Ferrari 308,328 or 348?
Ferrari 308,328 or 348?
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Discussion

ratrod 2

1,767 posts

37 months

Thursday 12th February
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996Type said:
Prices of 308 s and 328 s seem to be all over the place at the moment .
So is every thing else looking at prices of classic cars on the internet,

"Collecting Cars" still seem to be pulling strong money for certain models

but generally things have gone a little pair shape in the classic car world

a bit like our government which i won't dwell on here ,banghead

996Type

1,163 posts

180 months

Friday 13th February
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A lot that are advertised seem to hang around a long time it seems.

POORCARDEALER

8,663 posts

269 months

Saturday 14th February
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Sensibly priced ones sell quickly - the stickers are the ones prices at 2020 prices , market is simply not the same for anything but uber low mileage collectors examples

25th QV

227 posts

80 months

Sunday 15th March
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Sorry to jump onboard this thread, but saves having to start what would essentially be the same subject matter.

As a gentleman of a certain age, I grew up lusting after the 308, and having now just sold my 911, I'm looking to up the budget and hoping to get my first Ferrari.

My heart says 308, my head says 360 - but if I could chose on an 'everything else was equal basis' it'd be the 308 without question.

I've posted a thread in the Modern V8s section, gathering advice and thought I'd come over here for some more research. This thread has been really encouraging.

For aesthetics alone, I'd want a GTB. Not bothered about LHD or RHD, but want a cat that is genuinely a gem, not something that was once a dog and tarted up.

Are there any go-to people or specialists to speak to? I seldom see tese for sale privately - any reason for this?

Some of the cars out there in the classifies look quite rough around the edges and show their 'retail prep' evidence a little too easily. Any guidance on where to start would be much appreciated.

I really don't want to end up with a dog that has been rusty and patched up / filled - I'm looking for more of a genuine survivor type car that's been loved.

Thanks in advance.

Wombat3

14,926 posts

234 months

Sunday 15th March
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25th QV said:
Sorry to jump onboard this thread, but saves having to start what would essentially be the same subject matter.

As a gentleman of a certain age, I grew up lusting after the 308, and having now just sold my 911, I'm looking to up the budget and hoping to get my first Ferrari.

My heart says 308, my head says 360 - but if I could chose on an 'everything else was equal basis' it'd be the 308 without question.

I've posted a thread in the Modern V8s section, gathering advice and thought I'd come over here for some more research. This thread has been really encouraging.

For aesthetics alone, I'd want a GTB. Not bothered about LHD or RHD, but want a cat that is genuinely a gem, not something that was once a dog and tarted up.

Are there any go-to people or specialists to speak to? I seldom see tese for sale privately - any reason for this?

Some of the cars out there in the classifies look quite rough around the edges and show their 'retail prep' evidence a little too easily. Any guidance on where to start would be much appreciated.

I really don't want to end up with a dog that has been rusty and patched up / filled - I'm looking for more of a genuine survivor type car that's been loved.

Thanks in advance.
Suggest speak to Mike Wheeler at Rardley Motors and also KHPC. They've both been selling 308s for decades.

996Type

1,163 posts

180 months

Sunday 15th March
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Also speak to Ben at Nick Cartwrights, they know some good cars. Barkaways always seem to have good cars also….

25th QV

227 posts

80 months

Monday 16th March
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Thanks, I've enquired about the price of this at Nick Cartwright which looks nice in the photos, although the curved front bumper makes my teeth itch and would have to be sorted as it's driving me nuts already! I'd also want to know why, as I've not see that on others. Accident damage? Bottom of the spoiler looks raised on that side also. Also noticed the left hand side of the rear bumper is squiff. Not sure if 'they're all like that' or not, but jumped off the page at me.

https://www.nickcartwright.com/car_sales/308-gts-4...

EDIT: They replied quickly, £89,995.





Also saw this that looks nice too, although black interior wouldn't have been my first choice, and I'd love a deep front spoiler.

https://www.shiltechperformancecars.com/sales/ferr...

It is however stretching the budget to the absolute max, so would need to satisfy myself this is an appropriate price for the car from a 'not lose my shirt' in a few years perspective.

I note a specific comment in the description about how it's still got its original Ferrari service book, as if this is something unusual? I wouldn't touch a car without. Is this a strange comment, or is a Ferrari service book a rare thing. Just seemed odd to mention something that I'd consider essential and expected.

So both the above cars are £90k..... about right or toppy?

Please forgive the noob questions.



