Thinking of buying a 308 GTSI QV, need advise

If it the 6800 miles is accurate you are going to have a lot of work to do. The car has been sitting and sitting and sitting. The price looks good because it is a Ferrari but by the time you are done with the repairs you will be back up in the 30's and wondering why you got into all of this.

Please do not make the mistake that you are about to be buying a 308 for under 20K and it will stay that way because it won't.

For someone who isn't really in the market for one, this shouldn't be where you should start.

 

I have to agree w/ the good Dr. This car will be a can of worms you'll wished you'd never opened. Unless you're a very good mechanic with your own body shop, you'll be upside down pretty quickly.

 

A 308QV with "no issues" should cost about $30-35k. If it is less than that when you buy it, it will be up to that by the time you finish fixing everything that is wrong with it; you can't get around that.

When I was looking at 328s I noticed the least expensive ones being sold by dealers (who generally sell cars that pretty much have "no issues") were about $42k. I bought one from a private individual for about $35k knowing there would be some things I would need to have done. If I add what I've already paid and what my mechanic says I need yet to have done, I will be up to about......$42k!

The moral is: you can pay 'em now, or pay 'em later.

 

Oh, and I agree: a 22-year-old car that only has 6800 miles on it has sat for far too long during its lifetime.

 

This would potentially make a good car if you have mechanical abilities. For certain it needs a major service including all belts, hoses, bearings, etc. While it is down that far, a water pump rebuild would be smart just for preventive maintenance.

Ferrari didn't start using galvanized steel until 1984, so minor rust would be expected. Provided the rust areas are small (around the size of a dime), you should be able to touch them up without much problem. Larger than that and you have the serious possibility of rust completely through the panel which is much more complicated to fix correctly. Also, if the paint is in overall poor condition you have to realize that a good respray is quite expensive.

At $18K, I would be tempted to pay a good shop with Ferrari experience to do a thorough PPI including a leakdown test just to see what it turns up. If the interior is mint like you say and the rust isn't too bad, you could find that for less than $5,000 the car could be brought back to good condition. If you could do the work yourself, you could purchase the materials, belts, and hoses yourself for less than $1,000.

If you are serious, there are people from F-Chat all over the US. I'm sure if someone lives in the area they would be willing to give it the once over for you and let you know if it worth getting a full PPI done.

 

I have a 1984 308 GTS QV ready in excellent condition no surprises.

 

it sounds like a perfect way to get into a Ferrari but unless you do all the work yourself, like its been said many times already you will end up spending more. For me, it is the way I get into cars beyond my means, I sometimes can't afford to buy a nice one but I can afford to "work" my way into a nice one by getting something not perfect and making it nice over a few years while enjoying it. It spreads out the purchase price over several years, the car one year, the motor the next, the body the next...etc...

The only way this 308 would be a good deal is if you did all the work yourself from engine to body (and if you are lucky Mom owns a upholstery shop to save even more)

You have to enjoy wrenching on your cars to make it worthwhile and in the long run, you will likely be upside down so its not for everyone.

 

Kind of suprising that now would be the time to get rid of it.
Had it for 22 years, basically never drove it. Could have sold for a lot more before all the rust issues.
18K says BIG problems to me!

 

Sight unseen, I think this car has potential. If the engine is in good condition (NOT a given of course), and the only issue is rust, you could have quite a nice car. The low mileage means only rubber etc. needs replacing. High mileage cars always have trim parts etc. breaking and wearing out; this car will not. Keep in mind though you'll need to sink some $$$ here regardless.

You can deal with the rust if panels don't need replacing. Painting the entire car IS expensive but not a deal breaker IMHO. If you end up with $25-$30k in it, you'll have a great 308. Just don't think you'll be able to buy an $18k 308 and you're done.

Ken