First post - a few questions...

Welcome - at the top of this section are two stickies - one is a how to buy and the other is how to maintain - between the pair you should be significantly reassured as to not needing a shop for these cars - at a guess I'd think there are previous driver size related threads too

 

On 328's the steering wheel can be adjusted to increase space between seat and bottom of wheel. Don't know about 308's because I don't have one, but I'd guess it adjusts in the same manner. Given the experience you cite, you should have no problem maintaining one of these. As for your height, try sitting in one to find out.

 

Based on the background info you've given, it sounds like you can manage the servicing yourself. But you're going to find that in a physical sense, the engine placement is more challenging in some ways than a front-engine car.

 

Welcome to the group, Jon!

 

I am 6'1" 215# and fit fine, although it seemed awkward the first few times I drove a 308/328 due to pedal arrangement -- pedals are offset to the center of the car much more than normal. But now I don't notice at all and the car is comfortable to me. I do find knee/thigh room cramped, and it's the most limiting factor for me. I have to take the cell phone out of my right side cargo pants pocket otherwise it blocks shifter movement in the R-1 gate. I keep the roof panel off (328 GTS) all the time. Car is drivable with the panel on but very cramped. But I only drive the car in nice weather and having the top off really completes the experience.

Before buying, be sure to sit in one of these cars and drive one if you can. It will likely be the best way to judge. These cars are cumbersome at low speed but once you're moving they are a delight to drive. It's typical for 2nd gear to not cooperate until the transmission warms up. By the way, I saw both of these comments mentioned in a 1980's review, so people noticed both traits even when the cars were new. If I had based my opinion of the 308/328 just around low speed handling I would have never wanted to own one (I have a farm tractor that is more nimble) but once you're cruising in higher gears they are wonderful.

Routine maintenance ranges from easy to tolerable. Other types of maintenance can be tedious because of poor access with the transverse mid/rear engine layout and the decisions that went into implementing it. I have mixed opinions on this. In some cases Ferrari made reasonable accommodations for servicing, but in others you're going to have to be a magician or contortionist to work things out. Certain jobs on the front bank of cylinders will require you to remove the rear lid and set it aside to gain access (I haven't had to go down that road yet).

Mechanical and assembly quality is great but some of the engineering decisions were not. One example -- the shaft for the shifter runs through the engine oil sump on the way to the transmission, and is prone to seal leaks. That was poorly thought out and executed and I have no idea what they were thinking at the time -- there would have been several other ways to do it.

My overall opinion of these cars are that they are beautiful to own, drive, and look at. A real highlight for me in many years of owning and driving all sorts of cars. I prefer the looks of the 308, though many people think the bumpers are ugly. Get to know the various years of 308 as they have unique pros and cons. The 84 and 85 models were the most sorted out (January 1984 builds were the first to get galvanized steel body work). All of the 328 model years are solid. I ended up getting a 328 mainly because I found a good car for the right price, but in retrospect it's probably a little better for a first-time Ferrari owner just because it has nice improvements all around.

Here are some good reads:

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/the-last-analog-ferrari-1986-1989-ferrari-328-gtb-gts

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1975-85-ferrari-308-gtb-gts-2

 

The shift shaft thing is imho a better way because it’s a mechanical direct shaft the shortest distance with least linkages .Hence the gate in the centre console .
Cables , levers , pivots , or what have you would just weaken the feel and be unreliable.
For the sake of a well rehearsed maintenance, not that different to the timing belts or valve adjustments it’s worth the eventual weeps , drips and leak .
The longer you acquaint yourself with the 308 motor particularly a carb version , you will realise Ferraris engineering genius when it comes to race engines , or any other engine .

Many Porsches are left stranded by the road side with snapped shifter cables btw .Or have rubber shifter feel .
No snick , snack , clackerty clack changes

 

I never liked cable shifters before, but the best shifter on any car I have driven was a Porsche Cayman, and it was a cable shifter. It was like a well oiled bolt action rifle with plenty of mechanical feedback. So they can be very good.

The problem with Ferrari's design is not being direct linkage, it's that they did not try very hard to get it to the gearbox in an elegant way. They took the dumb route by passing through a wetted section of the sump, a route that has temperature gradients and requires seals to accommodate linear and rotational motion of the shaft. And you have a shifter mounted on the rigid body attached to a vibrating/twisting engine on rubber mounts, with only small vibration isolators in the shifter rod to provide slop. That is a cascading litany of challenges and failure points. Yet inches away from the shaft pass through they cast vertical baffles into the same sump. Why they did not cast a tunnel into the sump to pass the shifter externally and act like a baffle internally is beyond me. Or cast or install a tube through the sump to let the shaft pass through externally without needing shaft seals. It boggles my mind that they couldn't do a better job with this.