Edited by 25th QV on Monday 16th March 18:06

POORCARDEALER

8,663 posts

269 months

Monday 16th March
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Most of these cars will have had paint and some restoration work as they are 50 years old + Also, many, if not most, particularly low milers will have big gaps in the service history where they have been stored or used for a few hundred miles a year - at £90k you d not want to see that .

£90k should be getting you one of the best in a 308 - in truth most out there should drop into the 60-70k range.

Lots of Ferraris are for sale in the classifieds for a long long time as they are overpriced and owners will part with them at premium money, otherwise they keep them.

25th QV

227 posts

80 months

Monday 16th March
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POORCARDEALER said:
Most of these cars will have had paint and some restoration work as they are 50 years old + Also, many, if not most, particularly low milers will have big gaps in the service history where they have been stored or used for a few hundred miles a year - at £90k you d not want to see that .

£90k should be getting you one of the best in a 308 - in truth most out there should drop into the 60-70k range.

Lots of Ferraris are for sale in the classifieds for a long long time as they are overpriced and owners will part with them at premium money, otherwise they keep them.
Thanks, my gut was telling this, but it's always better to hear it from tthose with more experience.

These two are more like it from a price perspective.

https://foskers.com/showroom/1978-ferrari-308-gtb/...

https://foskers.com/showroom/1977-ferrari-308-gtb/...


My inexperienced (Ferrari) eyes immediately spot on the yellow one the significantly worn drivers seat bolster at only 40k miles.



And rust gathering at the top of the coolant header tank recessed pressings. Neither of them insurmountable, but perhaps indicative of the care and attention to detail that has gone into owning, and dare I respectfully say, preparing for sale. Also huge gap in history of 10 years.




On the red one, the worrisomely uneven and bodged looking surface within the black recessed belt-line suggests something is either wrong, or has been wrong previously and not corrected properly?



There is a concerning reflection in the drivers door to the left of the air intake, which doesn't look right? I think it's a truck in the background reflection but the cab looks very 'house of mirrors'. Maybe just the light, but maybe not?



Also, the rear engine mount is speckled with rust. Again, not an issue, but how hard is it to give it a quick rub down with a scotchbrite pad and some satin black? Of course painting or powder coating correctly would be the preferred option, but again has me questioning the standard of sales prep to justify the retail margin. What else might be neglected?



I'm not trying to throw shade on the vendor who I know have a strong reputation, but want to test and calibrate my own barometer of what to expect for the money and the money to pay for examples like this.

To me and my very brief initial look and research, these two also feel about £15k too expensive, but happy to be corrected / educated.

I'm struggling to find a satisfactory rationale for the low retail prep standards though on simple, inexpensive and easy to correct elements. It really makes me question the level of 'added value' buying from a specialist brings, versus paying for a high quality independent inspection privately? (Assuming they are for sale privately, which I'm struggling to see).

In the interests of transparency, I've owned, restored and rebuilt various classic cars of different types over my 3+ decades in the hobby, so I'm fully aware of what 30, 40, 50 year old cars can look like from various ends of the spectrum, and also aware of the hugely varying standards across retailers. Where I'm lacking is the 'what's typical' in the 308 market so I can manage my expectations and therefore set my budget appropriately.

Thanks for the input so far, really helpful!

996Type

1,163 posts

180 months

Monday 16th March
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From my own experience, there is no catch all and you have to look at each car and each dealer individually.

I’ve dealt with Cartwright’s and their reputation is valuable to them, but you do pay for their preparation, and to me that is wholly justifiable when there are F40’s and Dino’s in the same service bays as the 308’s and a family that have come up through a single marque.

But peace of mind might be worth that to the buyer, it would be to me as a bad car can swallow a good percentage of its purchase price if it’s not right.

They are also great people to deal with and politely helped me in my (so far unfulfilled) quest to be an owner.

They would also offer to buy good cars back I expect given first refusal, so provided the market doesn’t all shift against you, it’s the dealer margin that’s the true cost to own a particular car over a fixed period of time.
It might also go up in value of course….

A lot of stuff is coming to market having been bought during the covid boom, and prices are now settling back down leaving cars for sale for longer.

With origins in the late 60’s for a lot of the technology used in the 308 range, while they look a more modern car (Magnum PI etc), they are actually more closely related time wise to the e-type and DB6.

So if you’ve driven any more modern cars at £90K, a carb fed 308 might be a bit of a culture shock.

I notice the original Dino is coming down in price, at circa 60 years old, a lot of the earlier generation of owners will be now too old to use them and they might not appeal as much to successive generations.

