Hi Everyone, Considering that we get a new thread asking all there is to know about buying the 308 about once a week, I thought I would write a basic buyer's guide for the 308 that could be used as a reference by newbies contemplating buying a 308. In this resource, I would try to put as much information as is practical, without actually writing an entire book. I have tackled the first draft and posted it on my site. I am looking for some assistance from you 308 experts, and you know who you are! I would like to know if there are things you feel I have neglected that should be mentioned, as well as if you find any mistakes. I'm sure there are a few. Because this is still a work in progress, I would ask that you please do not copy and paste it here into Fchat, where it will stay (with errors!) for all eternity. Let me get the bugs worked out first, then I'm happy to share it here as well. I am also looking for a number of images, listed below, to add to the buyer's guide. If you photographers will be so kind as to post any images that you have rights to (i.e. that you took yourself) here, I would love add them to the buyer's guide (with photo credit of course). Unfortunately, I have a very non-stock 308 that makes a lousy example of a particular model year. I am looking for images of cars in stock, unmodified form (i.e. stock wheels, period tires, stock colors, etc.) Here's what I need, though you may add to this list if you think I have left something off after reading the article: 206 Dino 246 Dino 308 GT4 Dino (with Dino badging) 308 GT4 Dino with both Ferrari and Dino Badging 308 GT4 Ferrari (later model with factory Ferrari badging) early 308 GTB with 14" wheels, preferably fiberglass 1978 and 1979 308 GTS 1980-1982 308 GTB or GTS 1983-1985 GTB or GTS QV A mix of euro and U.S. spec cars would be good as well, to illustrate the differences. Here is where the article is now: http://www.birdmanferrari.com Thanks for your help in creating this on-line resource! Birdman
I just read it, great job! I think it will be very useful for anyone looking at a 308. On a side note I love my fuse box upgrade,Thanks!
Thanks Andy, on both counts. I'm glad you like the fusebox and thanks for reading the article. I'm trying to come up with something pretty comprehensive so when people ask here about buying their first 308, we can direct them to a decent thing to read first that answers all the basic questions. Did I leave anything out? Birdman
I read it over and it looks pretty complete, but I would add that Ferrari actually started rust proofing in 1984, important to some. Also, on the subject of valves, etc. people should know that the early motors often need top end rebuilds around 70K. The QV's are better and often go way over 100K w/o any rebuilding. Also, while the handling is graceful and well balanced, these cars cannot coompete with modern cars handling wise in any objective sense. So your comments may be misleading. I can dig out photos of a completely stock US 85 GTB I used to own if you like. Dave
A well written article! Per your request above, I just emailed you some pics of my '85 308 QV - completely stock except for the Scuderia shields. I am definitely going to order your fuse box solution soon!
Birdman, Great article. Not much more to add here, but one comment. Your article mentioned that the later 308 Gt4's did not carry any Dino badging. I believe the later 308 GT4's still carried the Dino 308 GT4 badge on the rear. All other marking was ferrari. Dom
Just saw this, Birdman! The Art Car rolls on 16"s so no help there....a pic was in the Ladies and Ferraris thread at one time..... The other blue 1977 would be a good one to use, I'll try to find some pics and get them to ya! Bubba
Good stuff. If you're addressing the total newbie, I think a section of a "Year in the Life of 308" describing what to expect in terms of maintenance - typical expenses, usual things that fail, and some mention of the frequency/cost/consequences of the major service. There's a myth out there that Ferraris break daily and cost tens of thou$ands to fix every time. Maybe you could dispel that. You might point of specific things to look for in assessing a car. 308's have their 'usual' rust locations to check; you could show your pic of a melted fuse block; the louvred exhaust shield on U.S. cars tends to rust; consoles tend to sag; etc. You might also include the 328 more broadly. I think the U.S. version has 260hp versus 235hp for the last QV, but the 308/328 seem like chapters out of the same book. Not sure you want to go there, but my .02. I like it, though, nice job.
