And bought this[ATTACH]
And I don’t think I made a mistake financially or automotively. (Actually, I did make a mistake, I should have kept them both!)
We have both in the garage - an '85 QV Euro and a '95 Carrera cab. They are very different. IMHO the 993 is more akin to a 355 than a 3X8. The 308 is more like the SC. The 993 has air bags, power steering, good heat and air, fast windows, a 3.6L, Motronic FI, hydraulic valve, dry sump engine. The 308, the flat-plane 8, liquid cooled, high-revving, super model. The 993 really is a special car. You have to drive one to understand... They switched to the multi link rear end and it is such a change from the 3.2 Carrera. It is powerful, but not crazy fast, sounds great, but not as good as a 3.2... The ride is sublime, but less of an enthusiast car and more of a "buyer's" car. You already know all you need to know about the 308. Sounds like safety is a concern and the 993 has a bit more safety equipment on board. You will drive the 993 more than the 308. The 993 is a beautiful car - the curves are to die for and has one of the best rear ends of all the P-Cars up to that time. It has the soul of the 356, and the heart of the 959. If you do go for the 993, check the panel gaps - especially the bonnet to the bumper - they should be perfect. 80K is a bit of mileage, but not excessive. Watch out for the check engine light as that is an OBDII car... That particular issue can be annoying come emission time (no CEL on the '95). There is a ton of info out there on the 993 so become informed - they aren't perfect and come with their own batch of issues. Oil changes are a pain - two oil filters... P-Car folks are a great group - just like the F-car folks, but different. It is a different car - not nearly as dramatic, but what good is drama if it just stays in the garage... I love them both, but there just isn't much crossover. Good luck with your decision! If you were anywhere near me we could go for a nice drive. Your 308 sounds very nice Franny
Another factor to take into account is production numbers. I believe there are more 993 than 308, plus carb cars will become more and more rare when electric wave hit us Though I must say an air cooling P is my list too I have the Italian and japanese. I need the american and german to complete the collection
No one on this forum loves the 308 more than I do. But I will say this about the 993 - it is a lot easier to live with. I had one in my driveway for a week or so about ten years ago that belonged to a friend. I remember how easy it drove and thinking one evening as I went to the grocery store in it that I would never fire up the 308 cold like this and drive a short distance on a quick errand. The 993 was like a Honda Accord in that respect. It was ready and easy to use anytime going anywhere. And it had the best brakes I have ever felt on a street car. They are just two very different machines.
I’ve posted thoughts on this thread already, but it strikes me today that these either-or decisions come down to one word; what the word means to you, how that word makes you feel, your relationship with the word, how long you have thought about that word, how you use that word. That word is “Ferrari.” If the word “Ferrari” and the word “Porsche” both just mean “sports car” to you, go for the Porsche. It is a more dependable car.
I think it was C&D that referred to the 308 QV as "A fine mistress but a poor wife" back in the day when they were new and still in production.
I agree with this. Thankfully, I have both a 308 and a 993 C4S in my little collection. I used the 993 as a daily driver for a long while, which I wouldn't do in a 308. The 993 is faster, stops better, has better parts availability, and so on. But the 308 is lovelier. Very different cars. Matt
There are compromises to every design and one for the 308 is - if you want it to look like that you're gonna have to sit like this...
I envy you guys there in the USA . Not veering away from the topic. I have an 89 Porsche 930 and an 88 Mondial 3.3 Cabriolet . I was such a Ferrari Tifosi that I’m willing to trade in w/o any cash involve my 930 for a 328GTB or GTS but none is for sale in the Philippines. But good thing I did not, the prices for the 930’s are going up up . But if someone offered me a 328 who knows here in my country ? I might change my mind. There is a sensation in the Ferrari that I can’t get in the Porsche , but my 930 is way faster than my Mondial but even when driven slow the Ferrari feels fast . And the sound w/ the Stebro exhaust is exhilarating!
A Porsche is a nice car... pleasent to take for a ride... go to a fine restaurant.... and listen to the radio along the way. When you're in a Porsche you can chit chat with passengers about this and that.... all very pleasent. But a Ferrari is something entirely different. It's a thrill see one, hear one, even just to sit in one. Give someone a ride in a Ferrari and they will remember it for the rest of their life. There is nothing like a Ferrari. Don't make the trade.... you'lll regret it.
Tommy, Thanks for that quote. That sums it up beautifully- it can't be stated any more eloquently or succinctly, can it? Jeff
Man, you can find anything on Google Check it out: https://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/ferrari-308-quattrovalvole-page-5
I still have that magazine. Got it in 10th grade. Amazing that we get to see ALL this pics from then, not just the 5 or so from the magazine article.
They are 2 different cars as said before .You said you have 2 sons and i think you would like to have them in the car for some trip,You can do it with 993 , not with 308.If this is the most important reason , i would trade 993,no doubt(2+2 seats) If possible the best should be to have both cars,otherwise trade 993.
I''d take the boys for a drive one at the time. In the 308 ! Sportscar owners can't have everything in life. Neither can their sons..
Thanks for all the input guys. It's a tough choice. Might be good to have a mistress and a wife. Looking at a 456 3-pedal as well. I between the 308 and 993 from a modern safety perspective... The belt change is easier than a 308... It's still a Ferrari... V12 too. But I would miss the carbs and the smell of unburnt fuel surrounding me at a traffic light, targa off.
What's up? noticed this.. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Ferrari-308-GTS-Targa/183147406482?hash=item2aa46fa492:g:Os4AAOSw2CJauFjf&vxp=mtr
Thanks for asking- nothing serious going on. I'm just trying to pare down my collection (it's getting a bit unwieldy) and focus more on aviation. Presently I'm spread out 3 miles wide but only a half inch deep. I hope it brings a decent number. Could be a good litmus test for the carb 308 market. Jeff
This. I had a '96 993 cabriolet, which I sold to go hunt for a 328. The 993 is still my favorite 911, but it isn't an exotic. The 328 was more beautiful, rare, and always a special drive. No way would I sell a nice, sorted 308 to pick up a 993.
