308 drivers like your opinion on 365bb or 512bb/i

I would post in the Boxer/TR section.

I like the Boxers, but in my experience 308/328 owners drive their cars a lot more. Living in San Diego, I've seen 1 Boxer (blue 365 BB) on the road in the last 15 years.

(Also I'm biased, but I think the 308 GTB/GTS and 328 GTB/GTS are more attractive cars to stare at... I think Pininfarina got the proportions right with the V8s.)

 

Sport Auto was kind enough to let me drive a stunning BB512i a few years ago on a racetrack. The car was utterly amazing. I have had a mix of 308/328/GT4 v8 FCars. The flat 12 was another league. A gt4 would be a nice complement to a BB.

I vote BB as better overall, but they are 3x an average 308's price.

 

get the carbs!

 

All I remember is that a 512 at full tilt is orgasmic. I have never felt that in a 308.

 

Actually, I have an itch for a Boxer too. An "i" is easier to smog in CA. Have both 308 and 328 currently...

 

Love the boxer and frequently read the boxer/tr forum. They are high maintenance from what I understand and keeping them healthy and tip top requires considerable cash and fortitude. Dave Feinberg and Paul Newman can provide a lot of info about the cars. Best of luck.

 

I've never driven a 365 Boxer. I imagine them to be very brutish but responsive. My injected BBi feels more like my 308 GTS in terms of handling than my GT4. But torque is greater, and greater everywhere in the rev range. Imagine a refined 302 Mustang kind of torque that feels like it will pull the car to any speed you allow. (But be warned - interior space of the Boxer is as tight as the 308's. The increase in BB size is all for that majestic flat 12)

I love the handling, sound and feel of the 308GT4. I think it's a spectacular recipe blended up in Maranello.

 

A 12-cylinder monster made from parts that are largely NLA, and WILDLY expensive if you can find them. The car, in Euro/original trim, is an esthetic masterpiece but currently a financial nightmare for anyone other than the die-hard fan. Performance-wise, very solid until tire-limits are reached, then things can get downright scary with the narrow tires. For my money, I'd buy three Testarossas before I bought one Boxer.....the refinement, performance, traction, and parts-availability make that choice a winner.

 

long term owner of both. I am also 6-4. the boxer is pretty special!

 

I have owned 3 Ferraris -- one being an 87 328, the other being a Euro dry sump 308 gtb, and the last being a 77 u.s. spec gtb. The dry sump euro just blew the snot out of the other 2, with the 328 finishing dead last in the fun to drive category. That being said, I have been fortunate enough to drive a carbed 512, and it,in turn, just blows the snot out of any 308 or 328. I have driven 348s, 355s, and many 308s and 328s and that Boxer was easily the most badass, raw and snotty and fun to drive of the whole lot. If you have the means, get one! A carbed one.

They are also so much more majestic than a 308. Remember, this was ferrari's flag ship.

 

The boxer is a beautiful car. I've been luck to have driven several over the years. they are fun to drive to a point.

The sound is great, and the cockpit is pretty roomy - its a big car.
steering and brakes are about on par with 308's - heavy steering at parking lot speeds, lightens up once moving. carbed cars sound better but are a bit more tempremental in traffic. if you have a Boxer that was federalized early on and still has the heavy bumpers etc.. there s a lot of dive and roll ... and since the top speed is higher than 308's you notice it a bit more.

A/C is about the same - which is to say not great.
seats are fine wider and better overall ergonomics, but still not as grippy as you would like.

A Boxer on the race track is fun, however:

they are heavy cars with lots of weight above the rear axle... so Polar moment - not great. at 6-8/10th no problem, but if you really get going ... Ummm beware. its not a forgiving car.

when the back starts to swing around ... it is all arms and elbows... there is lots of roll, huge understeer and the brakes are terrible considering the mass and power.

but it sounds great!!!! - looks great too! I love them and they were the most exotic of the day.... but that was 40 years ago.

 

BTW - 365 BB is the one to get... more issues - older car, but just sounds great... has the classic Ferrari experience in spades!

prices to fix the cars & mtns are out of sight ... but goes with the territory. they can be very reliable cars - if you take care of them. but they dont like Traffic - overheat a bit ... and it gets HOT in side.