advice on 308/328 please
Discussion
I've been thinking seriously about buying a 308/328 for some time now and am starting to feel the money burning a hole in my pocket, but before I go out and buy the first one I see...
...what are the views on lhd 328s as opposed to rhd 308s. The former can be had from £20k, the latter about the same money for a decent private example I think I'm right in saying?...and what are the downsides of a US market 328?
...what are the views on lhd 328s as opposed to rhd 308s. The former can be had from £20k, the latter about the same money for a decent private example I think I'm right in saying?...and what are the downsides of a US market 328?
Calling Nevpugh308 to the information desk! 
I've been toying with the same idea for a long time too, hopefully Jan next year I will begin my search properly.
From what I've found out the 328 is a slightly more modern car (obviously) with more power and possibly ABS (depending on age). The interior is more modern but it will definitely be down to your personal preference.
Body work wise the 308's can suffer rust under the wheelarches, at the bottom of the doors and where the roof meets the rear quarter panel (not sure if that's a clear description).
Engine wise they are all strong, some can suffer from oil leaks, but someone on here (probably nevpugh308) will be able to shed more light on this for you.
LHD shouldn't be a problem, try one, you'll be surprised how quickly you get used to it. As for the US spec 328's, it's possible that they have a lower BHP as sometimes the emission laws lead to this - anyone know details?
The only I (and probably everyone else on here) would say is to get an inspection from a specialist before you buy.
Good luck in your search and I would be very interested to hear how you get on.
From what I've found out the 328 is a slightly more modern car (obviously) with more power and possibly ABS (depending on age). The interior is more modern but it will definitely be down to your personal preference.
Body work wise the 308's can suffer rust under the wheelarches, at the bottom of the doors and where the roof meets the rear quarter panel (not sure if that's a clear description).
Engine wise they are all strong, some can suffer from oil leaks, but someone on here (probably nevpugh308) will be able to shed more light on this for you.
LHD shouldn't be a problem, try one, you'll be surprised how quickly you get used to it. As for the US spec 328's, it's possible that they have a lower BHP as sometimes the emission laws lead to this - anyone know details?
The only I (and probably everyone else on here) would say is to get an inspection from a specialist before you buy.
Good luck in your search and I would be very interested to hear how you get on.
And you had the nerve to call me Tom Selleck? Will it be a GTS with Crema interior and free rides in a brown Hughes 500?
Top call Rubystone. You just *know* the sound will be soooo much better than a flat six (no matter how good they are).
And you'll be unlikely to get one in pink too. Which has to be a godsend for everyone else, if not your goodself.
From a looks perspective it'd be a close call for me, but think the 308 would shave it (if I were small enough to fit). I believe the fibreglass models are worth serious consideration. I understand they're lighter and, obviously, don't rot as much. I also think their vintage means a better version of the QV engine...
Top call Rubystone. You just *know* the sound will be soooo much better than a flat six (no matter how good they are).
And you'll be unlikely to get one in pink too. Which has to be a godsend for everyone else, if not your goodself.
From a looks perspective it'd be a close call for me, but think the 308 would shave it (if I were small enough to fit). I believe the fibreglass models are worth serious consideration. I understand they're lighter and, obviously, don't rot as much. I also think their vintage means a better version of the QV engine...
Hi ! NevPugh308 here, masquerading as Trefor as I dont have internet access at work (booo!) so he's posting for me.
Right, first of all you are right in saying that any LHD Ferrari is MILES cheaper than it's RHD equivalent, in this country anyway. Whether you could live with a LHD is down to personal choice, me I couldn't, but that's just me.
I have a friend with a LHD 328 (from France originally). The 328's have 270bhp (from memory) compared with the 255bhp of my 308 euro carb car. To be honest, on the road it makes no difference, okay my 308 is slightly fettled so it's probably putting out a fraction more than the original figure, but when matched together the cars are pretty much equal (though I can outhandle my mate's 328, even on my 14" XWX's, but that's just coz I've got bigger 'nads than him / less brains
)
Rot wise they're pretty much equal with each other, though as murph says the early 308's were fibreglass. Dont come up too often though, and you wont get a nice one for 20k (premium on the plastic cars)
328s are generally "more modern" in all respects than the 308, esp the carb 308's. Personally I think that's a disadvantage overall. Okay, the good side is that 328's have lighter steering and clutch (which can be murderously heavy on early cars, like mine). But on the downside I much prefer the "clean, original" shape of the 308 before they started tacking spoilers, extra vents and colour coded bits onto it, and I'm really not a fan of the "very 80's" interior of the 328 (e.g. rocker switches). But again that's just personal choice.
Later 328's have 308, but the whole car is so talkative, if you ever lock
the brakes you need a damn good slap !
You only really get oil leaks on garage queens ... use 'em and the seals dont dry out.
Drive both. See if you can live with LHD. Especially with regards to things like toll booths, and more importantly, OVERTAKING !!
If you go to look at anything in the Midlands I'll gladly come along and look with you, as a 2nd pair of eyes.
I'll write more later, when I'm online.
Nev
Right, first of all you are right in saying that any LHD Ferrari is MILES cheaper than it's RHD equivalent, in this country anyway. Whether you could live with a LHD is down to personal choice, me I couldn't, but that's just me.
