Any 208s or 208 GT4 around

Always want to drive one to see how it feels. Would love to hear owner reports and also what the market for them is like.

 

There are many discussions about the 208 turbo (many are mine). I never had or drove the 208 NA, but I saw several: I would go for a turbo, but the 208 GT4 and 208 GTB/S aren't bad too.

Ciao

 

BHCC had one for sale, a GT4 wreck with lots of rust, trashed interior, not running, and they wanted big money for it. The crankshaft was missing! I did a little research and apparently these sell at a discount in Europe, so it's a bit of a mystery as to who bought the car. They rev high and move out but they lack top end speed and torque. You don't see them very often at all in the USA for obvious reasons.

 

I've been told that the acceleration is about the same as the 3 liter because of different gearing...but the top speed is lower, more like 115 mph. A 2 liter V8 is really rare in street cars...and years ago there was a black one in LA for sale and it got grabbed up at something like $15. I believe they also used cloth instead of leather on the seats. I'd love to drive one just to feel the engine. And for a daily driver (how often will you see 100 mph around town) it would be both rare and fun without risking major dollars. Just thinking.

 

I suspect the low torque would make it pretty frustrating around town. If you could buy one really right and then upsize the engine you might come out ahead if you enjoy doing your own work.

 

Not true...its a real slouch: 155 hp versus 235, you are missing 80hp or 35% of engine power.
That's the reason why they are discounted in Europe. Of course, you will always find some people saying "ah, but they are so rare"...but they do not give the feeling of a sport car. I have a friend who tried a 208 GTB just after having driven his 328; he found the experience depressing.
And the maintenance costs, parts costs, etc...are exactly the same as those of the 3 liter car!

Rgds

 

That's the reason why it's better (in my opinion) going for a turbo, if you want a two liters: same power as the three liters, big historic value of the model as first turbocharged Ferrari street car ever. They cost a bit more than the three liters as maintenance (there is the turbocharger and the exhaust sytem is more complicated and expensive) but they are (in my opinion) much more interesting (and better looking) than the two liters NA. This said, the 2 liters NA is a Ferrari too, so it's fast, if compared to another two liters NA engine. But it's much slower than the three liters, of course. The turbo ties the three liters.


ciao

 

I have a 208 GT4 (sn 12252). Yes the car is not fast by modern standards, however I have bought it for a different reason. I Always liked the look of the GT4. When I found this one it ticked all the boxes for me. Metallic color, early wheels with hubcaps and a spectacular 70's two tone interior. On the outside the 2 litre cars have no foglights, the grilles in the lids are aluminum which suit the car better in my opinion. The downside is that the dash is black...
The GTB in the picture (from an article in Forza Magazine No 88) is also a 2 litre car, this car has a single distributor with 155 HP, the GT4 has a double distributor and 170 HP.
It is actually perfect for driving in town, you can shift a lot which is a joy. On the highway it is a different story, with 130 km/h it runs almost 5000 rpm which is a lot!
Image Unavailable, Please Login