Magnum Mania!

For those of you who have thought of buying a 308 at some time in your life, an article in the most recent issue of Octane (a British classic car mag) says now is the time to buy. As the logic goes, the generation that fantasized about the car is getting to an age where they want to realize their dream and can afford to do it. The prices right now, the article says, are very low for a car of such prestige and they're predicting this is the bottom of the market.

Who knows? But the logic sounds right to me. Regardless, it's a great read. I'm sure you can pick a copy up at your local magazine shop.

What you say makes sense. I've never heard of Ocatane. I'll have to see if I can get by a Barnes and Noble this weekend and look for it.

Jay Leno writes a short piece for them every month. It's a pretty good magazine (I subscribe).

Yep. Transplant a LSX engine in it and make it easier to work on and not have to take it to a Ferrari expert. That car is just too damn cool.

This is the website for OCTANE magazine. http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/

I saw a red Ferrari 308 GTS parked in my neighborhood today.

'Cool once more' ?! It was never out of style!

We have a client who owns a 308 GTS convertible.
It is apparently awful to drive.
Anyone here driven one?

Actually this client wears a Rolex GMT Master as well and is often wearing a ball cap...

Cool magazine, Styles. One day I'd love to have a 308.
I should start a saving jar now!

I've never heard about them being awful to drive, but I guess it could be with any smaller car.

I believe the show went through 3 different upgrades on the 308, the most common is the 308 GTB (used longer). For stunt work its said a replica was used.
If you look on ebay you can find the cars for about $22,000US, after this story they will "try" to get more $$$. Their nice cars, but by todays standards a bit old school. But then remember were talking 30 + years ago, if you want one make sure you know a good, honest repairman, with a payment plan. OR...
You can live the legend and do like I did; buy a 308 GTB Replica built on a 1988 Pontiac Fiero frame, even fools the car guys, and the ladies love it.
All the fun & fame, with none of the high cost maintenance. Good ones run about $10,000. with the best ones running about $16,000. again on ebay and other sites. Heck, I even have the hat, and the ring-why not-life is short.

Here's an awesome low-mileage 1978 308 GTS for sale in Paradise, California. (US$29,900)

http://bringatrailer.com/2010/05/06/bat ... i-308-gts/

Nice! I wish I had 30 grand laying around. I'd love to have one of those one day.

Dan wrote:'Cool once more' ?! It was never out of style!

We have a client who owns a 308 GTS convertible.
It is apparently awful to drive.
Anyone here driven one?

This is my first post, so...Hi All.

As a huge Magnum fan growing up, I remember telling my mother, as a 9 or 10 year old, that I wanted a Ferrari...and got a Matchbox for Xmas

Too many years later, a 1980 308 GTSi resides in my garage

Awful to drive is subjective. Since the 308 was replaced in 1985, the newest ones are now 25 year old hand built Italian performance cars. Contrary to the way the car is portrayed on the show, they were never really intended to be used as daily drivers by most owners, with good reason.

Compared to almost any car today, the 308 takes more work to drive. No power assist to any controls, so steering, clutch, brakes, gearshift, all take a significant effort. The cabin is small, and the driving position is awkward, with the pedals offset to the right to make room for the wheel well, so you end up sitting at a bit of an odd angle.

AC might as well be nonexistant.

P.J. O'Rourke drove the original 1979 308 GTS used in the MPI pilot from NJ to CA and wrote about the trip in Republican Party Reptile. The piece is a great read, and sums up the car wonderfully. Probably my favorite line: "You'd sooner try to dock a sailboat in a basement utility sink than parallel park..."

So...as an everyday commuter car...not a great choice.

BUT...

Top off, through a handful of curves with the ocean on the right, listening to the engine wind out behind your head as you click through the beautiful chrome shift gate...I'd rather have the old 308 than almost any car on the planet.

- Paul

PJH308 wrote:
Top off, through a handful of curves with the ocean on the right, listening to the engine wind out behind your head as you click through the beautiful chrome shift gate...I'd rather have the old 308 than almost any car on the planet.

- Paul

That is a beautiful thing...

Wow. Yes it is a beautiful thing...

Congratulations, PJH308 on perhaps the pinnacle of Magnum collecting!
Do you wear a Tigers cap while driving it, or is that taking it too far?

Also- do you mind if I ask how you find the build quality?

Welcome aboard Paul, and I'm glad you enjoy the car so many of us envy!