Opinions on the 308

Like it says, I need some opinions.. with some facts about the 308.

lol...

Opinion:

:vom: :repuke

 

Fact:

:jack

Thats what I was thinking, I have a guy trying to tell me they are good cars.

 

What about with the QV package?

Thats what I was thinking, I have a guy trying to tell me they are good cars.

 

Is it THIS guy by any chance?

get a LAMBO!

For about the price of the 308 you can get many better cars either classic or recent ones:first gen Vipers, S/H 911s RX7s....I can t see any other reason to get a 308 except just to say "hey i have a ferrari" ( :joff )

isnt the jalpa in the same price class?

For a Jalpa in a nice shape its at least 40K$.308s are cheaper

 

 

 

http://www.qv500.com/ferrari308mr.php

http://www.qv500.com/lamborghinijalpamr.php

 

308s starts at a lower price than Jalpas

Overpriced and overated!.

Maybe. It's still a pretty car though.

I don't agree with these anti-308 sentiments.

 

For the most part the criticism of the 308 is that it's a Ferrari that isn't fast by modern standards. As such, perception on this board is that it's horrible, and not worth owning.

 

What is the REALITY of the 308?? It's a cool car that does many things well, as opposed to being a specialist. For $30,000 you can have a mid-engined exotic that looks great, sounds great, fun to drive (in the tactile manner), and handles well. With a change to modern tires and modern Konis, you'll have handling that isn't 1976...

 

A 308 isn't god's gift to performance, but it's a standout car that offers thrills that can't be measured with a stopwatch. For pure acceleration and lateral grip thrills, for sure get Vipers , Vettes, RX7s, and newer 911s!

 

As far as what I recommend, I prefer GTBs over GTSs for looks. If you can get a nice carb car ('76-'80), preferably euro spec, that's what is most fun. A QV is more reliable, and offers similar performance, but is fuel injected. The jury is out on fiberglass cars, which are lighter, but not light enough maybe to justify their premium market prices.

 

The Jalpa is a cool car too, but not as attractive IMHO. Makes up for it in rarity, a bigger motor, and a nice sound.

Id rather buy a Jalpa because atleast its worth the money.

Id rather buy a Jalpa because atleast its worth the money.

 

Gotta love how one can write a well thought out post with facts and reasonable opinions, only to be rebutted with such comments above.

 

I'd love to hear why Jalpas are worth the money, and 308s aren't?? Just curious.

 

I could very easily give the answer to that, but would like to hear what Mr. Detomasso Pantera has to say.

 

:?:

Like it says, I need some opinions.. with some facts about the 308.

 

-James Miller

James

That's better than pancakes.

I don't agree with these anti-308 sentiments.

 

For the most part the criticism of the 308 is that it's a Ferrari that isn't fast by modern standards. As such, perception on this board is that it's horrible, and not worth owning.

 

What is the REALITY of the 308?? It's a cool car that does many things well, as opposed to being a specialist. For $30,000 you can have a mid-engined exotic that looks great, sounds great, fun to drive (in the tactile manner), and handles well. With a change to modern tires and modern Konis, you'll have handling that isn't 1976...

 

A 308 isn't god's gift to performance, but it's a standout car that offers thrills that can't be measured with a stopwatch. For pure acceleration and lateral grip thrills, for sure get Vipers , Vettes, RX7s, and newer 911s!

 

As far as what I recommend, I prefer GTBs over GTSs for looks. If you can get a nice carb car ('76-'80), preferably euro spec, that's what is most fun. A QV is more reliable, and offers similar performance, but is fuel injected. The jury is out on fiberglass cars, which are lighter, but not light enough maybe to justify their premium market prices.

 

The Jalpa is a cool car too, but not as attractive IMHO. Makes up for it in rarity, a bigger motor, and a nice sound.

 

Excelent post.

I agree with you, 308s are not a bad car. I have never been in one, but I have seen one and it looks really nice.

I don't think i would ever buy one however.

 

As far as rather having a Jalpa, so would I, but you can't compare the 2. They aren't in the same price range. If you were to look at a 328 vs Jalpa, thats more of the same price range. There you would be deciding wich car would be better for you.

I have ridden in a 328 and i was very surprised at the performance. I think i would still rather have a Jalpa over it, simply because I am a hardcore Lambo fan. But I have always been one to give respect where respect is due, regardless of my personal opinions.

I don't agree with these anti-308 sentiments.

 

For the most part the criticism of the 308 is that it's a Ferrari that isn't fast by modern standards. As such, perception on this board is that it's horrible, and not worth owning.

