308 $$ vs. 328 $$ | FerrariChat

308 $$ vs. 328 $$

Discussion in '308/328' started by ferrarired, Aug 15, 2006.

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  1. ferrarired

    ferrarired Rookie

    Jun 14, 2006
    9
    I have seen some 308's on ebay listing between $27k - $45 and 328's listing between $33k - $60k. There seems to be an overlapping in the pay. No big deal. My concern is (as I get closer to purchasing a 308), I wonder if I should spend a little more and get the 328. Why would I pay $40k for a 308 when I get a 328 for $40k? Any thoughts.
     
  2. nathandarby67

    nathandarby67 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 1, 2005
    8,349
    Mississippi
    Full Name:
    Nathan
    Because the 308 you'd get at any given common pricepoint would hopefully be a nicer, lower mileage example that the 328 at the same price. That being said, it definately pays to be patient and shop around when looking for a starter Ferrari, you can save yourself a lot of money that way.
     
  3. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
    2,298
    northern va
    Full Name:
    john g
    i have a 308 and i bought it for looks over a 328. it really comes down to personal preference. there is a small "modernity" advantage to a 328, but they are both old models, similar in performance and looks. i think the best advice i could give you is go and examine each in person, then decide. they are both iconic pieces of ferrari history and they're both pretty darn cool.

    john
     
  4. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,958
    MD and NE
    Full Name:
    Robbie
    perfect explanation!!!! In this case buy my 328!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

    http://70.85.40.84/~ferrari/forum/showthread.php?t=114872
     
  5. Big D

    Big D Karting

    Nov 7, 2003
    140
    Tarzana, CA
    Full Name:
    Demetri N. Zafiris
    I currently own a 79 308GTS with weber carbs and a 99 355f1, I love my 308 however here in California the smog inspection is getting harder to pass each time, so unless you love to have the sound of carbs, get the 328, more improvements plus fuel injection.
     
  6. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    May 27, 2003
    71,982
    MidTN
    Full Name:
    DGS
    The 328 is an evolution of the 308, and the prices reflect that. Rather than thinking of the 328 as a newer model, you can think of it as one of the variations: carbed, 2v, quad valve, 3.2, 88.5.

    Mechanically, there's little to distinguish a good QV from an early 328, other than 200 cc more displacement.

    Prices for each version will vary with miles and condition, so there will be some numeric overlap between versions.

    Look at the varieties, and go with what you prefer.
     
  7. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    18,071
    Savannah
    my .02:

    328s are nice, comfortable, faster and more refined.

    which is why i dont really like them.

    a QV is also nice, and almost as fast, or faster if its a euro. a euro QVis the QV i would own.

    the early carb cars drive differently from the later carb cars. i am talking about 76-77 308s versus 78-79. the QV and then the 328 are also very different in feel and feedback. i enjoy the hard top GTB, with the carbs and the early cams. the brakes and handling are much better on the QV and the 328, but i dont track my cars , nor do i street race. i would not ever use the "better" performance of the computer/injected cars.

    to me the sound and raw viseral feel of the carb (early) 308 "doest it" for meas far as a fun sporty car goes. there are way better and faster cars, Vettes, Supras, ect. but i have owned those cars and i CHOOSE not to buy them now. i will add a euro older Lambo to my growing "collection".


    you must define how you will use the car, and what you want it to do. i am single, so a comfy a/c controlled sporty car doesnt do a damn thing for me. i want to go for a drive and feel the car and the road. my euro 911 carrera has made realize what nice cars these cars are from this era, Ferrari, Lambo and Porsche. i can find great things to like in all of them.


    best advice is to sit in, ride in and drive many different cars. they are all a bit different. i am sorting out the 77GTB i just bought last week. it is different from my old 77 GTb, but thats another thread!


    drive a few, and find what you like.
     
