246 vs 308

All we need is a movie where Brad Pitt steps out of a 308 and says "this car is it" and we will have our day in the sun.

 

^This, is a tragicomic masterpiece.

Cheers,

George

 

The direct comparison for the early 911s is the Dino 246, not the 1975-onward Ferraris. California and then federal emissions regs, and bumper requirements, really changed cars in 1974-75. The light, simple stuff prior to that is always going to be more collectible. The long hood 911s are probably the best all around vintage sports car you can buy -- really fun to drive, indestructible (except for rust...), infinitely rebuildable.

That said... I'm a huge 308 fan. Ferrari hasn't made anything close to that beautiful since, and at a 90% discount to a 246 I'd have to go with the 308.

 

While that may be true, I'm pretty certain the demand for 246s to use as daily drivers is not what is making their value skyrocket!

 

Agreed! And if 3x8s ever get to that level, they will cease to be daily (or even weekly) drivers as well, relegated to the occasional car meet because driving them would risk damage/devaluation.

 

IMO the Dino is the better looking car and rarer due to build numbers, friday I put a deposit on a 308 GTS QV price £80000 which is over $100k Cars For Sale - 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS QV Rosso Met, with the Dino now out of reach of most people the next best thing and deservedly so is the 308, I'm a early Porsche guy at heart and never really been interested in Ferrari's but having seen a 308 close up I was struck by its beauty, stunning car inside and out, I've brought it as an investment as well, these cars will be £125-£150k in a couple of years..... I hope

 

The 308 GTB/GTS is a killer design but they did make a bunch of them by fcar standards. To the non fcar crowd you can throw the 328 in this group also b/c they can't tell the difference without looking at the #s on the back of the car. There is plenty of debate on how much production #s have an impact but it's clear they do. The 246 market has become its own niche-just like the lusso did not so long ago. I mean, the jack for a 246 sells for $10k plus?!

 

Congratulations and Welcome aboard!!



PDG

 

I believe the next car to skyrocket are the 308 GT4's
I remember about 20 years ago or so when I told my wife I wanted to buy a 246 for around 20k and she thought I was insane.....look at them now and they were built by FIAT.
Heck, look at the Fiat Dino's and what they are going for.
The 308 GT4's, especially the early series one cars, are the ones to keep your eyes on as they were truly badge DINO's and not built by FIAT and the first mid-engine V8.
Don't ever listen to anyone and do what your heart desires and anyone who buys a Ferrari just for the pleasure of having one is lying through their teeth as it's also a investment that will eventually appreciate.

 

I like the 308s and think they are prettier than the later Ferraris, except perhaps the new 458, which is as attractive. It is also a "small" Ferrari, which appeals to me.

But who knows where the market will go? I didn't buy my present cars for investment, so the higher market prices have been a disadvantage. Higher parts prices, sometimes a damper on enjoying the car, and, when out shopping, the prices of next-level cars out of reach. High market prices not good for us enthusiasts, I feel.

On the good point made above re the emission, bumper, and other developments that kicked in post-72, it is interesting to note that most vintage or historic racing clubs draw the line at Dec. 31. 1972. The classic 911s are generally defined as pre-1973 (the iconic '73 2.7 911RS began production in1972). Sheehan begins Ferrari's Fiat era with a model that began in 1973. This forum's cut-off for "vintage" ends with a model that ended production in 1972. Although production spilled past a bit, the 246 makes that imaginary line.

Perhaps, the 308's era just hasn't begun yet. But, as I said, high prices are not a good thing necessarily, so just enjoy your 308s, restore and take good care of them regardless of how valuable the market thinks they are. They are valuable to you.

Best,

Andres

 

Well said.
The preoccupation with prices is not good for the hobby on so many levels.

 

Judge for yourself...Pretty much same construction I will say........which one is the prettiest?.....-
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They are horrible slow,and stupid to work on,,

 

Uh, the red one with the black interior.

 

I never really liked the Dino. I always thought they looked like a better version of the Opel GT, which isnt saying much. The front end reminds me of a cartoon frog, and well, honestly, I think of the car as a kind of "butter face." I like watching the car leave, but I hate to see it arriving. The 308 on the other hand, rarely disappoints me from any angle. The gt4, while rarely impressive in pictures, I absolutely love in person.

As for interest in values...I'm not selling mine for less than 6 figures. I will either replace it with a 550 maranello, or a 360 CS. If I can never trade the car into one of those, then I wont be getting rid of it.

 

I'd only sell if I could get into an older Ferrari. The newer ones are great cars but not what I grew up loving.

BTW The Opel GT was a mini Corvette which in turn was, shall we say, Ferrari inspired.

 

Might just be the ugliest car Ferrari produced.
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Sorry, I’m being facetious. The Dino is often regarded among the most beautiful Ferraris ever, sometimes in the top slot, which is quite a complement for a car some don’t regard a Ferrari. I like the 308, too, and think it’s a lovely car. The 288 is high on my list, cooling slots and all. But ultimately it’s a matter of personal taste and aesthetics. It would be a boring world if we all liked the same thing.

The Dino is probably the first Ferrari that could be described as nimble. Mid-engine, independent rear suspension, light weight, small size work very well. I love Lotuses – the very definition of handling – and have had several, including the racing car 23B. I will not keep a car that didn’t handle well. I quite like the Dino in the handling department. Drive one. You might like it.

If I were to get another Ferrari, I would get the 206SP, which probably would look Opel-GTish to some, but that’s been way over my budget for some time. Among the post-vintage Fe
erraris, since you mentioned it, I would prefer the 458. The ones you mentioned don’t ring bells for me, but I am sure they do for others. It’s a question of taste, so no right or wrong here.

Best,

Andres

 

from an old post of mine .maybe not prettiest but which one is more ferrari/attractive. .
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But there are pretty to my eye, one was driven by Danny Wilde (aka Tony Curtiss) in "the Persuaders", a show that most European of my age grew with and are still very fond of, and make a wonderfull noise; a "Dino" ticks all my boxes, really. I still get goose bumps everytime I see one.

Rgds

 

I am sick to death of all this BS
I watched all this before in the 80's, and it made me sick then. Cars are for enthusiasts, not "investors". Investors drive the market away from enthusiasts. The auction houses are so full of it, they make me want to throw up. They swoop on "the next big thing" and hype it into outer space. (Plus seller's commission and buyer's premium)
Well, I sat back and watched all these dickheads get pantsed when the market ran out of puff back then, and I'm waiting for it to happen again.
If you buy something that you love, it doesn't matter what the market does. If you buy something that you hope to sell for a profit, don't be the last one without a chair when the music stops.
Sure, 246 Dinos are going crazy, but they still haven't reached the prices paid for tulips over 370 years ago - now THERE was a good investment.

 

You are right, Patrick. A rising market isn't good news for enthusiasts.

 

to complement Andres's great 246GT picture:
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That is a great photo of a gorgeous car, Mike. I always liked the lines. Fantastic.

Andres

 

Amen brother.

The one saving grace of all this "value" talk is that it usually precedes a market readjustment.