| Author | Message | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 21 Registered: 10-2002 |
Stu, I e-mailed you earlier, take a look. Call if you want to discuss. I think I can help, a little. David C. | ||
| stu cordova (Balataboy)
Member Username: Balataboy Post Number: 308 Registered: 4-2001 |
Hey David, Would love to hear the details of your purchase? If you prefer, email me. [email protected] Thanks - Stu | ||
| Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Junior Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 248 Registered: 8-2002 |
Congrats!!! Your biggest problem will be wanting to drive it all the time!!! Excellent choice. I'm sure the anxiety will soon turn to a permasmile as soon as you put it into 1st gear and step on the gas once home!! Post pics soon!!! | ||
| Barney Guzzo (Trinacria)
New member Username: Trinacria Post Number: 39 Registered: 8-2002 |
Congrats & good luck Dave. I am still smiling 7 months after buying my first Ferrari. Don't worry, life is good - enjoy! | ||
| John A. Suarez (Futureowner)
Member Username: Futureowner Post Number: 271 Registered: 3-2002 |
David, Maybe anxious is the right word. Congrats on the great ride!!! Please please post pics of it when you get a chance. | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 20 Registered: 10-2002 |
The deal is done. I have officially converted cash to 348 Spyder. The PPI went well and the car was even better then I expected. That is the good news - the bad news is I am now stuck in Atlanta because all the flights were cancelled due to the weather. Maybe I can get out tomorrow. Car should be delivered by covered transport by next week. Maybe the snow will melt by then and I can actually drive it. Thanks for all your wise words. Now I am nervous in a new way. | ||
| Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Junior Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 245 Registered: 8-2002 |
Well,,,,,,, Did you get it??????? | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Intermediate Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 1008 Registered: 7-2001 |
David, take your own advice. Shut up and enjoy! The Ferrari was the ONLY car I've ever purchased that made me nervous. | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 309 Registered: 1-2002 |
David, If you weren't nervous, you shouldn't be buying it. Ferraris are all about excitement, beginning with anticipation. I have bought six, sold five and was nervous everytime. BTW, they have always been easy to sell as long as you price at the market. Sounds like a good car, enjoy! Dave | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks Tom - I will let you guys know what happens. Of course I am probably going to get stuck in an airport because of this ice storm coming East. The things we do for our toys. Stu - if you need any help with your 348 search ( I can only help with Spyder's )let me know - I think I know about every good one available. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1941 Registered: 9-2001 |
after a while you forget all about the belts, for 99% of us it is only an issue on purchase and sale. If you are interested read some of Ed Gault's old threads on his view of the ferrari belt system | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2002 |
I guess this means the days of detecting a little valve chatter meant a simple adjustment on the 911 Cabriolet. My life will now be filed with "hope for the best". I guess this is the price you pay for moving up from Division III sports to Division 1. But if you want to drive the best you gotta play by the new rules. Thanks again. | ||
| stu cordova (Balataboy)
Member Username: Balataboy Post Number: 301 Registered: 4-2001 |
David, Keep breathing.....You're wise enough to know the difference between smart and stupid, so relax - it sounds like your doing all the right things. Congrats and keep us posted. I'm on the hunt for the perfect (for me) 348 as well, so I'm very curious to know more details. Good luck and have fun - Stu | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1939 Registered: 9-2001 |
to my knowledge not really, this is a big debate here, many go by the rule 5 years or 30k miles and hope for the best in between. obviously noises indicating pulley or tensioner problems should be investigated asap | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2002 |
Tom, Noted your coment about how fast a belt can change after inspection and I will remember that. Is there anything I should look, listen, feel for that would warn me of a belt problem before it is to late. I assume "chatter" or slipping. | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
New member Username: Kaz Post Number: 46 Registered: 11-2002 |
David I just went through the same thing. Actually, I spent over $2K in PPI's before I found the right car. Here is a 3 step program I used to get over the jitters. 1. Close your eys. 2. Chant.."I only live once...I only live once...I only live once". Continue for fifteen minutes. 3. Open your eyes. If the jitters persist repeat steps 1-3  Let us know as soon as you find out! | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1932 Registered: 9-2001 |