Dom, I'm going to check that out again in my Bluemel book, but if you could check your sources too, that would be great. I thought they actually changed over entirely on the badging, but I'm no expert on the GT4 and you sure as heck know more about them than me! Thanks! Birdman
Wait, you mean they don't? Good ideas. Sounds like a whole section on buying one, maybe a seperate article from the background info article. I would need to accumulate some pictures too. You are probably right about adding the 328. Let's add the 328 to my picture requests and I'll add a short section on the evolution of the 308 into the 328. Thanks for the ideas! Birdman
C'mon, no XWX here! You know I'm sposored by GOODYEAR after winning the Grand Prix of Houston.....the blue car came to me on No Longer Available Radial T/As, actually, stock size though. They look like balloons next to the F1 GSD2s.....tires are getting difficult for the 14"s, reason I run 16"s on the street but I have 14"s for both cars for shows..... I'm going to have to get serious someday in searching the Goodyear product line, they have vintage racing tires, I may go with something from there..
I can send you some pics of a 95% OEM red/tan '77 GTB if you like. Tires are not XWX and the vapor recovery tank is gone.
Birdman- this is a gread idea. Looks good to me- more photos would be good. I can send you any of mine if you want them. It's a euro 308 QV also- very similar to the one you have photos of, so might not help. A quick note on the beautiful 308 QV photos already on the site- that black stripe on the bottom of the front spoiler is not stock (although I want to put the exact same thing on my car soon because it's a great idea ) Just an observation. Also- maybe add some costs to the repair/maintenance myth surround these cars- just a few suggestions 1. Clutch replacement- yourself: $650 professional mechanic: $1500-$2000 2. Suspension bushings- yourself: $800 professional mechanic: $3000-5000 3. Major service (all belts, most gaskets, most oil seals, fluids etc) yourself: $1200 mechanic: $3500-$5000 4. brake caliper rebuild- yourself $25 each plus fluid, mechanic: $250 each (just a total guess) Bump this price if including pads ($120) and rotor turns ($80) 5. oil change- yourself $30-$50, mechanic: $100-$200 ***WARNING**** I am NOT a mechanic, so these are just guesses for mechanic costs. Honestly- I not totally comfortable putting down prices for the mechanics because I'm not one, and it's not really fair to those who may be cheaper, or do more work during a repair or maintenance job than is required- so the cost goes up. With this in mind, maybe just a sampling of the costs to do it yourself. That is something I can prove!! Maybe a checklist to take during a potential purchase inspection? I could make up something like that for you if you think it would help. Yes, very important to some, but I'm not sure about the dates. Isn't Verell's an 83 and it has the sprayed on rustproofing. Is that all there is to the rustproofing? Or, is the rustproofing just the galvanized steel? Do all 308's have the sprayed on rustproofing? I'm more curious than anything else. Is there a certain serial # for when they changes over to galvanized? Again Birdman, thanks for putting it together. jwise
John, I agree that some prices on service are good, and of course I don't want to offend any real mechanics, so a very wide ballpark is probably OK. I will add some of this to a service section. I think I will start a whole new page on buying a 308, with tips on what to look for. For this I REALLY will need help. Perhaps you can put together a list, and I will too. Then I will merge them, post, and see what others chime in. I expect there will be a lot of things that we don't think of. This could turn into a giant mess, or it could become a fantastic resource! Thanks again for your offer of help, and I'LL TAKE IT! Birdman
This thing is coming along really nicely now. Thanks to all of you that have chimed in and sent pictures! Right now, I really need a good 328 picture, and a few good GT4 pics. Thanks! Birdman
If you want to show a car with an upgraded adjustable suspension resulting in a lowered stance, you can use my pictures from www.mlcpartners.com/ferrari/birdman/lowered1.jpg and www.mlcpartners.com/ferrari/birdman/lowered2.jpg And the Brembo GT big front brake upgrade at www.mlcpartners.com/ferrari/birdman/brembo.jpg I've already resized them to match what you've been doing in case you want to use them.
Do you have the Forza Magazine 308 collector and buyer's guides (issues #1 and #25)? They'd probably give you helpful information without having to plagiarize them.
