'84 308 GTSi Advice needed: Sell? Repair? | FerrariChat

'84 308 GTSi Advice needed: Sell? Repair?

Discussion in '308/328' started by autophile, Jun 15, 2006.

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  1. autophile

    autophile Rookie

    Sep 7, 2005
    6
    Maryland, USA
    Hi all,

    After sitting in my garage for about four years, I sent my car to Grand Touring in Virginia to have them evaluate it to see what would need to be done to it to get it mechanically sound after not being started for four years.

    They did manage to get the engine started, but they said that two of the cylinders "needed help", and that the spider gears in the differential are bound up. The clutch is probably OK, but they haven't driven it because of the above issues.

    The guy there (Richard) said the differential would cost between $5k and $10k to fix, and the cylinders, if they are not getting adequate pressure, may cost between $10k and $15k. So these two items alone would account for anywhere between 50% and 100% of the value of the car.

    I'd like to sell the car, but I am at a loss to figure out whether to fix these problems. If I do, I'd probably break even, so I may as well not fix the car and just let it rust. If I don't, who would buy the car in its current condition, and how much could I possibly even get for it?

    Any advice?

    Thanks,

    --Rob
     
  2. junkyarddog

    junkyarddog Formula Junior

    May 18, 2006
    353
    Palatka, FL
    Full Name:
    Kelly Lake
    Part it out!! :) I'll take the hood...the roof spoiler...the seats...I'll just send you a list. Other than that I may be interested in purchasing it to piece back together. PM me what you decide what you'd like to get for it.
     
  3. NYCFERRARIS

    NYCFERRARIS Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2004
    1,011
    coolant expansion tank...I also have a short list...
    dump it on ebay, even with full disclosure you'd probably get decent coin ( if you actually get paid---never transfer title with out funds clearing)..where is the car
     
  4. Inowownone

    Inowownone Formula Junior

    Jul 22, 2005
    377
    Plano, TX
    Full Name:
    Tom W.
    Rob,
    Post some pictures.... that will really get this thread rolling.
    Good Luck.
     
  5. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
    16,078
    Arlington Heights IL
    Full Name:
    Kenneth
    It's worth $10k as a parts car, $20k+ if you do the work to part it out yourself. Or, find an eagar DIYer who can fix it for half or less what your shop quoted. $125 an hour for labor is a huge chunk of their bill. I would think such a guy would pay more than the $10k parts value.

    I would NOT pay a shop to restore it just to sell it.

    Ken
     
  6. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,809
    Cerritos, CA.
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Don't settle for one opinion get more and compare, but never part out a coplete (intact) Ferrari try ItalianAuto in Arizona they are like Ferrari dismantler and they do have 308 parting out with a good complete motor and tranny.
     
  7. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
    2,298
    northern va
    Full Name:
    john g
    i agree with ken: don't fix just to sell.

    fix to keep or just sell as is. who knows, there could be other items that need fixing that will be discovered only after work has started, pushing the final bill higher than your current estimate. shame part it out, it seems recoverable, just very expensive to do it. maybe you could sit on it for another ten years...might be worth fixing then... :)

    john
     
  8. NYCFERRARIS

    NYCFERRARIS Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2004
    1,011
    get a second opinion on the repairs (trust no one esp. when there is a Ferrari in sight) .

    I was told by a well known dealer that my Mondial was beyond economical repair and I should not even drive it off their lot since the damage will be made even worse....they could not give me a written estimate and wanted a lot of money to "open up the engine" just to be able to write me a estimate. They racked up some nice repair bills on stuff the car did not even need before I could get it away from them....car needed nothing..the flywheel was just "rattling" making a horrible sound from the engine.

    Rule # 2..
    Never get "upside down" on a car you want to sell
     
  9. doug328

    doug328 Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2004
    1,599
    The Space Coast, FL
    Full Name:
    Doug B
    I would agree with many of the others. Fix to keep, or sell as is.
     
  10. pad

    pad Formula 3

    Sep 30, 2004
    1,426
    Tequesta, FL
    Full Name:
    Paul Delatush
    Once you open up the engine / trans, there's no turning back. I am refreshing my QVs engine and trans and am on the north side of $10G - and the engine is still in parts and I'm doing most of the work myself. As stated above, either blow it out the way it is, put it back in storage, or bite the bullet and plan on keeping the car then the crying is over.
     
  11. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    19,949
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Put new timomg belts and seals, and take it for a good drive. Your "cylinders that need help" may come back to life after a few miles. You diff should free itslef up after a fluid change and a drive. I'll bet you could have it on the road again for about 6k.