I have a friend with a LHD 328 (from France originally). The 328's have 270bhp (from memory) compared with the 255bhp of my 308 euro carb car. To be honest, on the road it makes no difference, okay my 308 is slightly fettled so it's probably putting out a fraction more than the original figure, but when matched together the cars are pretty much equal (though I can outhandle my mate's 328, even on my 14" XWX's, but that's just coz I've got bigger 'nads than him / less brains
) Rot wise they're pretty much equal with each other, though as murph says the early 308's were fibreglass. Dont come up too often though, and you wont get a nice one for 20k (premium on the plastic cars)
328s are generally "more modern" in all respects than the 308, esp the carb 308's. Personally I think that's a disadvantage overall. Okay, the good side is that 328's have lighter steering and clutch (which can be murderously heavy on early cars, like mine). But on the downside I much prefer the "clean, original" shape of the 308 before they started tacking spoilers, extra vents and colour coded bits onto it, and I'm really not a fan of the "very 80's" interior of the 328 (e.g. rocker switches). But again that's just personal choice.
Later 328's have 308, but the whole car is so talkative, if you ever lock
the brakes you need a damn good slap !
You only really get oil leaks on garage queens ... use 'em and the seals dont dry out.
Drive both. See if you can live with LHD. Especially with regards to things like toll booths, and more importantly, OVERTAKING !!
If you go to look at anything in the Midlands I'll gladly come along and look with you, as a 2nd pair of eyes.
I'll write more later, when I'm online.
Nev
Nev again:
Also, just noticed murph7355's comment; the fibreglass cars were only the first 750 or so cars, and thus were the carb equipped engines, not the QV engines (4 valve) which came much later in an attempt to regain some of the power losses that came about by removing the carbs and putting injection on.
Roughly (again from memory) :
308 carb : 255 bhp
308i : 215 bhp
308iQV : 240 bhp
The USA versions having the same power, but more weight (stonking great federal bumpers for example !!!)
Also, just noticed murph7355's comment; the fibreglass cars were only the first 750 or so cars, and thus were the carb equipped engines, not the QV engines (4 valve) which came much later in an attempt to regain some of the power losses that came about by removing the carbs and putting injection on.
Roughly (again from memory) :
308 carb : 255 bhp
308i : 215 bhp
308iQV : 240 bhp
The USA versions having the same power, but more weight (stonking great federal bumpers for example !!!)
hey guys
a pal of mine has an excellent example for sale
www.slut-racing.co.uk/328-images.htm
it's worth a look!!
a pal of mine has an excellent example for sale
www.slut-racing.co.uk/328-images.htm
it's worth a look!!
It's me, really me this time
Search the forum about buying 308's, this has been brought up here before. Also search the net, there's some good buyers guides out there, and my attempt at a buyers guide is here www.fugazi.co.uk/308/buyersguide.htm
Is there anything in particular you wanna know ?
Search the forum about buying 308's, this has been brought up here before. Also search the net, there's some good buyers guides out there, and my attempt at a buyers guide is here www.fugazi.co.uk/308/buyersguide.htm
Is there anything in particular you wanna know ?
Personally I prefer the carb 308 rhd... I tried a lhd 328 and several injection 308s before settling on the carb....never had any problems with it and it still drives beautifully and looks fantastic (without the plasticy rocker switches).... up until the point a bus drove over it!!
Which brings me on to a bit of a question....has anyone had much experience of trying to persuade insurance companies of what is a fair price for a Ferrari?
And if anyone knows of any rhd carb 308s in good condition for sale it would be appreciated.
Which brings me on to a bit of a question....has anyone had much experience of trying to persuade insurance companies of what is a fair price for a Ferrari?
And if anyone knows of any rhd carb 308s in good condition for sale it would be appreciated.
Murph, there's only one combination, as you know - you have a 355 with it!
I've seen a couple of fibreglass cars about for £21 - £23k and I haven't really compared interiors between 328 & 308.
Nev, you truly are a mine of useful information, many thanks! All I have to do now is to digest it all!
Alfa Male - your friend's car looks nice, any indication on price and spec?
I've seen a couple of fibreglass cars about for £21 - £23k and I haven't really compared interiors between 328 & 308.
Nev, you truly are a mine of useful information, many thanks! All I have to do now is to digest it all!
Alfa Male - your friend's car looks nice, any indication on price and spec?
rikg : sorry to hear about the bus 
can't really offer any advice, this is why I have agreed value (with engineers report) beforehand. I guess that's one thing you could do, get a f-car expert / engineer to go and assess the damaged car, and come up with a pre-accident price assessment.
rubystone : I must admit, there is something deeply satisfying about the carbs to a petrolhead (and hence why I went for a carb car) .... the look of the thing when you open the bonnet, the suck of those carbs in your right lug hole when you are caning it ...
can't really offer any advice, this is why I have agreed value (with engineers report) beforehand. I guess that's one thing you could do, get a f-car expert / engineer to go and assess the damaged car, and come up with a pre-accident price assessment. rubystone : I must admit, there is something deeply satisfying about the carbs to a petrolhead (and hence why I went for a carb car) .... the look of the thing when you open the bonnet, the suck of those carbs in your right lug hole when you are caning it ...
Not wanting to threadjack, but you weren't wrong Rik about that bus were you ! That's an utter crying shame mate
www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/112/325993.html?1065631764
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