 

What is the REALITY of the 308?? It's a cool car that does many things well, as opposed to being a specialist. For $30,000 you can have a mid-engined exotic that looks great, sounds great, fun to drive (in the tactile manner), and handles well. With a change to modern tires and modern Konis, you'll have handling that isn't 1976...

 

A 308 isn't god's gift to performance, but it's a standout car that offers thrills that can't be measured with a stopwatch. For pure acceleration and lateral grip thrills, for sure get Vipers , Vettes, RX7s, and newer 911s!

 

As far as what I recommend, I prefer GTBs over GTSs for looks. If you can get a nice carb car ('76-'80), preferably euro spec, that's what is most fun. A QV is more reliable, and offers similar performance, but is fuel injected. The jury is out on fiberglass cars, which are lighter, but not light enough maybe to justify their premium market prices.

 

The Jalpa is a cool car too, but not as attractive IMHO. Makes up for it in rarity, a bigger motor, and a nice sound.

 

Excelent post.

I agree with you, 308s are not a bad car. I have never been in one, but I have seen one and it looks really nice.

I don't think i would ever buy one however.

 

As far as rather having a Jalpa, so would I, but you can't compare the 2. They aren't in the same price range. If you were to look at a 328 vs Jalpa, thats more of the same price range. There you would be deciding wich car would be better for you.

I have ridden in a 328 and i was very surprised at the performance. I think i would still rather have a Jalpa over it, simply because I am a hardcore Lambo fan. But I have always been one to give respect where respect is due, regardless of my personal opinions.

 

Well said Kerbie. People forget pricing and value when they look at certain F cars. They're all F cars, and give you the same thrills , it's just that some offer better performance than others.

 

When you buy a Ferrari or Lamborghini, you're really buying that aura of that car more than the performance. It's those elements which give these cars better staying power than the alternatives, even if the other cars are faster, handle better, etc.

Kerbie has never driven one, he has no clue how those POS cars handle or drive.

 

I have, and they are complete garbage. And no, it's not "bias" or some other nonsense, when I drove the 308 I literally laughed out loud at how slow, unresponsive, boring, and most of all, how POORLY it handled.

 

It felt sloppy and numb, not anything like the glowing compliments people are throwing around in this thread. The car is not a Lotus Esprit, don't be thinking you're going to get anything like a 1990s+ car in terms of handling prowess.

 

Total garbage, and anyone who believes otherwise needs to put down the Ferrari crack pipe. For $35k, instead go right now and buy a used Acura NSX, which is a MUCH more fulfilling experience, even sound-wise, and save up enough money until you can get a real F or L car. Don't even think it about some pos 308.

 

I held my tongue for a bit in this thread, but enough is enough. Get your heads out of your asses people. Put a Ford badge on that 308 and none of you, f-ing NONE of you singing its praises would even look at it. That says it all.

Just curious, what year and model 308 did you drive Mako? A '80-82 GTSi, American spec, is something even I would scoff at...the only dog slower than this is a MOndial 8.

 

A '76 or '77 GTB, euro spec, with the carbs running right, with Yoko AVS 16" tires is literally in a different league from the first example. Maybe not modern day championship handling, but enough to be fun, IMHO.

 

BTW, Mako, didn't you say you liked the Dino 308 GT/4?? A lot of people preferred the way it drove compared to the GTB/GTS.

I like the LOOK of the GT4, for a collector or someone with multiple primary sportscars to enjoy, not a first time buyer, not by a long shot.

 

On the 308 it was an 84, can't remember the designation but I believe it was a GTS.

 

Never been in a 30 year old 308 as you're describing above, but let me ask you something: You really mean to tell me you're going to recommend this guy spend $30k on a ancient Euro-spec nonsense 308 instead of dozens of newer alternatives that are MUCH, I repeat MUCH more satisfying?

 

Hell this is one case where I'd say RUN, don't walk, to a slightly used Plastic mess-06. Or a new 350Z. Or a used NSX. Or a used Esprit. Or just about any other damn sportscar made within the last 20 years lol. And no Goliath, don't give me your shit about how L-Power people only give credit to straight-line speed. I'm talking about every single way you evaluate these cars. Sound. Feel. Handling. Ambiance. Everything. In every one of those categories the 308 gets a literal ass-kicking from the cars I listed. Every one.

 

It's the only time in a Ferrari I've had where I really felt I was in a garbage Fiat. Seriously.

