[Barry]

Happy New Year all,
A new year and time for some changes I think.

I'm on the verge of making a decision which will involve adding another prancing horse to the stable and all opinions are both welcome and appreciated.

At present the garage comprises, Ferrari 360 Modena F1, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mazda MX5 and Range Rover.

Plan for 2011 is to sell the Aston (I've put 500 miles up in 6 months) and the Mazda (0 miles in 7 years!!) and purchase something small (sub €5K) as a run around and a classic Ferrari.

I've been hankering after a 308 for quite sometime now, and in particular a GTS. I think it would be a nice addition to the (relatively) new 360 and I've never owned a classic car before.

So now I'm at the very early and exciting stage of researching what exactly I'm after. Current thoughts are a 308 GTS Carb model (1977-1980), but I'm open to considering a GTSi or QV or even something completely different, though budget will be reasonably tight (around GBP £25K).

Anyway for the moment, just looking to start a discussion and tap into the vast wealth of knowledge and opinion that is Ferrari Life.

Let the thought process begin...
Barry.

[enz898]

Hi Barry,

Have you thought about a Fiat Barchetta for the sub 5k.
Or if you are interested in something a little more interesting a 66 Fiat 850 coupe.

Jacob

[Barry]

Jacob,
The 5k car need to have 4 seats. Current thoughts are along the lines of a 2002-2003 mini cooper. To be honest it will only drive a few miles a week and to places where I wouldn't take the other cars so it probably won't be anything too exciting.

[enz898]

Have you considered an Alfa Romeo 159/brera/mito? quite similar to a mini and maybe a little less common.

Regarding the 308 GTS carb model, I can't think of another car I would rather have for 25k.

[67275Ferrari]

Hey Barry,

I realize that your looking at the 308; but I have 2 cars that might be an interest to you:

1988 328 GTS Red/Tan Leather 40k miles
1989 Mondial Black/Tan Leather 17k miles

Let me know!

Lyndsey

[mk e]

Originally Posted by Barry

So now I'm at the very early and exciting stage of researching what exactly I'm after. Current thoughts are a 308 GTS Carb model (1977-1980), but I'm open to considering a GTSi or QV or even something completely different, though budget will be reasonably tight (around GBP £25K).

Barry.

i think you will be most happy wiht a car that is well sorted and in good condition.....and on your budget I think that means you wil be looking at a 2V GTSi unless the market is softer where you are than here in the states.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by 67275Ferrari

Hey Barry,

I realize that your looking at the 308; but I have 2 cars that might be an interest to you:

1988 328 GTS Red/Tan Leather 40k miles
1989 Mondial Black/Tan Leather 17k miles

Let me know!

Lyndsey

Lyndsey
Thanks for the infor, and I am open to changing my mind but for the moment I think it is a 308 on the shopping list. Exactly what model is still to be decided...

[Barry]

Originally Posted by mk e

i think you will be most happy wiht a car that is well sorted and in good condition.....and on your budget I think that means you wil be looking at a 2V GTSi unless the market is softer where you are than here in the states.

Mark - you're certainly right on the first count, I'm not one for getting my hands to dirty from a mechanical point of view. I'm in Ireland so realistically the UK is my market place. £25K doesnt get you a lot and there are very few 308 GTS carb models on the market that I can see. I'm in no hurry though (have an Aston to sell first!) so will watch and see and learn for a while yet...

[Boxer]

Have you considered a an early Fiberglass 308 GTB? IMHO, these are the sweetest of the 3x8 series.

[Artvonne]

Originally Posted by Barry

I'm in Ireland so realistically the UK is my market place. £25K doesnt get you a lot and there are very few 308 GTS carb models on the market that I can see. I'm in no hurry though (have an Aston to sell first!) so will watch and see and learn for a while yet...

Dont forget that its much easier to import from the US into the UK than vice versa, and you would likely save much more than the shipping expense. The last I inquired, it was only about $1500 US to ship to europe, IIRC. In other words, it pays to examine all avenues.

Carb cars are probably better for tinkerers and DIY'ers than anyone else. If you dont have any mechanical backround and are completely reliant on someone else to keep the car running, then the simpler car is or greater value. Especially if your mechanic only "thinks" he knows carbs. They arent hard to figure out, but it could get quite expensive for you while your mechanic learns at your expense. Or worse, destroys your engine and fails to take responsibility.

[Barry]

Boxer
An early fibreglass GTB is probably the only 308 GTB that would sway me away from a GTS, but I don't think my budget would get me anywhere near a Fiberglass model
Barry.