I would only put faith in it if they warrant it - which they won't. that said a belt can go even 100 miles after service so it is really no diff. I would not sweat it, I just wanted to make sure you were not putting 100% faith in an inspection which it sounds like you are not. Again just my humble non-expert opinion. | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks Frank, I was about to get my balls busted by the others. The FNA dealer said that this is the same inspection they perform when doing a pre-owned Powertrain Plus warranty program. It aslo includes a compression check and more. Like many of you I thought this sounded strange until he explained it the same way Frank did. I know it is not a perfect science but the belt condition and belt tightness can be determined. Anyone think this is a bunch of bull or can you put faith on this type of inspection ?? | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1930 Registered: 9-2001 |
What kills me is the dealers want to sell the car they can tell condition, when they want to service it they can't and recommend they be changed - you can't win | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 1554 Registered: 9-2001 |
Cam belts in a 348, TR , Boxer and most other cars CAN be inspected without removing the engine. You just take off the cam belt covers and look at and feel one section, rotate the engine crank look at and feel the next section and so forth until you have looked at and felt the entire lenght of the cam belt. The manual on my 328, TR, 348 and BB512i all recommended cam belt inspection at an intervel of between 10k miles and 15k miles I believe. You can tell alot about the condition of a cam belt by appearance and feel. | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1214 Registered: 4-2002 |
hell tom, you beat me to the punch..."the belts look good" that statement scares me...how can they just look at it, in a tr, the have to do an engine in/out, i dont know about a 348, but david, i wouldnt be to comfortable with that statement... just putting in my 2 cents bruce | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1926 Registered: 9-2001 |
Not to bust your balls but if they could tell the condition by looking then we should all just have are inspected until they tell us they are about to go - that will put the dealers out of business. Will the dealer warranty the belts? | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2002 |
Great comments , I like the term "Prior remorse" - As for the belts - The FNA dealer said they can check the belt and tensioner from below, simply remove a cover and there it is. I know it can not be changed but I guess there is a space for viewing and checking tension. I felt that the 30k was also age related - the car has been in service since 96 and the belts are supposed to be done within 6 years or 30k - that is why I figured I could go another year if it checks out. The logic on the Tahoe depreciation is what brought me to this car, I thought about a 1999 911 - imagine what that will be worth in 5 years The 348 is a better investment when you compare. If you can call it an investment. I feel that the 355's can only come down so low and the 348 should stabilize. Using logic from the 308 / 328 market. I think I will just shut up and enjoy. Any advise on what modifications I should do ?? Computer chip, Tubi, etc... See I am conviced I should buy it, that was not that bad. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3362 Registered: 5-2001 |
I am driving my 348 Spider today. Such a great car. Came to work in the TS and then took the Spider for some exercising. Always good to have a roof with you. No regrets once you have it. Trust me. All about the smiles and you see lots of them! 2 years from now you have lost little value in your investment while the guy that bought the P or the Tahoe is getting creamed! As for Belts. You are not due till 2005 or 30K. Why do it before? If you have prove they were done before no worries. It is the tenssioners and the pullies that fail BTW not the belt, that is just a by-product during that service that you replace, just like the little washer when you do an oil change. Not really needed but for the prioce of the washer (belt)not worth taking the risk. | ||
| Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Junior Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 240 Registered: 8-2002 |
