Looking at purchasing a 348.. Help

someone around where u live will help u soon
we are all brothers

 

Jeff-
There are many threads in this section about a 348 purchase-I recommend you do a search for "348 Purchase" and you'll find answers to all your questions. Also, you'll find it worthwhile to subscribe so you can see photos, etc ($15). Welcome to the addiction! You'll love the 348-the last great driver's Ferrari.

 

+1 if possible look for late production 93 gts or gtb or any spider they have 20 extra hp and a wider track, with hyperflows and tubi or x-ost you can gain another 10 hp

 

Buy the best car you can afford. 1993 & later will have most if not all problems resolved. You can't be picky about dealer vs private seller; there's not that many out there. Get it inspected (PPI) with a compression and leak down test. Don't get hung up on mileage. Find a well maintained car (hopefully with some recent records). Don't worry about old/lost/or missing records. Recent stuff is what really matters. Try to find a car that has had a few owners hopefully that used the same mechanic. Less than 3 owners would be ideal. It may take many months. Don't buy the first car you see unless all the above has been checked off. Good luck. Serie Speciale and Challenge cars will be a premium.

 

Also, be prepared to spend some money on maintenance. Ferrari ownership is: purchase cost + maintenance cost = FUN!!

 

Jeff, the maintenance history on the vehicle is the most important thing, so it doesn't matter if it's private or a dealer. Do not worry about mileage since the maintenance history trumps that. What you need to ask for are the service records to see how well the car was taken car of as well as when the last major engine out service (get used to this phrase) was performed.

Good luck in your search, and don't rush, and don't be afraid to ask any questions. We were in your shoes at one point and others were kind enought to help us through it.

 

Welcome to Fchat! I just purchased my 93 SS a couple months ago, And before I made a single post I was pretty much an advid reader ie lurker. Read up all you can and you will soon figure it out. Everyone will tell you do a proper PPI and compression test and yes I highly recommend this too. However I did not!

I purchased from a fellow fchatter that I know took great care of her and had the major recently completed, But had loads of records too. I highly recommend buying from an fchatter also take a look at our sponsor dealers on here also very reputable!

So happy hunting! Take your time it's worth the wait. Took me over a year when I finally pulled the trigger. Let's us know what your looking at chances are someone on here already know's about the car.

Cheers!

 

Good rule of thumb while looking. Purchase price + PPI Cost + $10,000 for possible maintenance or major. That or find a 348 with recent major and excellent records, still get the PPI. My .02

--Mike

 

That is good advice.

 

I suggest you contact a couple of Fchatters on here I believe there selling there's and there mint! PM These guy's mdshore348 and Ingenere. As for the one in Chicago talk to Tony he's great to deal with and a straight up guy. I dont have any info on them, but they have been for sale for awhile now. Take your time do it right.

Cheers!

 

If you are a first time buyer, I would recommend you buy from a highline dealer and buy the latest year (most debugged) car you can find. I would lean toward a 328 instead, but among the 348s the '93 and '94 Spiders would be my choice. If you buy from a private seller, it helps if they live near a Ferrari specialist who can go over the car for you.

The biggest issue for first time buyers is that you're going to have the jitters about possible impending mechanical issues, and the best way to ease these is by acquiring a car through a premium channel, such as a Ferrari dealer or other REPUTABLE exotic car dealers (Sport Auto, Motorcars Int'l, etc.) where they have a stake in making sure your experience is good. I wouldn't spend much time on eBay, Autotrader or supermarket used car rags.

As others have said, ideally you want a car that has had a service history with a reputable Ferrari specialist (dealer or independent). Personally, I would stay away from DIY cars. I want receipts showing what was done, when and by whom -- not a hobbyist's car, especially with the 348 with its single belt running everything.

348s have a list of issues, major and minor, all of which have been discussed to death in this forum. Probably the biggest one is the gearbox that wants to self destruct and take your checking account with it. Again, search here before buying.

 

Hi Jeff,

Have you looked at my Speciale challenge for sale?
http://www.salernomotorsports.com/Inventory/Pages/1993_Ferrari_348_TS_Serie_Speciale.html
If you have any questions, PM me.

Marcus

 

That's a beauty you have there Marcus. Not to hi-jack this thread, but how in the heck do you only have 11 posts during 5-years of membership here??

 

LOL, Honestly, this forum is a great resource for Ferrari info. It seems like almost every time I had a question about anything concerning my car or Ferraris in general, I had no problem finding it here! Before I knew it, five years had blown by.

Sincere thanks for the compliment by the way.

Sorry we jacked your thread Jeff, now we can get back to finding you a perfect 348!

 

I wouldn't lean toward any particular year. Any issues that an "earlier" model might have had have long since been worked out by an owner along the way.