Looking to buy a 308 or 328, BUT...need advice plz

What ever you do, have a Pre Purchase Inspection done by some one knowledgeable in 308's or 328's. It will be the wisest money you'll ever spend. Remember, as the old saying goes:
There are only three people in the world that you should trust, your doctor, your lawyer, and your Ferrari mechanic.
Gary Bobileff
Bobileff Motorcar Company in San Diego

 

No matter what you buy plan on that happening. If you are lucky put the rest in your pocket but expect to spend something.

One decision you have to make is do you want a 308 or 328. They are not the same car with pluses and minuses of each. Once you figure that out, its easier to search.

 

A 5 figure repair can happen at any time to any old car. Not having repair records for 40 year old cars with values in the $20k at one time will probably be the norm. Get an inspection and roll the dice

 

This. After 40 years, you really need to focus on the condition of the car as it sits today. An oil change receipt from 1979 is nice to have but guarantees nothing. I would buy from a reputable seller, even if the price is higher. You'll want a 308/328 that has had knowledgeable owners, which usually means service records from a Ferrari dealer or an independent like Gary Bobileff, who posted above and who serviced my cars and has done Italian exotics for decades.

Having owned both a 308 QV and 328, I can say the 328 is the better car from a mechanical/electrical perspective. Ferrari improved many components, and while these are far from modern cars my 328 was nearly as dependable as my 911s. The 308 changed a lot from 1976 through 1985 -- very different cars, so do some research on early versus late, carbureted versus injected. Italians invented rust, so especially for earlier 308s have a thorough inspection of the metal.

In any event, I would keep $20K-$30K in the car emergency fund because stuff happens. (Yes, even with old Porsches...)