Driving inpressions of the 208 NA? | FerrariChat
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Driving inpressions of the 208 NA?

Discussion in '308/328' started by Doug, Jan 9, 2010.

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  1. Doug

    Doug Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2003
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    #1 Doug, Jan 9, 2010
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2010
    Any of you here driven the 208 cars in comparison to the 308. I have come across a 208 GT4 here in the states and it has sparked my interest. I like the euro bumpers on the GT4's better than the US cars. I currently have a '77 GTB, but at times miss my old 308GT4. I know the 208 has less power, but the 308 isn't exactly a monster either. However, the 208 has much shorter gearing, which could make it a fun back road burner. Anyone with first hand experience with the 2 cars?
    It's a lot more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.
     
  2. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
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    #2 Newman, Jan 9, 2010
    It must be a slug, I would only buy one if I planned to replace the engine to keep the smart cars from kicking my butt. The better gearing might make for a quick GT4 with a 3L engine.
     
  3. GrayTA

    GrayTA F1 World Champ
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    #3 GrayTA, Jan 9, 2010
    I never knew that they made a 208 GT4. Guess you learn something every day...


    PDG
     
  4. ramosel

    ramosel Formula 3

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    #4 ramosel, Jan 9, 2010
    I saw my first one outside at the DoubleTree auction display in downtown Monterey a couple years ago. I was the same way... didn't know it was ever made. I walked by and did one of those WTF doubletakes???

    Rick
     
  5. airdelroy

    airdelroy Formula Junior

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    #5 airdelroy, Jan 9, 2010
    I thought the 208 implied turbo. I guess thats not always the case? Seems to me it would be way to slow to be worth it.

    Aaron
     
  6. Doug

    Doug Formula 3

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    #6 Doug, Jan 9, 2010
    Ferrari originally did the 208 NA versions to avoid a large tax by the Italian gov on Italy registered cars. Eventually they started putting turbos on them to regain power while maintaining the 2l displacement. No 208 GT4s ever got the turbos, just GTB and GTS.
     
  7. airdelroy

    airdelroy Formula Junior

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    Aaron Richardson
    #7 airdelroy, Jan 9, 2010
    Good to know. I also saw in another thread that they put a 2 liter in a 328??? Something else I didnt know.

    Aaron
     
  8. Merak1974

    Merak1974 Formula 3

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    Gabriel R.G. Benito
    #8 Merak1974, Jan 9, 2010
  9. 208 GT4

    208 GT4 Formula 3

    Dec 27, 2003
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    #9 208 GT4, Jan 9, 2010
    I owned a 208 GT4 for 4 years and have now had a 308 GT4 for 3 years.

    The acceleration of the 208 in 1st gear is equal to a 308, but you have to change gear sooner and then the 308 just drives easily away. Against the clock, the 208 is about 2secs slower over 1/4 mile (17ish vs 15ish)

    The 208 is a bit of a halfway house between the Series 1 & 2 GT4s. It has the front valance of a Series 2 car, but a twin distributor engine like the Series 1 cars. The 208 has a black instead of silver dash surround. The carbs are 34mm instead of 40mm, which I think is why the 208 sounds better than a 308. The induction noise is higher pitched, so stands out more from the road noise.
    Here's a clip of my old 208 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk4JWVLMvvM

    You certainly get more of the noise more of the time! I very much enjoyed the 208, but at the end of the day it just wasn't fast enough, so I ended up switching to a 308.
     
  10. Doug

    Doug Formula 3

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    #10 Doug, Jan 9, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

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