308/328 in the sights

Best wishes in the search. I was in your shoes a little over a year ago. You'll quickly learn there are lots of options here in the SF Bay Area.

My priority order was 308 then Testarossa then 328 with a strong preference for the '70s look of the 308.

 

You will love it, well done

 

You could have avoided all of the deliberating by just buying the car first and then tell your wife afterwards.

 

Great choice. The 308/328 are in a great spot. 1) They aren't crazy expensive to purchase, 2) they aren't crazy expensive to maintain, 3) they look awesome, 4) they are fun to drive, 5) they are starting to appreciate in value.

They key is to buy a good example. Obviously, this will require more cash upfront but it will reward you with a good experience down the road. Bad examples that haven't been loved can become money pits. But good examples that have a good service history don't require a lot, just follow the maintenance schedule.

You're also looking at a good time because things can kind of slow down in the market over the winter so you shouldn't have to rush in to a purchase. Once you've found one you like, schedule a PPI so you can get a real assessment of the car's condition.

Good luck and have fun and feel free to post up examples for critique. It will save you a lot of time, money and hassle.

-F

 

In a nutshell, the 328 is a better choice 100% of the time. If you have no particular preference, unlike me, I would focus there.

Again, in a nutshell, the newer the better. In other words, an 85 308 is a better choice than an 84 or 83 or 82, etc. This is just the tip of the iceburg but in short, that is a good rule of thumb to go by just in general.

The 308 is divided into three groups, carbed, 2Vi and 4Vi. We can debate for centuries QV vs carbed but, once again in general, the 2Vi is last in the group of three.

The 328 "fixed" pretty much all the bad in the entire 308 series. It is quicker and you can actually feel the difference.

As always, condition is number 1. Forget the miles. They are ALL WRONG.

Read that again - ALL INDICATED MILES ARE WRONG.

Do not pay extra for a car that "has" 13,000. You cannot use it. You can only look at it unless you want to throw that extra money on the john and flush it. Do not run away from a car with 76,000 showing. Nothing wrong with 76,000. ZERO.

Final rule: Belts/tensioners. If they have not been changed in 3- 4 years on the car you are looking at, deduct about $2000 from the asking price. I can have them R&R for you for less than that.

Anytime you want me to look at one for you or whatever, let me know. My fee is free.

I'll keep my eye out in the FCA monthly newsletter if you aren't a member, and you may want to seriously consider subscribing to the Ferrari Market Letter as well if you have not already. It is a Ferrari classified newsletter.

 

Wise words from my esteemed colleague. Just to throw in my .02cents, Tommy is very correct on the 328. I have owned 2 1978 308 carbed cars and an 1986 328. The 328 will drive a lot more like a modern car vs. the 308s.
Also, if air conditioner is important, be sure and check that out thoroughly. If AC is important, might want to go ahead and consider 355. I prefer the looks of the 328 but the 355 will be more like a modern car.

 

Other than a glass dry sump 1976 yellow black 308, my car of choice is a 6 speed 355 targa. I'll take that in black/tan.

 

Wow,

You start with "I want a 308/328" and in five responses, it goes to "consider a 355."

Here is my opinion: Know what you want, buy what you love, and be happy with what you got.

Everything else in life is gravy after that.

 

308 and 328 are different animals. Drive both before deciding which one to purchase. It will narrow your search and save you from disappointment. Good luck!

 

I don,t understand you comment that the Miles are all wrong you are saying all the 328 owners are cheating on there Miles, I have a 328 I am the only owner of my car and my Miles are. Correct.so I think you are incorrect by making a statement like that.

 

Good luck and I know there are plenty of us here who can help. I would recommend posting anything you can on any car you may want to look at. Chances are that someone will know the car and its history.



PDG

sent from Io, innermost moon of Jupiter

 

There are exceptions to every rule and obviously you are one of them.

The safe bet is to assume that they are all wrong. I cannot tell you the number of sending units and speedometers that fail or are unplugged. Do a thread search here and just see what pops up. Mine has failed twice, once with me and once with a previous owner. They all will. Yours is no exception and you can take that to the bank. End of story. To say otherwise would be akin to suggesting that you will never wear out tires.

I have been watching this mileage "trend" very very closely for exactly 33 years this year so I damn well know what I am talking about. Anyone that chooses to ignore me, fine. Good luck. Those that decide that they may need to look a little closer at the history of a car and not believe what they see or are told about a 3X8's odometer, will most likely find it "interesting" 9 time out of 10.