[Barry]

Artvonne
I'd be importing into Republic of Ireland and once the car is over 30 yrs old there are no import taxes to pay, and it's a very straight forward process, which means a car from the States could be a possibility. However am I right to think that the US models were all injection and with less power to meet emission regs?

You make a very good point re maintenance on a carb vs injection model. Given that I can claim no mechanical knowledge, I wonder is a preference for carbs wise. My experience of all my cars/bikes to date is with modern machines. Turn the key and go. I envisage a 'deeper relationship' might come as standard with a classic?!

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Barry

Artvonne
I'd be importing into Republic of Ireland and once the car is over 30 yrs old there are no import taxes to pay, and it's a very straight forward process, which means a car from the States could be a possibility. However am I right to think that the US models were all injection and with less power to meet emission regs?

You make a very good point re maintenance on a carb vs injection model. Given that I can claim no mechanical knowledge, I wonder is a preference for carbs wise. My experience of all my cars/bikes to date is with modern machines. Turn the key and go. I envisage a 'deeper relationship' might come as standard with a classic?!

Barry, Once you get the carbs set up properly, they should be fine for quite a while. In fact the workshop that you used for your 360 should easily be able to do the work. Both carb and FI models were sold in the US. The US models had bigger bumpers and extra smog equipment originally. Many have been modified to Euro standards now. You might be able to find a US glass 308 for less than what you would pay in the UK.

[Barry]

Would an annual trip to the Ferrari specialist be sufficient to keep the carbs in good order? I think I could handle an annual outing across the Irish sea, in fact it would ensure at least one good trip per year.

[JazzyO]

I would steer clear of the US models, personally. They can be converted to Euro spec but then they are not original anymore and you will always have more trouble when you sell the car on. If you're considering a US model, then you're considering LHD and as such you've got a whole continent to take into account.

However, it's important that you are realistic about pricing. GBP25k doesn't get you much anymore. Since you're in no hurry, if I were you I would save up for a year and stretch the budget. It is always worth waiting around for the right car. Remember that 308's are now absolutely depreciation free, and you are very likely to sell the right car for more money than you bought it.

As Boxer, for me the most desirable by far are the 308 fibreglass cars, but a really good one will set you back 70k Euro on the continent these days. If you can find one, a UK fibreglass car will be the prize: much cheaper (just because people look at the development of prices in GBP only, UK prices are lagging behind) but still the rarity and driveability of a fibreglass. Should be a great investment, I predict these UK prizes will go up very soon. But even a UK car will be GBP40k+ now, I suspect.


Onno

[Barry]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

However, it's important that you are realistic about pricing. GBP25k doesn't get you much anymore. Since you're in no hurry, if I were you I would save up for a year and stretch the budget.

As Boxer, for me the most desirable by far are the 308 fibreglass cars, but a really good one will set you back 70k Euro on the continent these days. If you can find one, a UK fibreglass car will be the prize: much cheaper (just because people look at the development of prices in GBP only, UK prices are lagging behind) but still the rarity and driveability of a fibreglass. Should be a great investment, I predict these UK prizes will go up very soon. But even a UK car will be GBP40k+ now, I suspect.

Onno

You're right Onno, I'm in no hurry. Have to clear out the garage first and it might take a while for that to happen. I must admit that I do like the idea of owning a rare fibreglass model, but whilst the budget might stretch I'm not sure that it would go that far, plus I often wonder with the 360 should I have gone for a spider, and that thought process is bringing me closer towards a GTS than a GTB. It's early days though, so will keep the mind open to all options.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Barry

Would an annual trip to the Ferrari specialist be sufficient to keep the carbs in good order? I think I could handle an annual outing across the Irish sea, in fact it would ensure at least one good trip per year.

Yes, definitely.

[Andrew]

I know everyone here is a fan of the early carb 308 at the same time I'd also look at the late QV GTS models as well. I can't speak from experience but I don't see how a fuel pump injection is any more complex. There is a fantastic article in last months Road & Track comparing all the various fuel injections over the years up to the current new "direct injection" that is getting lots of hype.

Having driven both, the later QV has a tighter feeling steering in my opinion. The early carb has the distinct sound from the carbs that is also nice.

Either way you can't go wrong and I would say the later QV is as desirable as the early carb. The fibre glass bodied cars are probably the only ones with a slight edge in my book due solely on the reduced weight and rarity of the car.

[Barry]

On problem unique to my location is that any car less than 30 yrs old attract an import tax when it enters Ireland. It's quite possible that this could become one of the the defining variables as to which model I look for.

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Barry

On problem unique to my location is that any car less than 30 yrs old attract an import tax when it enters Ireland. It's quite possible that this could become one of the the defining variables as to which model I look for.

Is a Dino 246 GT an option?