Why we love the Ferrari 308!
Discussion
Colleen says it all really!
https://youtu.be/5QhEhS5jY6I
That car looks stunning in Azzurro Metallizzato. How many hours to refurbish the campagnolo wheels? Doesn't seem a bad price for what appears to be a very high standard of restoration.
Have to agree with her comments about the way these cars drive. Proof indeed you don't need 800hp to enjoy one of the most charismatic and engaging drives you could ever wish for.
https://youtu.be/5QhEhS5jY6I
That car looks stunning in Azzurro Metallizzato. How many hours to refurbish the campagnolo wheels? Doesn't seem a bad price for what appears to be a very high standard of restoration.
Have to agree with her comments about the way these cars drive. Proof indeed you don't need 800hp to enjoy one of the most charismatic and engaging drives you could ever wish for.
I agree I think the 308 is both under rated and under valued. The comparison with the Carrera 3.2 is an interesting one. I own one as well as a QV and my experience might reflect why so many opt for the Porsche.
Back in 2012 when all these cars were still relatively affordable I was considering a choice between a 308, the 911 and a Maserati Merak. I owned a 996 GT3 at the time but wanted to add a classic. I test drove a 308 GTB QV first at Rardley Motors. I noted the tactile open gate shift and supple ride quality but the car felt very slow during the test drive. In hindsight I was far too cautious with the throttle and these cars need to be revved. Also, on closer inspection of that particular car I noticed corrosion around the doors etc. which seemed to confirm my prejudices about Italian build quality. The car looked nice but I was put off the idea.
A few months later I tested the 911 Carrera 3.2. It immediately felt better built, seemingly hewn from a block of granite! No sign of any rust (although we know they do!), but crucially it felt a lot faster. So I bought it. Didn't even look at the Maserati
8 years later and the 308 scratch was itching again. I recalled the tactility and reread contemporary Road tests. Surely it was as quick as the 911? The test reports said so! The 308 usually won the comparison too. I tested both a carb GTS and a GTB QV. This time I really wanted to be more thorough with the test drives by properly using the rev range through the gears. I wasn't disappointed. I ended up choosing the QV as it was the better car overall.
So having both the 911 and the 308 in the garage makes for a constantly interesting comparison. For reliability and running costs it might still be early days for the Ferrari, however during the last 18 months or so it's been extremely reliable and just had its first service at less than £500! No, it still doesn't FEEL as solid as the 911 but is by no means bad at all. Actually I think the cabin has a nice expensive period ambience to it. Indeed the cabin is no comparison. I think the 308 has one of the nicest cabins of any car ever made!
So in summary I think the 911 has a massive cult following by people who would never consider a Ferrari, perhaps thinking them too flash. Add to that perceptions of poor build and high running costs. Yet, if they were to try a 308 they might be pleasantly surprised. It really is a car that is as good to drive as it is nice to look at.
Back in 2012 when all these cars were still relatively affordable I was considering a choice between a 308, the 911 and a Maserati Merak. I owned a 996 GT3 at the time but wanted to add a classic. I test drove a 308 GTB QV first at Rardley Motors. I noted the tactile open gate shift and supple ride quality but the car felt very slow during the test drive. In hindsight I was far too cautious with the throttle and these cars need to be revved. Also, on closer inspection of that particular car I noticed corrosion around the doors etc. which seemed to confirm my prejudices about Italian build quality. The car looked nice but I was put off the idea.
A few months later I tested the 911 Carrera 3.2. It immediately felt better built, seemingly hewn from a block of granite! No sign of any rust (although we know they do!), but crucially it felt a lot faster. So I bought it. Didn't even look at the Maserati
8 years later and the 308 scratch was itching again. I recalled the tactility and reread contemporary Road tests. Surely it was as quick as the 911? The test reports said so! The 308 usually won the comparison too. I tested both a carb GTS and a GTB QV. This time I really wanted to be more thorough with the test drives by properly using the rev range through the gears. I wasn't disappointed. I ended up choosing the QV as it was the better car overall.
So having both the 911 and the 308 in the garage makes for a constantly interesting comparison. For reliability and running costs it might still be early days for the Ferrari, however during the last 18 months or so it's been extremely reliable and just had its first service at less than £500! No, it still doesn't FEEL as solid as the 911 but is by no means bad at all. Actually I think the cabin has a nice expensive period ambience to it. Indeed the cabin is no comparison. I think the 308 has one of the nicest cabins of any car ever made!
So in summary I think the 911 has a massive cult following by people who would never consider a Ferrari, perhaps thinking them too flash. Add to that perceptions of poor build and high running costs. Yet, if they were to try a 308 they might be pleasantly surprised. It really is a car that is as good to drive as it is nice to look at.
I hear one or two are hill climbing 308s in the FOC with very little modification. Personally wouldn't risk mine however I did take it up Prescott a few weeks back at the Ferrari/TVR meet. It was wet and I'm still on old TRX's!! 
It wasn't a competitive event but nevertheless great fun.
It wasn't a competitive event but nevertheless great fun. If you like 308s you'll love these!
https://youtu.be/XN9raltBXw0
These guys really should get more YT views as good informative content
https://youtu.be/XN9raltBXw0
These guys really should get more YT views as good informative content
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