Hello everybody, lurking around the web searching for 308 ads, I stumbled over an ad for a 208 GTB in apparentely good condition sold at 25.000 . I knew about the existence of this model made only for Italian a New Zeland markets but I didn't consider it because of it's lack of power (the engine produces 155 CV at 6.800 rpm and 170 Nm at around 4.200 rpm and top speed of 215 km/h) until I saw a video where a pilot gave some little demonstration of what this little engine could do. So questions are: 1) is there anybody here that owns one of this or knows someone who own one and could tell me more about it (affidability, feeling when driven, specific issues)? 2) given that probably the costs of ownerships are the same of a 308 carbs, in your opinion the lesser cost of purchasing could compensate the lack of performance considering that in Italy the roads are quite crowded with few where you can put the pedal on floor and on those there are, quite often, speed traps so the top speed is not an issue The car is identical to the 308 carbs except for the gearshift that has different ratioes on the gears I ask these questions because I had never driven nor a 308 neither a 208 (I hope to fill in this "hole" soon) so I don't have the "instruments" to do a comparison. Just to be complete Ferrari, to compensate the lack of performance, in a couple of years put a turbo on this model but this is very delicate (it gave me the creeps thinking at a turbine of 25+ years that could be serviced or not...) and prices are up again (in this case I prefer a 308 without turbo). Thank you for your time Alessandro
Alessandro, A good, or professional, driver, can always makes a slow car go fast. Now I don't know anybody owning a 208 GTB or GTS, but a friend of mind has tested one, coming out of his own 328. He just said "forget it, this is not a Ferrari". After all, its power to weight ratio is only 8,4 kg / cv; I know we are not after outright performance (as you say, it is becoming almost hopeless in Europe these days) but a Ferrari is about engine character, and this one has really not enough... Best
A long time ago, I had a 2l Maserati Biturbo for a number of years (in fact I changed it for my 308) and I still have a 2l Delta Integrale. I also have a 3l normally aspirated Alfa. The turbochargers are great fun, and the Maserati's carburettor sounded very sweet compared to the later injected cars. The turbos are easily serviced (I don't know about accessibility on the 208) and should not be a big worry. The most common complaint is the wastegate sticking open (easily spotted as you get no boost). I would be most intrigued by the 208. You correctly point out that speed is not the most important factor, it is the handling and style of these cars that matter much more. The NACA ducts on the 208 are a delight and it was a pretty rare car (<500 made?)
Paul, I don't think there are any NACA ducts on the side of the 208's; the NACA ducts appeared only on Turbo-charged 208, and on the later "Turbos" (by the way, pushing the "pininfarina" badge to the rear of the Fender) Best,
Here in the states, the 208 is an absolute rarity. That being said, a Ferrari is a Ferrari. Given what the European prices are on the 308, this seems like a fairly decent deal, and a nice entry-level car. Good luck!
Numbers built: "208" (V8 2litre, non-supercharged) 140 GTB; 160 GTS (1980 & 1981) "208 Turbo" (V8 2litre with KKK turbo) 437 GTB; 250 GTS (production of the "B" started in 1982, and in 1983 for the "s", until end 1985; equivalent to the "QV") "Turbo" (V8 2litre with IHI turbo and Behr intercooler) 308 GTB; 828 GTS (1986-1989, equivalent to the 328)
Ahh, thanks for the clarification. I thought all 208s were turbocharged. It'd be the one to get, for sure!
Well...does it work also this way: "the slower the car, the more fun you have in trying to drive it fast"...because as the 2-litre 208 without turbo, with 155 cv is really slow, so applying the principle, it should be real fun? I mean, at the red light, it is really, really slower than Gran'mama's minivan... I'm not the one to snob a 328 with cat & 255 cv (swiss market version) compared to the 270 cv of the euro one without cats. But...we are speaking here of a car with 1300 kgs and 155 cv... Best
If I had the money it would be a fun, getting very rare car. I'd enjoy the difference in the cars, they'd have completely different personalities. If you're going to have a tame commuter car, why not have an off-the-chart cool one?
Absolutely! I remember hooning around in a Subaru Justy back in the day... The car was awful, but driving it fast made me feel like Jochen Rindt.
Ciao Alessandro, as far as I can understand from your post your idea to buy an aspirated 208 is due to max budget of 25000 euros, but with this budget you can buy a more peppered one also here in italy: http://www.subito.it/auto/ferrari-208-gtb-turbo-treviso-46601441.htm or http://www.subito.it/auto/ferrari-208-turtbo-gtb-treviso-43772529.htm (no relations with sellers and honestly never saw by person these cars... seems to be good) Where are you from? Davide
None of the cars of this vintage stand up real well to modern cars from a stop light. Drove my 87 Mondial today, it's not designed for quick movement from stoplights. But a lot of fun once moving.
IMHO, it's wonderful to see everyday speeds as fast now, as I do when driving the 308. Even 65mph is exhilarating to me, as it's all about the car's character and really feeling the road and the car's responses....and being so close to the road. A 208 would be just fine, to me. There would be plenty of good to be found in it.
It should be possible to convert a 208 engine in a 3.0, isn't? Basically, I think it's the same engine with bigger sleeves and smallers pistons. The heads also are different but I read here that the Michelotto 308s used 208 heads (smaller port). Of course, it will be expensive (new pistons, sleeves, carbs...) but could be very interesting.
Thank you all for your answers. It's a short time since I have decided to try to cure my 308 virus and it's just by chance that I stumbled on 208 ads. @ZZBurn: my budget is limited anyway so, as I would prefer a 308 but with the risk that I can't afford it, I would happily look at a 208 if I CAN get it . The supercharged 208 are interesting, but my doubt is on the turbo... it's so delicate and could do SO BIG damages to an engine. BTW I'm in the Milan area and thank you for the ADS, I'll look into them @NeroFer: I understand your point of view, but if the lesser starting price could make the difference between having a Ferrari and NOT having it... as I said above, I'll look happily at a 208. My everyday car is a Alfa Romeo 159 1.8 with 140 CV and 1485 kg... it's a very fun car on curvy road but it's dead on the 0-100 km/h and on the track (I went twice on the Monza race track and on the long long rettiline I could read the news paper). So said, the car is fun when speed is not involved and since I'm a speed limit guy... maybe (just maybe) a 208 could be right for me. @Matto: as said above I agree with you... @Nick11: I couldn't think a thing like a conversion. Costs apart the technical challenge should be interesting but there are legal problems that are too big to try something like this. So: I think that I'll have to begin to touch and drive those cars, make tests, comparisons and then make up my mind on what I would like, what I can afford and what, perhaps, get I'll keep you updadated and please keep posting your opinions! Thanks again. Alessandro
True, except for the fact that the chassis of the 208 was built to handle the power of the 308 (and then some). And thus, you're driving a fast car slow, for the sole reason that this fast car cannot go fast. Like dressing Carl Lewis up with wooden shoes and let him run the 100 meters. He might be the fastest wooden-shoes-person on earth, but somehow it would be a bit disappointing. I'd steer away from the 208...