I can't remember which classic car I saw in the past that passed a shaft through the sump externally, but it was elegant -- they just cast a big upside-down U tunnel into the sump. It requires two drain plugs (one on each side of the tunnel), but to me that is a better choice than passing the shaft through the sump internally.

 

Well, I can tell you, you better go sit in one, lots of guys on here will say you can , well if your 6 .1 , or 6 2 , your not going to fit in the car, its that simple. There has been threads all over here about that. If you want your knees wrapping around the steering wheel, and your head either banging against the roof, or you cant fit in the car unless its a GTS and the rood is off . Im 511 and 3/4 and 195 and I have an after market driver seat so I can have a better fit, and its now possible to drive my 89 without coming out of the seat while ripping around a corner. My foot size is 7.5 , so I have plenty of room, but not enough for shoes, so I drive my car 20 years now in my socks . The seats in these cars suck, and they are made for guys the size of F1 drivers, not people 6 feet and taller. Just because a 300 lb guy can fit in my truck, does not mean that he fits. Just because a guy is 6. 2 and owns a 3x8 , it does to mean he fits in the car without contorting . Maybe try a 348 / 355 / Testarossa .

Thank you

 

Don't know how far you'd like to drive, but I'm in Tallahassee.

 

I'm 6'2" 190lbs, long legs, and fit in my 328 GTS totally fine, with the top on. There's actually a lot of leg length room with the seat slid back. I don't slide it all the way back and then can recline the seat a bit to help with headroom. Then I fit like a glove. I do have to orient my right knee in a certain way to get it in and under the steering wheel on entry which I'm totally used to now. The right knee is tight quarters when driving, hence the "like a glove" fit.

 

6’0”, 198 lbs. size 10.5 shoe and fit just fine in 85 GTS. Love the factory seats btw.
Trick is getting in/out of the car without wearing the seat bolster. Big fan of doing left hand arm stand off the door sill and rotating oneself into the seat.

 

I'm 6'0", around 200lbs with a size 11 shoe. I have no problems with my 86 GTS (top on) and agree with @308 milano on the method of getting in/out. I do have to wear driving loafers or drive barefoot as any other shoes are too big for the footwell.

 

Good point on the pedals, I also have to wear my boat shoes or driving shoes to work the pedals for my size 11.5 feet. One time I drove the car in my running shoes and that was borderline dangerous. The pedals are tight.

 

Jon, where do you live? If you're close to the LA area you are welcome to try my 89 328 for size.

 

Oh,ok-
I was just in Lakeland for the last week. Sun n' Fun, an aviation event. I'm 5'9" 165# and I fit perfectly in the car. It sure is a blast. There are so many people on this forum to help answer questions when you do desire to get one. I used this site for my pre-purchase research. You’re welcome to pm me and I can give you my phone number if you ever have any questions.
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I'm not a vendor at this show. Others yes, but for SNF I just walk and introduce myself to new companies. You will enjoy it.

 

The pedals are close together, at least on a 308.
Big shoes are awkward, just wear small shoes that fit your feet, like Piloti, or such, makes working the pedals and getting your feet in and out, much easier. No on work boots...

As far as wrenching, it is car, but with many more parts compared to your Chev. Some special wenches are required, and are available.

Air cleaner box removal on a carb'd 308 requires removal on 20 nuts, and washers, and several of those are difficult to get to, and you should, but don't absolutely have to, remove the rear decklid to remove the airbox. Get my drift?

Doug

 

Unpopular I know, but you're right.

I love the look of the 308's, enjoy immensely the engineering and builds I do for owners...alas, I do not fit in them at all. The closest I can come is to take a gtb pull out the seat and I'll sit on the floor against the firewall.
6'4" size 14 shoe, 270lb power lifter... Never skip leg week.

Heck I don't fit in most cars and trucks, buddy of mine is 6'8" retired ball player... Sure he folds into cars, but that doesn't mean he actually fits.

 

Hey Jon - FWIW I am 6'3" with long legs - was unable to fit comfortably in a 308/328 (which were my dream cars) so once I could afford one I found I did not fit well - then lo and behold there was a new 355 sitting on the showroom floor at the time and I fit just fine - could not afford it in 1995 but ended up with all things finally coming together in 2011. It was not a complete misfit in the 308/328 and all was well until I shut the door then my left leg was pretty trapped between the door and steering wheel. As others have said, try one on and see - you might be able to fit just fine.

As far as maintenance, others have responded but between basic skills, tools, some patience and the WEALTH of information on here you should be ok for most items - I would find and develop a relationship with an independent as back-up or for the big stuff - just me.

Good luck - They are amazing cars!