308 comparisons

Early 80's 2 valve injected cars run almost 194 hp to the crank,
and are the slowest of the 308 series.

 

I own a '96 993 and have driven a 328 - actually shopping right now for a 308 QV. There are a lot of reasons to buy a 308, but a 993 will run laps around it and won't require much more than an annual oil change. 993's run from the $30K range for an average car to $75K+ for a mint twin turbo.

My annual service at the Porsche dealer is $350, or $470 with the brake service every other year. Or $500 if I get a mug or t-shirt.

Porsche 964's are troublesome. My brother had a '92 targa that had various engine seal issues, leaks, rattles, etc. Most P-car fans recommend the 993 or the late 911's from '87-'89 with the better gearbox and build quality. Go to rennlist.com if you want the whole scoop.

The 308's are another animal - gorgeous, closer to a pure sports car, more exclusive. I could see having both a 308 and 911 in the garage without much "overlap". The 83-85 QV's have the best reputation for being at least somewhat dependable. The early injected cars are less expensive, primarily because their output dropped, as Dave mentioned.

3x8's are a lot of fun to drive. Yeah a Subaru WRX will pull away, but you'll have this huge grin on your face and will realize you're in the right car.

There are a lot of posts here about 308 maintenance and repairs - they're considered really good Ferrari's, but no matter what you're looking at $3K or so for a major service every 3-5 years (depends who you ask and how you drive it). I've seen $2K/year mentioned as the average cost to maintain/run a 308 or 328. I don't own one though, so don't consider me the ultimate authority, and it likely varies depending on how well your purchase has been kept up.

I plan to keep about $10K in the toy-car bank account once I get my 308.

I hate to even post about 308 prices, but I've budgeted mid to high $40K's for an exceptional QV and I haven't found one. You could buy a decent driver in the high $30K's though - depends on what you want it for.

 

Pour yourself a cup of coffee and pull up a chair. You will have more info then you want if you do a search with that question here.

 

IMO, the Ferrari is in a class by itself. It's all about exotic, passion. There are a lot more fast cars in the market now aday. Many Japaness made are great reliability and faster than the 308. If you are looking for a fast car, the 308 will disappoint you. But if the Ferrari passion got you hook and it's the Ferrari you want no matter what, it will be the most rewarding thing to own one...

 

The 993 and 996 Porsches are really great cars that are available for under $40k. If you drive them you are sure to be impressed. I know there is a certain Ferrari passion but a 911 is a 911. Its a touph decision between newer cars that are less expensive to operate and an older Ferrari. Its a touph call.

 

All non Ferrari sports cars are poor substitutes for the real thing.
Bill

 

Bill, Ferraris are truly wonderful cars but there are some other makes that also make great cars. Dont you agree?

 

I've owned a 1996 993 and have done extensive work with a friend who had a 964. The 993 is said to be the better of the two cars, but both of ours required oil every 3k and not much more. My favorite thing about Porsche is that they are simple to work on and require very little. Think of them as a Mercedes with hips. I'd buy another one if I had the right opportunity except that....

Ferrari makes a totally more inspiring series of automobiles. I sold my 993 about a year ago, bought a 308 and now have added a 456. When I was shopping for the 456, I also looked at a 996 Turbo. I knew the 996 Turbo would likely be bullet proof, but opted for the Ferrari for the style, uniqueness and emotion.

The 308 is also a heck of a car. We're doing an engine out restoration that, when finished, will lead to a body-off restoration. Both services are due to a previous owner who just didn't do the right things to the car. This type of maintenance could very likely be done on a Porsche at a lower cost and a shorter timeframe, but... It's hard to explain unless you've owned both. The 308 is still a car I find attractive after 25 years and one that, once brought back to a healthy state, should cost only slightly more than the 993 did to maintain.

My final point is this: There were 4 of us with a Porsche 964/993 2 years ago. One now has a 348, one is buying something larger due to kids (Porsche SUV), I now have a 308 and a 456 and the other still has his 993. That should tell you that both cars are interesting, but I think for different reasons. While I have never had either of the 2 makes break down on me, I had a feeling of heavy, well built, solid, safe with the Porsche. With the Ferrari, I feel this amazing personality of the car -- and have no idea how to explain it. Go buy one and you'll know.

