Realistic? Owning a 308?
Discussion
After two years I'm selling the Chimaera.
I'm quite happy to run around in the eurobox until I make up my mind (which seems to change more frequently than my skiddies) but I'm leaning toward a 308.
This is convenient because it has classic looks (which I like) and could possibly be one of the cheaper models available (which I also like).
I'm not in a position to be paying a specialist £90 an hour labour. In fact my TVR ownership has relied heavily upon me doing most of my own work so I'm hoping a 308 could be looked after the same way. I know it won't have the same performance as the Chimaera but well, been there done that and pleasantly surprised I've not accrued at least half a dozen licence points in the meantime.
So am I living in lah-lah land or is 308 ownership on a shoestring feasible?
I'm quite happy to run around in the eurobox until I make up my mind (which seems to change more frequently than my skiddies) but I'm leaning toward a 308.
This is convenient because it has classic looks (which I like) and could possibly be one of the cheaper models available (which I also like).
I'm not in a position to be paying a specialist £90 an hour labour. In fact my TVR ownership has relied heavily upon me doing most of my own work so I'm hoping a 308 could be looked after the same way. I know it won't have the same performance as the Chimaera but well, been there done that and pleasantly surprised I've not accrued at least half a dozen licence points in the meantime.
So am I living in lah-lah land or is 308 ownership on a shoestring feasible?
308 is a great entry level Ferrari, but are now becoming difficult to find a nice one-but they are out there if you look hard enough. There are quite a few 308 owners on www.fcars.co.uk and Dave aka A308MAN (He does post on here too) is your man for 308 advice.
You can maintain these cars yourself if you are handy with the spanners (I even do stuff on my Testarossa), Parts are easily available and most companies like Verdi and the like do fix servicing at very sensible prices. Just go for it, you won't regret it.
Edited for poor spelling
You can maintain these cars yourself if you are handy with the spanners (I even do stuff on my Testarossa), Parts are easily available and most companies like Verdi and the like do fix servicing at very sensible prices. Just go for it, you won't regret it.
Edited for poor spelling
Edited by yellowtr on Thursday 31st August 23:43
Had a Chimp and various Wedges over the last few years but also wanted a change. Started looking for a 308 GTS last summer and after 6 months and many cars ended up with a blue 328GTS(don't like red). Although I prefered the 308 interior, all chrome rocker switches etc, was assured by the very nice people at Verdi's that the 328 is a better car in all respects. I drive it as often as possible and it has 47K on the clock and runs great. In fact has not missed a beat, which is more that can be said for my BMW and mate's AMG Merc, even being canned to Le Mans and back. All for £360 a year insurance. Do a bit of maintainance myself and use independents as I did for the TVR. Wouldn't change it, well not yet.
Hi Paul.
Check out this link for parts. These guys have an excellent rep. and the prices are about as good as they get.
www.superformance.co.uk/308.htm
I say do it (especially as it sounds like you can tackle most jobs yourself), but as has already been said, do your research and take your time.
Check out this link for parts. These guys have an excellent rep. and the prices are about as good as they get.
www.superformance.co.uk/308.htm
I say do it (especially as it sounds like you can tackle most jobs yourself), but as has already been said, do your research and take your time.
chrisx666 said:
Hi Paul.
Check out this link for parts. These guys have an excellent rep. and the prices are about as good as they get.
www.superformance.co.uk/308.htm
Check out this link for parts. These guys have an excellent rep. and the prices are about as good as they get.
www.superformance.co.uk/308.htm
Not wrong there, Chris - Superformance have recently dug me out of a hole. I'm a big fan.
Practically every 308 question ever asked can be found by searching this link: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/forumdis
Paul - get a good 308 and you will not break the bank. If you are patient much of the work can be done by yourself (so I am told, I have only been brave enough to tackle minor jobs)
Edited by Andy 308GTB on Friday 1st September 22:53
Edited by Andy 308GTB on Friday 1st September 22:54
I went from a Griff 500 to a Ferrari 328.
I did the brakes, fluids, filters, plugs and changed the silencer myself as soon as I bought the Ferrari.
All the bits came from Eurospares.
I paid my tame mechanic £160 to change the cambelts, because I didn't have the confidence to do it myself. Having watched him do the job, it really isn't that difficult.
I supplied him with the cambelt tensioner bearings and belts and he did the rest. The belts only cost about £10 each and the job is miles more straightforward than swapping the cambelt on an Esprit.
I would say that a 308 or 328 is really is no more challenging than a TVR to service. It is certainly more expensive, but not ridiculously so.
I've no regrets.
I did the brakes, fluids, filters, plugs and changed the silencer myself as soon as I bought the Ferrari.
All the bits came from Eurospares.
I paid my tame mechanic £160 to change the cambelts, because I didn't have the confidence to do it myself. Having watched him do the job, it really isn't that difficult.
I supplied him with the cambelt tensioner bearings and belts and he did the rest. The belts only cost about £10 each and the job is miles more straightforward than swapping the cambelt on an Esprit.
I would say that a 308 or 328 is really is no more challenging than a TVR to service. It is certainly more expensive, but not ridiculously so.
I've no regrets.
I'm also looking at buying my first Ferrari. Its a 83my 308 GTS QV with 70k miles on the clock.
Like Flintsone I'm also on a lower budget and looking to do much of the work myself (I'm an engineer).
Although there are some jobs I wont take on like engine rebuilds.
