...and I couldn't be happier. 24K miles, runs like a dream. Had to replace the rear tires with metrics from Coker, but WTH. Only complaint I have is that the left radiator fan is noisy and hiccups; probably needs to be replaced. This is a marvelous website, btw. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Congratulations...I also like the Boxer color scheme. I'm a new 308 owner as well (6 months), previously had a 330 2+2 for 4.5 years. The 308 is a great car....definitely a good choice for my second Ferrari go round.
Congrats, great looking car. I've had my *euro) '92 for a year and a half now, and couldn't have spent the money better. We drive the sox off it, do the same and you'll have that big smile all the way!
Any reason for 1982 vs. other years? (80-81?) I heard that the 82s shift better -- is that true? Are there other differences?
'82 engines have a better reputation (whether true or not) and the locks on the door skins are sunken in.... My car is an '80 with an '82 engine due to the factory recall but the trany is original and it shifts like a dream so I am not sure about the shifting part being true.
took it to MAG to have the Ferrari mechanics go through their cert/pre-owned inspection. They said it was clean as a whistle (except the tires and radiator fan I mentioned).
I had a radiator fan go bad too.... Its a pretty common problem. You might want to replace the original fans altogether with more modern fans with shrouds. I have seen a few people doing this lately and it helps keep the car cooler. I think I am going to go that route and just keep the OEM fans in a box.
Ed -- thanks for the reply. Regarding fans, my 80 GTBi has been "improved" by a PO with SPAL fans, and I don't recommend the ones they used. The fans draw too much current (enough to cause a drop of more than 1 volt at idle) and take a long time to bring the temperature down. I can look up their specific model number if you are interested. Sorry for the threadjack -- nice GTSi -- I like the boxer paint, too!
Congrats on a beautuful car. I always loved the two-tone Boxer paint scheme. I'm a recent 308 owner myself (about 2 weeks) and just waiting for the replacement wheels, tires and larger sway bars to be fitted. Pics to come.
Great car and welcome. Also I'm a new Ferrari 308 owner, so I understand you. I've also bought two new 390, so... Cheers
I'm not sure if it's possible to hijack one's own thread but the direction of replacement fans seemed like a good one. I wonder if any 308 owner out there has advice from the perspective of experience? I also have to thank everyone for such a kind welcome. Having heard that Ferrari owners were a top-notch bunch I'd have to conclude this was an understatement! Re: the Magnum, PI thing. Parked in front of a cafe-style restaurant Saturday night (best place to try parallel parking for the first time in a 308: directly in front of 75 gawkers....Not!) anyway, some al fresco grey-bearded guys not-so-good-naturedly said, "You've got Tom Selleck's car!" My companion - all 28 years of her - looked up at me as we walked in and asked who was Tom Selleck. Staring straight ahead, I said, "Someone before our time, dear." The look on the guys' faces was priceless. Frozen expressions of "What just happened?" LOL, I remember the show well.
I'd first recommend rebuilding the OEM fan motors before I'd consider replacing it with an aftermarket one. These are common Lucas motors, and info on rebuilding them (basically, new brushes and lubricated bearings is all there is to it) should be found in the archives here. I've got several old Lucas cores (Columbus area) if you should find that one of yours is FUBAR'd. But I'd be willing to bet that new brushes and some oil on the bearings will get you right. Cheers - DM
