What to look for when buying a vintage "F" car

This is an admirable way of trying to wriggle out of looking in the 308 area or using the 'search' function : offering to create a generic thread !

 

I don't think a 308 is a vintage Ferrari.

 

I don't think of them as "vintage" either... considering I'm looking to buy one.. but here's an interesting fact.. you can't search VIN's on cars before 1981.. So I guess in that facet, it is a classic!!

 

I think of the 308, 328 as a "thinking man's Ferrari". It sounds good & is affordable. Not a super car but always classic. 348 doesn't make the cut because of styling.

 

Go for it. Life is short & you will have a Ferrari.

 

What exactly is the difference between classic and vintage?

 

Good question. Not much - vintage is 60's and prior?, could be early 70's depending on which governing body is calling the shots. Varies from one group, marque to another from what I have seen.

 

Probably the most reliable is the DMV where you live. Here we have Pioneer, Vintage and Classic plates. They are a one time fee and based on how old the car is.

 

Search the 308/328 thread. Hint: if you're buying a not-well-kept Ferrari, there's a Technical forum here that you might as well bookmark. And keep your bank account handy in another browser window.

Lol.

What happened to the cool black one you almost bought?

 

Go to the 308/328 forum, at the top is a sticky entitled "so you bought a 308/328". Read in there what people deal with. It will give you an idea what to look for with the car you are considering. And if you think that a neglected car can be brought up to decent shape for a little bit of money, you are in for a rude, very rude, awakening. F-cars are NOT cheap to fix, even if you are doing it yourself. Like everyone else said, do some searches on here, in the 308/328 forum, technical forum, and educate yourself. Then, before you buy your way into a bottomless pit, get a PPI done by a qualified F-car mechanic.

 

What age is vintage and what age is classic with your DMV?

 

The cool black one.. is a 1980 GTSi ... about to put money down on her as soon as next week!! It's the same one... I want to start with that one.. within 2 years I'd like a 355, and eventually I'd like a 512 TR

 

"Classic" means outdated and out of style. "Vintage" means so old it's now cute again. 5 years ago the 308GT4 was a classic; lately it's become vintage.

Ken

 

A factor of ten in the price too

 

Vintage generally refers to pre-1975 front-engine V12's; per the categories here, Vintage is thru the 365 GTC/4 model. That seems about right to me.

There are exceptions to this...rear engined or less than 12 cylinder pre-'75 cars and the front engine V12 400 series that continued into the 80's, also the 550 V12 series fom the 90's on...others that don't come to mind, also.

speedyG...unless you getting that 308 for free or near-free AND have some mechanical skills, time, and plenty of $$$ budgeted, stay away and hold out for a well-maintained car.

 

So I turned 40 this year. How long till I'm vintage?