308 or Porsche

2839 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Boxer, Apr 27, 2005

308Fan

Discussion Starter · Apr 16, 2005

Hi all, this is my first post, but I've been lurking for a while. I've been in love with the 308 ever since I first saw one 22 years ago. Now that owning one is within my reach, I went to speak to the only Ferrari mechanic in my area last week.

He's an older italian man and he suggested I buy something other than a 308. He said, "I'm e-talian, I love-ah Ferrari, but you should-ah buy a Porsche". He happened to be working on a Porsche 993 for a customer and he took me through the car and explained why he likes them better than Ferrari's. He suggested that unless I buy a brand new Ferrari or a 90's era Testarossa, that the Ferrari might be more headache than it's worth. He agreed that Ferrari's look better, though.

I went to a Porsche dealer and looked at some Boxster's and 911's. They are nice... but they're not a Ferrari. So I'm in a position where I could buy a 20 year old 308 for around 40 g's or a new Boxster for the same amount of money, but with a warranty, etc.

Can anyone offer any advice,. I'm looking for a third car to use as a weekender with the wife. The Porsche's are nice, but they just aren't a Ferrari. However I don't want to buy a beautiful looking headache either. Any 308/Porsche owners have any insight?

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Andrew

· #2 · Apr 16, 2005

If it is going to be a weekend car the 308 couldn't be a better choice. I don't fully understand where the mechanic was coming from but the 308 is a trouble free car.

Having said that, don't forget you are buying a 20-25 year old car versus a modern brand new car with a warranty most likely. So that does decrease your chance of unforseen repair bills as the warranty will cover it.

In addition to that, the fact that a 20 year old car can have the same price as a modern Porsche tells you how special the car is. It also sounds to me like you would rather have the Ferrari. For weekends only the Ferrari is the right choice. You won't be putting miles on it everyday and you will be happier driving it.

Do you live in a warm climate? If so I suggest the GTSi QV models. They are very fun to drive and the sound from the engine far outweights a Porsche.

Italian Lover

· #3 · Apr 16, 2005

It all depends on what is your purpose and desire. Enzo is correct in his comparisons. What matters is what do you want. Why do you "want" a Ferrari. 308 is not exactly a vintage yet, but things to fix and do can become "fun" ??? However, this luxury is on the premise that you have another daily rider car. For this, Porsche is the right choice. In other words, if you think you are going to be upset and worry of maintenance costs, then 308 may not be a prudent choice. Hope this added a little more enlightment. Jimmy

308Fan

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 17, 2005

Why do you "want" a Ferrari.

That is the best question ever! Hmm, I don't quite know how to answer it, but from the time I first saw one at the age of 13, no other car ever 'spoke' to me in the same way. I never forgot seeing that beautiful red 308 and the roar of it's engine. It was love at first sight and I have never been the same since seeing it. There are many other nice cars and some I've owned, but none of them have ever given me the same thrill as a 308 does. It probably defies all logic and reason, but I just want one.

things to fix and do can become "fun"

I agree, I think a great deal of the enjoyment and 'bonding' with the vehicle can come from working on it. Realistically though, how much maintenance can a 'non-mechanic' like myself perform on a 308.

this luxury is on the premise that you have another daily rider car.

My wife and I already have very reliable, respectable uptight and boring daily drivers. The Ferrari (or Porsche) would truly be a luxury.

Do you live in a warm climate? If so I suggest the GTSi QV models. They are very fun to drive and the sound from the engine far outweights a Porsche.

I live in the Northeast, so 4-5 months a year is the most I could get out of it. I am looking for the GTSi QV model, a 1985 and only a 1985... in red... with tan leather.

We often go away to B&B's in Vermont, Mass., CT. I do worry that travelling to these remote locations could leave us stranded in a 20 year old car with only a small town garage to get us going again. If the vehicle has all it's service records and is well-maintained, are they reliable?

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Andrew

· #5 · Apr 17, 2005

308Fan said:
We often go away to B&B's in Vermont, Mass., CT. I do worry that travelling to these remote locations could leave us stranded in a 20 year old car with only a small town garage to get us going again. If the vehicle has all it's service records and is well-maintained, are they reliable?

Yes, very reliable. People have the mis-conception that Ferraris always break when this is not true (early 348s and TRs somewhat). Parts will be more because the car is rare. A 1985 is very mechanical and not hard to work on at all.

One of our members on here is a 308 owner in your area but only post on here every three weeks due to work and just left, so in three weeks I'm sure he'll answer this topic.

I would drive both the Porsche and the Ferrari. I can tell you the Ferrari will be more fun and have more soul. The 993 is more reliable and should be, after all its new and an improved design over 30+ years. I would hope Porsche worked out all the bugs in 30 years.

