Driving feel of 308 vs. 328 | FerrariChat
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Driving feel of 308 vs. 328

Discussion in '308/328' started by Vlad328, Oct 5, 2004.

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  1. Vlad328

    Vlad328 Formula Junior

    Mar 16, 2004
    279
    New Orleans, LA
    Full Name:
    Vladimir Zuzukin
    #1 Vlad328, Oct 5, 2004
    Though I initially started my Ferrari search only among 328 model cars, I am now also looking at 308's for my first Ferrari. I like the proven reliability and relatively low maintenance costs of the 328 series, and I initially preferred the more elegant/refined lines of the 328. However, now I'm starting to appreciate the character of Weber carburators, and I like many features of the fiberglass 308 GTB's, including its rarity, collectibility, resale, lightness, and durability against corrosion (at the expense of cracked paint from stress on frame). The 308 styling is growing on me, too. More edgy and unapologetic. The car looks like a race car, and arguably more exotic. Can't argue with spending $10K less up front, though I've been told that the maintenance costs will be greater than 328 long term. I also like the blue cars... definitely my favorite color. Very suave. I already own a black car and I don't want my friends to start calling me Magnum. So the blue factor can easily sway me to a 308 QV car since all the blue 3x8 cars are rare.

    What's really important to me is having fun actually driving the car. I don't want to just own it to look at it. I test drove a 76 fiberglass GTB and a 77 steel carbed GTB and found several problems driving both cars. The clutch pedal felt very heavy. The shifter felt rough (which I expected). The gas and brake pedals were way too close together. I found it impossible to step on the gas without catching the brake pedal and I don't have wide feet. The cars didn't feel very nimble. I felt like I was driving a sled rather than a "Ferrari." The brakes were not very responsive on either car. Now maybe I'm spoiled by my daily driver MR2 with TRD suspension and Toyota gearbox, but my car isn't new either. It's a 1991 model without power steering. I guess I expected this level of handling and driveability from Ferrari. I didn't realize my little Japanese car had spoiled me.

    So I'm wondering if my driving experience of a late 70's Ferrari 308 will be similar across all the 308/328 lines, or if notable improvements in handling and driveability have come for the 83-85 QV cars and/or the 328 cars. I have been told that many 328's serve as daily drivers, but very few 308's are driven daily. Is this because the cars are easier to drive? I would especially appreciate the input from owners with past experience from several different years and models from the 308/328 range.
     
  2. Testacojones

    Testacojones F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2003
    5,198
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Luix Lecusay
    #2 Testacojones, Oct 5, 2004
    There is a big difference from any 2 valve 308 to a 328, the closest to a 328 would be a quattrovalvole 308 and it is short in power and handling. The ergonomics and air conditioning a better in a 328. Not to say that the 328 is much faster also. I drove a 328 daily for more than 8 years and it was very reliable and cheap to run.
    There is a way to fix the clutch thing you are talking about on 308s and it is not hard to do. The pedals are set that way for heel and toe, it is a Ferrari after all so if you have a problem buy different shoes. You have to drive a 308 Quattrovalvole and a 328 to make your choice, the USA 328 is got 30bhp more than a USA 308 Quattrovalvole. If you want something rare I would try to find a 208 Turbo this are only euro cars and specially for Italy, are hard to find but they look more racy than the 308s or 328s to me, maybe because of the extra naca duct like the ones in the BB512. So rare are this 208s that I know of only one in the in the USA that I saw in Pembroke Pines in Florida, the other one was in Italia. But I am sure that there might be a few other ones around. The latest of the 208 turbos I would like to find and buy some day.
     
  3. patpong

    patpong Formula 3

    Jul 6, 2004
    2,274
    Bangkok, Thailand
    Full Name:
    Patpong Thanavisuth
    #3 patpong, Oct 5, 2004
    It may be all about taste and style of each individule. I have the 76, 308 and yes, they have that firm feeling clutching, gearing and breaking. But I love it. That's the feeling I am looking for. I also have a Lotus Esprit. Easy clutching and gearing, so easy it is boring. The feeling from the 308 that you got is the feeling of a race car of that era. I bet you would hate to drive something like the Ferrari 250LM, 330P3. Because all those great mechine feel much worse. They make the 308 feel like a baby. Same way the 308 make your Japaness car feel soft and comfortable...like a baby
     
  4. spang308

    spang308 Formula Junior

    Jul 17, 2004
    893
    York, PA
    #4 spang308, Oct 5, 2004
    My suggestion would be to drive several models and then make your determination. I own a 84 308 GTB QV http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23638&page=4 and it is my favorite 3x8 series car. I drive it every day 8 months out of the year.
    My buddy had a 79 GTS carb car that I have driven on numerous occasions and wasn't very impressed for many of the reasons that you have stated. Heavy clutch, poor handling, and a dated interior. I didn't feel much difference in the gearbox. I have been fortunate enough to drive almost all of the v-8 series Ferraris and must say I'm very happy with mine although I plan to do some mods to the suspension and brakes to raise the bar on performance a bit. I struggled with the thought of upgrading to a newer car, particularly a 355, but can't bring myself to part with my cheap to operate, reliable, and very attractive quattrovale. I've driven fiberglass cars, carbed GTS's, QV's, 328's, 348's, a 355 Spider, and a 360 Modena. The newer cars from the 355 up have the feel you're probably after, but at a significant cost in both initial purchase price and cost to operate. Try a QV and a 328. You'll probably find them to be a affordable solution to your Ferrari craving.
    If you're mechanically inclined, by a decent car to start with and do some upgrades to the brakes and suspension, but whatever you do, start with the best car you can afford.

