What would you choose and why?

GT4...... the car that will become the most valuable.

 

All are great cars in different ways. It would be better to explain why you have put each of them on your list and we would critique your perspective.

 

Why you think that the V8 2+2 will become more valuable then the V12 2+2 in the months/years ahead?

 

In the exact order you put them. Freudian slip?

 

Buy what you like. Trying to be a "speculator" in the market can be futile, especially with the cars you mention. So:
1. Buy it because you like it
2. Drive it because you enjoy it.
3. If it goes up in value, great. If not, you like it and enjoy it for what it is.
4. End of story

 

This.

If you've driven the cars, I can't imagine you'd be unable to choose between the low-slung 308/328 mid-engined sports cars and the big V12 tourers.

Which one looks, sounds, and drives the best based on your seat of the pants experience?

My other question would be whether a classic car meets your needs. They have a lot more charm than the later stuff, but also offer less in the way of comfort, performance and safety.

 

No elaborate thinking behind it, I just like them and would like to own them more in that descending order

 

Magnum is a fun show, but when it comes to the actual cars you really need to drive them. 308/328s are tight little sports cars, loud and exotic-looking. I remember my first drive in a 328 (someone else's) vividly. Unforgettable ride, even sitting at a stoplight and listening to the engine idling behind you.

The 308/328 are iconic cars, and iconic Ferraris, though, and for a good reason. They still look like nothing else on the road.

On the downside, you might not like a tight, loud, low two-seater...

Either way, buying a car because of a TV show... not a good idea.

 

308 will probably be the most valuable down the line. By a large measure compared to the other two. But there are still cheap, if ratty, ones around.

Looks of the Bertone GT4 place it out of the rest of the family lineup. That might be good, but probably will not be advantageous. Back seats seem like an afterthought, and these are pushing 40 years old with many that have not been loved. So finding a really nice one might be hard.

400 is a thirsty, complex V12, but seems very usable with real seats. Later cars usually had GM automatics which for some reason doesn't seem like a bad idea. They also look great from the front. All are imported and legalized for US, it was never officially brought here.

 

I think it depends on what 308 but I would go for either an early carb OR a 4 valve (83-85).

The GT4 is questionable because 1) a lot of Gt4's were poorly taken care of 2) it's got a back seat, which usually isn't good for collectability, and 3) the styling is controversial where most people think the 308 is "sexier". Like it or not, sex sells.

The 400 to me never to me seemed like a worthy successor to earlier Gt's. It's underpowered, has a complicated motor and accessories under the hood, and almost all came with GM slushboxes. Also it is of the period where the folded paper design was in. But, that design today is out.

All are really fine cars to own. But, as long as you're asking .... some version of the 308.

 

Do you need 4 seats? If not buy the one that stirs your soul.

 

Actually the 400 has a greater hp per weight ratio than a 308 CV. 1hp per 101lbs vs 1hp per 105lbs, contrary to another poster's false claim as the 400 being "under powered".

A two seater will appreciate far greater than a 4 seater.

Ferrari has NEVER been synonymous with 4 doors.

My vote would be the 308.

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I've always liked 400i's. No idea why.

 

A couple of factors to consider:

Watch out for the slush box 400s. The three speed box was made by GM.
Noise, but no real go. The manuals are harder to find, but worth the effort.

The mid-engines will be less forgiving in corners. With the mass toward the middle, when they come unstuck, they rotate quickly.
There's a learning curve with the classics.
(For one thing, it'll cure you of tailgating: you have to steer around the potholes, so you need a gap to see them when they appear behind the car in front.)

You'll see people talk about 3x8s, because the 308/328 was a series of cars: the carbed 308, the 308i 2V, the 308 quad valve, and the 328 were evolution on a theme.

The 2V injected cars have the least power, and will be the cheapest.
The QV gives you near the reliability of the 328 with the more "classic" lines and interior.

