Im thinking about buying a Ferrari 308 GT4, its one of the least popular Ferraris of its day, but one of my favourites and I was just wondering if anyone has had any Ferrari owning experiences and would you recomend it or will buying a 1970s Ferrari just end up in tears!
My advice, even though I know jack about owing Ferrari�s, would be to get one of the Pininfarina cars, even though the GTB has a fibreglass tub (which I know people didn�t really like), It�s much prettier than the boxy Bertone designed GT4 (IMHO of course), if it were me, I�d go for a GTS, but that�s only because I�m a bit of a tart .
Anyway, I realise I haven�t even helped in the slightest, or even stuck to the question, but best of luck either way.
David
…or will buying a 1970s Ferrari just end up in tears!
Not in your case, cos it will never run, nor leave the centrally heated, air conditioned luxury of your garage
Go on, deny it if you dare, but nobody will believe you anyway
I had really wanted a 308 GTB, or even better, a 246 GT until I had a nice read through this thread (you’ll have to register to see the pics). I’ve never cared for the GT4.
The mystery was lost and after seeing how they were put together, I’m more tempted to save funds for a late V8 Esprit.
Yes, I know a lot of people hate the wedge shaped GT4 but being a lover of Fiat X1/9s, I love the Bertone GT4.
Pesky, I couldnt possibly comment…but I dont want one riddled with bodge and a knackered engine…its the up keep im worried about!
They vary in price from 8-22k, just a bit of a worry that theyre not everyones cup of tea so should I have to sell it, it may take ages to recoup my money!
It’s like anything Bertone, you tend to get what you pay for. 8k ones are usually money-pits sadly. You can easily spend more than the thing is worth getting it right.
Buy a good one (nearer 16k than 8k) and you’ll get genuine 70’s Ferrari V8 noise and go. The engines are actually quite strong if they’ve been looked after.
Bodywork is shocking 70’s Italian bean cans, but you’ll know all about that!Electrics can be dodge, but quite often just rusty earth bonds.
Have a look on the FOC web site and buy a car with the most complete history from an enthusiast member. History is everything really, otherwise it’s a complete gamble.
I actually have a little soft spot for the wedgey GT4.
Get one.
Jules
Seriously - if I were you I’d buy a Caterham for around �13K to �15K, get it on track (you’ll be surprised how much you’ll enjoy it) & run it for a year, before deciding what to do next. After 1 year, you’ll suffer minimum/if any depreciation & you’ll have used a sports car for what it was designed for
PS Sorry if you think I’m being pushy to get you on track, but bollox to you anyway
Alex
Thought you & your Dad would be at Paul Ricard this weekend?
PS Jules, sorry for thread hi-jack.
Alex
Thought you & your Dad would be at Paul Ricard this weekend?
PS Jules, sorry for thread hi-jack.
It was deemed by the old man as the least attractive race of the season (distance, races at arse end of the day, etc). I know Messrs Randall are down there though. We’ll be at Dijon.
Keep it to yourself, but there’s a rumour a certain Martini sponsored car will be out for a test later in the year.
/sorry Bertone
Jules
Seriously - if I were you I’d buy a Caterham for around �13K to �15K, get it on track (you’ll be surprised how much you’ll enjoy it) & run it for a year, before deciding what to do next. After 1 year, you’ll suffer minimum/if any depreciation & you’ll have used a sports car for what it was designed for
PS Sorry if you think I’m being pushy to get you on track, but bollox to you anyway
Yes but ive ALWAYS wanted a Ferrari since I was a kid…theres a dealer got one at 21k, concours condition BUT it would take years to sell it on again for that price as they are not the most sought after car and im sure the dealer wouldnt give me back anything like that…mind you it would be in better condition than that it probably is now…if you get my drift?
Every petrolhead should own a Fezza at some point in their life! With the GT4, you can keep all your bodily organs as a bonus.
Julian, 21k is top top toppiest money for a GT4 mate…
Every petrolhead should own a Fezza at some point in their life!
My missus had a Fiat Panda at one time, & then an AlfaSud Cloverleaf Coupe - that is the nearest I’ve been, or want to own an Fezza. Just not my cup of tea, & I have no desire whatsoever to have one. A GT3 RS on the other hand…
Each to their own, & all that
Every petrolhead should own a Fezza at some point in their life! With the GT4, you can keep all your bodily organs as a bonus.
