Last week I put our 1984 Ferrari 308 through the ringer. I drove it from our office in Santa Monica 150 miles north to Bakersfield and back. On the hottest day of the year. Temperatures ranged from 95 degrees to 105 degrees...
It's a route with signs that say things like: "Turn off air conditioning to avoid overheating." We weren't sure the Ferrari would make it. The day before the trip I was all over Mapquest looking for other routes. Routes closer to the ocean where the temperatures wouldn't be so severe.
But the car made it without so much as a wimper. In fact, its water temperature gauge never went over 220 degrees, and spent most of the trip in the 195-200 range. It seemed to relish in the challenge, humming along at 90 mph like it was an Italian sports car or something.
I on the other hand was completely overheated. The Ferrari's A/C is only strong enough if it's 80 degrees or cooler out. At these extreme temps it was a windows down run and I was sweating my arms off. When I got back to the office it looked like I had run a marathon. I could almost hear the car laughing as I peeled myself out of the driver seat and stood up. I may have needed a shower, but like the car I was smiling. It was a good run.
The next day, however, we tried to check the car's fluids. You know, give it a once over after its workout. But it wouldn't start. That was Friday. We let it sit over the weekend and planned to futz with it today, but never got to it. We'll check it out in the morning and let you know what's up.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief @ 49,123 miles
texases says:
07:09 AM, 08/21/07
Sorry, if this is supposed to convince me about the 308's practicality, you lost me at 'it looked like I had run a marathon', combined with 'it wouldn't start'.
redliner says:
08:34 AM, 08/21/07
LOL, excellent reliability, wouldn't you say? I think you guys actuly enjoy all of this drama. And remember....This car is over 20 years old. I think that anyone who buys a 20 year old anything, should expect some issues.
scott65 says:
08:34 AM, 08/21/07
Hmm I wonder what the issue is...hope it is nothing serious!
desmolicious says:
01:24 PM, 08/21/07
Could you give a bit more info as to "car wouldn't start"? When you tried to start it, did the motor turn over, or was it just dead? Flat battery or just not firing? etc etc.
As for the A/C sucking, all the Porsche 911s of that era were the same. I'd just roast in a turbo I used to drive.
estreka says:
01:30 PM, 08/21/07
A/C is for wussies.
texases says:
02:00 PM, 08/21/07
Yes, "A/C is for wussies" in Montana, but not Dallas!
serpico says:
02:00 PM, 08/21/07
I roast in my Turbo too, great comment, brought back some memories!
estreka says:
08:19 PM, 08/21/07
Texases - I always put my top down when I lived in Austin, too. ;-)