Belts need to be done! The opinions I experinced are that, yes, the 348 is a less desirable car than say, the 355. That's evolution. However, for the $, it's awesome!! I think it's the first real 'modern' f-car and they are beautiful!!! I don't think you will find yourself with an Enron. Prices have recently been slowly falling on most cars. Downward pressure on 355's place downward pressure on 348's. However, the price will never fall to zero, so you will never loose it all!!! There will always be 'old timers' or others that try to knock what you have. Not everyone can afford a 360. Besides, most who knock it either are jealous or are tyring to show off what they have instead. If you like it, that's all that matters. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3361 Registered: 5-2001 |
...and the Tahoe rolls off the lot and is worth $10K less! | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 498 Registered: 7-2002 |
I haven't bought one yet, but have come very close and each time I freak out about the money. Too much time passes between when I want it and when I can buy it...buyer's remorse sets in, I call it Prior Remorse. Funny how it wouldnt' bother me to go buy a $50K Tahoe, but you say FER-RAR-EEE and you start to feel funny. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1922 Registered: 9-2001 |
I am no expert but from what I have been told you can't look at the belts and say they are good- obviously if it is damaged you can see it but my understanding is there is not a real early warning system on the belts | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2002 |
yes, Dealer did the clutch at 16k - the engine out 30k has not been done but the dealer has inspected the belts and confirms all is good. I will do the 30k with in the next 5,000 miles just because. | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks for the words, money is always a concern in everything we do but I am committed to the buy price and the maintenance prices ( especially parts ) I just don't want to find out a few weeks down the road that I made a big mistake - such as buying Enron or MCI stock a week before the crash - Being a novice in the F car world - I think the 348 Spyder is not going to dump in value and I know the 94-95 had all the upgrades. Everyone has opinions - is there any reason not to buy a 348 Spyder beyond the usual stuff ?? Is it one of the "least" desirable cars ?? or is it just like all the other models, meaning personal preference dictates desires ?? I would hate to show up at my first rally and be told by the old timers things I wish I had known before writing the check. | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 780 Registered: 8-2002 |
David, Has the clutch been done yet? M | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3355 Registered: 5-2001 |
... buyers remorse! write that check and don't look back. best thing you have done in your life! | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 779 Registered: 8-2002 |
I agree Fred. I was nervious when I got my 308. I felt like I was driving on glass for about 5 months. I wouldn't discuss my boxer. I freaked out at every little sound and drop of fluid. There is a lot of fear and rumors about Ferrari that is making you feel like this. Relax and enjoy. | ||
| Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Junior Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 239 Registered: 8-2002 |
There was a post a few weeks back about people being nervous when buying their F-cars. Almost everyone was!! Perhaps rightfully so. I would be thinking: it's a LOT of $ no matter which F-car you buy. 60's for a 6 year old car can seem like a ton!! Plus if you had to dump it the number of people looking to buy the car is fewer than if you had a Toyota (or your Porsche's). Should I buy this one or something else? This is how I would think. However, you obvioulsy want the car to have gone this far. I recommend really thinking about why you are nervous!! What's really causing the second thoughts? Usually it's $ related. With a car, there's not much that can't be fixed with enough $, right? Now ask, can you afford it. If you can, or even think you can, and that's how you want to spend it, go for it. This is a car. Nothing more or less. However, F-cars are always more emotional that other cars-it's just the nature of the beast. No decision is wrong!! Like I said, think about WHY you're nervous. Once you have completely thought it through, go with your gut and instincts. If you get it, congratulations!!! My 2 cents. | ||
| David C. (Worth_it)
New member Username: Worth_it Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2002 |
I have done all the research, most of it here - Now it is time for the PPI - Why am I questioning myself ? Does everyone get this way before their first purchase ?? Details - 1995 348 Spyder - 20k - 2 owners - Dealer serviced since new, all records, everything checks out ( on paper ), dealer certified belts OK - owner taking delivery of a 360 - buying for upper 60's PPI is tomorrow and deal should be closed - Tell me I am doing the right thing ?? I never felt this way when buying Porsche's. However, I never bought this high of a price and always felt I could sell fast if I had to. Maybe that is why my stomach is turning. I am a man, really - but I am sure nervous. Tell me straight - is this a good move ?? |