Reason this might be of interest is that the 308 was always seen as the Dino’s successor, so is a 308 under valued or is a Dino overvalued in the market?

By their very nature, there will be cars that are mutton dressed as mutton and cars that are perfect & then everything in between, but they were built using indifferent materials and with an eye on the first owner only. While being good DIY prospect, it still makes sense to view as many as you can and build your own league table.

If you use a specialist that services them such as NC, while there might be a “premium”, they probably reject more cars than they take on for sale and will know good ones when they see them I would expect so act as a primary filter for customers. If they’ve looked at an indifferent car and can’t make it work margin wise at trade workshop rates……

A decent one was for sale recently also at Walkersport which I really liked the look of, but timing for me has been bad with house move / extension and the like, and now all this horror show in the Middle East (which puts things in context).

The good part for yourself I’d say is take the time to visit a few of the specialists, arrange test drives and see which car you might bond with now spring is here.

Try cars that are over budget and look at ones under budget, enjoy the experience and build on your knowledge base as you might be swayed into a different year or model (or compromise other aspects of your wish list if you find the right car during the process)….



25th QV

227 posts

80 months

Monday 16th March
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Really helpful, thanks. I'm in the North West so most specialists are a long way away, although NC is not too far. I'd need to plan a couple of days round trip to see a few cars at once.

Your point about the generation of car reflecting the age of owners who lusted after one when they were younger and now have the means is one I've observed for a very long time. I remember saying way back when I had my Countach that it, and the Testarossa (both mid 40's at the time for minters) would rocket in value when the 70s and 80's kids find the disposable. At the other end of the spectrum, I remember when 70's and 80's F body Camaros and TransAms were buttons - now try and find a nice one for sensible money. To reinforce your point, the veteran and vintage cars are now falling in value for the reasons you mention.

I'm still remembering when a nice 308 was £25k and the best was £30k, although inflation has at least doubled those numbers so perhaps they;ve not risen in value that much yet?

This is where whilst the romance and DIY simplicity of a 308 appeals, the risks and 'wong'un' factor balances out the other side. Whereas my other consideration of a 360 Modena carries much less wron'un risk and is probably at the bottom of it's depreciation curve, yet has the higher maintenance costs and doesn't have the character, romance or charm of the 308.

First world problems eh?

Is it worth joining the UK owners club to more direct access to privte sellers?


996Type

1,163 posts

180 months

Monday 16th March
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I used an inflation calculator on some old adverts from 2005 and the prices being charged aren’t a million miles away today for the best examples!

Maybe worth a trip to see this in the flesh based on your location, despite the spec requirements etc:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512188...

johnnyreggae

3,158 posts

188 months

Monday 16th March
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FOC is for owners but their classified are public https://www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk/category/small...

I'm not so sure a 360 need be more expensive than a 308 - your current issue is that there are fewer 308/328 GTB relative to GTS so you're seeing that premium - I'd be surprised if more than 10 % of these older cars have full & complete service books handbook & tool sets - what you need to see is the last ten years of bills with a good ppi - dealers/vendors will never do the prep til a car is all but sold hoping the buyer won't notice most things & then agree if necessary rather than run the risk of uncovering problems that delays their receiving payment

25th QV

227 posts

80 months

Monday 16th March
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johnnyreggae said:
FOC is for owners but their classified are public https://www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk/category/small...

I'm not so sure a 360 need be more expensive than a 308 - your current issue is that there are fewer 308/328 GTB relative to GTS so you're seeing that premium - I'd be surprised if more than 10 % of these older cars have full & complete service books handbook & tool sets - what you need to see is the last ten years of bills with a good ppi - dealers/vendors will never do the prep til a car is all but sold hoping the buyer won't notice most things & then agree if necessary rather than run the risk of uncovering problems that delays their receiving payment
Thanks - shame it's not a GTB, as I really don't want a GTS. Not a fan of the blue either to be fair, but looks an honest example.

The service history looks a little sparse, or is this typical?

23rd January 2024 Ferrari Independent 45,435 miles (incl cambelt change)
30th August 2016 Ferrari Independent 42,951 miles (incl cambelt change)
4th June 2013 Ferrari Independent 41,538 miles (incl cambelt change)
1st August 2003 Ferrari Independent 39,832 miles (incl cambelt change)
10th August 1998 Ferrari Independent 37,883 miles
12th April 1990 Ferrari Independent 29,704 miles (incl cambelt change)
20th July 1987 Ferrari Dealer 18,427 miles
5th March 1986 Ferrari Dealer 10,527 miles
8th August 1985 Ferrari Dealer 6,172 miles

TTB

14,101 posts

262 months

Tuesday 24th March
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Just jumping in on this thread (hope that's OK with the OP) as I'm also interested in a 308, with the same dilemmas as above. I've seen the ad for the one at NC and it's in my list to look at once my hip replacement is fully healed. Though again it's right at top of my budget.
Unlike the above I'm also considering the GTS as despite its foibles I do like open top.
The yellow and blue cars are awesome as I do like different.

