Replacing the seats in a 93 348 SS...?

The usual approach is to replace the carbon fiber 348 seats with the OEM leather 348 seats, or vice-versa (grass is always greener the other way, you know).

The lap belt is mounted on the underside of the Ferrari seats, by the way. If you go with an aftermarket seat you'll either need a brand that has a mount for a lap belt underneath, or else you'll need to retrofit the mouse-motor belts to the 1989 3 point "normal" seat belts rather than the dual 1990-1995 lap belt plus mouse motor belt.

The aftermarket seat would *not* need a latch for the mouse-motor shoulder seat-belt, however. That goes to a track by the door (there is a back-up latch on the OEM seats, but whether you need a redundant back-up latch is up to you).

 

If you're not a freak for "original", consider 5-point harnesses, then your seat options are endless.

 

If it's the black car on ebay read a little further down in the posts. This car has been the topic of recent discussions. I have also seen it in person.
Not sure how to post a link but this might answer your seat question if I get it right.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130452

 

Ask them when the major service was done - they mention 5k miles ago but when exactly?

I was querying another fchat member who said the speciale prices were between 55k for a car needing service to 64k for a car that was perfect.

This car may be mechanically good if the service is recent and exhaustive. The paint doesnt look shiny to me and the interior looks pretty worn. Black/black will be pain if you live in a hot place - dont know which part of California you are from.

If you are thinking about changing the seats and such why not find a 92 TS for $7k less. I think the TS may be 95% as good as the SS under normal driving circumstances. I acknowledge that the SS may hold its value a bit better in the long run.

 

Why not just call Sparco or Recaro directly and see if they have anything? I would think they would have something for the 348/355, or something that could be modified.

 

The problem is the lap belt is in the bottom of the seat. Both the retractable lap belt and the buck are mounted to the seat. It would be hard and expensive to recreate that. Might be better looking for a nice used seat.

I am going with an OMP and a 6 point harness I think in the spring, but I am keeping the original just in case.

 

I feel that this is strongly optimistic. Look, 348 SS's are the best of the 348's in a group among the Spiders and the Challenge cars (unraced). There is no way I can accept that an SS is priced better than a Spider, just like I'd have a hard time with an unraced Challenge car at this level. For the $64K u can get a really nice 355 which is a whole lot better of a car. Don't get sucked into the "rarity" of the model. After all, they were conceived to reinvigorate market interest in the 348, whcih was not doing so well in the early 90's.

I like 348's - in fact they currently represent the best bang for the buck in Ferrari-dom. But, you have to be reasonable and do these reality checks. A $64K SS? Hey, you can ask and all u have to do is find one sucker. I can swallow $54K in great condition, but that's it. After all, there are too many Ferraristi out there that continue to slam the model (the rats!), so u have to deal with a certain unjustified stigma as a 348 owner regardless of the model.

I like this thread becasue it gets me thinking more about the black/crema pig we saw on Sat., eh Bruce? It does need new seats and your set up in your '89 is really cool.

 

$55k was the max budget I had in mind for my 348. Couldnt get a SS in that price range and settled on a very good condition TS

 

Yep. Seems like a solid car. Doesn't cost any more to make it just like you want it than to make it just like everybody else's. I like knowing exactly by who and when the work was done rather than relying on somebody's records. As a lawyer once told me when I was looking at some financials "It's just ink on paper". I like knowing what it looked like before it was detailed by the dealer.

 

I just spent six months looking at every 348 that I could find. In particular, I looked at SS and CH cars, plus Spiders. I did not come across a single "$54K in great condition" SS or Spider (not many CH on the market lately). If so, I would have jumped on it. SS seem to be mid 50s needing service, low-mid 60s with full service, great history, etc. Spiders are similar. Obviously, though, the rare good deals are out there. The lower priced cars that I looked at had a reason to be lower priced--questionable history, needs service, off color.

I am also one of those people who also seriously looked at 355s. To be honest, I think the $64 K 348 is a better option than the $64 K 355. The 348 in that range will typically be in great shape with full service, history, etc. The 355s I saw in that range were '95-'96s, and I was fearful of the valve guides, etc. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a '99 355 F1 Spider, but we are talking about the $64K car here.
Spence

 

I do not deny your shopping experience, but I think those were some pretty expensive 348's. Dealers have been asking some pretty outrageous prices, IMO, for these cars. Well except for that guy in SLC, UT who had that really tired out 348 Challenge car for $39.9K. I think even he is more flexible on this price now.

It is December, the traditional time for high-line cars to come down in price. I believe that 348's have some to go in depreciation, but there are close to done - maybe, depending on the economy. I wish I could predict these trends better - I guess I'd be a bazillionaire, eh?

We have seen some 348 cars trading on the wholesale market pretty cheaply. At the prices youare talking about, this translates to some whopping huge profits to these dealers on the retail sale.

I say cherish the SS and Challenge cars (as well as all the late model 348's), but don't get sucked into the hype and into paying too much. And do not confuse the Challenge cars with the Competizione cars which are really and justifiably expensive.

As a comparison look at the previous model line, the 3x8's. Only the '76 glass cars have really been successful in standing out in front of the pack in price. No matter what exclusivity the line has, a 3x8 is still a 3x8. GTB's are more valuable than GTS's in the US. QV's are better than earlier cars. You can try to cut the 3x8 line up into as many "speciales" or "limited production" cars as possible but these cars just don't get the kinds of premiums over the main stream 3x8's. I am resisting paying too much more for a SS or Challenge car compared to your basic 348.

If I am wrong, then I'll move on to another F car with better price/value metrics.

 

You are right about the crazy dealer prices. There is a SS that has been on the market for a while for $70. Ferrari dealers especially asking very high, but I suppose there is somewhat of a safety net there.

I had decided to buy mine either from a member here or from a well-respected independent dealer. I don't know enough to risk the "great deal" from an unknown. For example, I contacted the prior seller of the car on this thread. He couldn't answer anything about it over the phone. Too costly to take time from work, fly in, rent a car, etc. He wouldn't let it leave for a PPI, and I can't perform one myself. So for someone like me, a premium for a well-known seller with a no-questions car is probably worth it.

 

Some of the perceived outragious prices at the dealer are truely consignment cars of customers. That was the case when I was looking last year. Problem is the dealer charges a percent fee for selling the car and the seller thinks he should charge a premium to make up the difference. The 348 I looked at the seller was not willing to budge even at the urging of the salesman at the dealer.

 

imo the 348s' have reached their depreciation low point . the only factors now are condition service history and mileage . that will dictate a lower value. the same exact car, condition and service will be the same if not slightly more over the next few years. add 10 yrs and it will go the way of the 328's , higher.

355's are coming down more to the 348 level primarily because alot of new buyers are scared of the fact hey may have to spend 10k or more at the dealer for valve guides and or manifolds .... etc..


back to the orignal thought...

if you want inexpensive seats that work , try corbeau seats, the all leathe will cost you 1k for the pair. they work in mine.. be sure to ask the mto shave the saeat padding 1 inch when they make it .. otherwise you sit too high...
ask for JT- they know me there ...

 

corbeau all leather A4
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Hey, Doc, those are pretty cool looking. Can you get alcanterra leather in a dark gray color? I'm thinking about that black/crema SS and a neutral seat color that doesn't show as much as crema leather. Also, alcanterra is a much better track seat surface.

 

Uh-huh...

 

Man - those Corbeaus are really nice