Wanting to buy my first 308 or 328

Personally I like the 308 QV but try this:
http://www.users.skynet.be/sky38711/allfiles/garfiles/fer3028.htm

 

Also, there's a lot of information from the past few years on this in various topics. Use the search function to find threads that mention both "308" and "328" in the title ("Search Titles Only").

There were 78 threads discussing this... Here's a link to the search.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/search.php?searchid=944889

Just about every 308/328 owner has asked the questions you're asking!

No matter what, you want to find a very well documented car with a thorough maintenance history. You want proof that the car has been maintained.

The general consensus is that these are sturdy cars and quite reliable when maintained!

 

All of us have biases - usually based upon what we currently own. With that in mind, here is my take on it: My choice would be either a 328 or a carburetted 308 (pre 1980). My car is a '79 308GTB and I prefer the look of the 308 in general and specifically, the berlinetta. So for me, the choice is a carbed, Euro. 308 berlinetta. Go to: http://www.r-design.net/308/index_e.html , visit the gallary and have a look at my 308GTB #28133. rick/houston, tx

 

Mike328's search results above is probably where you should start.

To be very general (because ultimately you want to buy a properly maintained car with a good history, and one that has been driven somewhat regularly):

308 electrical systems are weak, whereas 328s were a big step forward there. 308 power windows are notoriously slow and unreliable. Engine and gearbox are very similar between them, and generally quite tough. You have to decide about the aesthetics, but fortunately the European 308s don't suffer from the giant U.S. rubber bumpers and offer more power than the version sent here. 308s have the older style interior, which many (most?) people see as a plus (more traditional). 328 build quality seems to have been uniformly better, although neither one is going to scare Lexus anytime soon.

Ferrari says replace the belts every 3 years, in either car. From what I've read on this site, Europeans get a fairer deal on Ferrari parts than we do over here, but in any event the 308/328 are considered reasonably inexpensive to maintain compared to earlier and later models.

Make sure you drive a 308 or 328 or both. The ergonomics make real demands of the driver. Tall, heavy guys don't find the cockpit all that friendly, and the air conditioning is best described as "amusing".

No toe injury sustained.

There are many "Porsche or Ferrari?" threads here, but having owned both a 911 (993) and a 328 I think it's pointless to compare them. The Porsche is exactly what you'd expect, fast, reliable and easy to have serviced at any of hundreds of dealerships that have all the parts on the shelf. The Ferrari is a naughty, rolling work of art that demands a proper warm-up, drips oil when it's in the mood, radiates engine heat from the engine bay into the cockpit, and evokes SOMETHING -- admiration, nostalgia, jealousy, competitiveness, whatever - in neary everyone who lays eyes on it. The car generates its own celebrity even on dull errands such as a trip to the dry cleaner. It is harder to drive fast than the Porsche, requires a stupid amount of maintenance for a 260bhp car driven so few miles, and doesn't even shift nicely until it's hot. But it makes intoxicating sounds and immerses you in a driving experience that you otherwise would have only in frighteningly more expensive cars (sure a Daytona spyder is better, but where the hell do you park a Daytona spyder?) It's also a car that, due to its yestertech-derived performance, can be used with verve on real roads, whereas a 360 Modena really demands a track.

I haven't looked a Porsche since I bought it, and I don't know that there's another car (besides another Ferrari) that would ever satisfy me again. Really, it's crossing a line automotively.

 

Get a 328 they are faster, much more reliable such as improved cam chest bearings, steel cam pulleys, nikasil liners that make the motors last 200000 miles, improved water pump and the a/c works much better. A lot of other improvements as well including 100lbs less weight, looks are subjective but the colored bumpers make the 328 look cleaner and much more modern IMO.

 

I had the same decision 8.5 years ago. I bought the best car I could afford a 1987 328 GTS and have no regrets.

 

Ciao Rob. I see that you live in Switzerland. Best thing you can do is to speak to Simon (moderator of the European section). He owns a fantastic 328 GTB and is fully familiar with all technicalities of the versions dedicated to the Swiss market.
Ciao
Eugenio.
P.S. 328 rules, but I am biased

 

whichever model you decide on, it is important to buy the best example you can find. better to go with a top 308 than an average 328. a top car can actually be maintenance (apart from regular oil changes) and greatly enhances the ownership experience.

john

 

"There are many "Porsche or Ferrari?" threads here, but having owned both a 911 (993) and a 328 I think it's pointless to compare them."

