It's finally time to get a classic Fcar. Question is 308 GTSi or 328 GTS. Curious to hear thoughts on this subject, as I couldn't find a thread on this that was posted recently. Also any market values on 308's. I have read the posts on 328 market pricing, which I appreciate!
The timing of the posts regarding the 308 vs. 328 is irrelevant IMO. The 328 is faster w/ a more modern feel. Looks are subjective as always. The 308 has a carbed version which a lot of people like because of the sound from the 4 Webers. You need to read these. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22924&highlight=308+328 http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36045&highlight=308+328 http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33815&highlight=308+328 http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1418&highlight=308+328 http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8399&highlight=308+328
Personally I like the looks of a 308 QV, inside and out, better than the 328. The 328, however, were an improvement in driveability...i.e. better cooling system (308 QV are notorious for overheating-including mine) and better airconditioner. But, the classic look of the 308 gets me every time...I happen to like the US bumpers, really I do.
Exactly, Exactly, Exactly. 308 looks better. 328 is a bit more car. If you are like me about the 308, look for one in this order: 1. 308 QV (84 or 85 before the 83) 2. 308 carb (powerful and a cooler sound but you may find the FI easier to live with) 3. 308 2V (80-82) If you find one you can't live without make sure you pull the tag off first to check for oily crud behind it AND NO MATTER WHICH SERIES YOU PICK - NO FIXER UPPERS!!!!! (just buy a good one to begin with)
When I was looking, everyone said "get a 328, it's a better car". Now that I've had one for nearly a year, I think I have to agree. But if you get a 308 QV, it won't be that much different. Apparently Ferrari went to galvanized steel with the QV. Take that into account if considering any earlier version.
BigAl is on the money, Euro 308QV. IMHO the top of the 308 line. Best balance of performance and style, both inside and out. Beautiful Ferraris! That said you certainly cannot go wrong with a well sorted 328. Again, a wonderful Ferrari. Performance is a not a consideration. A 328 will outperform a 308, a 348 will outperform a 328, a 355 will outperform a 348 etc etc etc. They are all excellent driving cars. Beautiful to look at! If performance is a key, buy a Z06. Lot of bang for the buck!
IMHO, and call me a BIASED judge here, 85 Euro 308QV. No cooling problems either due to different specs versus US.
I am right there with you. 85 Euro 308QV is the best of the 308's. But then again I'm a little biased too.
Dittos....I prefer the look of the 308 series...but no doubt, the 328 is superior in most ways (I've had both). BTW, Ferrari finally got serious with rust prevention with the 1984 year QV...83's did not have it. And even with it, they can still rust (seen it), even the 328's (seen it). Dave
Having owned both, I would recommend the 328. Try to get an 89 if you can and I believe you won't regret it. Regardless, they are both fun cars.
I've got an award-winning USA model 308QV, and *without bias* I have to say if I could have a Euro 308QV in the same condition, that's the only car in the 308/328 family I'd rather have than what I've got.
I drove both cars and choose a 328 because of the improvements and they were more reliable. To me their was a noticable preformance difference.
I also drove both cars and felt the differences in the 328 were substantial and worth the extra money. The interior is more refined, there's more power and the integrated bumpers give the car a more modern look.
328, even after having the 328 for awhile I still wanted more power couldn't imagine living with any less, 328s are 100lbs lighter than the U.S. 308 QVs as well. 328s are a bargain for what you get for a Ferrari and they still look modern with the body colored bumpers.
I used to own 77, 84 & 85 308's, an 87 328 GTS and a 94 348 TB. After those 5, I settled on an 89 328 GTB in 2001. Also added a 430 coupe last summer, but the 328 will remain. Mainly the 328 is just plain better designed/built than either 308's or 348's. 308's do have a bit more charm, especially carb models but the ones I have owned were pretty needy. I have put 22K miles on the 2 328's and the worst that happened was a broken clutch cable on the 87 which had 40K miles on it at the time. O/w just routine service which is also cheaper than service on just about any other model. Dave
No, they can be hard to find PLUS it is sad some Ferrari owners will not be 100% honest as to the condition of their car (or are totally unaware of the problems they have). Finding a very good 1985 Euro in the USA can be hard to find. Note i mean mechanical example as i do not mind mods nor desire some garage queen or concourse curse. Years ago i PPIed a few various 1985 308s before finding one from another Fchatter. My basic plan was to get one with a good structure/motor/tranny as i knew major mods would be done to it for tracking. i truly hope you find a great 1985 Euro. Please remember, for the same money once all is said and done you can get many other non-Ferrari cars that perform MUCH better.
