go wrong with any 308 that has been well kept up Dom
I have a crusty carbed '78 308GTB with a few minor mods (exhaust, individual K&N's, rejetted carbs) and my buddy has an early 328GTS. His car is faster, easier to drive, improved handling (still hate the flex on the GTS though); better in just about every measureable way. However, I would not trade my car for his (except, of course, considering the value difference... so I would trade, but then sell his and buy another carbed 308) due to the characteristics that are not as easily measureable. The sounds, smells, throttle response, etc... the entire driving experience... are to me what a Ferrari is in my imagination. The 308 "feels" faster even though it's not even close. His 328, by comparison, is almost clinical in nature. If anything, my GTB is too new... I think I would much prefer a '76 or '77. Bill
That's interesting that Bill Pollard said that, in the Forza issue from spring of 97 in an article about 308qv maint. costs Tony Palladino states that the 84+85 cars are more preferred for their emmisions equipment as the 83 has a belt driven air pump with a pin drive system that can be noisy and unreliable and the 84-85 cars use pulse air injection that does without an air pump so there are no moving parts to fail. Interesting to hear two diffrent opinions since both are very knowledgable F-car technicians.
Another independent Ferrari mechanic out here also gave the slight nod to the '84-'85 cars for the reason Rob just posted. He preferred the single cat arrangement. But he didn't damn the '83's. He did say carb'ed cars are for the mechanically inclined, and I've heard that often. Jon
