If you want to own an iconic 1980s sports car, it’s hard to go wrong with a Ferrari 308. From the classic looks that make it instantly recognizable by even the most uninformed spectator to the reputation it has for delivering the quintessential Ferrari driving experience what with its gated shifter and mid-engine design, the 308 is as turnkey as it gets for becoming a member of the Italian exotic club. This 308 GTS is listed here on craigslist in southern California for $85,000.
The GTS updated the 308’s looks in a few subtle ways that make a big difference, but for me it’s always the later-style wheels that fill out the wheel wells so nicely. The 308 in early form looks like an early car – you can tell its lifecycle began in the late 70s. As the 308 evolved, it began to look like it belonged more to the early 90s than the early 80s, and that’s certainly the case with this GTS. Mileage is noted as being quite reasonable at 43,000.
The interior is in excellent condition, and while black is the preferred color for many enthusiasts, you can’t go wrong with tan or saddle-colored leather in a red sports car. The 308 appears to have a crack-free dash and leather bucket seats without any significant flaws. The seller doesn’t provide much in the way of details as it relates to whether this upholstery is original or if it’s been previously re-done, but it’s in excellent shape regardless.
The engine bay is certainly in good cosmetic order, but we need more information here. The belt service is the maintenance bullet you have to bite with these cars, no matter if it’s a cheap Mondial or a model that costs more like this 308. The seller would be wise to update the listing with an enthusiast confirmation that the engine-out belt service has been done, as it would inspire confidence in the car itself and also make it more feasible to purchase sight unseen. No matter what, a Ferrari with a gated shifter is a smart investment at the moment.
To most and surprisingly not mentioned, the closest we came to this car was,,,MAGNUM,,P.I., Tom Selleck, who must have had one heck of a run, sadly, an old man now, hawking final life ins. ( that I need to look into).
Hey, look at the location of the oil filter. Wonder where that idea came from? While anyone who breathes, has to admit what fantastic cars they are, I just don’t know what motivates someone, to think they need a car like this, or any “high end” car. Driving most everywhere, is a total PITA. Here( Co), is practically gridlock, with 4×6 duallys pulling ultimate behemoths( and 2 ATVs behind that). I’m happy with a 30 year old Jeep, and a tent I got for nothing. What a contrast, eh?
In the words of the great John Mellencamp, “Oh, but ain’t that America”, and 4th of July acknowledgments to all, how “happy” depends on a great many things these here days. The celebration seems to lose more fizz every passing year, ( our 4th of July parade was cancelled due to a street closure for tourists), BUT! I’m 68, and I tell all the other “alta kockers” ( old crappers), we lived in the best era. The 4th of July was ALWAYS a stark reminder of our freedom. No Ferraris, but an honest era, where a common schmoe like me, could do everything the American Dream was about, and I did. Amen.
Have a safe 4th all.
Footnote:
John “Lil Bastard” Melloncamp slips around the Bloomington area when at (this) home in a ratty 1985 Federal Blue Buick Skylark that’s been his stealth ride since the late 1980’s.
He maintains a small fleet of F150’s as loaners in case celebrity friends show up.
So he maintains the “Ain’t that America” thing when he heads north on 446.
The White Gold 1987 Porsche kinda sticks out amongst the pickup trucks here so it only goes south in 446.
Which is a nice American drive.
Howard, Selleck should feel ashamed for hawking all the things he does. Be it expensive loans on your house via a reverse mortgage or over priced funeral insurance. I am willing to bet he doesn’t need the money, so why do it? I bet he owns a red car, just like this. So why does he feel the need to hawk rip off financial tools to already down trodden people? I think I even liked him better as a vocal NRA member than this stuff. The car here is beautiful, but so out of touch with the average American that on this 4th of July, can’t come up with 400 bucks in an emergency.
Affordable funeral insurance is to die for
Ex wives perhaps. Inquiring minds want to know.
Probably the most quotidian (mundane?) or every-day of Ferraris, I’d still own this one in a heartbeat if dung beetles hadn’t destroyed my money tree.
Had a chance to buy one of these at the Nashville Auto Auction a few years back for around 15k, it was a drug sale, the car had a Buick Grand National engine in it, my buddy talked me out of it, looking back I should have bought it.
I would think a drug dealer could have afforded one with a real engine in in. Just the same, the Buick engine would have been a better one to live with. Typical criminal mentality, has to flash the money around. A smart criminal lays low to not attract attention, and then after they have a sizeable nest egg, quietly fades away to some tropical island where girls in grass skirts feed you grapes on the beach. That’s why Ted Kaczynski went so long before capture. Too bad (for him. He went after people in my industry, had us all nervous)) he had to mouth off with that silly crazy manifesto.
I have read that the vast majority of all new Ferraris registered in America are labeled as “company” cars. Indeed, another form of criminality.
“he had to mouth off with that silly crazy manifesto.”
Yeah. Like we were all okay with Ted.. up until then. “We could live with the bombs but he has recently fallen out of favor with that constant prattle.”
