my observation on the 308 GTS

2951 Views 29 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Rosso, Jun 16, 2004

Andrew

Discussion Starter · Jun 7, 2004

This weekend I was able to drive this fine machine from San Francisco to Infineon then around the hills of Napa/Sonoma and back twice. Awesome is the first thing that comes to mind.

The sound is something we all hear about but hearing it from the inside of the car is quite different. The engine and exhaust hum right behind you and it is SWEET. In 5th gear if you give it some gas the deep howl becomes a deep roar in your left ear.

Other things I noticed. Shifting to 2nd and 4th give you the nice sound on the gated shifter known only to Ferrari. To date I have driven a number of sports cars but Ferrari does have something special. It can't be put into words.

Maybe it is the curves, while driving the 308 you always notice the finder flare on the front left wheel and it brings a smile to you. The car is small and nimble. At 70mph you can get to 90mph effortlessly.

The handling is awesome. In downtown San Francisco when you take a 90 degree right turn it is exciting to give it some gas 1/2 way through as you exit.

In short: This is one badass car.

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

Stradale

· #2 · Jun 7, 2004

I knew you'd enjoy yourself. Good on you, Andrew.

Pete04222

· #3 · Jun 7, 2004

Enzo250GTO said:
Other things I noticed. Shifting to 2nd and 4th give you the nice sound on the gated shifter known only to Ferrari. To date I have driven a number of sports cars but Ferrari does have something special. It can't be put into words.

I never really thought about that one but now that you bring it up, I do like the gated shifter. It makes it feel more like you are engaging gears on a piece of machinery rather then just moving a selector. And you do get a distinct sound when you go into second and fourth. Instead of just controlling the transmission, the overall feel is that you have brought some of the transmission into the passenger compartment and you have a solid connection to it.
It is cool.

Dj Dirk

· #4 · Jun 7, 2004

please tell me that somebody took a pic of that BIG grin on your face :wink: :green:

enjoythemusic

· #5 · Jun 7, 2004

Enzo250GTO,

Now imagine a Euro version with no cat pipes, higher piston compression, better headers, Hill Engineering Slick Shift gate, custom free flowing exhaust, about 300 lbs less weight overall... and oh, lowered a few inches and better suspension/brakes

My apologies for being a VERY happy caretaker of a 1985 308GTS QV with race seats.

Andrew

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 7, 2004

Steven,

OH I can imagine it very well. There was another owner there with your year QV and he had a Tubi on it. The sound difference in the two 308s was instantly noticeable. I had already parked and when he pulled up it was awesome.

308ROB

· #7 · Jun 7, 2004

driving a 308

Enzo 250.
I'm happy you like the ride in the 308gts and I'm agree what your feelings
are about the car, i'm sure Pete will be in heaven now. so am I.
by the way, 90 miles/h ? was your handbrake still on. :lol: 308Rob

Andrew

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 8, 2004

Re: driving a 308

308ROB said:
Enzo 250.
I'm happy you like the ride in the 308gts and I'm agree what your feelings
are about the car, i'm sure Pete will be in heaven now. so am I.
by the way, 90 miles/h ? was your handbrake still on. :lol: 308Rob

No hand-brake, the car isn't mine so I have to respect it. I would of course respect my own 308 but I would be more willing to push it above 100mph. Today I got to try the Lotus Esprite S4, and it was awesome. Very different from a 308 GTSi QV but you can't compare a 1982 to a 1994. However, it would make you happy to know after driving both I'd probably take the 308. Overall it was more fun.

Pete04222

· #9 · Jun 8, 2004

Re: driving a 308

Enzo250GTO said:
Today I got to try the Lotus Esprite S4, and it was awesome.

Hey! What the hell club is this you hooked up with? I want to join!!

Dj Dirk

· #10 · Jun 8, 2004

Re: driving a 308

Pete04222 said:
Enzo250GTO said:

Today I got to try the Lotus Esprite S4, and it was awesome.

Click to expand...

Hey! What the hell club is this you hooked up with? I want to join!!

hmm, i think i have to come over even sooner :wink:

Andrew

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 8, 2004

Pete,

A friend of mine has started this business so I was lucky because he needed help getting the cars to and from Infineon Raceway and a winery where they were having an event. Here is the club: www.clubsportiva.com

The Aston Martin is awesome but they didn't use that one

Dirk,

You should plan a few days in SF and we can visit their club.

308ROB

· #12 · Jun 8, 2004

drive 308gts

Enzo 250 GTO.
I'm happy that your best choiced as a winner is the 308gts, but maybe I'm
a little bit jealous because your able to driven those fine cars.So please enjoy more test drives and let us all know how it feels.308ROB :lol:

Rosso

· #13 · Jun 8, 2004

Hmm, Andrew, very cool! Sounds like ain interesting buisness venture.

Driving the 308 sounds like it was great from your description. Must have been a great drive too from SF to Infineon.

Stradale

· #14 · Jun 8, 2004

He has a collection of beautiful cars!

Andrew

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 9, 2004

Rosso said:
Driving the 308 sounds like it was great from your description. Must have been a great drive too from SF to Infineon.

It was awesome. I also drove from Infineon to a winery but I forgot the name of the winery. It was a great weekend to say the least.

4kids3fish

· #16 · Jun 9, 2004

Enzo250GTO said:
.... but I forgot the name of the winery

Yeah, wineries can have that effect!

Andrew

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 9, 2004

4kids3fish said:
Enzo250GTO said:

.... but I forgot the name of the winery

Click to expand...

Yeah, wineries can have that effect!

LOL, no way and I going to mix wine with the keys to a Ferrari or any car for that matter. I think the 10 hours of sun made me not care as I just wanted to get back in the car and come home.

PrancingHorse

· #18 · Jun 9, 2004

TITTYWOP!
(this thread is worthless without pix!!!)

Dj Dirk

· #19 · Jun 9, 2004

show me the pics

sHOw me the PICS

S-H-O-W M-E T-H-E P-I-C-S

SSHHOOWW MMEE TTHHEE PPIICCSS

(Jerry Maguire was on TV a while ago :wink: )

Andrew

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 9, 2004

I don't have pics. I don't care about pics I care about driving it! There was one person that took a photo from the car in front of me. I'll see if I can't get him to email that picture to me.

1 - 20 of 30 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.