The 308 is a good little car. I service a bunch of them and have owned one. I really enjoyed the car and I really liked how it handled the road. No it was not the best handleing thing on the road..but back in the eights it sure was. It was definatly not fast either LOL far from it. But I didn't buy it for that reason. i bought it because I have always loved the look of the car. Even if it was a Ford..I would have still bought it.

 

It made all the right sounds and on the highway it was very nice to drive. Its funny how the older v12 Lambos such as the Espada, Jarma, Islero are bringing LESS money then a good 308/328. There are far less of those old V!2 Lambos around then the 308's, but people are buying up 308s and restroing them and enjoying them. They can't be all that bad can they?

 

I think many of you here are accosiating some of the poser owners of the 308 with the car. Yes some of the owners are real goofballs and are better suited for a pick-up truck..but lets not let these people taint possiably the most successful and recognizable exotics ever, and one of the most enjoyable cars to come out of Ferrari.

Yeah, like Autotech says, the 308 is a legendary car. If anything, the look of some 308s, IMHO is superior to the cars you listed, so on that basis alone it's worthy (and I know you personally value styling in the overall picture). A dated Ferrari/Lamborghini is still cooler looking than most "normal" new cars (esp. when a lot of them rely on big rims to look nice). Just think at the lifespan of most vettes, M3s, 911s , etc .

 

Another thing to remember is that a 308 is an exotic car, whereas the other cars you listed are not. As an overall value, as a car, you're right, a 308 is a POS. These other cars offer superior performance, are more reliable, get better gas mileage, etc.

 

Mako, I respect your opinions highly, but here's my take on your objectives:

 

Sound - disagree (esp. considering cars like the 350Z, Esprit, etc. Come on...even the freaken Boxster sounds like sh**, exhaust or not. The NSX & POS need exhausts to sound good, and even then you're only improving on presence, not the music of the motor. I'm willing to make a bet with you that most people would prefer the redline driveby sound of a 308 over all the other cars listed, esp. a carbed 308 without cats!.....If you suggest that these cars also sound superior to a 348, then you will lose all future credibility in your postings

 

Feel - Depends. You'll certainly get that man's car feeling with the 308 far more than the other cars. That means nothing to you, and a lot to some people. If you wish to include feel to describe things like at the limit cornering, turn in, drifting, etc. then I cannot comment in that area, except to say it's a mid-engine car. If I was a track driver looking for something very tossable, then the 308 is admittedly not world class compared to the newer Ferraris. Otherwise, this is a pretty subjective area.

 

Handling - The best a 308 can do is modern tires, and maybe some modern shocks. It's a bad value if you're looking for tremendous lateral Gs, or slalom #s.

 

Ambience - OK, if you think the other cars give the 308 an "ass kicking" in this area, then.....LOL. A 350Z is a luxury car, an NSX is a mid engined prelude, an Esprit comes close, but not far off, or ass kicking in anyway. You wouldn't question the ambience of a Boxer or Countach, so why the 308?? The Esprit is the only one that comes close, and the best Lotus out there does not hand a 308 it's ass in this area, sorry. Not sure about the Lotus, but merely sitting in an older Ferrari will do things to your nose that the other cars can't.

 

Mako, you've admitted to not being a sports car purist.....and this is what it takes to appreciate the 308, given its age. Let me ask you, would you ever consider owning a Miura, Countach or older Diablo? I doubt you would. Admit it, you're not into he-man cars....

 

Ok, quick, what do you think about '80s 911s.....like the SC, and Carrera?? Can't comment on the driving, but the sound & ambience are not much to write home about (at least stock).

 

Hope that puts things in better perspective...

 

Ultimately, and I'm sure Mako will agree with me here, it all depends on what the individual likes. As big sports car enthusiasts with knowledge and experience, we like projecting our "proper" beliefs onto others.......but we should be mature and let people believe what they want, esp. in subjective areas.

 

Ok, lock the thread....there's nothing else that can be talked about on this topic. To those reading it, make up your own mind!

 

I won't even respond to your checklist comments, Goliath you are so far off the reservation it's not even funny. Especially the ambiance comments, holy shit...talking to you is getting to be a waste of my time. You've got F-car jammies on as you read this, admit it.

 

As for me, I never said I'm not a sportscar purist. I have said, repeatedly, including in this thread, that owning antiques is fine IF it's not a primary driver. Meaning they're not the second car in a two car garage, lol, which by the sound of it for this guy it will be. That doesn't equal bliss as the many now-broke former 308 owners on F-chat can attest too.

 

Here's a bet: Once he drives his first 308 he'll come post on the board how he's "now looking for more modern alternatives". He has no idea what they're like, but once he does, I'm willing to wager that he doesn't follow through and buy one.