Ferrari Mailing List: My two cents, was: Looking to buy a Ferrari

[Rick Lindsay (rolindsay]

   You asked for opinions - and you're getting them!

   This is an emotional topic and you should know YOUR
emotions first.  What do you want?

   Yes, the 328 is probably a better car but one must
define "better".  Does it sound better than a carbed
308?  Not in my book.  Is it prettier?  Woah! 
Big-time issue there.  You obviously know my vote.  Is
the 328 easier to maintain? Probably but the
difference between "maintenance" and "repairs" should
be emphasized.  Both cars take similar maintenance -
unless you get your screwdrivers into the Webers. 
Then you're going to have to go-by-the-book to get
them back right.  Repairs on a 328 may be easier just
because it is 10-15 years newer than the first 308s. 
Oh yea, the windows might work too. :-P
   And cLydE's comments about fire are worth heeding. 
If I were to buy a 308 today, I would change the belts
and all the fuel and coolant hoses before putting the
car into service.  That's all just part of the fun of
owning an old car.  I have played with old carbed cars
my whole life.  They are simple in design and complex
in application.  But you have built British cars so
you know what I mean.  New cars do with electronics
what old cars do with little precision mechanical
systems (carbs, distributors, etc.) - systems that
wear and can be easily damaged.
   I don't drive my 308 much and to some, that is a
sin.  I have enjoyed restoring it and continue to
enjoy it as a precision machine.  Other folks couldn't
imagine doing their own maintenance but enjoy driving
the wheels off of them.  Some enjoy both!  So what
should you do?
   Just buy what make you smile.  Buy it right.  And
if you find that you don't like what you bought, you
haven't thrown your money away.  Just sell it and buy
something else!  Its what many of us have done. :-P

rick
Current: '79 308GTB
Previous: '83 Mondial QV