| Author | Message | ||
| ShanB (Shanb)
New member Username: Shanb Post Number: 39 Registered: 7-2003 |
You guys are awesome, so when I say this, please understand I mean NO offense to anyone, but... Why is it whenever maintenance costs come up, there's always at least one "if you have to ask you can't afford it" type of response? For the life of me, I can't understand how anyone can think that way. There are many things I can easily afford, but don't buy because I feel it may not be worth the price or headaches. Personally, I like to know what I'm getting into when I spend ANY amount of money. My wife and I give to our church and various charities, but I don't like "throwing" my money away, not even $5. Then again, I still have the first dollar I ever made and my wife says I squeak when I walk (well maybe not that bad but you get my drift) So I think there's nothing wrong with asking about the rules of the game even if you really CAN afford to play. Thanks and keep the good advice coming - I'm still trying to figure out if I want a TR or F355. | ||
| Andrew S. (Andrew911)
New member Username: Andrew911 Post Number: 17 Registered: 9-2003 |
Eugene in reference to your post "I'm not talking about dream land prices on e bay..." Do you mean the prices tend to be higher than market or lower than market on Ebay? Or that people are just throwing stuff on there with a high reserve to see if anyone "bites"? I'm just curious as you most likely know more about the Ferrari market in terms of price ranges than me. Thanks- Andrew | ||
| Mister Jones (Davey_jones)
Junior Member Username: Davey_jones Post Number: 130 Registered: 9-2002 |
Joshua - of the 348's I think you are looking in the right direction if it's a speciale - it should retain it's value a little better. I think alot of people here may already be able to afford an f-car, they just can't seem to "pull the trigger" and get one.... I looked off and on for probably 3 years. Past few months have been most fun I've had in a long time actually. Good Luck! | ||
| Joshua Findlay (Jpf)
New member Username: Jpf Post Number: 10 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks for you comments guys, I appreciate them. Eugene, I think you are on the mark with the pricing. I have been seeing early TSs for about $57K (there is a really nice black one in Miami), and the very few SSs that I have seen are in the $67K eange. I have seen a couple TSs for sale in that range though, and that just seems wrong. I agree; You only live once, but this is a HUGE purchase, and it is going to take some time to justify it to myself. I will keep you all posted! | ||
| Eugene Angelo (Eangelo)
Junior Member Username: Eangelo Post Number: 67 Registered: 8-2001 |
I think a $10,000 to $15,000 extra for a SS is about right (depending upon condition and records). I my opinion - 348 TB and TS are selling for about $42,000 to $52,000. Please note, I'm not talking about dream land prices on e bay. Therefore, in my opinion, a 348 SS would sell somewhere between $52/57,000 to $62/67,000. Remember, a fair price is what a willing buyer and seller will agree upon. | ||
| Eugene Angelo (Eangelo)
Junior Member Username: Eangelo Post Number: 66 Registered: 8-2001 |
Oh! I forgot, $750 on a new set of Pirelli tires. | ||
| Eugene Angelo (Eangelo)
Junior Member Username: Eangelo Post Number: 65 Registered: 8-2001 |
Dennis is correct with his description of the front spoiler. Just be careful on ramps and speed bumps. I own #93 and it has been a great car. After 1991 or 1992 many of the eletrical problems were corrected. Yes, some of the interior parts will develop a sticky film. This film can be cleaned with a little elbow grease. But the 355's have the same problem with sticky interiors. Maintenance can be expesive. For example: I spent $7,400 for the following - Timing Belts All and I mean All rubber hoses Alternator & AC belts many many many gaskets & O rings valve adjustment water pump timing cover parts that broke during service repacking the flywheel with "special grease" all fluids rebuilding the cluth slave cylinder new spark plugs and all the other stuff for a major service. Joshua, Many of the things I replaced or rebuilt, may have not needed to be fixed. But, since the motor was out of the car and I planned on keeping the car and tacking it to the track once or twice a year I spent the $7,400. I'm clear now for the next 5 years. Only fluid changes. So, if you get a good clean car with no problems, this might give you a good idea as to what you should expect. 348's are underrated cars. Do it!! You only live once. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Intermediate Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 1048 Registered: 4-2002 |
Joshua: consider; full ownership costs on any modern Ferrari will run no less than $0.40/mile and should run less than $1.20/mile. {Gas, oil, tires, brakes, 15K and 30K, insurance}. The more you drive the car, the less a percentage of cost the 15K and 30K represent! | ||
| Andrew S. (Andrew911)
New member Username: Andrew911 Post Number: 13 Registered: 9-2003 |
Joshua- Re: "Perhaps it would be best if we all ignored the part of my original post in which I expressed concern over the maintenance costs. I realize now that it was a trivial remark, and should not have been adressed here." I think your original comment/question on maintence is a good one, and part of what to consider before buying a Ferrari- not only in the decision of whether to buy one or not, but also giving prospective owners a general idea of what to budget for and expect. That said, becuase of your original note on the maintence and people's subsequent responses, readers on the side lines like me are learning a lot. I don't think you need to retract that original statement on maintence- as a matter of fact, I'd like to thank you for it as I'm learning a bunch! I want to get a Ferrari some day, but with big purchases like this I probably research for what equates to years from first desire to actual purchase  , and part of that research is knowing what to budget to keep the beauty on the road! That's what I've done with my past car purchases anyway.. Andrew | ||
| Dennis (Bighead)
Junior Member Username: Bighead Post Number: 237 Registered: 2-2003 |
