Ready to buy a 308

Any color info? Red or green? Metric wheels? Belt service done recently? Sounds like a nice car. I would think if you can get a good looking 308 with complete service records for $28k you are doing pretty well. Being that Niceville is close to the water, you might want to consider a QV (built post 1983) so that you would get the factory rustproofing of the body panels. Goodluck in the search and get an independant PPI done. Keep us posted. If you have the VIN post it and most likely someone can give you info / history on that particular car.

BT

 

Do you want the GTSi? They all look great, but the later QV would be my choice (horsepower, rustproofing, mechanical upgrades).

Blue smoke = oil burning, so depending on how noticeably blue it is this could be one the 8-valve cars prone to this. At any rate unless you're a mechanic you'll want to get it inspected to find out if it needs a rebuild.

A repaint isn't unusual, but the quality of repaints (and what's underneath) varies hugely. Check the door bottoms and area around the hood louvres very closely for rust.

Low $30K sounds high for this model in repainted, smoke-spewing condition. Remember you can burn through $10K quickly putting things right, and in the end you still have a car that you'd have a hard time getting $30K for. If it was my money, I would keep looking.

 

FTIW,

I used to go to Fla for 3 months over the winter. In 2 years of searching, I spent a lot of time and $ on gas (even though gas was cheap then =) looking at a lot of turds. Never found anything in FLA that intersted me...lots of beat down $ pits from shady dealers and private owners.

There have to be nice 308's in FLA, but I never saw one outside of the Cavalino Classic...

As for $... a nice 2V with updated service and good colors should be high $20's- low $30's

The same car (good color, non salvage) in need of service, little TLC can be found for $18-$25K

4V's (post 83) add $8K-$10 for each category

Don't get the first one you come across, detective work now will save you $ in the long run.

Good luck

 

The only way to determine tha real value of the car is to look at it in person -plus get a PPI from someone who is familar with 308s. I really wouldn't care if it's a 2 or 4 valve car - they're both slow by todays standards and as far as rustproofing - either it has rust or it doesn't - condition is the bottom line. The latest issue of Cavellino puts the value between $23,500 and $60,000.00 for this particular car. While I find the $60,000.00 number way out of line, the cars do appear to be moving up a little with exceptionally nice examples going for low to mid 30s. Assuming the car is as described I would figure $31,000 - $32,000.00 minus needed repairs/service which can only be determined with a PPI

 

In the last year (July 2005) I purchased a red/tan 1982 308 GTSI with 53k on the clock. Can was in very nice shape all the way around. The metric tires had been replaced with 16" rims and tires and I have the old rims as well. Car has nice A/C and stereo.

Car runs great and has been fun to own. I only paid $25k for mine. I hope this gives you a rough idea of worth.

PM me if you would my cell number, I would be happy to help.

Andy

 

Best guy up there is Bill Pollard 860-350-1515

 

WADE, if everything you said about the car is true and it has been regularly maintained, then I think its a good deal, but if I were you I would try to bargain a little make an offer of $26K who knows he migth go for it remember it doesn't hurt to ask.

 

Wade,

I have a 1980 308GTSI that I am considering to part with. It is Red/Tan and 28000 miles on it. Very clean, no smoke,clean interior and paint, windows work well and 2nd gear is smooth as well (sometimes getting into 2nd is hard on some cars). I am in MD. but you can pm me and we can talk more and exchange Tel. #s. Price would be at $30k

 

Yeah, IMO, I would probably pass on that car, too. Mainly due to the puff of smoke issue. Do they have good service records for it? When was it last Serviced?

But by all means do not pass on a nice 2v Car. A Ferrari is a Ferrari. I have owned a 1981 for over 5 years and have not had a single problem with it. When I was shopping around for a Ferrari years ago. I did check out and drive the QV cars too. But, IMO, no noticable difference in power. Plus, the way I look at it. There are 1/2 the valves and related components to have to worry about breaking, and paying for to replace if ever neccesary. Get a PPI for Any car too.

As far as any Rust issues go. As with any car. Check out the body really well for repairs. Bring along a Magnet. The most likely place to find Rust on these cars are in the very bottoms of the door panels. If the car was left outside, and/or regularly driven in the rain. The water seeps down into the insides of the doors where the Window meets the door. And there isn't anywhere for it to drain. So, it just collects in the bottom and sits there, eventually causing rust and bubbles. Get down and look over the bottoms of the door panels really good. Feel them, and use a magnet to check for any existing rust, or a repair. Do not put much faith in ANY Factory rustproofing-even if it is a Ferrari. After all....it would have been done 20-25 years ago, anyway. Rustproofing has come a long way since then, too.

But, most of these cars have been garage kept. Never or very seldom driven in Rain or Winter. Covered. Well kept. And you will be able to see the difference in the cars that were, as opposed to the ones that weren't after you've looked at a few. Don't buy the first one that you see. (Unless it's Mint, and you have a Mechanic with you that looks at it and thinks that it is O.K.)

One of the cars that I looked at back then was an '83 308QV. After I took it for a drive and parked. I opened up the rear deck lid, engine compartment. It was filthy! There was coolant steaming. Coolant leaks underneath the engine. Oil leaks. It had an odor of Oil dripping on hot engine parts and burning. But....it was RIGHT THERE! I had the money NOW! I wanted a 308 for a LONG TIME.....But....gladly....my head overpowered my heart and I walked away. Oh yeah, It's tough to do. But, do it if you have any bad feelings whatsoever about a particular car.

You'll know it when you see it....it will have an "Aura" or "Glow" around it....Mine did. Good Luck!!!!