Looking at a 90 348 TS, so much to worry about!

$18,600 + $30,000= $48,600 but did not buy a 308 at that time for $50,000?

 

Lets don't turn this into a replica bashing post. Let's help the guy with the 348.

If you get a bad feeling about the car, then walk away. There will always be other red 348s. And even if the mileage is right, that's not necessarily good.

Find one that's been driven. Don't be scared away from a car with 30-40k miles! That's only 2-3k miles/year. I would say a 93 or 94 with higher miles would be the ideal car. All the improvements and upgrades - along with being exercised regularly...

Whereabouts do you live? Think about filling out your profile.

Good luck!

 

No one is bashing anyone Crawford. It made no sense until he explained it later.

Mera, I had the same worries before buying mine. I read posts here regarding problems encountered with 348s that made me freak out. Saw the same with 355s too. But then took my time looking for a well sorted one with a major service just completed and just went for it. I always owned Porsches and they are very reliable, so it was scary for me to switch to Ferrari. But I always wanted a Ferrari and decided it is time.

Just be patient, learn as much as you can about the 348 and if you have any questions or need any help, just post your concern here and any of our brothers will respond promptly.

Good luck and we hope you join the brotherhood soon.

 

Mera

Would you have interest in my '92 348ts @ $45K?

Pete

 

I bought that car in November!!!

Going back to the 1990 car - check if they have all the service records for the car. Do a PPI with compression and leakdown test. If the car has a recent major with belt service then I would say $48-50K is a good price for for a 17k mile car. Best of luck!

 

I communicated with the dealership on the phone asking about various details/pictures. The dealership - Steve Harris Imports - has an awesome reputation for being straight shooters. So I was sure that I wasnt going to buy a lemon.

I flew over; did a test drive and got a PPI done the same day. The car checked out fine. I bought the car on the spot and drove it to Houston the next day. Fantastic road trip!

With a Ferrari being an common car - particularly the 348 which sold in relatively small numbers - you might need to travel to get your car. I saw a local car - but it wasnt in that great condition.

 

Pre-purchase inspection...


I'm in Nashville and bought my car from CA. Didn't see the car in person 'til it was delivered (more exciting that way!). Had a thorough PPI done in CA.

 

Pre Purchase Inspection. It will cost ~$300. Insist on a compression and leakdown test.

Can be done at an authorized Ferrari dealership or a reputed independent Ferrari shop.

Do not buy a 348 without proper inspection. There may be problems that the previous owner may not be aware of. Also do a reasonably long test drive - 40 mins. Try a hot start also.

 

A 348 that has always been serviced at a Ferrari dealer could be a good find - most of us with older cars take them elsewhere, in my experience. There are some great independent techs who do the same work at a better rate, but it's always good to find a "money-no-object" car. I don't think seals are part of the usual major service. Tensioner bearings and water pump should have been done, though.

Every old (pre-360) Ferrari that has been driven seems to have had a front-end respray. My car has had it done twice. As long as there's no collision/frame damage, I wouldn't sweat that.

Ferrari's eat tires - makes sense it would have new rubber at 17K miles. You can check things like seat bolster and pedal wear as a quick sanity check on mileage, but there's no guarantee. Best way is to have a thick service history file on the car. That's not a guarantee either, but reflects a more conscientious - and maybe scrupulous - owner.

I agree about your targa comments. Be prepared for some squeaks and rattles, but overall I find my 328 GTS top far more convenient than former ragtops I've had.

Given that he wants a 348, and loves the looks, he should go for a 348. If it were up to me, I'd sell the replica and go for a 308/328. The replica may be a quality vehicle, but it would be a totally new experience anyway, as it would be his first Ferrari and arguably the classic Ferrari shape of the late 20th century.

EDIT: Looking over the pics, I think the interior, engine and gearbox are Fiero. Again, just my two lira, but I think a drive in a real 308/328 would be a revelation.

I did the same, geographically reversed - bought from a dealer in NC, shipped to CA. No issues.

 

The Serie Speciale were imported into the US in 93 and 94. Some of the guys here can give you specific numbers on the 93s, but it was somewhere shy of 100. Not sure how many TS (targa). There were 15 of the '94s, all TS (targa). I just bought #5, and I know of two other '94 owners here.

There are usually one or two Speciale models for sell in the country. Here's one:
http://cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&paId=132714151&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=YEAR+descending%2CPRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&recnum=15&leadExists=true&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_51_%7CD-_1406_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-YEAR+descending%2CPRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CZ-72404&aff=national

Finally, since no one else has mentioned it, you MUST read the 348 "bible:" http://www.the348.com/Tech/348.html

Happy hunting,
Spence

(have to include a pic!)
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Hey Rodney. Glad to see you getting a 348 soon. I think I've only bought 1 or 2 parts from you (shifter linkage) so does that entitle me a ride sometime? Good luck. Greg Z

 

http://www.continentalautosports.com/inventory/details.aspx?id=NLIL0007.5/8383

Nice car - congrats! Hopefully you will be able to take it out a couple times if the weather is good. I have taken my car out in 30-40F weather a few times and didnt face a problem. We dont have ice here though. As long as you take it easy in the first 2 gears you should be okay. The long, progressive throttle and long rev band means it really driveable in inclement weather. Of course proper rubber is required if it si snowing

As to the insurance, I have no idea. Dont you need the insurance to be able to register the car in your name? Also if your car is damaged or stolen, then who would pay for it?

 

Allstate lets me add a car automatically upon delivery as long as I give them a call. I did that recently and then moved the insurance to another carrier. It was insured with Allstate for about a week. Total cost : about $11. I think you will really enjoy the new 348. Have fun in the spring!

BT

 

A waste of money. (cue can of worms being opened)


;-)