1977 Ferrari 308 GTS

The 308 democratized Ferrari. Before it, Ferraris were V12 exotics for the wealthy. The 308 was a V8 that middle-class professionals could actually aspire to own. Pininfarina's design set the template for mid-engine sports cars — the proportions, the flying buttresses, the wedge shape. Then Tom Selleck drove one in 'Magnum P.I.' for eight seasons, and the 308 GTS became the definitive '80s poster car. Yes, the V8 was down on power compared to the V12s. Yes, the malaise-era emissions equipment strangled performance. None of that mattered. The 308 looked like your dream of a Ferrari, and that was enough.

The 308's fiberglass body (early cars) or aluminum body (late cars) holds up well, but the steel frame rusts. The tubular chassis is the structural concern — inspect thoroughly. Well-maintained 308s can be genuinely beautiful with age; neglected ones become money pits. The carbureted cars are worth more than the fuel-injected versions, despite making similar power.

This is the 'accessible' Ferrari — but accessible is relative. Annual maintenance runs $3,000-5,000 at a specialist shop. The timing belt service is notorious: every 3-5 years or 30,000 miles, and it requires dropping the engine. The good news: parts availability is decent, the community is helpful, and these are actually enjoyable to drive. A well-sorted 308 is a genuine sports car experience, not just a badge. Just budget accordingly.