Buying pointers on a 308QV

Scott,

Do yourself a favor... have the car Pre Purchase Inspected (PPI) by a proper Ferrari mechanic (around $500 or so).

 

PPi is critcal on these cars bcus they are so expensive to restore. Make sure it has the complete tool kit, jack, & complete service record, If he doesnt have these take $5k off the asking price. SEE the service records & dates, find out when the cam belts were last changed & who did it & when the last major service was.
Where is the car, we may know a mechanic in the area to help you

 

Here are a few articles you might want to read:

http://www.ferrariclub.com/faq/308_buy.html

http://home.att.net/~ferrari/buyer6.htm

http://www.ferrari308.com/docs/FerrariNA/Automobili/Models/308/Buying.html

 

I found out the hard way that 308's will also rust in the small wells found behind the louvers located behind the side windows. When washing the car, water pools here. Take the key and take a look in there!


My PPI cost $315 at F of Denver... they charge by the hour.

By the way, I specifically asked the dealer (non F-dealer) AND F of Denver if the car had had body work done, both said no. After the purchase, and a week of drooling all over the car, I realized that indeed, she had had some work done. Put the car in DIRECT sunlight. Check out the reflections at an angle and look for that characteristic "swirling" that most cars with bodywork done to them have.

Rust aside, the mechanical aspects are by far the most important. You can always have some cosmetic stuff done at a fixed price. When something mechanical goes wrong.... LOOK OUT! The 308, while not "expensive" to buy, are like any other Ferrari. They can cost you big time if something goes wrong.

All that aside.... I am still drooling after almost a year of ownership.

 

The others have said it, but I'll say it again.

You MUST have a PPI done at a good shop, before buying the car.

Don't even consider a purchase without it. No matter what the circumstances. Period.

Also, realize that the mileage shown on the odometer of most 308s is bogus. It's hard to tell it is bogus because it won't show up on Carfax or in the service records, because it is caused by disconnected speedos.

 

Also make sure that the emission equipment is intact. If it is missing you will pay $3500 if you are lucky. Also if the air pump has been disconnected check out the air rail to the exhaust manifold. Feel underneath it for corrosion. If it is broken through it will be a bear to replace. Especially the hard to get at side.

 

AVOID the really low milage cars. I mean really low like under 10K. Seriously, an 85 is nearly 20 years old. I would never buy a car-that I intended to drive-that has not been used regularly since Miami Vice was #1. Sitting is the worst thing for a car. If you want a trophy car to tow to car shows only, get one of those.

Do yourself a big favor and buy a car that has had some regular use and good service records. Once you get it home change ALL the hoses. After that, enjoy.