  8. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,599
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    I like both and was looking for either last year, but ultimately if you can swing the $10K difference for a comparable car (in terms of quality), the 328 is the better car. Improvements include better electricals, respectable power, reduced weight (U.S. 308 bumpers are heavy), better cooling, and numerous other upgraded components. 328's were all rustproofed; 308's weren't, until 1984.

    Carreaper is right, the 328 is bit more refined, but on the refinement scale both cars are very raw compared to pretty much anything else you can buy to drive on a public road.

    Aesthetics are subjective, but based on their work on the 328 I think Pininfarina wasn't too happy with what U.S. regulations did to the front/rear of the 308, and Ferrari took a while to recover from our emissions laws with any grace. The 3.2L models accomplished this. Re the interior, it's a mixed bag and all my opinion here: 328 door panels and seats win, 308 console switches and gauges win, 328 center console shape (like early 308) doesn't sag like the 308 QV and is nicer, orange 328/GTO gauges look kind of '80s, 328 handbrake is positioned better, etc. Once you own the car, whichever one you get looks great, so don't sweat it.

    With regard to your initial post, a $40K 328 needs stuff done, whereas a $40K 308 is presumably a great, sorted-out car. If you poke around on this site a bit, you'll see how your wallet will bleed when faced with a needy Ferrari of any model/year.

    Also, I really wouldn't go eBay for my first Ferrari. My advice is to find a reputable independent or dealer. I think Forza in Connecticut is well-regarded in the 308 market (Peter Sweeney). Motorcars Int'l and Premier in Springfield, MO (both of them) are reputable, but handle 328s and don't do many 308s. Sport Auto in NC handles both. Go see some cars!
     
  9. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,294
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    I have owned 77,84 &85 308's plus an 87 328 and currently an 89 328. Although the 328's cost more, they have actually been cheaper to own. 308's are simply more needy. If you want a really raw car, the carb 308's have no peers, but if a more modern injected car is your ideal, a 328 is a much better engineered and built car overall.

    Dave
     
  10. NYCFERRARIS

    NYCFERRARIS Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2004
    1,011
    I am with carreeper. I don't like the 328 creature comfort "refinements" or the gentler cleaner look

    I you can afford better..do not buy a 2v injected car 1981 and 1982..as a first ferrari you will disappointed at the acceleration...if you want a cheap first f-car the GT4 and the 2v injected are cheapest to acquire...
     
  11. rolindsay

    rolindsay Formula 3

    Jul 14, 2006
    1,022
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Rick Lindsay
    Agreed. The GT4 is an unsung hero. That is a fine car IF you love the styling, and I do. I have a '79 308GTB (Euro) and the power is definately better than the first gen. injected US cars - by 20%! And FWIW, the GT4s are more powerful than the 2-valve k-jetronic cars. It was just a time when the EPA went a little nuts and car manufacturers were scrambling to keep up with legistration. And power was the element that got sacrificed.

    And for my money, Weber carbs ARE Ferrari - at least the sound.

    rick - '79 308GTB, '98 M-B SL500, '03 L-R Disco II
     
  12. Perfusion

    Perfusion F1 Rookie

    Oct 16, 2004
    4,151
    Marietta, GA
    Full Name:
    Aaron
    ABsolutely! In the few years that I've been on FChat, I've seen the image of GT4s go from "that's not even a real Ferrari," to "hero." The advent of the 308/328/Monidal section, IMO, has *really* improved the community at-large, and it seems as though the image of ALL cars in the section, from the 'glass Euro 308 to the Mondial T Coupe, has done nothing but improve in all our eyes.

    Ah...I'm rambling. My point was going to be this - you'd be remiss to overlook a good GT4.
     
  13. rolindsay

    rolindsay Formula 3

    Jul 14, 2006
    1,022
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Rick Lindsay
    Bingo!

    Isn't the 308GT4 the only 308 the factory raced??? :)
     
  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,386
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    308GT4 did go to Lemans with NART...

    308GTBs were privateers, in Group 4 rally cars.......
     

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