Josh and Jeff - quick comment: The SS front spoiler lip extender actually makes the 348 BETTER for ramps and potholes and such, even though it DECREASES front clearance. Why? Because, without the lip, when the spoiler hits, the chips occur right on the front, leading edge, and is clearly visible. With the lip attached, the scraping occurs only on the BOTTOM, where it is not visible. The front edge of the lip doesn't chip/scrape. So, it's actually an IMPROVEMENT - I know this because I had a 348ts that I had to get repainted twice, then had the lip installed and it stayed perfect. vty, --Dennis | ||
| Jeff B. (Miltonian)
Member Username: Miltonian Post Number: 573 Registered: 12-2002 |
Joshua: I have a regular 348ts, not a Serie Speciale. Two comments based on the SS models I have looked at: 1) The SS seats were very uncomfortable to me, personally. Perhaps it's something that you get used to? 2) The front spoiler lip/extension is very close to the ground for a street car. The normal 348 is quite prone to bottoming out on the nose. The SS is even worse. If you have a sloped driveway, you may have serious trouble getting in and out without scraping. Otherwise, expect the same good & bad points as other 348's. Get the best/newest one you can afford. Good luck, have fun "hunting"! | ||
| Dennis (Bighead)
Junior Member Username: Bighead Post Number: 232 Registered: 2-2003 |
Check out: http://www.ferrariclub.com/faq/348versions.html vty, --Dennis | ||
| philip (Fanatic1)
Member Username: Fanatic1 Post Number: 421 Registered: 2-2003 |
I'm surprised that anyone has ever noticed that the roof leaks............seeing how no one has ever driven their car in the rain! | ||
| S. Brent Cardani (Brentc)
New member Username: Brentc Post Number: 48 Registered: 8-2003 |
Robert, Valence makes a CF replacement for the melting console at a price that is comparable to an OE replacement. | ||
| Joshua Findlay (Jpf)
New member Username: Jpf Post Number: 5 Registered: 9-2003 |
Robert, Interesting, interesting. I was not aware of those problems (though I assumed the roof leaked). I am in no huge rush to do this, I would need to find the right car first, but I think a year or so would be abou tmy schedual as well. | ||
| Noelrp (Noelrp)
Member Username: Noelrp Post Number: 325 Registered: 8-2001 |
I have a 348 SS (#5 of 100). 115 were made. 12 in 1992, 88 in 1993, & 15 in 1994. Mostly TB's but I'm seeing more TS on the market lately. My experience with my SS has been good so far ($5k in maintenance bills in 3 years of ownership @ 3k miles/year). True, the maintenance is expensive but that is also true with any modern Ferrari. PM me if you want more info. Good luck. | ||
| Joshua Findlay (Jpf)
New member Username: Jpf Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2003 |
Philip, Thanks, I appreciate your input. I proboby would not use the car all that much actually, only for fun jaunts throught the coutryside and for the occasional Ferrari tour. If I wanted a reliable daily driver, I would certainly not be thinking of a Ferrari. Perhaps it would be best if we all ignored the part of my original post in which I expressed concern over the maintenance costs. I realize now that it was a trivial remark, and should not have been adressed here. | ||
| Robert Ginsberg (Chefrobear)
New member Username: Chefrobear Post Number: 38 Registered: 3-2002 |
I too have started to think about a 438 speciale. However, my mechanic pointed to a few problem area's that pertain to florida. The consol plastic has a melting problem. He showed me a 348 that had an A.C. fire. Too much current to the unit. The roof leaks. There's more but I think it's a great looking car and I'm sure the owners of the one's here will agree. I 'll probably pull the plug one one next year. | ||
| philip (Fanatic1)
Member Username: Fanatic1 Post Number: 420 Registered: 2-2003 |
The SS is a beautiful car. I'm assuming you know all of the aesthetic differences between the SS and the "normal" 348...the slightly higher prices reflect the fact that they are more desirable, newer, and a limited production was made....100, or 113 depending on your source........I prefer them very much to the "normal" 348. However, if you are looking for a car that you want to drive without thoughts of repair lurking about in your mind......don't get a ferrari. But if you LOVE the marquee, and can put up with it's quirks, then there is NO Substitute. Good luck | ||
| Joshua Findlay (Jpf)
New member Username: Jpf Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thank you both for your response. I did not mean to say that I could not take care of the problems should they arise, just that the prospect was causing me some trepidation. Of course I am aware that the purchase of a Ferrari would be expensive not only in the purchase itself, but in the ensuing maintenance. Thank your for your support. ;-) | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 972 Registered: 9-2002 |
I agree with Mitch..Ferraris are, esp. the 348 and newer, very expensive to maintain repair. This is not to say that they are unreliable per say, but rather that should the unfortunate case arise, you should be able to take care of it. If you accept that and plan for just that, you should be fine. PS Im not a fan of the 348 that much..but the SP's are definately my fav 348 after the challagne cars. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Intermediate Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 1041 Registered: 4-2002 |
"The major hurdle for me is the potential for financial ruin due to maintenance." Perhaps you should wait until this is not an issue before looking seriously into any Ferrari. | ||
| Joshua Findlay (Jpf)
New member Username: Jpf Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hi there, I have always wanted a Ferrari of course, but only recently have actually considered getting one. Originally, I was obsessed with the 308GT4 but, though I still love that car, have recently re-directed my attention to the 348ts Serie Speciale. Specifically, I would like to hear any opinions on what premium this model should bring over the "regular" 348ts (as if any Ferrari could be called "regular"). It seems that when they come up, the asking price is about $10,000 above the normal model. I would also love to hear any input from 348 owners out there that might persuade/dissuade me in this quest. The major hurdle for me is the potential for financial ruin due to maintenance. Any thoughts are welcome. |