Ferrari 308,328 or 348?

[ettore]

DeejRC said:

My answer would simply be: buy something else!
Don t get me wrong, buying my 308 was an 80s boy dream come true. Yes, it s had a not insignificant impact on physically crippling me for life, but that s almost not the point. I absolutely get it. I bought mine at £27k though, the idea of spending £80k now - especially knowing what I do after owning and driving one - is pure insanity. There are just vastly vastly better donkeys available for £80-90k.

I’ve had both a 308 (early) and a 328 (late) and have managed not to cripple myself.

They’re great sports cars of their time that have the benefit of looking fabulous. Original service book irrelevant - recent paperwork essential!

[25th QV]

ettore said:

I ve had both a 308 (early) and a 328 (late) and have managed not to cripple myself.

They re great sports cars of their time that have the benefit of looking fabulous. Original service book irrelevant - recent paperwork essential!

I'd happily have a 328, but they seem to be even more rare in GTB format.

How did you find them to own and drive?

The 308 is the one that naturally speaks to me more, if I'm honest.

I know the price is eye watering these days, but as long as I can get in and out in a few years time without a heavy loss, the entry price is more of a deposit that a one way spend in my eyes.

[ettore]

25th QV said:

ettore said:

I ve had both a 308 (early) and a 328 (late) and have managed not to cripple myself.

They re great sports cars of their time that have the benefit of looking fabulous. Original service book irrelevant - recent paperwork essential!

I'd happily have a 328, but they seem to be even more rare in GTB format.

How did you find them to own and drive?

The 308 is the one that naturally speaks to me more, if I'm honest.

I know the price is eye watering these days, but as long as I can get in and out in a few years time without a heavy loss, the entry price is more of a deposit that a one way spend in my eyes.

I liked both, and owned them concurrently so could compare. My 308 was a fibreglass GTB which I gently returned to standard (small wheels, no spoiler etc.) whilst the 328 was a late ABS GTS. They actually drive remarkably similarly although the 308 felt a bit faster and the 328 had a bit more grip. Both were fluid and fluent cars that ride perfectly well, handle neatly and, with the revs kept up can make decent, swift transit. Both were also reliable, relatively sensible to keep on top of ,and didn't cause much angst.

Key differences:

+ 308: sounded better (with carbs), looked better (with smaller wheels) + cooler interior with lovely toggle switches/great dials
+ 328: smoother/easier to keep in tune (engine management), surefooted (better grip/brakes) and a certain 80's vibe.

The fixtures and fittings on the later car seemed a little more fragile and you need to make sure you fit properly. Leg room is generally fine but they're actually very low and headroom can be restrictive if you are long of torso. I found the GTB to be better but the prevailing view seems to be the other way round!

I also had a 3.2 Carrera at the same time (still have that) which was an interesting contrast, both better and worse!

[25th QV]

ettore said:

I liked both, and owned them concurrently so could compare. My 308 was a fibreglass GTB which I gently returned to standard (small wheels, no spoiler etc.) whilst the 328 was a late ABS GTS. They actually drive remarkably similarly although the 308 felt a bit faster and the 328 had a bit more grip. Both were fluid and fluent cars that ride perfectly well, handle neatly and, with the revs kept up can make decent, swift transit. Both were also reliable, relatively sensible to keep on top of ,and didn't cause much angst.

Key differences:

+ 308: sounded better (with carbs), looked better (with smaller wheels) + cooler interior with lovely toggle switches/great dials
+ 328: smoother/easier to keep in tune (engine management), surefooted (better grip/brakes) and a certain 80's vibe.

The fixtures and fittings on the later car seemed a little more fragile and you need to make sure you fit properly. Leg room is generally fine but they're actually very low and headroom can be restrictive if you are long of torso. I found the GTB to be better but the prevailing view seems to be the other way round!

I also had a 3.2 Carrera at the same time (still have that) which was an interesting contrast, both better and worse!

Thanks. I did notice the cabin was a little tight when I first sat in one, but I managed to get the seat in a sensible position where I could operate the controls without too much self awareness. I'm 6'4" but tend to have the seat further forward and the backrest reclined and it worked out okay. Back in the day when they were rock bottom values, I owned a Countach which WAS cramped, but the sense of occasion and theatre of driving it made any discomfort irrelevant. I wanted it that badly that I was going to fit no matter what. Zero regrets.

[25th QV]

Foskers kindly sent me though some close up videos of the car and I must say, their service and approach has been superb. On closer inspection, there are a couple of areas where bubbling beneath the paint is beginning to show which means it's not the right starting point for me. I'm sure it's a decent car, but I'd be forever worried about what was underneath the paint waiting to tap me on the shoulder.

[NeilTB]

OP: If you haven’t already, I’d recommend a chat with your namesake (QV London) - they know these cars inside out

[ettore]

NeilTB said:

OP: If you haven t already, I d recommend a chat with your namesake (QV London) - they know these cars inside out

Yes, in Windsor, they’re very good.

[ettore]

25th QV said:

Foskers kindly sent me though some close up videos of the car and I must say, their service and approach has been superb. On closer inspection, there are a couple of areas where bubbling beneath the paint is beginning to show which means it's not the right starting point for me. I'm sure it's a decent car, but I'd be forever worried about what was underneath the paint waiting to tap me on the shoulder.

