308 purchase questions

Frankly, I'd be looking at the "needs nothing" car (assuming that is REALLY true) for 10k more. I wouldn't touch the non-DOT car at all.

 

Im leaning towards car #1 But do inspect the paintwork on the front hood to see why was there a paintwork in the first place.

Don't worry about the reverse tail light, believe it or not sometimes they came out of the factory that way.

 

The car without the DOT paperwork is not really an issue. If it has a valid US title, than the need for the paperwork is done. Once on a US title it is US legal regardless of what has been done before as long as it was done properly. The paperwork is great to have to keep a full manifest of the cars history. It is very easy to obtain, simply a phone call to Dick Merrit and EPA will get you a copy of it.

On the other hand, if you do not want to have to possibly invest more than your budget will allow right off the bat, they buy the best and most complete car you can afford and go from there.

As long as all the cars are checked out thoroughly then you should have no regrets.


Wade
www.sportclassiccomp.com
www.308qvregister.com

 

One thing I always say is that if you have any reservations about buying a car, don't buy it.

Sounds to me like the first two cars are in the mid 20s asking price (this may or may not indicate abuse or neglect) and the third is in the mid 30s. A good PPI will tell you a lot if it's done right. Since you do your own maintenance, then you'll save a lot of $$$ in the long run. I would narrow your choices down and get the best car of them all. Regardless of price.

I wouldn't cross the car off the list because of TRX wheels. You can find good replacement wheels out there easily.

 

What's wrong with TRX wheels? Why does shmark want to kick them to the curb and you not liking the wheels?

 

I believe the tire options in the US are very limited as they are metric wheels.

 

I think you can still get TRX tires (or remakes of them), they'll just cost you $1800+ and are not great tires. That's why most get rid of the wheels.

16 inch tires, rather than "trx size/metric size" are a fraction of the cost and are much better tires.

 

Not really but it was common to swap them so the red was visible from the side, it saved them from cutting in side markers.

I have Factory Owners Manuals that show them the way THE FACTORY mounted them.....

 

They measure 390mm diameter and tires are impossible to find....not 15" not 16".....390mm.

 

Mark.

PM sent

 

A couple of questions:

Any carfax reports?
Any rust on the cars?
Check underneath the cars for signs of damage.

I would not worry about the DOT, since, like someone said, if it's OK to register, it's probably OK (unless you're in california). I'd be a little concern about the re-paint since it may be a sign of accidents. Most people re-spray the bumper but not that high up (unless you did the whole car). See if the 10k+ car is really worth it. If it's for a driver, it probably will not make a difference. OTOH, if it's for show, 10k may be worth it.

Ace

 

Mark, we have all been down this road. Several points - (1) get a VALID PPI - (2)buy the best car you can - (3) plan on putting another $5K into the car (it always seems to work out that way) - (4) it's a buyers market - you will be suprised at the final purchase price - and lastly (5) you will forget about the price long before you forget about the quality...

 

my 84 911, my 83 jalpa, and my current 84 308 GTB QV were / are all euro cars. only my QV actually has the US Customs papers, and EPA DOT exemption papers. many parts of Georgia do not require any other documentation other than a title. no title is required here on cars made before 1985, but on an exotic, it would be a good idea to have one!

nobody is going to come to your house and take your 25+ year old Ferrari.


oh yea.... i put my TRX wheels and tires in a corner, and bought 16's !!!!! TRX tires are a $2500 minus on a car for sale as far as i am concerned!

the 16's just feel better on the road , and seem to look better on the car!
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thanks Mark ! its ok, some people prefer red. i just have found "not red" cars to be more stealth give the police state we are now in.

 

It's all subjective. I'm a "red only" guy, but I have to admit...Carreaper and Bigodino have the most awesome looking blue 308s on Ferrarichat! I know of a Silver/Red 308 in my area that is amazingly stunning, too.

 

thanks, Blue Scuro is a really, really hard color to photograph, and actually capture well.

i took this pic when the car was delivered a year ago, before the euro valance was added. the car looks this color in bright sunlight, and looks *almost* black the rest of the time. its a very cool effect!

its good to be different!
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Amen! (and thanks Michael for the kind words)

But I do understand the OP's preference for red.
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yes, but this way we may help change his mind!

my first 308 was brown!!!


see Mark , you have lots of options out there!!

good luck to you, and happy hunting!

i have been using Demoise Trucking if you need to get a car moved on the east coast anytime soon. Stephane here in Savannah has a green Mondial coming this way, and i have a black 911 Targa coming. somebody has to keep the car biz moving, may as well be Georgia based car guys!
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My wheels need refinishing too. $125 each from the shop I use. Also heard the local Ferrari Service dealer is the same price.

Jeff