Hear, hear....I've got a 93' Porsche RS America and just recently added the 328...very different. The RS is more of a brutal instrument while the 328 is more like a fine whine.....high rpm whine that is.

Ergonomics alone between the two are night and day. I'm 5'5" and at times feel lost in the Porsche and snug in the 328.

 

If you are considering a Porsche Turbo, I assume good acceleration is important to you. If so, you may be disappointed in 240-260 hp cars when Porsche Turbos can exceed 400 hp rather easily.

 

Since your doing comparisons on Porsche and Ferrari. I have an 1985 308GTSi that I just love. It has been my dream car for as long as I can remember. But in the last 2 years it seems like everytime I want to drive the car I have to get something ajusted or fixed on it. Im getting really frustrated and am thinking about selling the car and getting something else. I also have had several Porsches and still own a 1987 944 Turbo that I gave to my wife when I finally bought my Ferrari. I drove a 2001 Porsche 911 Turbo the other day and was blown away buy the car. My wife wants me to keep the Ferrari and just get something else, but I already have to many toys that I dont use anymore. What would you guys do? Any input would be helpful.

Thanks, Gary

 

Quite simply, the world's best daily driver. If you're looking for a top-down cruiser, I'd keep what you have or go find a '88-89 Porsche 930 Turbo Cab.

 

Pure 100% truer words never spoken!

 

Do whatever is right for you, but remember that you will ALWAYS regret selling the Ferrari. Especially in 10 years when they have gone up so much that you can't buy another. Ask anyone that missed out on a 246 Dino 10 years ago.

Birdman

 

I had a us version 82 308. It consumed enormous quantities of oil. I hear that Ferrari was replacing the engines in those cars. I do not know about non us cars, but you might be very careful about the early injected 2 valve 308's.

 

Thanks for the advice. I think your wright. I will regret selling it, I just get so damn frustrated every time it breaks down. After logging on to your Got fuse's site, I think I'll buy one of your fuse box replacements for my car. I think that might help me with some of my problems. I understand your gonig on vacation soon, so I'll wait till you get back to order one. Thanks again.

Gary.

 

Gary,
It takes a while to get a 308 "sorted" if it was neglected by its previous owner and had a lot of deferred maintenance. It took me a couple years to get all the bugs really worked out of mine. But once you get to that point, the things really are pretty simple, reliable cars.

Birdman

 

I have owned Porsche turbos for years (930s, 911t, 993tt, now a 2001 996tt) and just sold a 328. I was fortunate enough to have it at the same time and pondered this same point. The comments by Bullfighter are exactly right. Those cars are just a different experience.

To be honest, I didn't really enjoy my 328 but it was MY fault, not the car's. I was building a house at the time and majorly immersed in some stuff at work, so I plunked down $6 grand or so to get the car sorted right when I got it and never drove it much during all the distractions. I did however continue to drive the 993tt I had at the time. Why? Less demanding, no side issues, no worries, but...

The Ferrari just sat there, looking incredibly sexy in the garage, asking for my unavailable attention. I failed there... and sold the car.

Now I'm in the hunt again. I haven't a rational answer as to 'why' other than the soul-arresting emotions that come surging out every now and then. The 'experience' of a Ferrari goes way beyond transportation.

If you seek a highly strung but mighty usable 'exotic' that can double as transportation, get the 993tt or 996tt (the latter more comfortable in my opinion, more reliable, marginally lower maintenance costs). If you seek something that'll ignite that automotive fire you thought had flickered away, get the Ferrari. A trip to the store becomes an experience. In the Porsche, it's an errand.

DO NOT look at it from a financial basis or you'll drive yourself - and your wife - crazy. I had a 246 Dino in 1983-1987 and have been financially 'sorry' since, but not sorry for a moment's time with the car.

Hope this helps.

 

I've been fortunate to have had both ... 85 Qv - that nearly broke me about 7-8 years ago... total engine rebuild... and now have a 328... I would go for the 328 any day... and pay for condition... what ever you do check out the car very closely compression test, leak down etc...and Insist on regular belts and maintenance... if you want to enjoy your Ferrari experince getting the right one is Crucial!!! trust me I had a wrong one for 12 years... trying to make it right... from all the money I spent I could have bought a 355!

P.S. what part of Switzerland do you live in ? I used to live in Montreux... loved every minute of it... wish I could move back!!! great roads from Montreux to Interlaken.... and Davos to Soglio.... wow... to do the Splugen pass in a Ferrari would be the ultimate!!! - in summer that is!