Performance is one thing but there is nothing like driving a Ferrari. For example I own a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT 6. Absolutely wonderful and fun car to drive and for the price of an average 328 I out accelerate, out brake and out handle a 328 or even a 348 hands down any day of the week. However .... Even though I love my SRT 6, it is not a Ferrari! Sure I am in the process of having some major upgrades done on the car that will even allow me to give a 360 a run for it's money, but it's not the same. For example the new Corvette Z06 is an incredible car and a serious bang for the buck, but I drove one and the truth is that I would rather spend the money on an older Ferrari. But hey, I guess that's just me Alexander
Just to echo these last few posts, I don't think that anyone would make the mistake of thinking that a 328 or 308 is going to blow the doors off of any real modern day sports cars, of any marque However, owning a Ferrari is really about enjoying yourself when you're behind the wheel and, let's face it, beating other cars in street races is nothing I ever do or want to do. Instead, I race around lonely winding mountain roads at dawn or make my way down deserted rural back roads. I've been in much faster cars, faster Ferraris even, that don't have the same visceral feeling that a 308 or 328 does. And that's what really matters to me, not whether or not I can beat some blinged out Mitsubishi EVO from this stoplight to the next or say my car's faster than yours. I've owned newer Ferraris. I've owned very fast Ferraris. However, the 308 and 328 are still cars that have a lot more character and, for me, driving enjoyment over the newer more modern cars that I've owned. I just like them. The part that I like about these cars is that they're not ridiculously expensive to maintain. Maybe later on I won't care about the maintenance costs but for me to say that it doesn't matter is wrong. Ownership is a lot more that driving. It's caring for and dealing with all of the quirks of these Italian beasts. I've had more fin learning the in's and out's of the 3x8's than the newer cars. Maybe it's because they're simpler or maybe it's because I know that if there's an issue, it won't hurt my wallet as much as with a 360 or 355. Now, maybe if I lived in South Florida, where I spent much of my childhood, I'd maybe opt for something with more power. After all, So. Fl. doesn't have winding mountain roads and there are no two lane deserted twisties. Just wide open, straight, flat highways. I'd need a minimum of 420hp just to be happy, I would think. But, I'd still want the same visceral sensations in the car that I owned. I'd probably have a 512TR. However, since I don't live there anymore, I get to enjoy the more finesse parts of sports car driving which is what attracted me to the 3x8 in the first place. And that's a wonderful thing. And of the two, I vote for the 328 but a great 308QV or carbed car can be real fun. Anyway, that's my $.02.
I fully understand, and indeed that is why I do not own a Ferrari at this point. I am about finished with an initial massive financial building stage in my life and this is why I have waited. The next few months that will change because my finances are just about where I want them to be. Over 10 years ago I owned a 1971 Fiat Dino 2.4 Coupe and even though people don't consider it a Ferrari it still had the 2.4 litre Dino 6 engine, albeit it was not the same exact engine. All that aside it did cost me almost as much for repairs as the car itself cost. I got rid of it in less than a year because it was taking away from reinvesting in my business. My SRT6 is a car I can hop into and know I can drive the next 20,000 miles without doing a darn thing to it except for changing the oil every 6,000 miles or so. But you must admit, it is a hell of a lot of fun driving that 308 isn't it? Alexander
My opinion is simple, if you can afford ~45k get a well sorted 89 328 or newer. Les then 45, get a 1984 or 85 308. Sherpa23 is a good man to talk to - he just made that decision. Chose an 89 328 over my 308 QV. Very nice guy, no BSing, cuts to the chase. Met him about 6 months or so ago. He made the right call since he could afford the 89.