Best of luck,

Mark

 

that's the Ferrari fever.............. it's so great.

 

Well... A 911 has its own personality, especially top down and with the air-cooled engine clattering and roaring behind you. Even an old MGB on a fast country lane is a ride you'll never forget. And the Lotus Elise makes a Ferrari seem cushy.

So, I think you've got to taste a little of everything at the automotive buffet before you get into the my-marque-is-better-than-your-marque slinging match.

Ferrari's are sensational, and I plan to have one, but they're not the only thing going.

 

Let me put it this way....
I have a Subaru WRX STI in the garage with my 328 GTB. I have tracked both. The STI will lap the 328 in short order, yet when it comes time for a pleasure drive in the foothills, I always find the 328 keys in my hand. 308's are much the same. The Subie is fun, but the Ferrari is sensory overload by comparison. Very addictive. Unfortunately, while a 308 or 328 is pretty cheap to buy, none are cheap to own. I would recommend a QV over a 80-82. If money is a factor, consider a cherry carb model. They are very RAW and a joy to drive. If you want a car that is easy to live with and dulls the senses, get the Porsche.

Dave

 

It think this basically sums up why I want a Ferrari... well, based on what limited experience I have actually riding in them, watching them race, and just looking at them...

I have a '94 RX-7 turbo now which is much faster than the 308 or 328... but if the opportunity came up, I would give it up for either of those two cars!

Don't get me wrong -- the RX is great, but the feelings I get just dreaming about walking into my garage and seeing a Ferrari there overshadows the joy I get with my RX-7... I have regrets sometimes about getting the RX-7 instead of just saving a while longer and skipping the RX-7 for a Ferrari...

I'm guessing this is a lesser degree of Ferrari fever compared to you guys that already have a Ferrari...

As far as your own choice... it's your own, but the way I look at it, if it's the price per performance, you should get the Porsche... if you have "the fever," get the Ferrari -- you may just have regrets later if you don't....

 

Can't speak for any of the 308's/328, I admit i do like to body styles.
I can only offer this advice, decide how much you can afford to pay,a nd find the best possible car for your money. If you need to do some work on the car - make sure you also have enough to cover the miscellaneous items that need to be addressed.

I have a 74 308 GT4, and love it. I paid a reasonable amount for it, and knew going in - that I would be spending some more to bring it up to spec.
Well it's done, and the additional cost was around $10K over 10 months.
Was not a hard hit to my pocket book because I was prepared.

And the plus side, all the mechanicals are rebuilt... and it's FUNNNNNNN to drive.

Good luck with your search and I hope you find a car that gives you the same joy mine had given me.

 

Stevez,
Here's a good marker to go by. If you search the archives to find how many owners on this board are unhappy with their 308's, It's probably less than 1%. I think I've come across two owners that were unhappy, and that was because of price of upkeep, and power. Did they sell it and get a porsche? I think one did. I think the other just got a faster ferrari. Yes, there are cars that are faster, cheaper, blah blah blah more reliable. But there's no other car that can compare to a ferrari (although a Diablo, or Merci would be cool). As far as reliability, they are reliable as long as they have been cared for.

 

Bingo.

I still open the garage door and stop for a minute.....yep, that really is a Ferrari I'm looking at.

Reach into my pocket to get the house keys.....damn, those are Ferrari keys I'm holding.

I hope that feeling never goes away because the little tingle I get sure offsets whatever 'imperfections' I have experienced with the car.

 

wow , great posts here.

i have to sit with both garage doors open and look sometimes.



i had been around 911's for some time. i do like them. i had one for a short time, but it was a buy to sell type of car, not the cars fault. but as nice as a 911 is, "something" just isnt there most of the time.

i always get this feeling when driving something "cool" , that "THIS" moment and feeling would be that much more sacred, viseral and pure, if it was in a Ferrari. perhaps its a preconcieved notion about this thing we call "FERRARI" , many cars are faster, better built, and have "bang for the buck".



but most of us dont care.






i know i am going to regret selling the pair of 308's.
Image Unavailable, Please Login