Hi everyone, I am just curious to know if anyone ended up with a carbed 208, any version, after having had other Ferraris, why, and what is his or her satisfaction. Or are 208s more entry models that you get just at the beginning of your Ferrari journey, while they can always be your first (like me) and only? Many thanks. Ciao ciao, Nic
Unfortunately I have never driven a 208, I only know the 308. But I think you can compare the 208 vs. 308 experience to driving a BMW e36 320i vs. 328i. The 320 is a fantastic car in its own right. But if you switch from a 328 to a 320, something will be missing.
Answer depends on your age + car history. Could cut both ways …..intro or final modal . Sort of came into a 208 gt 4 with 34 Webbers after retirement.Read more time to tinker and aged 60 ( always a car guy) been round the performance car block a few times . Sprinkle in 40 yrs of added congestion, deteriorated U.K. roads , speed bumps , cameras and the cops easily fining for speeding ……the actual ultimate performance sank low down on the pecking order . Higher up ( not particularly relevant to you in Italy ) was the body structure……so a south Italian in this case Naples salt free roads , same as California or South African car was hunted down .Enter the 208 versions from Italy . Perspective…aged 25 had to wait to get insurance 911 , then 968CS , various BMW 3 series .2-3 car family. Renault sport spyder , before an Elise .Various Alfa s .First F car was a Testarossa Yep the full fat flat 12 ,5.0 L thingy approx mid 90 s time scale .A new 360 M F1 circa 2002 . Various family wagons usually SUV s Range Rover , X 6 s Merc etc as well as the F cars for the week ends . By now the car world fully immersed in electrotwackery, ECU s , driver aids . The 360 in the end I kept it 9 yrs put 40 K on it ….but always felt a passenger wrapped up in nannying electrotwackery. The Testarossa was far too rear ward weight bias and lacked power steering .It s handling was unbalanced as a true drivers car on twisty roads . Big maintenance bills as Ita and engine out job for the belts …..hardly DIY er able ? The analogue carb 208 GT 4 chassis is by a country mile the best handing Ferrari or indeed sports car I have ever had . The 170 Hp on 195/70/14 wheels with a direct un assisted rack is a delight .Very easy to drift ( slowly) and safely . The Bertone thing and the Dino accolade I saw through the negativity……mostly generated in the States .You all seem to want to ape Tom Selleck . Current run two Porsche s as day cars so I don’t think I need any more performance in my life .Not being funny but let’s park the performance, sorry usable every day car performance side Fair and square at Porches door and let’s not even go there comparing build quality or touring car , Le Mans histories . So for me it’s just nostalgia and the knowledge that the even chassis numbers made by Ferrari ( inc my GT4 Dino ) were race car numbers , and having a slice of the “ Dino “ thingy .
Wow, thank you very much for your feedback, so interesting! Have you tried a 308 GT4 too before going for the 208? I am really surprised to see someone moving “down” from Testarossa and 360 Modena and no particularly missing - it seems to me - the two Ferraris with triple power. The Dino is beautiful to me, has lots of personality. I currently own a 208 GTB just because I like. it, not at all for Magnum. Thank you again for your feedback, would love to see a picture of the car if possible. All the best, ciao ciao, Nic
Haven’t moved “ down “ .Testarossa couldn’t handle ( or brake for that matter ) and the with the 360 I was just a passenger engulfed in the electrotwackery that did all the work inc changed gear by the touch of paddle . The silver car behind out performs any Ferrari btw easily to 200 mph with a twin turbo W 12. It’s not about power never was for me with F cars . Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login You should always have a Porsche flat 6 in your life as well . Image Unavailable, Please Login Blue cars ^ only got 46 Hp from a 958 cc engine and equally as interesting to drive at 600 kg s .
Wow, you really have a nice set! Congratulations! I gave my word to a female friend to buy her 328 GTS, and unfortunately this means I will very likely have to give away my 208 GTB. You know why too? Because if the gasoline smell flying from the garage up to the first floor. There’s no way to stop the gasoline evaporate. Cheers, Nic
Had a 81' 400i auto for several years, which I really loved. I choose the auto on purpose. Sold her only because I thought I wanted to try something different. Ended up with a FF because I like to have 4 seats and a trunk. Great car, but after a few years I started to miss that old school Ferrari feeling. (not to mention the fact that there is a 130 km/h speed limit in Austria, so who needs 660 horses). So 2 years ago (still have the FF) I started to look for a 208/308 GT4 since I always adored the Bertone styling. I drove 2 308GT4 and also 2 208GT4. What I really liked about the weaker 208 was the fact that you could push it through the first 4 gears without the fear of ending up in jail and still be enjoying the experience. Also I found the engine noise of the 208 a little "dirtier". Anyway if things go as planned I shall be able to add a 308GT4 (!) to my stable within the next few weeks, but only because I stumbled over a reasonably priced full-resto car in my preferred GT4 colour - blue sera.
Great story, thank you for sharing! Post photos if you get it please. At the moment I am selling my 208 GTB for a 328 and I agree with what you say. But the 328 is just more lively uphills. Good luck! Ciao ciao, Nic