Thanks for the comments and links guys as its removed many of my fears about this car being out of my budget to run. Even the insurance isn't that bad.
Cheers!
Stanza.
Like Flintsone I'm also on a lower budget and looking to do much of the work myself (I'm an engineer).
Although there are some jobs I wont take on like engine rebuilds.
Thanks for the comments and links guys as its removed many of my fears about this car being out of my budget to run. Even the insurance isn't that bad.
Cheers!
Stanza.
Mmmm, reading this post with interest, what are people's opinion of this 308 currently on eBay:
1981 FERRARI RED
1981 FERRARI RED
As POORCARDEALER says, parts can be expensive, but the cars are not inherently complicated...if you have the time to do the work yourself...which I don't...then the bills can easily mount up as your specialist sorts out those minor electrical glitches, the slow windows, the non-functioning switch or two....and a lot of parts just aren't available - eg switchgear, trim parts....for instance I was quoted £2500 for a wiper stalk!!!!!
Do bear in mind that if you do service the car yourself, the next buyer may turn his nose up for the lack of service history.
That 1981 car is a 2 valve injection model. 308s are not superfast to begin with and the 2 valve injection was a dog slow car and used values reflect that fact. But if you just want the car for its looks, I'd buy on condition if I were you, but bear in mind that the car won't necessarily appreciate.
In my opinion, you must have the car checked out by a specialist. Even when buying from a specialist, have another one come and check it out for you...preferably one that isn't a mate of the one who's selling it to you.
...and watch out for a tarted up car - I saw a lot of these when looking for mine
Do bear in mind that if you do service the car yourself, the next buyer may turn his nose up for the lack of service history.
That 1981 car is a 2 valve injection model. 308s are not superfast to begin with and the 2 valve injection was a dog slow car and used values reflect that fact. But if you just want the car for its looks, I'd buy on condition if I were you, but bear in mind that the car won't necessarily appreciate.
In my opinion, you must have the car checked out by a specialist. Even when buying from a specialist, have another one come and check it out for you...preferably one that isn't a mate of the one who's selling it to you.
...and watch out for a tarted up car - I saw a lot of these when looking for mine
rubystone said:
As POORCARDEALER says, parts can be expensive, but the cars are not inherently complicated...if you have the time to do the work yourself...which I don't...then the bills can easily mount up as your specialist sorts out those minor electrical glitches, the slow windows, the non-functioning switch or two....and a lot of parts just aren't available - eg switchgear, trim parts....for instance I was quoted £2500 for a wiper stalk!!!!!
Do bear in mind that if you do service the car yourself, the next buyer may turn his nose up for the lack of service history.
That 1981 car is a 2 valve injection model. 308s are not superfast to begin with and the 2 valve injection was a dog slow car and used values reflect that fact. But if you just want the car for its looks, I'd buy on condition if I were you, but bear in mind that the car won't necessarily appreciate.
In my opinion, you must have the car checked out by a specialist. Even when buying from a specialist, have another one come and check it out for you...preferably one that isn't a mate of the one who's selling it to you.
...and watch out for a tarted up car - I saw a lot of these when looking for mine
Do bear in mind that if you do service the car yourself, the next buyer may turn his nose up for the lack of service history.
That 1981 car is a 2 valve injection model. 308s are not superfast to begin with and the 2 valve injection was a dog slow car and used values reflect that fact. But if you just want the car for its looks, I'd buy on condition if I were you, but bear in mind that the car won't necessarily appreciate.
In my opinion, you must have the car checked out by a specialist. Even when buying from a specialist, have another one come and check it out for you...preferably one that isn't a mate of the one who's selling it to you.
...and watch out for a tarted up car - I saw a lot of these when looking for mine
Totally agree with everything posted here.
The ridiculous price of wiper stalks has been discussed before but is not indicative of spares prices in general. I am not saying parts are cheap but the wiper stalks are extreme. Some parts are becoming harder to get hold of but most can be refurbished or sourced with a little research. A post on fcars or fchat (hows that for being impartial) will generally hook you up with someone who has resolved the very problem that you have.
I have had mine for nearly 9 years, it has never let me down and I still get a lot of pleasure from it.
seasider said:
andy 308gtb said:
I have had mine for nearly 9 years,
Hi,
No, I am a Billericay Dickie. I have frequented Southend since I was a nipper but the 308 has never experienced the joys of the 'Golden Mile',
I hope to be at Nevetas's Essex meet at Rettendon this month.
Edited by Andy 308GTB on Thursday 5th October 12:51
andy 308gtb said:
seasider said:
andy 308gtb said:
I have had mine for nearly 9 years,
Hi,
No, I am a Billericay Dickie. I have frequented Southend since I was a nipper but the 308 has never experienced the joys of the 'Golden Mile',
I hope to be at Nevetas's Essex meet at Rettendon this month.
Just wondered as a GTB lives round the corner from me..
Rettendon meet ??
seasider said:
andy 308gtb said:
seasider said:
andy 308gtb said:
I have had mine for nearly 9 years,
Hi,
No, I am a Billericay Dickie. I have frequented Southend since I was a nipper but the 308 has never experienced the joys of the 'Golden Mile',
I hope to be at Nevetas's Essex meet at Rettendon this month.
Just wondered as a GTB lives round the corner from me..
Rettendon meet ??
www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=312438&f=124&h=0
Sorry for the hijack folks
Andy 308GTB said:
Yep sorry for hijack last post for me
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