Porsche to 308 part 2.....

[lvporschepilot]

Hey everyone,

I need your opinion on this machine I am looking at. It is a 1978 308GTS with 51k miles. The car has euro bumpers and a deep euro front spoiler. The ignition on the car has been upgraded to the eletromotive system($1600 and never have to replace those horrid $250 a pop dizzies again). These are the good points. The car runs estraordinarily well. Fastest 308 I have ever been in.

The bad points are as follows: The UBER rare and even more UBER expensive if you can find one Vitaloni column switch is broken but still functions (just looks really ugly in one spot, new one is over $3k if one is found). The last major service involved refurbushing the heads and the rest of the top end about 10k miles ago. Timing belts nor anything else have been touched since then(that means I will be replacing a lot of stuff in a few thousand miles). The seats were recovered with a very high quality non-leather material that looks original but it is not original leather.

The car is definitely a driver car which is what I am looking for but I have no idea what a fair price may be. I am thinking about $25k. What do you think?


thanks all-john

[kach22i]

Originally posted by lvporschepilot
The bad points are as follows: The UBER rare and even more UBER expensive if you can find one Vitaloni column switch is broken but still functions (just looks really ugly in one spot, new one is over $3k if one is found).

My buddy has a 1981, it's been fun but the servicing schedule is creaping up on him quickly - I can see him starting to sweat.

Every thread on this topic has the Porsche guys saying RUN RUN RUN.

Might want to try the Ferrari Chat guys for something unbiased.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/

[Natog]

I love the 308! Any pics?

The price sounds in the ball park, but it really depends on the particular car...

[unclenick]

Originally posted by lvporschepilot
Hey everyone,

I need your opinion on this machine I am looking at. It is a 1978 308GTS with 51k miles. The car has euro bumpers and a deep euro front spoiler. The ignition on the car has been upgraded to the eletromotive system($1600 and never have to replace those horrid $250 a pop dizzies again). These are the good points. The car runs extraordinarily well. Fastest 308 I have ever been in.

The bad points are as follows: The UBER rare and even more UBER expensive if you can find one Vitaloni column switch is broken but still functions (just looks really ugly in one spot, new one is over $3k if one is found). The last major service involved refurbishing the heads and the rest of the top end about 10k miles ago. Timing belts nor anything else have been touched since then(that means I will be replacing a lot of stuff in a few thousand miles). The seats were recovered with a very high quality non-leather material that looks original but it is not original leather.

The car is definitely a driver car which is what I am looking for but I have no idea what a fair price may be. I am thinking about $25k. What do you think?


thanks all-john

Is it a 308GTB or GTS?

CONS:

25k for a carb'ed 308 is way too much, the t-belt and included service is well over $3000 and include the needed switch, well you can figure out the rest. Non-original leather is also a no-no.
My Father years ago had one, he was constantly messing with the syncros of the carbs, what a mess. Expensive maintenance.

PROS:

awesome car to drive, lots of appeal, quick, awesome sound

[unclenick]

I forgot, you'll be happier with a injected GTSi VS a carb'ed one....trust me, they can be bought for 25k in 1981+ GTSi form.

[jorian]

The problem is asking Porsche guys to talk you into buying an Fcar. Ferrarichat is where I would go to get an opinion. The exhaust sound is pretty damn sweet though...

[mb911]

Originally posted by jorian
The problem is asking Porsche guys to talk you into buying an Fcar. Ferrarichat is where I would go to get an opinion. The exhaust sound is pretty damn sweet though...

The sound that all talk about on the 308's have me confused. I have bunches of them! They don't sound all that ihat Impressive. Am I missing something? I can tell you that I would like to have one some day as a second play car

[jorian]

"They don't sound all that ihat Impressive..."

Yeah but I'm not an exhaust guy. Although I was sort of including the 360 Challenge I saw at the last track day. Guess I'm easier to impress.

[mb911]

Originally posted by jorian
"They don't sound all that ihat Impressive..."

Yeah but I'm not an exhaust guy. Although I was sort of including the 360 Challenge I saw at the last track day. Guess I'm easier to impress.

Well the 360 is different !!!!!!!!!

[Britwrench]

It depends on what type of service was done. If the timing belts were changed, then the valve adjustment and cam seals should have been done at the same time. If they weren't........

Carb cleaning is part of the major service, once they are cleaned, the float heights done and filter changed, the idle speed and mixture adjusted they should be fine untill the next service...if not there is something causing a problem. The choke cable should not be connected as the system can jam. The warm-up idle speed cam works... sort of.

Needs to have a through PPI with a known 308 technician before even considering buying.

[CarreraS2]

Originally posted by unclenick
I forgot, you'll be happier with a injected GTSi VS a carb'ed one....trust me, they can be bought for 25k in 1981+ GTSi form.

I disagree. I wouldn't want a 2 valve injected 308 (80-82 model years) at any cost. They are very doggy. Incredibly sluggish.

Unless you enjoy getting blown away by Honda minivans and the like at stoplights, stick with the injected 4 valve models (83-85) or the earlier carbed ones.

The 2 valve injected 308s have got to be the worst Ferrari ever made.

[unclenick]

Yes, they are not speed demons but the 4 valve cars are still fetching $35k + where the reliability of the injected cars vs carb'ed one are slightly better.

I'd still own one

[unclenick]

here are some pics of a GTSi Quattrovalve(32V)

[CharlesJones]

Isn't the top pic a 328?

[CarreraS2]

Yes.

[unclenick]

Yep, like an 85-86 328gtsi

My bad

[imcarthur]

If you haven't seen this, it is worth a read. Birdman's 308 Buying Guide

Ian

[lvporschepilot]

I have read every buyers guide on the net and off the net for the 308's. I have really done my homework. I have only seen a carbureted 308 once yet I have read so much, I feel like I could easily rebuild the engine in one. I am planning on performing all the maintenance myself so I am not too interesting in anything more than parts cost. 308 parts are not that bad.


I definitely feel as if the carbureted 308's are the end of an era. That is my main reason for wanting an early one.

[Elombard]

I think it sounds good. I would go for a GTB, the Targas are real flexy I hear.

[dickster]

Sorry, I thought this was the 911 technical forum