1981 Ferrari 308 GTBi review from North America
"A timeless beauty!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Lots of time spent looking for and repairing oil leaks.
Parts are expensive.
General comments?
Beautiful design that turns heads. I think of this car as rolling art. It makes me smile every time I walk into the garage and see it.
This car is not the fastest, but it is no slouch either. It is a kick to drive.
Car best not used as a daily driver. If you aren't wealthy and are an above average street mechanic, this car can be a joy to own and drive. I just finished the 15,000 service. It took several weekends and I spent $750 in gaskets, camshaft seals, tensioner bearings, filters, valve shims, and belts. A shop would charge $2500 - 3000 for this major service.
This car is lots of fun on winding roads, but driving in the city and heavy traffic is a pain. It has a very wide turning radius, making it hard to maneuver in tight parking areas. Poor visibility to the rear as the view is blocked by the rear engine deck sails.
The injected 308 is less troublesome than the carbureted 308s in terms of maintenance.
The best thing about owning this car is... well, it's a Ferrari!
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3 liter V8 Manual |
| Performance marks | 10/10 |
| Reliability marks | 5/10 |
| Comfort marks | |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 43000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 48000 miles |
| Previous car | Ferrari 308 GT4 |
| Date of Entry | 14th February, 2003 |