I agree that some wear is to be expected with 56k miles, but I would think that an enthusiast would strive to minimize wear and would take actions as soon as any wear issues were noticed. If someone doesn't take the time to have chips in the paint touched up, then did the person take the time to change the oil when needed? I wasn't able to meet up with the seller yesterday. I'm hoping to see the car today. At the very least, seeing the car will give me points of reference (even if they are all bad) for other 348s I look at.
FYI - it's easier to change the oil than touch up paint, especially metallic paint. Case in point - ever driven a Ferrari into a body shop? That $200 touch-up on a normal car becomes a $7,000 full repaint! Amazing how the prices go up... Not that I'm defending the car in question... it looks "used".
+1 The owner's manual on a '94 Ferrari states that the timing belt be replaced at 52,500 miles. Actually, it mentions nothing about a "major service" as we know it. Valve inspections every 15k, oil every 7.5k, etc... THEN it contradicts itself by saying somewhere else that these services should be carried out every year if mileage has not been reached. So there you have it - full major every year. You've been advised by Ferrari
Hey Rick, I did some homework and picked this one up for $36K and change with 23,000 miles on the clock. Then again, it's awfullly rough. Image Unavailable, Please Login
There are some good cars available for less than $50k. I would say my car is pretty much 'pristine' mechanically, and very good cosmetically. I had the major service done a little less than 2 years ago (along with many other things), and have continually improved the car, sorting out little things that bother me. I plan on selling it to a fellow Fchatter shortly for mid $40k's. I think I might be able to get a little more on the open market, but what's the fun of that? Granted it looks pretty rough in the photos, but it is much nicer in person... BT Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
+1 mechanical condition is very important IMO. Idealy records and condition is the ticket. Though given the choice of either condition or records..... I will take condition..... especially mechanical 'condition'..... +1 .....a fine example.....
Thanks to everyone for their input on the blue 348 for sale locally (in Dallas). Interestingly, I've gone to the car lot once and asked about the car's service history, sent two emails asking about the service history, and have called once asking about the service history. Guess what? I know nothing about the car's service history. (I've been told that the seller is trying find/get the paperwork together with the service history and I will be called back.) Needless to say, unless something magical happens, I'll end up passing on the car. I do still want to see the car, however, as there really aren't that many local 348s that come available, and I would like to get some visual experience with the cars.
If the price is right, go look at it. If the body hasn't been smacked, drive it. If it drives good to you, then take to an "expert" for further probing. As far as service records, your going to give it a mojor regardless of what the records say. Then YOU know its done. If they get records, fine, if they don't you can beat'em up on price.
Very true words. I had several friends pass on my car which is sorted, documented from new, serviced, a platinum winner and featured in Forza, etc for $63K. They bought cars in the mid $40's, that were undocumented and needed 'TLC', and both are now into the cars for almost $70K. So which is the better buy?
Do not be so hasty. Group77 is correct - let the experts tell you about the mechanical condition of the car. If I used your criteria about needing a service history I would have never bought SS 78. Plugzit and I looked at it and passsed judgement right then and there, but we know what to look for. Use your expert. If the car is clean and straight and the mechanicals seem sound, buy the car and invest in a major. Then forget about the past and enjoy your baby while trying to wipe that smug-azzed grin off your face cuz u stole a sweet ride!
Sorry, but for $36K, I don't think I'd be particularly interested in "service records". The car is priced rock-bottom. Buy it and go do your own service.
It's $36k? If it hasn't been smashed, has oil pressure, no bad engine noises and the tranny shifts, its a no brainer, BUY IT!
Yeah, his wife got them for him for Valentines Day......... Just kidding to who ever posted the shoe pics, I love my Puma's. I would say that if the car has no body,or major interior issues, it would be a good buy. If it doesn't have a rod hanging out of the block, at that price a service is needed anyway for peace of mind... and if you have the ability to do work yourself... even better, a really great buy then. Everyone was talking about a 348 at a scrap yard that needed a clutch earlier in the week, priced at 31k, I'm sure it needed a major too...that would be a sweet deal too, if you could do some if not all the work yourself. It all depends.......buy a car cheap, do the work yourself to "get the car right" and be sitting in it less than retail value, buy it and pay for service to be done and be in it AT retail value, or buy one with all services done and ready to go at retail value. It all depends on what you want to spend and how much you want to do yourself. That said............anyone have a TR with a blown up engine they's sell cheap????????????
Buyer beware. I saw this car for sale back in Oct, Nov and then in DEC, Jan, Feb....lol I know the price seems right but I bet you will need to spend another $15k very quickly They are just looking for a quick sell right now to someone that will be star struck with the car and not ask too many questions.
Look, no one knew anything about the car I bought and that worked out well because I went in with eyes wide open, armed with knowledge and had Plugzit along for good measure. Who cares if the seller is a schmuck?! No service records?! Bah! You are buying a $35K resto job, not a $65K concours queen. Anyone out there with a sense of adventure? If this car was in my back yard, I would be more than happy to run out and look at it for you. On the other hand, maybe this kind of project is just not your style. In that case, yes, pass on it and buy the car you are most confident about.
I agree with Vince one hundred percent... at that price, you can easily afford to make it right, and then KNOW it's right. Mike in Kuwait
For the price, I am not expecting a garage queen. I actually like the idea of a rolling restoration project, and I've already factored an immediate $10k (or so) service with whatever car I purchase. (I do want to make sure, however, that I wouldn't be looking at a $20k or more immediate service...) The real issue is that I can't actually get them to show me the car. I've gone to the car lot once, sent multiple emails, and have called multiple times. I did receive one email from someone at the car lot once stating that the car was at his house (in his garage), but when I called back to set up a time to see the car, I got the "I'll call you back in an hour" response with, guess what, no call back. I'm going to try once more (and not ask any questions, just ask to see the car) and see what happens. The way that the seller is behaving, however, makes me think that there is something "fishy" going on (either with the car or the financial transaction surrounding the car). If the car lot (minus car) wasn't just down the road from my office, I would think that it's an online scam of some sort. Maybe they just have another buyer for the car and they are stringing me along in case the original deal falls through.
Well, heck, we can't say much more. If there is no car, then what the heck?! Their behavior sounds pretty amateurish to me and maybe, just maybe they have another bidder or they really don't have the car to sell. Hmm, maybe it's time for a call to the state department of licenses for car dealerships, eh?
I would agree with that statement as well but this car has been looked at by many a people thus the 5 times lower pricing it is more of a head ache than it's worth.