Whereabouts is the bubbling?

[25th QV]

ettore said:

Whereabouts is the bubbling?

Lower front quarter panel, front wing and door.
Small, but there, and indicative of returning rust.
There was also a material amount of over spray around the radiator support.
I didn't like the look of the rear wheel arch return flanges, which looked 'thick', rather than crisp and precise.
I know most of these will have had some degree of paint and body work, but from the 308's I've seen so far, the standard has been eye openingly low for such a pedigree of car.

[Wombat3]

25th QV said:

ettore said:

Whereabouts is the bubbling?

Lower front quarter panel, front wing and door.
Small, but there, and indicative of returning rust.
There was also a material amount of over spray around the radiator support.
I didn't like the look of the rear wheel arch return flanges, which looked 'thick', rather than crisp and precise.
I know most of these will have had some degree of paint and body work, but from the 308's I've seen so far, the standard has been eye openingly low for such a pedigree of car.

You have to remember that for a long time they were not worth spending serious money on & therefore you are going to come across some questionable work on some of them because it was done to a budget,

[25th QV]

Wombat3 said:

You have to remember that for a long time they were not worth spending serious money on & therefore you are going to come across some questionable work on some of them because it was done to a budget,

100%. I just need to find one that has escaped that, or managed to have been done properly. Or has a photographic record of high quality repair to lessen the risk.

[Wombat3]

25th QV said:

Wombat3 said:

You have to remember that for a long time they were not worth spending serious money on & therefore you are going to come across some questionable work on some of them because it was done to a budget,

100%. I just need to find one that has escaped that, or managed to have been done properly. Or has a photographic record of high quality repair to lessen the risk.

I think 308s are always going to be more prone to corrosion anyway because of the way they were built / treated. Things improved with the 328 quite a lot.

The price spread on them has never been wider now & that reflects condition & mileage. There is a Unicorn 1200 mile 328 GTB up for sale at close to £200k at a dealers just now. Whereas you could probably pick up a 70/ 80k mile car for about £60k

No idea why anyone would buy the first one unless you just want to look at it!

[sparta6]

Wombat3 said:

25th QV said:

ettore said:

Whereabouts is the bubbling?

Lower front quarter panel, front wing and door.
Small, but there, and indicative of returning rust.
There was also a material amount of over spray around the radiator support.
I didn't like the look of the rear wheel arch return flanges, which looked 'thick', rather than crisp and precise.
I know most of these will have had some degree of paint and body work, but from the 308's I've seen so far, the standard has been eye openingly low for such a pedigree of car.

You have to remember that for a long time they were not worth spending serious money on & therefore you are going to come across some questionable work on some of them because it was done to a budget,

^^this^^

There were plenty of cheapskate owners who were on Fiesta maintenance budgets.

[25th QV]

Am I right in believing that these seldom come up for sale privately?

It feels like the number of cars on the market is few and very slow to turn over.

[ettore]

I think it’s increasingly true across the whole classic car marketplace: dealers, brokers and auctions have taken the place of the private seller.

The exception is within the various owners clubs where plenty of trading happens. Ferrari OC could be a source.

[johnnyreggae]

There were only something like 350 rhd steel gtb across carb/i/qv - take into account time other markets and your preferences that means a very very few of any remaining vehicles will be on the market at any given time

[NeilTB]

OP: Probably worth picking up the ‘phone to a few independent dealers / garages who will know where good examples are that might be available (ie Furlonger / Rardley / WalkerSport / QV / Nick Cartwright, etc)

[4rephill]

25th QV said:

Am I right in believing that these seldom come up for sale privately?

It feels like the number of cars on the market is few and very slow to turn over.

ettore said:

I think it s increasingly true across the whole classic car marketplace: dealers, brokers and auctions have taken the place of the private seller.

The exception is within the various owners clubs where plenty of trading happens. Ferrari OC could be a source.

One of the problems for private sellers of Ferrari's, Lamborghini's and such like, is dealing with timewasters who just want to have a drive in the car, with zero interest of actually buying it.

Then you've got to spend days waiting for prospective buyers to turn up (never a guarantee!), listen to them trying to claim a £500 issue should knock £5000 of the price, listen to them tell you that the market's dropped in recent months and you've over-priced the car by £10K~£15K etc., etc., etc.

It's far easier to sell the cars on consignment with a reputable dealer, and let them weed out the timewasters/dreamers, wait for prospective buyers to turn up, bat away the "knock five grand off for that fault!" statements and such like.

A lot of prospective buyers also feel better buying from a specialist dealer too, because they know the car will have been at least checked over by the dealer, who (hopefully]) will not want to risk their reputation by selling cars with serious issues.

And even with dealers taking their commision on sales, they can often still get the seller more money than if the car was sold privately.

[sparta6]

NeilTB said:

OP: Probably worth picking up the phone to a few independent dealers / garages who will know where good examples are that might be available (ie Furlonger / Rardley / WalkerSport / QV / Nick Cartwright, etc)

all good choices

[Wombat3]

sparta6 said:

NeilTB said:

OP: Probably worth picking up the phone to a few independent dealers / garages who will know where good examples are that might be available (ie Furlonger / Rardley / WalkerSport / QV / Nick Cartwright, etc)

all good choices

QV dont really sell cars, but a good place for a PPI.

Add KHPC to that list as well