I just wanted to get opinions on this one - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20059799
It seems to have had everything done refresh the whole car, though it's appreciate people's thoughts including on price. The only minor downside is lack of the chin spoiler.

Given the comments from the above cars I think taking 25th QV with me would be even better given his eagle eyes wink

Wombat3

14,926 posts

234 months

Tuesday 24th March
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TTB said:
Just jumping in on this thread (hope that's OK with the OP) as I'm also interested in a 308, with the same dilemmas as above. I've seen the ad for the one at NC and it's in my list to look at once my hip replacement is fully healed. Though again it's right at top of my budget.
Unlike the above I'm also considering the GTS as despite its foibles I do like open top.
The yellow and blue cars are awesome as I do like different.

I just wanted to get opinions on this one - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20059799
It seems to have had everything done refresh the whole car, though it's appreciate people's thoughts including on price. The only minor downside is lack of the chin spoiler.

Given the comments from the above cars I think taking 25th QV with me would be even better given his eagle eyes wink
Carb'd 308s are always going to demand strong money. If its as good as it looks its a rare car that you would try to maintain in original condition as far as you could & that should hold its value

Carbs cars are inherently more fiddly to maintain to keep them running right but by no means impossible - the Bosch injection systems on the later models are pretty much set & forget.

The chin spoilers only belong on a QV & to some extent they are too low and therefore a trip hazzard/pain in the neck to live with !

Fiammetta

437 posts

116 months

Friday 27th March
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I run a 77 - 208 GT Dino & and 94 - 348 SP . Previously had a Testarossa and 360 F1 . This ownership period spans 30 + yrs .
IMHO I think a later 348 either a SP , GTB or GTS is the pick of the threads crop .

348 s have just enough modern feel and power 300 or from 94 320 Hp ( with a whole host of other revisions ) so you can do longer trips , the mechanics are simple unlike the successor 355 s .
They are not physically big cars either 348 s . Quite dainty .

If I was going for 3#8 it would have to be carburettor s . There s something nice and simple as a garden strimmer about carbs . Once set up you forget them . Stuff on the Bosch F1 systems although fairly simple back in the day , fast Fwds 50 yrs and there s latent maintenance and running issues built up you don t find with carbs .



I moved away from newer , went backwards a few steps bcz of the lack of involvement driving with a 360 and you can t do much DIY . With all the nannies doing the back ground work I always felt a passenger holding the steering wheel .

348 has only ABS , that you never notice and a mech LSD , which you do feel dig in , or can be made to feel ..its great .
Crucially being pre 95 the advent of OB1 diagnostics there no CEL s to befuddle about with and fail a MOT .

They have some rudimentary CAT temp lights but these are easy to sort if they happen to play up .

No PAS so delicious steering .

The carbed car the 208GT Dino is really a 60 s come 70 classic with poor HVAC , not so compliant ride , older controls etc etc ..sweet as it is it s a different generation with its tubular chassis ( which flexes a bit ) to the monocoque stiffer 348 - Ferraris first attempt with the mid V8 .

The torque of the 3.4 ( well the later 320 Hp vs ) is far superior and all in all added up the 348 is hugely a far superior car to drive than the earlier 3#8 series cars .



Edited by Fiammetta on Friday 27th March 09:42


Edited by Fiammetta on Friday 27th March 10:18

TTB

14,101 posts

262 months

Saturday 28th March
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Wombat3

14,926 posts

234 months

Saturday 28th March
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TTB said:
That's a 2 valve injection car - well down on power from a carb'd car or a QV. The stitching in the headrests is naff & it looks like its had a bucket of paint poured on it! Looks very shiny indeed, but I'd wonder what was underneath.

TTB

14,101 posts

262 months

Saturday 28th March
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Wombat3 said:
That's a 2 valve injection car - well down on power from a carb'd car or a QV. The stitching in the headrests is naff & it looks like its had a bucket of paint poured on it! Looks very shiny indeed, but I'd wonder what was underneath.
Thank you. I'm still learning about these and the different variations.