I therefore stand 100% behind that post and offer absolutely no apologies to anyone who disagrees. I am here to help him make a good choice and assumptions must be made to play it safe.

 

I am not looking for an apologie I just want to give you my side of the story I have 69k miles on my 328 and no odometer problems yet, I do see you point because my mechanic tells me the same I must be the lucky one.i think service records is the most importend info when getting these cars with the mileage on the records.

 

As I said, some may well be accurate. I just don't even know where to start with examples that I have seen with my own eyes that are not even close. I can't even remember all of them there are so many.

Therefore, the safest play is to assume it is "off", if you will.

BTW, congrats on being the original owner. You are in a very exclusive club. I wish I could say the same.

 

Yes, I own a 308 rather than a 328, but I can't agree with that comment! The 328 may indeed be, objectively, the better car - Ferrari didn't develop it for nothing, but based on that logic every car that came after it is better too. However, to say that it is a better choice (rather than a better car) will always be contentious.

The 308 is the first of the breed and has a cleaner line, closer to what Pininfarina intended. The interior and switches etc are more classic rather than the rather plasticy '80's effort in the 328. Carbs are a love 'em or hate 'em thing - I love 'em!

I wouldn't dispute that the 328 is a better developed car with some of the early issues resolved - not least of all the lack of rust resistance on early cars - however, whether it's a better choice for you is an entirely different matter

I think the best thing is to look at and drive a few different cars and decide which you prefer. Condition is certainly king, and low mileage cars are not always the ones which drive best. I guess it depends whether you want to drive it or look at it... Great position to be in though, enjoy the shopping

 

Inert, a nice sorted out QV is not a bad choice and it's not that far behind the the 328 as far as price, maintenance cost, reliability and performance, and yet still gives you the classic look and feel.

 

The AC in my 328 was a lot better than the 308s. I am not as knowledgeable about the conversions to the newer coolants but I am sure Tommy can give some insight. In your initial post, you mentioned wife, thus my stronger endorsement of the 328. My wife did not enjoy the 308 but tolerated the 328 when going out to dinner.

 

Never ever convert from R12 unless you want a warmer blowing a/c.

134 ALWAYS blows warmer in an R12 system. It is physics and chemistry. It is impossible to make it blow AS COLD as R12 when the system is left unchanged from the factory.

If you live in a mild climate and like how 134 feels, that's great but everyone reading this needs to understand that 134 is NOT an equivalent replacement for R12 in a system designed for R12.

 

My sentiment as well as an owner of a one owner 1985 308 GTB with 30k documented miles.

 

That's the only point I am trying to make. When someone says I am looking for a "3 something 8" and has no particular desire one way or the other - my first recommendation is the 328 and remember, this is coming from someone that chose a 308 for himself.

I have an emotional attachment to the 308 so it has always been what I wanted. In fact my favorite is the 2Vi model. Nothing looks as good to me as a red/tan 80-82 GTSi exactly as it left the factory - no rear spoiler, no black vents, one mirror, black a pillars, etc. But the engine isn't the best choice in that model for several reasons that we all know about. My first pick, my favorite, is the last one I recommend to anyone. Obviously we both agree that the 328 is - objectively - the better car for someone who really doesn't care one way or the other. You and I are different. He, on the other hand, may not care.

My "newer, the better" rule of thumb holds true as well, in a very general sense. An 83 QV will have two cats (cheaper to buy one replacement rather that two when the time comes) and likely have metric wheels. An 84 may have one alt/wp belt but 16 inch wheels and one cat. By the time you get to a late 85 QV you have two belts and 16 rims and a single cat (not to mention a fuse box cover that stays on slightly better)

See where I am going with all this? It isn't a dead set rule to live by, just something to keep in mind, that's all.

So anyway, all I am trying to do is hit the very high points only. 3X3 101. Just a few quick starting out pointers for someone looking around. We can subcategorize this forever and we all know that. In fact we probably will.

Let him look around and bring back a few examples so we can share our input in more detail then.

 

Indeed - and I guess forewarned is forearmed. Have a look, see what you like and work out the various pros and cons of each.

 

I would add that what Doc states is quite true. It takes some thinking and some modifications to get a R134 system working at least as good as R12. To make it work better requires that and $$$ but it can be done. That all being said I much prefer top off motoring whenever possible. Late 85 qv GTS owner and lover.


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