| Author | Message | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 515 Registered: 3-2002 |
State Farm gave me no problems. | ||
| Ernie (Ernie)
Member Username: Ernie Post Number: 845 Registered: 11-2001 |
Frank here you go: http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/251280/162718.html | ||
| Robert Faber (F129b)
Junior Member Username: F129b Post Number: 88 Registered: 8-2003 |
The only insurance problem you willl have is that the agent who writes the policy must override the VIN # when inputting as their computers don't recognize the European digits/numerals. | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 851 Registered: 4-2002 |
No insurance problems with Geiko or Progressive here. | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 161 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have had five different euro cars. Allstate never gave me a problem | ||
| Robin Overcash (Robin)
Member Username: Robin Post Number: 279 Registered: 1-2003 |
Any problems with getting insurance on a Euro car? -R | ||
| Jonas Petersen (Karsten335)
Member Username: Karsten335 Post Number: 608 Registered: 11-2002 |
Euro cars are more attractive. Don't ask my way, but I think they have something US conversions don't have. Remember, the Euro version are the way they were ment to be  Forza Ferrari, Con Saluti Cordialissimi. | ||
| noel smith (Noel)
Member Username: Noel Post Number: 399 Registered: 2-2003 |
PS...some say that dealers won't work on euro cars. my dealer couldn't care less. no problems on that front. | ||
| noel smith (Noel)
Member Username: Noel Post Number: 397 Registered: 2-2003 |
Frank, my 360 spider is a euro and my business partner's is a US, he paid $80,000 more than i did(he doesn't care about the us/euro thing, he just liked the car he bought and has a lot of money). after knowning both cars very well, they are the same. anyone who tells you different has not had first hand experience. | ||
| Ken Sullender (Sulley)
Junior Member Username: Sulley Post Number: 147 Registered: 9-2003 |
The vin will also tell you if it is a US built or Euro built car. | ||
| Steve M (Steve308gtsi)
Junior Member Username: Steve308gtsi Post Number: 158 Registered: 5-2002 |
I prefer the power and lightness of the Euro cars as well as the cosmetics.Like any car it is easy to find out if a euro car is legit by calling the DOT. There are many US cars out there that have had accidents, shady history etc.. Buyer beware of anything you invest in. Check it out first. | ||
| Robert Faber (F129b)
Junior Member Username: F129b Post Number: 84 Registered: 8-2003 |
Frank- I have a Euro '98 355GTS. It was converted by JK in Baltimore. The speedo (per DOT) must be changed to US (MPH). The bumpers are the same, but must have metal reinforcements welded to the chassis at the corners (per DOT). The cars must have catalytic converters that will allow it to meet US emissions parameters (per EPA). The fuel filler must have rollover spill protection (per EPA & DOT). The cars must have an evaporative cannister to reclaim volatile gases (per EPA). The ECU must be OBD II (per EPA) at least for my 355 -and presumably the 360. The headlights must be changed to DOT approved. The front turn signals must be amber in color (per DOT) although my lenses are clear(Euro), the bulbs are amber. Side markers must be cut into the bumpers (per DOT). This is the "pretty complete" list of mods. required. JK did a beautiful job with my car. All these mods were done so that you cannot tell the car is not US unless you really know what to look for (lens color, rear license cutout is longer). The cars are less valuable because of bias against a car that is not 100 percent factory in it's basic components (although the parts used are all Ferrari N.A.) I would fully expect the dealer to work on my car. Why wouldn't they if I'm paying them to? | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 528 Registered: 8-2003 |
How about newer cars like 360's? There is a huge price difference between U.S. 360 Spiders and Euro 360 Spiders. Also,any other Ferrari,really. 550's,575's, (more recent models). I am just curious about them,because there is usually such a vast pricing difference. And,I assume that they are the same cars,except for emissions and DOT approved bumpers.(and speedo's-KM vs miles) Is that the only difference? I see Euro 360 Spiders going in the mid to high $100K region. And,U.S. versions going for low to mid $200K. And,if it's just emissions and bumpers at issue,and they do get "qualified" by a reputable firm. What's left to consider?(worry about,maybe?) And,saw a few posts,in this thread and others, regarding that the U.S. Ferrari dealers "won't work on them". Why would that be? Do they still work on them if warranty isn't an issue? Other than emissions and bumpers,(and speedo) they are the same car,built in the same factory,with the same parts,by the same workers...right? I don't know,what else is different? $50K to $75K to $100K less for a 360 spider...THAT is a big difference.Once again,thanks for your replies. | ||
| Norm (32storm)
Junior Member Username: 32storm Post Number: 67 Registered: 5-2003 |
