A Question for 348 Shoppers | FerrariChat

A Question for 348 Shoppers

Discussion in '348/355' started by ctanner, Nov 18, 2009.

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  1. ctanner

    ctanner Rookie

    Nov 12, 2003
    17
    Silicon Valley, CA
    Full Name:
    Chris
    I would like to get some advice from 348 shoppers on what type of car they are shopping for. Please let me know what side of the fence you fall.

    Is the typical 348 shopper looking for a totally turn-key car with a brand new service, update wheels, etc and willing to pay towards the top of the price range?...............or..........

    Is the typical 348 shopper looking for a nice original car at the bottom price range in which they can select and supervise (or diy) the serviceand updates that gets performed?

    I'm interested to find out if one group is bigger than the other. And yes, I know the biggest group is the totally turn-key car at the bottom price range.
     
  2. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2005
    3,213
    Behind a drum kit
    Full Name:
    Mr. Chupacabra
    Hehe, yep, group #3 is all me! :)

    Seriously, though, I am only considering cars that are up to date with regard to maintenance. I'd like to have some time to enjoy it right off the bat. I'm also not interested in anything overly tired-looking, so I'd say I fall into group #1. More $$ upfront = more instant gratification. That's the plan, anyway...
     
  3. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
    5,559
    TX
    Full Name:
    Sameer
    #3 speedy_sam, Nov 18, 2009
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2009
    This thread needs a poll IMO.

    When I bought my car, I wanted one with a lot of service history - a premium car at a relatively premium price. I rationalized it by saying I want a car that I can drive immediately without any issues ... and I did drive my car 6000 miles in the first year that I bought it. So it kinda worked out for me

    Today, I think I can go both routes.

    I would buy a car with a recent service only if the service happened at a quality shop (preferably a top independent). No Mickey Mouse shops and no "to a bargain price" service deals even if it was done by a dealer. If the service was done by an enthusiast in his garage, then I would demand a lot of documentary proof that it was serviced properly with top quality parts and no short cuts taken.

    Believe me, I have learnt this lesson through experience.

    I would also consider buying a car with minimal history and pay the appropriate price for it assuming a thorough service from soup to nuts is due. You would be without the car for approximately a month and then you have something that is worry free for a long time.

    Make sure you pay appropriately for it. Pay a dog's price for a dog and a top price for a top car. I find it frustrating that people here like Husker keep quoting some low auction prices and assume all cars should be priced the same. These auctions are selling dogs for the most part. Cannot compare to a top car and beat up an owner of a top car expecting them to sell it for a song. :mad:

    For instance, I see Robbie's 355 on sale and also Luke's 355 was on sale. Both cars are well looked after and they and their owners are "known" on fchat. I would definitely buy a car from them and I wouldnt expect to pay auction prices for it.

    I think guys like Vince Vassalo have gone through the second route and have got a great car today.

    Sorry for the rant .. I am in a pi$$ed off mood today. I feel better already :D
     
  4. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,548
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    When I was shopping, I was looking for a well-maintained 348 with service records and was willing to pay top dollar for one, which I eventually did.
     
  5. copterjon

    copterjon Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2005
    1,536
    Mesa, Az.
    I have a well sorted car available and all I get are guys quoting me auction prices. I too am sick of members here not comparing apples to apples. My car is loaded with all kinds of high dollar upgrades and I'm supposed to let it go for the price of some ratted out POS.

    The old saying "you get what you pay for" still stands

    I'm having a sh!tty day too and am sick of all the supposed F-chat experts!:(
     
  6. sdiamond

    sdiamond Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2009
    294
    Kildeer
    Full Name:
    Steve
    For me too, thebest advice I got here was "buy the best example that you can afford" and I have been happy ever since. I think it is also a learning curve or at least it was for me that with a first exotic the anxiety about maintaining it is so much higher than the reality of pretty easy fixes for all the small things that can and do go wrong. With the wealth of information here (even with pictures) many of the problems can be easily sorted out even for the less experienced among us. For me it's been the best of both worlds, getting a top notch car AND being able to be somewhat self reliant when it comes to doing the small things. Personally I would not think about buying a questionable car for a cheap price and then all the down time and expense of bringing it up to speed. It's way more rewarding to get in and drive than to just look at it on the operating table and think to yourself that you saved some bucks up front.
     
  7. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

    Feb 1, 2007
    3,653
    rock bottom
    Somewhere in the middle. Definitely not retail.
     
  8. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,548
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    I agree!! :)
     
  9. ferrari 512 tr

    ferrari 512 tr F1 Rookie

    Nov 16, 2008
    4,178
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Paolo
    the condition of the car
    very low kms
    and full service history
    then price
     
  10. speedy_sam

    speedy_sam F1 Veteran

    Jul 13, 2004
    5,559
    TX
    Full Name:
    Sameer
    I'm sorry you are going through this. :(
     
  11. gsm348

    gsm348 Karting

    Nov 7, 2003
    137
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Greg
    I was shopping for a good year passively and 6 months actively, specifically looking for very clean cars with recent comprehensive major services done. I flew to a few cars whom the owners and their mechanics said were "perfect" only to see cars that had engines covered in oil, interiors with scratches all over them and rust bubbles on the paint. I expected and intended to spend the right money to buy a clean well serviced car, yet I quickly learned that everyone's definition of clean and major service is as diverse as the color spectrum.