    By the way, I'm the service manager for a large Toyota dealership, so I'm familiar with MR-2's. They're refined like a Honda and certainly reliable, but I wouldn't pick even the wildest one over my 308.

    Good luck. The hunt is often more fun than the kill!

    John
     
  5. atheyg

    atheyg Guest

    #5 atheyg, Oct 5, 2004
    I would say they drive similar 308s and 328s, but 328s feel much more refined.
    328s are lighter by about 100lbs than the 308s and have 30 more hp than the QVs and I am sure the early 308s are overrated in the 255 hp, I have driven them and they don't feel nearly as quick as a QV that said 328s are faster, 328s also have the steering rack from the 288GTO and they have incredible feel and feedback.

    You really get what you pay for in a 328, they are lighter,faster, have rustproofing via galvanized panels, improved technology such as metal cam gears vs the plastic on early 308s, and especially the front cam gear bearings on the early 308, they don't have oil going to them so are permantently lubed vs in the 328 they are part of the oil circuit, a more reliable improved water pump along with a A/C sytem thats acceptable but it still comes down to a matter of taste and economics of what you want to spend, I think finding a really well taken care of 308 will be very hard to find in a lower price range,one that will not need alot to make it right, the nice 308s will be in the lower higher mile 328 pricing area and these will be QVs, a super clean carb 308 will be very hard to find as they have been abused and have gone thru more owners who bought them not knowing what they were in for concerning maintenance costs and dumped them quickly after they found out what it costs to properly repair one vs the value of the car.

    Generally in my experience the more valuable the car the better the upkeep will have been on it, this is true with my 930 vs other 911s I've had and especially true with my 78 512 Boxer which has had at least double the value of the car put into it in upkeep and it only has 15,000 original miles on it, so I think you'll find the 328s in better shape.
     
  6. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,294
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #6 hardtop, Oct 5, 2004
    I have owned 77, 84, & 85 308's plus 87 328 and currently 89 328 GTB. I put a lot of miles on these cars. Here are some of the differences:

    The carb cars are pretty hairy chested, but remember they are all at least 25 years old. The clutches are heavy, especially if someone put in a Daytona clutch which was often done to extend life. The steering is heavy, but like most pre power steering Ferraris, it gets much lighter and direct at speed. The carb sound is very cool. I liked the carb car because it was very involving to drive. Unless they have been fitted with later 16 inch wheels, they really suffer from tire choices.

    The QV's are very different. All the controls are lighter, the power curve is smoother. From late 83's they are fitted with 16 inch wheels. Beginning in 84, they were rust proofed and the air pump is gone. The elctronic ignition system can be problematic and expensive. Some people are replacing with better and much cheaper aftermarket systems. The QV's are clearly the most user friendly and with the aid of lower overall gear ratio, they are the quickest besides fiberglass cars.

    Early 328's feel much like QV's, but more torque, better brake feel. The main benefit is a big increase in reliablilty, especially, electrics, cooling and ignition. Late in 88, the suspension and steering was changed which results in a more modern feel with quicker steering and less nose dive under braking improving handling. However, the handling difference from QV's through 328's is not great in absolute terms and any number of modern cars will eat them alive. At a recent track event, I was lapping a friend's QV with my Subaru STI in pretty short order. Last Saturday, at another track event with my 328, I was getting lapped by another STI owner. Let's face it, the 308/328 chassis dates to the late 60's and the motors were encumbered with emissions standards before the digital age brought us engine management and a huge increase in power.

    So why would anyone want a 308 or 328 when they are so performance challenged by today's standards? Besides being beautiful to look at, they are just plain fun to drive. They have an overall driving experience that cannot be found in any other car I am aware of. When it's time for a spirited drive on a twisty mountain road, I always reach for the Ferrari keys, even when I have a much faster car sitting in the garage with it.

    By the way, I think GTB's are a better choice for a variety of reasons. Unfortunately, QV GTB's are very rare in the US and 328 GTB's are hard to come by as well.

    Dave
     
  7. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2003
    43,180
    PNW
    Full Name:
    John
    #7 Jdubbya, Oct 6, 2004
    Yeah, what he said!! Besides that it's a FERRARI!! How many times has it been quoted here..."The three most beautiful words in the English launguage...That's my Ferrari"

    One more reason...you can laugh when the ricers or mustangs or whatever pull up next to you at a light and want to race. Why bother? Half of them could probably beat you but none will EVER look as good.
     

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