Main issue is proper EPA/DOT certified cars. There have been multiple instances where cars were either never federalized, or were put on the market with forged documentation. Both of these only to stings the unsuspecting buyer. This created a black cloud over the grey market cars, resulting in the depressing of the euro resale values. As the say bad news travels faster than good. Throw on top of this a number of half-azzed conversions still out there from one of a number of converters that are out of the business. Unfortunately it hurt the cars where they were properly done. | ||
| Ken Sullender (Sulley)
Junior Member Username: Sulley Post Number: 146 Registered: 9-2003 |
The warranty doesn't matter today on the 308's, and I believe the price difference isn't like what it was between a us/euro for the 308's any more. Find a nice one with records and buy it and enjoy. I bought mine from the original owner with 32K miles and records. Passed emissions test last year in Ohio. Not bad for an 18 year old QV. I looked for 6 months and now after owning a euro version if I had to buy another 308 I would actually look for a euro. | ||
| Adam R (Arymarcz)
Junior Member Username: Arymarcz Post Number: 135 Registered: 8-2002 |
I thought some NA F dealers would not honor a Euro warranty  | ||
| Al Johnson (Bigal)
Junior Member Username: Bigal Post Number: 180 Registered: 3-2002 |
I thought just the opposite, euros are more desireable than their US counterparts. | ||
| Bob Briley (Bob_briley)
New member Username: Bob_briley Post Number: 17 Registered: 5-2003 |
I was willing to pay more for a Euro 308, especially if it would pass California emissions. I didn't want a US version and was relieved to see that the Euro's didn't have a premium. It was actually the condition of the cars and the perceived value by the owners that influenced the prices. | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 832 Registered: 4-2002 |
Dave - You make a great point as some importers did a better job than others. During the recent 60k major we brought the Euro 308QV here back to EURO greatness from the original conversion. Glad i went to a place who knows their sh.., umm, stuff. Newman - thanks for the clarification, point well noted Craig - Great point about emissions. Thank goodness they do not have that here in NH. Soon all 308 cars will be exempt from such things in virtually all states. Enjoy the Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 2057 Registered: 5-2001 |
The other thing to consider, is that the car is only as good as the company that did the conversion. There have been a few posts by members of this chat of cars with problems traced back to the "registered importer" doing shoddy work. Not always the case, but you need to go in "eyes wide open"... | ||
| Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member Username: Craigfl Post Number: 703 Registered: 1-2001 |
My 328 Euro has more HP and different gearing but..... I wouldn't want to live in a state where they do emission checks -- no cats. I'm sure the HCs and NOx are way above requirements. | ||
| Newman (Newman)
Intermediate Member Username: Newman Post Number: 1333 Registered: 12-2001 |
Lets clarify something, the QV has more comp in euro form but the carb cars are the same in that respect. | ||
| Steven R. Rochlin (Enjoythemusic)
Member Username: Enjoythemusic Post Number: 827 Registered: 4-2002 |
Ken, Fully agree. If we are talking DOT/EPA cleared cars that are out of warranty, i'd take a Euro :-) As for the 308, FULLY agree about a Euro and would NEVER want a US version. Who would WANT those US cat pipes, added weight, less features, those UGLY protruding bumpers, etc of a US spec 308 if a Euro version was available??? Also US spec 308 has less compression than Euro spec. Euro = more power, less weight... enhanced fun :-) Enjoy the Drive, Steven R. Rochlin | ||
| Bruce Wellington (Bws88tr)
Advanced Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 3317 Registered: 4-2002 |
THE ONLY ANSWER EUROPEAN TO US CONVERSIONS NOT MANY U.S. MECHANICS WANT TO TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBLITY...... | ||
| Ken Sullender (Sulley)
Junior Member Username: Sulley Post Number: 141 Registered: 9-2003 |
The Euro 308 are lighter, faster, and don't run as hot. To my knowledge they tend to be less because some people are afraid they are not legalized properly and they will have trouble with emissions, etc. I own an 85 QV Euro and my mechanic says he would take a euro over a us spec any day of the week. I personally like the way the lower profile bumpers look and the car never runs hot even in Florida with the A/C kicking! Save the money for your next service and enjoy! | ||
| Frank Wiedmann (Frankieferrari)
Member Username: Frankieferrari Post Number: 525 Registered: 8-2003 |
Can someone explain why "Euro" Ferrari's seem to be ,"not as desirable" to buy and own? I mean,All Ferrari's are made in Italy. Besides needing to be brought up to "U.S. specifications" in regard to emissions and bumpers,what else are at issue with these cars? They seem to be offered For Sale at considerably less than a "U.S." version. And,if the emissions and other systems are brought up to U.S. specs,what else is there? Also. If the car was "certified" and inspected once(initially) does it ever have to be inspected again? When it changes owner? I own a U.S. 308 now,but see in the various publications that I subscribe to,alot of "Euro cars" offered at substantially less money,and,there's got to be a reason why. Thanks for your input. |