    But the fuel system on these cars can be eaten away by bad fuel so further problems could show up down the road.

    I fired up a 308 after ten years of sitting and it ran great.
     
  12. Artvonne

    Artvonne F1 Veteran

    Oct 29, 2004
    5,379
    NWA
    Full Name:
    Paul
    Dude, listen to Tbrakowski, listen hard. I have no clue why you let a perfectly good car go to waste, but whatever the reasons, the car needs to be DRIVEN. Belts and a few other misc. other items will keep it from self destructing. Drive it a few days or weeks and re-evaluate. Run some fuel system cleaner (in low doses) through it and burn off a few good tank fulls of fuel. You may be happily surprised that the car will come back. Do not part it out, and do not sell it off to a parts house. There are people out there will pay good money for a running QV with issues. Party on. The only fix is belts and a heavy foot. Car will tell you later if its tired or not.
     
  13. CliffBeer

    CliffBeer Formula 3

    Apr 3, 2005
    2,198
    Seattle, Washington
    Full Name:
    Cliff
    If you have a limite slip differential, then it's certainly possible the friction plates have stuck together because of rust/corrosion between them - driving and turning the car in that condition could well break the differential, usually this happens by destroying the diff gears. If you don't have a limited slip, and hence no friction plates, then it is highly unlikely the diff gears are negatively affected by sitting. The phrase "spider gears in the differential are bound up" doesn't make a lot of sense. The phrase "the friction plates in your limited slip differential are corroded together" does make some sense however, and, represents a serious condition.

    As to the "two cylinders needing some help," that's obviously not a very helpful description from the mechanic. Does this mean, low compression on these two cylinders? What does a leak down test show? As mentioned above, there's some strong possibility some modest driving could bring all the cylinders up to a fine operational condition. Don't drive the car until you have cleaned out the fuel system of the old fuel as fuel that old can gum up the sensitive parts of the system and then you're in for some trouble. Best to drain the tank and as much of the system as you can and refill with fresh gas and a little fuel system cleaner. Good luck!
     
  14. Skewz-me

    Skewz-me Karting

    Jun 14, 2006
    110
    Rob,
    I may be interested in buying it as is
    I live nearby in Virginia.
    Call me at 804 452 1908 and leave a return number, or
    email me at [email protected] and put 308GTSI in the header
     
  15. NYCFERRARIS

    NYCFERRARIS Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2004
    1,011
    you can always donate the car to your charity that will sell it and take a nice valuable tax deduction (check with your tax preparer) and do a good deed....just think...local man donates classic exotic Ferrari found in barn to benefit local community...our man of the week!
     
  16. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,380
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    Doesn't anyone believe in Marvel Mystery Oil anymore??

    Seriously this dealer has quoted absolutley worst case scenario using all new parts for total rebuild sounds to me.......while it's possible they do this for future liabilty to protect themselves, I'm sure your car could be rejuvinated for less.....assuming they havent damaged it already cranking it up without proper prep.......
     
  17. 4re308

    4re308 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 13, 2001
    4,882
    Woodstock, GA
    Full Name:
    Mitch D
    I must chime in here!! Listen to Barkowsky!! He knows what he is talking about. I let my 308 sit for 5 months a few years ago. When I did drive it, the diff was rattling and making a vibration that scared the hell outta me. I thought the diff was toast. I threw some friction modifier in the diff, changed the diff oil with redline synthetic and took the car out and did a bunch of circles, not donuts, just circles to get the fresh fluid into those diff clutchs. Car drives like new now. No doubt. The diff in a 308 is VERY strong and VERY well built. I would suggest you change the diff fluid and try that.

    As far as the 2 cylinders not firing right. Use Marvel Mystery oil in the gas, and put a little Mobil 1 motor oil in the cylinder itself. Might smoke a little, but the oil and MMO will free the cylinders up. Go for a drive. I betcha it clears up! Hope it works out for you man.

    One more thing, it would be a SIN to break up a complete nice Ferrari. Don't part it out!
     
  18. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,689
    North shore, MA
    Full Name:
    THE Birdman
    Sounds like guys on a fishing expedition for some stiff repair bills. "Needed help"? What the F does that mean? Bad compression? No spark? Sheesh, change the distributor rotors, new plug wires, new plugs, new timing belts, run some Techron through it and give it an Italian tune up. (Drive it) If the compression is still bad after some techron to blow out the carbon on the valves, pull the cam covers and check valve clearances. Sitting for a couple years will not destroy the engine. If you are that worried about it, I'll buy it from you for $5K! ;)

    Birdman
     

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