Ex wives perhaps. Inquiring minds want to know.
If it had a Buick engine in it, it was most likely a Fiero based kit car
Most Ferrari’s have been going up in price, this was posted almost two weeks ago, not many good close up photos.
Thats because the people who can afford them, despite dour economic times, are so well off financially, they have more money to burn. Any different opinions on this? I also would like to add that a ways back, someone here suggested that a slant six engine replacement would be good in a 308/328. That got some sour responses. I like the idea, any opinions on that?
Surely whoever suggested an engine swap in a Ferrari was joking… of temporarily insane.
Keep coming, Grant. It gets better.
Nice 308. It looks good, but I would think it needs a timing belt service, which can be pricey. It may never have been done, due to mileage, but due to age, I wouldn’t feel comfortable without it. Adjust for that, not a bad deal.
It’s a really cool and iconic car. Anyone notice the “(no profanity), politics, or personal attacks” rules?
Another “I should have pulled the trigger on that one moment” – Ferrari edition. In 1999, just after my divorce, I looked at one of these. The vehicle was $25K and had just been serviced by the dealer – brakes, clutch, tune-up, etc.
Unfortunately, I went with the 1999 Chrysler 300m – Motor Trend’s Car of the Year. It was the same price as the 308, and it was a fine and fun car and great for road trips. The stereo with 11 speakers, heated leather seats, power everything, etc. I drove it for 15 years, parked it for another two, and that was the death of the car – fuel, tires, moldy interior. I sold it for $250 to a salvage yard.
It was sometime after 2000, but a guy in my town opened a small used car lot, a couple jags, a 911, and a silver 308 among others, which he drove around while trying to sell it. All my boating buddies were talking about it, so a few of us went to check it out…….30k asking, and over a 100k miles on it. though a far cry from the 80’s when I was just out of high school and the speculators had “invested” in everything Ferrari, and the car mags were full of 100k$ plus cars for sale in the back of the mags and Hemmings….and now of course, they are at this mostly unaffordable level again…sigh I was born 20 years too late
Nice looking car, but too pricy for me and absolutely no room for my Great Dane…. have to pass on this…. lol
Located in Dana Point, CA
Just can’t help it,when i see a red 308 i think Magnum P.I. and the opening scenes of Beverly Hills Cop 2 when Eddie Murphy was driving around in Detroit.They were made iconic because of a 80s TV show.It was a status symbol to own one at the time,not necessarily for the performance.
I always have to think that the engineers should go out and service these cars. Not only Ferrari but other manufacturers too, that to change a belt on the outside of the engine, you have to remove the engine?? That’s insane.
Actually on these, you go thru the drivers side wheel well to access the clutch and water pump, timing belts etc, but they are still slightly complicated ….
Yes, in other words, NO ENGINE OUT REQUIRED to do belt service.
No, not at all. The added complexity and cost is just another bragging topic for the well off buyer. Rich people actually want things to cost more, that way they can drive by and smile at all us peasants, and somehow that makes them feel better all around. Not saying that the brand doesn’t offer some interesting and drivable cars, but the snob appeal has always been the number one selling point. I have known some Ferrari owners and in an honest moment will admit to such. The cars attract pretty girls, and it is the car they drive back to the hometown for high school class reunions. In this society, wealth somehow tops decency, intellegence, and kindness.
sure, but that’s always been a wealth thing whether it’s a big house or an exotic car or yacht …..the 308 appeals to me, because while I can’t afford it, should I have been barely able to, then I could wrench on it…..unfortunately even parts are prohibitive nowadays…but there are plenty of owners on some forums doing that work, and getting troubleshooting advice, to keep them going, because even the dealers don’t want to bother with these cars much anymore
but that small hand built mid engine driving experience is few and far between, I know, I used to own a Fiat X 1/9 and while a great car to me at least, its no 3liter v8 and super car body lines for sure :-)
I’m sure that’s true for some – a car is just a status symbol. For others, they buy a car because they’re enthusiasts who love the looks, sounds, and driving experience. (Some even get tinted windows so they can’t be seen). It’s always dangerous to categorize all people as the same.
I almost pulled the trigger on a 308 in the mid 80’s. I loved how it drove and the sound but when I asked about maintenance, no thanks. I went out and bought a 911 and liked it so much I bought a later model when I turned 50. Comparing the two, I would take the 911 every time, not only for maintenance costs, but the 911 works for me like the 308 didn’t. Different strokes for different folks. My gut tells me there is something not quite right with this listing.
And you can leave that 911 engine in the car for 200,000 plus miles…
There are many reasons an old Ferrari has less than 50,000 miles…
I’ll let the reader guess what those are.
A SBC Chevy transplant would be fun if one had the cash to burn..
And then there’s the guy that bought the $1.1 million dollar Hemi Cuda at the Auburn auction and stunned everyone there when he put the top down, threw a duffel bag in the back seat and told the assembled crowd that he was driving it back to California “because it was built to be driven”.
85 grand? Spend that money on a hellcat, you’ll have a lot more fun I’m sure.