Two cars that seem similar to me, I know the GTO must be miles better, but I figured I'd attempt a comparison. It seems the main difference is just boxer v12 vs turbo v8, so far I'd rather have the boxer v12
Ummm let's consider the other differences minus the power plant. The 288 GTO is one of four Ferrari produced supercars, smallest production run out of all the supercars and ohhh yeh almost forgot, the $500K-$750K price difference depending on the quality of each car compared. Might as well compare a Dodge Viper to a Grand Caravan! Geno
You realize that there is another section dedicated exclusively to waxing lyrical about the Boxer? I think you'll get far more satisfaction extolling the virtues of a Boxer over there. Here is a link for your convenience: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=90 There, you will find legions of like-minded supporters willing to concur just how much better the Boxer is versus the 288 GTO and why they too would rather have one. Please excuse my stance on this, but as soon as I read your proclamation that the 288 GTO and the Boxer "seem similar", the question was begged: how so? Personally, I cannot think of 2 more dissimilar sports cars, other than the fact that they both wear a Ferrari badge. Meanwhile, Happy New Year!
"Please excuse my stance on this, but as soon as I read your proclamation that the 288 GTO and the Boxer "seem similar", the question was begged: how so? Personally, I cannot think of 2 more dissimilar sports cars, other than the fact that they both wear a Ferrari badge." i think you have gone a bit over board on that...I personally can think of plenty of sports cars that are a good bit more dissimilar than the two ferraris in question. and don't be offended that the op finds some similarities...the boxer is not in the 288's league but the boxer is not really such a pc of ***** at the end of the day. pcb
The Boxer is indeed a great car. But I'm sticking to my guns that it is the polar opposite of a 288 GTO in so many ways as to make a comparison between the two quite meaningless. I think we can already see that this sentiment is echoed.
Hm... Let me see..... Similar? Same badge? Yes Same Factory? Yes Similar Vintage? Yes 4 Wheels? Yes 2 Seats? Yes Often Painted Red? Yes I think he could be sort of right..... I mean if you asked a chick to look at the 2 cars, I am sure that they would say they are similar......
The Boxer is a great car. But its weight, handling and performance make it feel obsolete next to today's supercars. I love them on long distance trips and the sound of the V12 is unforgettable (more so in carburettor-fed 512s than BBi) The 288GTO feels incredible even today. It is the best Ferrari of the last 30 years in my opinion (F40 owners please don't kill me, I used to be one of you!) No comparison, although I can see why you'd like to compare them
I always did wonder how you could have a 180 degree 'V" 12, but yes, that does seem to be the accepted designation instead of "flat 12"
Andrew it's due to the way the pistons are positioned and their movement, although the BB's engine is not a true "boxer" design due to the way they connect to the crank and the piston's action. Geno
I agree fully that a V12 vs a Turbo is a very different style of car and power delivery in particular. And yes of course one is worth much more than the other. But let's try to keep things into perspective.... For example I could think of many more dissimilar sports cars: How about a Lotus Esprit and a Shelby Cobra. How about a Lamborghini Countach and Porsche GT2 Or even a Ferrari 550 and a Ferrari 458.
Joe - you are extremely wrong here. They are both mid-engined. And old. Thus, they are in the same league.
Both have pop up headlights and exactly the same rear lights. We know they are different cars but my mother and I guess over 80% of other people are not able to tell them apart. If I drove to my job the first day in a 308, the next in a boxer and the third day in a GTO, my co workers wouldn´t notice anything if all 3 were red, they just would think it is him in his red Ferrari.
I've just purchased a 365Boxer & had a good drive with it. Performance & handling is dated but not bad for a 70s & brake is pretty good for a street car. During the 2011 Mille Miglia Ferrari Tribute, we did however, witnessed an epic scene of an F40 & my friend's 288GTO racing down a stretch towards Rome in the evening, there were 1 foot long fire constantly coming off the exhaust of the GTO & both cars were constantly trying to overtake each other with us watching behind. It was absolutely marvellous but I was driving my 456GT & couldn't video it. It lasted almost an hour & we were doing over 180km/h through winding+hilly roads, that was one of the most memorable drive in my life! I don't think the Boxer could keep up.
288s a hopped up 308 with flared fenders, most people cant tell it from a 308 today unless they know Ferrari. 288 is an average performer by modern standards, beginning with the 355 it performed better with no turbo lag as with each V8 Ferrari after. Boxers are old school performers as well, last handmade Ferrari. Its all relative compare a Boxer to a 288, or a 288 to 250LM, Id take the 250LM though its slower and about $6000000 more