    I finally found a very clean Speciale that had the complete service done in the last 18 months. The car was at a factory dealer and I had them do a PPI before hand which yielded a few superficial issues to the car which we mutually agreed upon a resolution to make the deal happen, but over all they stated the car was sound and good to go.

    I fly out to pick up the car and drive it home happy as hell. I bring it to my local factory dealer and they mention it has a tensioner bearing noise that I should monitor. Not good news. I drive it over the course of the summer, keep paying attention to the noise and then two weeks ago I am leaving a meeting and start the car up and hear more noise than I have heard in the past. I call my service advisor and schedule an appt to bring it in that day. The shop starts work on it the next day and after they have the engine out and open up the front end, I get an email saying I was "EXTREMELY LUCKY the engine had not jumped time and caused major engine damage" with how much play there was in the lower drive gear. So now I am sitting on a good $10K bill to sort the car out and replace anything that requires the engine out to service for the next 5 years.

    So....moral of the story, next Ferrari I buy, I will either be looking for cars needing the big service so I can do it my way rather than to the previous owner's specifications allowing me the piece of mind it will run the way I want it to. Or, I will fly my own tech out to inspect the car rather than take someone unknown mechanic's opinion on the mechanical condition and get jammed for $.

    After all this, I still a very a happy 348 owner and now have the piece of mind knowing I will put a good 6K mi every summer for the next 5 years.
     
  12. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Dec 11, 2001
    6,336
    On the Limit
    Full Name:
    Dino
    Mine is available as well, and is a seriously well documented and appointed car, services up to date, FCA platinum, books, tools, records and the only people that have stood up are the bottom feeders. All these responses about paying top dollar for good cars is heartening, but I haven't seen any real buyers like that..... yet!
     
  13. angelis

    angelis F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 18, 2004
    6,395
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Sy
    When I was looking for a 348, it had to be one with a full service history by either main dealers or Ferrari specialists. I rejected one 348 because it had a cambelt change done by a BMW specialists.

    Over 4 years later and my opinion has changed.

    My 348 has only got a couple of stamps in the book since I've owned it, did an engine out cambelt at my friends house, change oil myself etc. Everything that I would have avoided on a car years ago.

    So if I wanted to sell it now, I know that some prospective owners will try and beat me down on price because of it. Even though it's fully sorted and is one of the most documented 348's around.
     
  14. ferrari 512 tr

    ferrari 512 tr F1 Rookie

    Nov 16, 2008
    4,178
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Paolo
    At least it is done properly. I dont trust mechanics unless u know them
     
  15. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
    Moderator

    Oct 1, 2008
    38,742
    Huntsville, AL., USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=2834

    Wow - that's one very nice example of a 348. :D Just out of curiosity, would the original wheels fit over the big brake kit?

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  16. F-Bear

    F-Bear Karting

    Jan 11, 2005
    63
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Rob Weien
    Dino - Is that the red spyder you had up a the Colorado meet in Snowmass a few years back? If I had room in the garage, I'd quiz you further. Sadly, the season up here is ridiculously short ( :< ); beautiful 348!
     
  17. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Dec 11, 2001
    6,336
    On the Limit
    Full Name:
    Dino
    Thanks! It is actually a ts. But that is the car, and I have been to that event in Aspen/Snowmass a few times and thoroughly enjoyed it.
     
  18. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,548
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
  19. F-Bear

    F-Bear Karting

    Jan 11, 2005
    63
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Rob Weien
    Dino- Ah yes, TS, of course; (memory is the first thing to go). Enjoyed meeting you. Sorry the Colorado event is on 'hold' for a bit 'til things settle out. Always fun to see the cars 'out and about'. ( sorry for all that tree sap in town!)
     
  20. 348holland

    348holland Formula 3

    Dec 11, 2005
    2,161
    The Netherlands
    When I was shopping I didn't really care I wanted a driver. Was afraid that it wouldn't feel right to use an immaculate 348 for what it's build for. So I also went to see 'cheaper' 348's.

    My experience: an immaculate one costs the same or less than buying a cheaper one and fixing her.
     
  21. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,548
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    Say, that's a nice Avatar you have there.....:)
     
  22. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
    Moderator

    Oct 1, 2008
    38,742
    Huntsville, AL., USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    It is rather nice. :)

    Yours is much bigger though. Some might try to make a joke out of that, but lately I'm trying to exercise a more sophisticated level of restraint with my humour. :D

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  23. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,548
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    that's what SHE said :) ..... LMAO!!
     
  24. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
    Moderator

    Oct 1, 2008
    38,742
    Huntsville, AL., USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    LOL! :D
     
  25. 348holland

    348holland Formula 3

    Dec 11, 2005
    2,161
    The Netherlands
    I noticed that you did like it a lot.
     

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