Drove my first Ferrari today, an 83 308 QV GTS - WOOWHO!

Congrats on the ride! They are a blast. A few things: First, if the clutch pedal releases high then you'll probably need that done soon. Secondly, with Ferraris of that vintage, the seats are a better gauge of true mileage then the odometer since you can easily disconnect this item. Thirdly, no records is probably not a good sign. Keep looking. There are plenty of QVs out there.

 

Buy the ZO6 for everyday, and use the 308 for pleasure. The 308 is not an everyday driver especially a guy your size. Don't cancel the ZO6 yet. I'm not a fan of vettes but they've come a long way, and the ZO6 is another step above a regular Vette.

 

Yep, the clutch will need to be replaced soon if it releases high like that. The leather seats on Ferraris don't hold up well though. They all seem to develop a patina where they are a bit dark and cracked. It's very possible for a 16k mile Ferrari to have seats in that bad though, run! The odometer may have been disconnected.

308's are a blast to drive and I'm sure you will enjoy driving one. It's not nearly as fast and reliable as a new Z06 but it has more charisma.

Paul

 

The patina on the seat isn't too surprising. I've got over 40k on my 308 and my seat bolster looks somewhat similar to that one...mine may be a little better. Overall i believe that looks to be the correct spoiler but I couldn't tell if it had the right texture in the pics. Mine has a softer vinyl feel...sorta matching the targa roof. As for the dents in the real spoiler lip from closing the trunk, almost all 308's have some gentle depressions in the back from that very same thing. They weren't very noticeable in the pics.

I drove three 308's before I bought mine (an '85) and am very glad I waited for mine. I only drove 85's because I was very focused on getting the best of the bunch.

Paul

 

I'd also say the leather doesn't look that bad. It probably spent a lot of time here in dry California or Arizona, which is kind to the body and hard on the leather (sun, heat, dryness).

My 328 also has few nearly invisible 'dents' in the rear lip where people closed the rear deck. It's just thin metal, maybe aluminum from the weight.

Keep looking. Just expect original leather to have that 'patina' to it. 21 years is a long time for a convertible interior.

 

I know the feeling. But the Vette can really be used every day. Not the 308. I have a new 911 C2S that is my daily. Sometimes, three weeks go by and I don't drive the 328, but when I do, I really miss it. That's probably why I never got rid of it, I love the noise, feel, sound etc. but couldn't drive it everyday. If I did, I think some of that feeling would be lost. I changed the complete exhaust on my 911 including headers and an air induction system. The car sounds awesome, but not as good as the Ferrari, and my ferrari still has its original exhaust (much deeper sound). Anyway, get the vette and when the time is right, get a 308 for pleasure. The Vette won't need repairs, and you'll get a loaner when you bring it to the dealer. Not the case with the 308. There will always be some repairs to do and you'll have more down time then you think.

 

Tom Selleck is 6' 4"

If it can be adjusted to regain the proper free play, then it's okay, but it should be adjusted ASAP. If there isn't enough adjustment left, then it is time for a new clutch.

 

The seats really don't look that bad for their age. The driver side bolster condition is not uncommon; many people tend to scuff it while getting into and out of the car. Same with the rear deck: people tend to set it down gently and then push on it to lock it down, rather than simply dropping it the last 4 to 6 inches. Result: dents where you push. It's got the 16" wheels, which is a plus. Lack of records would bother me more than anything else.
Glad you enjoyed the drive; good hunting!

 

Uh oh, that smile means you have been infected by "the Ferrari bug"
I don't mean that in a bad way !!! I have dreamt of owning a Ferrari 308 since I
was a little kid and saw that Tom guy drive one in Hawaii (we all know the car was
the real star of the show). I like 355s and 360s etc... but the 308 has always been
the one to own (to me). My wife and I test drove a new Lotus Elise a few months back,
and I have never seen her smile that big since I
have known her, that is, until I brought home our
"new" (to us) '83 308 QV...It cost half what the Lotus did, and enabled me
to fulfill a life-long dream. We didn't plan on buying a 308 just yet (like
everything in life, the timing was a little off) but the right
car came along from a "good home" and we took the plunge. O.K., I am
getting wordy and this thread is about you, not me, so congrats on getting
bitten by the bug, I guarantee the smile will not leave your face (although
we haven't had any mechanical issues yet, maybe it wains then) and good
luck with the '85 PPI.... cool man cool !!

 

Good luck!

I bought a 80' GTSI less than a month ago. Very happy. Such a beautiful car. Took me close to 8 months to find mine but, it was worth it. Good balance of price and features.

Juice

 

great thread, i hope you get the 308, even if its not that one.

as nice as a Z06 is, the new stuff doesnt do a thing for me.

i too would rather have the older cars i could attain when i was younger.

this way, i can have more of the older cars, and they are done going down in value.


win : win !

 

You caught the bug alright, Craig! It affects the muscles of facial expression.

Good luck in your search for a 308 GTS and your ultimate purchase. You deserve it.

Barry

 

Any of you remember the article written by P.J. O'Rourke for Car & Driver about driving the Magnum P.I. Ferrari from NY to LA for delivery to Hawaii? It was a blast and encapsulated what owning or driving a Ferrari for the heck of it means. It's a statement.

Maybe someone here has the article archived away somewhere.

ctk

 

I've had my 85' GTS qv for exactly 1 year, (yesterday 1 year anniversary), trust me when I say the smile is permanent, whether I drive or just look at her. Automotive art at its finest !!!
It took about 6-8 months of daily searching to find just the right car, so take your time and buy the BEST you can find. (NOT the cheapest)
Then DRIVE and ENJOY !!!!