Julian, 21k is top top toppiest money for a GT4 mate…
Dont worry Alex, I spent 2 years trying to locate one so know the ins and outs of prices, problem is you really do get what you pay for with a GT4, Nick Cartwright always has the best but you are paying for his name too!
Would any dealer offer you a fixed buy back price providing it was in the same condition or better of that when you bought it from them?
In fact while going to view a Ferrari at my local Lotus dealer got me into Exiges, he had one in the corner of the showroom and bought one of those instead!
Every petrolhead should own a Fezza at some point in their life!
My missus had a Fiat Panda at one time, & then an AlfaSud Cloverleaf Coupe - that is the nearest I’ve been, or want to own an Fezza. Just not my cup of tea, & I have no desire whatsoever to have one. A GT3 RS on the other hand…
Each to their own, & all that
That’s fair enough. Every petrolhead should own one if only to realise that a lot of them are a bit of a disappointment!
(Or could just borrow one I suppose. A cheaper way of finding out! )
Or could just borrow one I suppose. A cheaper way of finding out!
Over the years, I’ve been in quite a few (both on road & track), & have really enjoyed the experience. However, as I said before, just not my cup of tea from an ownership perspective - not that I would ever be able to afford one in any event!
I too have a soft spot for the look of the GT4. However all 70’s 80’s & more Fezza’s are actually made from re-cycled washing machines, & welded by the visually challenged during bouts of uncontrolled fits. The electrics are assembled by Eastern european orphans.
So…look to pay at least �18-20K, & allow at least as much again every two years if you ever plan to start it up or venture out on the road.
On track, allow �5-10K per day
Tim.
Every petrol head should own a Lotus. Italian, German stuff & those hideous rally reps are far too overrated IMHO of course.
I too have a soft spot for the > look > of the GT4. However all 70’s 80’s & more Fezza’s are actually made from re-cycled washing machines, & welded by the visually challenged during bouts of uncontrolled fits. The electrics are assembled by Eastern european orphans.
So…look to pay at least �18-20K, & allow at least as much again every two years if you ever plan to start it up or venture out on the road.
On track, allow �5-10K per day
Tim.
Every petrol head should own a Lotus. Italian, German stuff & those hideous rally reps are far too overrated IMHO of course.
Thanks for your vote of confidence Tim!!!
So I presume your answer to my question is NO???
So I presume your answer to my question is NO???
No. It’s a qualified yes
It’s always nice to see one of them on the road.
Tim.
I have owned my 1977 308GT4 for nearly 12 years now, I just love the shape and the noise it makes.
I was lucky because during the late 80’s a fortune was spent by a previous owner on a total rebuild at Emblem Sports Cars as Ferrari’s were going for ridiculous high prices then. I bought it after the prices had collapsed. It is still in very good condition but there are high maintenance costs.
To purchase one now you would have to be so careful, as it would cost an absolute fortune to restore and you would never get your money back.
Personally I would advise against the purchase of one on the grounds of high restoration costs and that it is not a favourite with Ferrari purists.
Get your Exige supercharged instead!!!
Regards,
David.
I have owned my 1977 308GT4 for nearly 12 years now, I just love the shape and the noise it makes.
I was lucky because during the late 80’s a fortune was spent by a previous owner on a total rebuild at Emblem Sports Cars as Ferrari’s were going for ridiculous high prices then. I bought it after the prices had collapsed. It is still in very good condition but there are high maintenance costs.
To purchase one now you would have to be so careful, as it would cost an absolute fortune to restore and you would never get your money back.
Personally I would advise against the purchase of one on the grounds of high restoration costs and that it is not a favourite with Ferrari purists.Get your Exige supercharged instead!!!
Regards,
David.
Hi David,
Nick Carwright has got a concours winner for sale for 21K…so presumably that is in A1 condition, the omly worry would be if I needed some cash straight away, I might have to take a hit to get rid of it!
Do you think any dealer would offer a written buy back price if the car was in as good or better condition than when you bought it?
What sort of money are we talking in maintenance costs?