308 Help Requested

The search tool is your friend...

 

I'll give you a couple of pointers, but if you use the search function, you'll find enough information to keep you reading for a while.

The 308 series can be broken down into roughly 4 groups: (1) early fiberglass carb cars (76-77), (2) steel bodied carb cars (77-79), (3) 2V injected cars (80-82), and (4) 4V-QV cars (83-85). Groups 1 and 4 are probably the most desired.

Any Ferrari as a daily driver means you'll invest in a major service each year and for a 308, that's ~$3500. Overall 308's are not costly to maintain and thus a good starter Ferrari. For $30K, it'll be very hard to find a good group 1 or 4 car. For $30K, you can find an excellent group 2 or 3 car. Group 4 cars in excellent condition are mid to upper $30's, some pushing into the low $40's. I'm not as familiar with the pricing on group 1 308's, but I'm sure others will chime in.

The electricals in 308s are probably the biggest achiles heel. Servicing them in your own garage is pretty simple and straight forward, provided you have basic mechanical skills.

 

This might help too
76 fiberglass 240hp 2v carb, $45k+ (rare so people like them more)

76-77 steel 240hp 2v carb, $30k+

78-79 205hp, 2v carb, with emissions junk, 28k+ (many people believe all carb cars are 240 hp, I think the price of these relects that confusion)

80-82 195hp, 2v injected with emissions junk $25k+

83-85 235hp, 4v injected with emissions junk $35k+

Prices are approximate for a good car without issues.

A rough car or a car with "minor" issues will almost always end-up costing much more than just buying a good car to begin with....ask me how I know

 

To keep things easy go with an 84 or 85 308QV. Can't go wrong with one of those.

 

I've had 3 308's. For 30K, you could find a cherry 76-77 GTB and get the raw driving experience of early 308's. The carb cars have a cool factor that no FI car can match. I don't thin much of the 80-82 cars though you could get a very cherry one for 30K. If you can swing another 5K, then a nice QV is the best if refinement and reliablity factors are more important. If you can swing 40K, I'd look for an early 328, they are better engineered and built. I have owned an 87 and currently own an 89 GTB. GReat cars.

Dave

 

the fact that you are in california will make it harder for you to find a good carb car that will pass emissions. carb cars are to me, preferred over the injected cars, but given that you live in cali, a QV may suit you best.

 

I refer to a comment I made on a similar thread. Dane

 

A cherry 76 for $30 ????? maybe 3 years ago...............