In many ways it is an unfair comparison. Compare a 1985 308 GTSi to a 1985 911, the picture starts to look different.

I hope the mechanic also told you that any engine work on a 993 means it has to be put up on a lift and the engine dropped out (lots of labor).

Best of luck and please keep us posted as to which you decide.

Regards,
Andrew

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Bart

· #6 · Apr 17, 2005

Ferrari vs Porsche

There are no questions in this discussion. An old 308 vs the new 9something the V-10. Take the 308.

8)

zwoemba

· #7 · Apr 17, 2005

Bart said:
Ferrari vs Porsche

There are no questions in this discussion. An old 308 vs the new 9something the V-10. Take the 308.

8)

Couldn't have said it better :wink:

Dj Dirk

· #8 · Apr 17, 2005

you can't really compare a 25 year old car to a new porker
but for a daily car i would take the porsche

if it's a fun car without a doubt the 308

Boxer

· #9 · Apr 19, 2005

I think Andrew has summed it up very nicely.

As a former Porsche 993 owner, I can attest that it is a very reliable, extremely well engineered car. Where it comes up short is in character and in MHO it is character that makes a weekend car worth having. The 308's (and all Ferrari's) have this in great quanities.

Dr. Bob

· #10 · Apr 19, 2005

You do not buy a Ferrari because it is reliable, easy to drive and practical. It is a Ferrari, and that is the reason you buy it. You will have some troubles with it (it is 25 years old) it is not practical, but when you are behind the steering wheel on a sunny sunday with a revving engine it is waaaaaaay better than the porsche

308Fan

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 20, 2005

Thanks for all the advice. I am going to test drive a couple Porsche's this weekend (a used 993 and a new Boxster). My mind is pretty much made up to get the Ferrari though (actually my mind was made up 20 years ago)

Andrew

· #12 · Apr 21, 2005

308Fan said:
Thanks for all the advice. I am going to test drive a couple Porsche's this weekend (a used 993 and a new Boxster). My mind is pretty much made up to get the Ferrari though (actually my mind was made up 20 years ago)

Good luck with the search, I really do hope you choose the Ferrari and will visit us again to tell us how right we were :wink: .

mchferrari

· #13 · Apr 21, 2005

Close your eyes and say to yourself:
I drive a Porsche

Now say to yourself:
I drive a Ferrari

No comparison
8)

Boxer

· #14 · Apr 21, 2005

Very well put. 8) 8) 8)

Dj Dirk

· #15 · Apr 21, 2005

mchferrari said:
Close your eyes and say to yourself:
I drive a Porsche

Now say to yourself:
I drive a Ferrari

No comparison
8)

:lol:

Stradale

· #16 · Apr 21, 2005

mchferrari said:
Close your eyes and say to yourself:
I drive a Porsche

Now say to yourself:
I drive a Ferrari

No comparison
8)

I like that!

308Fan

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 22, 2005

I am also going to test drive an 85 308 GTS in another week or so, is there anything specific I should be looking (or listening) for? I know records are important too, is there anything specific I should look for there as well? The car has approx. 25,000 miles on it.

If everything checks out with the Ferrari, I can pay a local Ferrari mechanic to inspect it, but I don't want to waste the money if there is an obvious reason for me to rule out the vehicle.

Andrew

· #18 · Apr 22, 2005

308Fan said:
I am also going to test drive an 85 308 GTS in another week or so, is there anything specific I should be looking (or listening) for? I know records are important too, is there anything specific I should look for there as well? The car has approx. 25,000 miles on it.

If everything checks out with the Ferrari, I can pay a local Ferrari mechanic to inspect it, but I don't want to waste the money if there is an obvious reason for me to rule out the vehicle.

That is a good find and low miles for a 308. I hope it works out. Just give the car a really good look over and use good judgement. With only 25,000 miles I would expect the interior to be in moderate shape. If the car was garage kept the paint should also look decent.

It hard to say on the mechanical side of things so if you have a Ferrari mechanic in the area that will help. Keep us posted.

Mick

· #19 · Apr 23, 2005

mchferrari said:
Close your eyes and say to yourself:
I drive a Porsche

Now say to yourself:
I drive a Ferrari

No comparison
8)

that's a fair-ra-ri according to an italian colleague of mine

(i drive a por-shah doesn't sound too bad

)

michael pillay

· #20 · Apr 26, 2005

RMS issues

If you are still considering a Porsche Boxster, you might want to look into the Rear Main Seal (RMS) failure issues with them. A search on rennlist will give you some good information. It changed my mind about a boxster!

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