308 Value of Euro vs US

I'm sure everyone has their own opinion.... but the Euro's were built the way the car was intended to be built, no compromises. Bumpers, lights, air-pumps, cats, etc...

How can this front-end not look cleaner and more like Enzo intended...

Also now that the cars are old enough, they don't need to meet the same smog regs. Plus if you want to register it in Cali, there are some very nice modern Cats and other equipment to help meet smog testing if it doesn't already pass as is.. California is most likely the largest market in the US for these cars, failure to be able to register it there can harm the resale value... I guess.

Oh well...that's my biased opinion, most of the Cars built were to US spec's, so you will get allot of US spec owners defending their position. To me it was a no brainer, but since they are Much harder to locate they could demand a high price, the market forces will answer the question.
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Yes....maybe $5K in the current market.....

The single distributor cap is hugely expensive tho.....

They lack safety features like steel bumpers and door beams, so crashing them increases the likelyhood of serious injury!

 

If it's in the US make sure to review DOT EPA import paperwork, just because your State loses interest in Smog testing, the Feds could still take an interest in "how it got here"......

 

I have a 308 GTB QV Euro. It took a while to find one and I don't believe there are that many around. I don't know if it is worth anymore, only time will tell. I think I will hang on to mine and have fun driving it.
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I think you will find the answer varies state by state.

 

Also considering the higher values these cars bring overseas a Euro should have a large market in Europe as well. So that may also be a consideration.

 

I too looked for a while, about 18 months of casual browsing. I too will not let mine go. My kids can worry about selling it.

 

$4-5k to the right buyer sounds about right. Definitely be mindful of how it got here and have supporting docs as Bigtex said.

 

I definietly paid more to get a Euro, but I wanted something pretty specific (red, GTB, and euro) so the seller had a fair amount of leverage. Not much to pick from when you get that specific.

I would say they are worth more, but not to everybody. To get the premium the seller has to wait for someone that specifically wants a euro. A lot of people buying 308's are buying their first Ferrari, so location, condition, color, etc probably play a bigger roll in the decision for the majority of buyers.

In my case, I probably could have saved $6K to $8K if I had been willing to take a US GTS.

 

Not too sure about 308s but i was told that my euro 328 is worth LESS than a US 328. I find them pretty rare and very good to look at. Either way, I got a great 328 for the price of a 308 so I can't complain.

Ace

 

The only things that would make a euro worth less is jurisdictional smog concerns (not an issue in most places for cars over 25 years old), and the hack job nature of some of the federal conversions performed at the time of importation, or lack of EPA/DOT documentation.

Other than that, I think most people would agree that they look a little better, weigh little less, are a little less complicated, and offer marginally improved performance. What's not to like?

 

+1 well said

 

I guess you are looking to buy a 308? Assuming so, here's my 2c.

Just bought a red/tan 83 Euro from a great guy in Texas.
This being my 3rd Ferrari I wanted something very specific, a Black/Tan 328.
But that went out the window when I saw this 308.

I think that the 308 Euro is a totally different car from the US 308. With the right wheels, it looks closer to a 288. I can't speak for performance, but enough to make an incremental difference as far as I have read on Fchat.

BTW, I've owned a 72 246 GTS, and a 68 330 GTC. I must say that the Euro 308 is, by far, the most fun $ for $ of the three! Really.

At the end of the day, the car you should buy is the one you feel strongly enough about to justify putting the right amount of time/frustration/care/money into it.

Here are a few photos of my car and good luck with the search!!!
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I know of a Very Nice 308 Euro that the owner (longtime, multiple Ferrari owner and FOC regional officer) had to sell last year because he couldn't get it registered in CA.

I would say Euro 308s are worth less here, unless you somehow got a BAR sticker.

But you could get a 328 by the time you went through the hassle and expense of fitting cats, etc., to a Euro 308. I wouldn't bother unless it was a rare color or had sentimental value.

 

Great photos folks!!! Post more of 'em!!!


PDG

 

The fed-spec bumpers, etc. on the US 308 don't bother me at all. After losing my 330 2+2 to a frontend collision, I see them in a different light.

I do think the Euro version is the pure thing and better looking.

 

It may worth some jail time too.

I knew of a guy screwing around with non-usa car to make it legal in California, he ended up doing some jail time when someone reported him. And another guy got his car crushed. It was usually from forums like this, the guys bragged about their cars with their license plates exposed.

I stick with US legal car, not worth the trouble for Euro, you can make your 308 to look just like a Euro.

 

I would pay more for a Euro. Having sold a 328 and replacing it with a Euro 308 QV, I'd pay within the 328 price range for an equivalent shape Euro 308. Meanwhile, I would pay in the lower 308 price range for a US version.

 

Euro cars are legal when they have been federalized with EPA and DOT paperwork. I would only buy one with the paper work.

 

THAT SUCKS! WOW. I had no idea they would be such Nazis about it.

 

In a Barrett Jackson auction a couple of years ago, they auctioned an 84' (or 85') Euro 308 and stated that it was worth 10-15% LESS than a US 308, due to having to make it comply to US standards, can't be sold in Calif, etc. (still sold for $52k though in good (but not show) condition)

 

So this guy got thrown in the pokie because he tried to make his Euro car comply with California emmissions standards?

That does suck...

 

Hey that car looks familiar!!


So glad you like her... Thanks for the compliment!

 

I think I saw that car? I remember it having TRX's (chromed?) and I think it went for almost $60k w/commissions. Standard Barrett-Jackson.