The 328s are more reliable, but some don't like the lines.
I love mine, but, at my age, the hardest part is climbing out of it.

But the 328s are getting to be premium priced.

Don't put all your assets into buying one. Common mistake.
Italian cars, properly maintained, will last roughly forever, but maintenance is essential.

All of the cars you mention are interference engines using timing belts.
Let one break, and you're looking at a huge tab for an engine rebuild.

For the best ownership experience, find the shop where you'll have it maintained before you go shopping for the car.
A well sorted car will be a pleasure.
One that has constant issues to be sorted one by one will be a burden.

This is one area where Italian cars vary significantly from Japanese or American machines.
Stock ricers are detuned to improve reliability.
Italian cars are tuned to peak, and need maintenance to keep them working.

I used to tell people to budget a quarter of the purchase price, on a used Italian, to "make it right".
A big maintenance bill may be a bit of a budget hit, but it beats having the car into the shop every few weeks for a series of issues.

When I bought my 328, I put nearly a quarter of the price into an engine out major service, that caught a lot of problems before they could happen. (Worn fuel and air pipes, older wiring, sticky calipers, etc.)
After that, it was "daily driver" reliability.

 

I'll respond from an Enthusiast's POV...

1: 308s - avoid the early injected models (pre-QVs), as they are all dogs - a Prius is quicker. The QVs are the best in terms of performance. The early carb versions are pretty good too.

2- 365/400/400i - All the Auto (GM-matic) versions are complete dogs - avoid. Probably the worst cars Ferrari ever made. If you just want a very cheap V12 Ferrari, the MT versions might be ok - just barely.

3- Dino 308 GT4 - Unique design from Bertone. For a long time, these were avoided like the plague. They are decent, but currently way over-rated and over-priced.

 

For different reasoning than has been listed I agree with the order you listed:

1. 308
2. 365/400/400i
3. Dino 308 GT4


The other factor to consider is availability and where you are. In the US, the 365/400s are fairly rare - but in Europe they may be easier to find just as an example.

May we ask where you are located?

I also suggest that you get out and socialize wherever you are and see about actually looking at different versions of each of them as much as possible yourself rather than relying on relative strangers opinions. This is, to me, a HUGE part of ownership.

I would be MORE than HAPPY to show you my QV sometime for comparison to any other car you can find.



PDG

 

+1 ?

 

+1+1 on the 2+2's

 

I always have this take on these cars coming from owning a shop once.

308 owners in the 80's generally took better care of their cars than the Dino gt4 and 400 owners did.

I saw many poor repairs, messed up wiring, JB Weld kind of things going on than you would not see with a 308 (generally). When a 400 went to the 3rd owner and it broke, it generally went to Johnny down the street instead of a specialized mechanic. And, chances are, the owner wanted to trim the bill or avoid the service.

So, IMO, it's harder to find a good example Gt4 and 400 because most of them have had 7 owners and the last 4 didn't want to invest in it other than to say "I own a Ferrari".

Not all, but too many.

It's not unique to Ferrari. Maserati suffers from the same affliction.

Moral: Be careful what you buy and buy the best you can find. Spend a little more upfront and will save you headaches and nightmares in the future. AND, for sure, assume any of them are going to need thousands of $$$ worth of work in the first couple of months to fix things that no one ever could foresee.

 

I have a 365 GT4 2+2 and a 308 GT4.

They are completely different cars,though,I drive the 365 as most would drive the 308....hard.

The 365 is a genuine 4 seater whereas the GT4 is suitcase room only,in the back.

The 365 is easier on a long(250 mile+)trip,whereas the 308 is,due to it's higher revs at the same speed,not as relaxed.

I would not contemplate a Ferrari without a clutch,IMO,what a waste of time...though I do see the benefit in driving in congested situations.

When you mention the 308,do you mean the GTB or GTS,if you are looking at the B,you need to be aware that over 6'1" you won't fit comfortably.