348 buy, add antitheft

Hello Brotherhood! I'm looking at "pledging" into the great fraternity and have been doing my research. I just spoke to a Ferrari dealer/service rep about possibly installing Lo Jack and also what brought me to the 348 type.

He said he doesn't think a 94 348 came with any antitheft and I haven't heard or seen anything from the out of state dealer other than "fully loaded." The service rep mentioned the draw on the battery and figured if lo jack had it's own source then it would be ok. I have lo jack on my daily driver and it's been fine. They don't do them at the dealer.

Then he asked about my interest in the 348. I told him how I was looking at entry level cars and how the 4C was maybe more costly than an older Ferrari. I like how the 348 is manual and only antilock brakes. He advised me about the service requiring more like 10K off the price if it hasn't been done. I ran an autocheck and got as much as I could from that and can share it here. He then went on to say that the older cars can be maintenance intensive with expensive parts. I'm aware of that but like what I see here about alternate part sources and hands on wrenching. The big 30K still scares me but the price might make it worth while. But being able to take it off a selling price would be fine too, and may be a good way to make friends with the local dealer?

What are your thoughts on this?

 

Hi John
It's been a long long long time since I heard of a 348 being stolen. Personally, I leave it unlocked, often windows down, with nothing of value inside. Take what you want, just don't break anything! Hondas are far more profitable to steal, and not nearly as conspicuous. Heck, I removed all the crappy alarm wiring. Nothing but potential problems there. Buy insurance.
As for service costs, search is your friend. We've discussed it ad finitum.
You'll love the 348!!!!

 

Thanks plugzit! I have searched and thats what I like I've heard similar things about my dd which is a Miata! Guys are always worrying about the tops. I've had my run ins with vandals but a local body shop did wonders with wet sanding and im thinking of them to fix the front spoiler ding on the otherwise mint spider. Condon Skelly gave me a fantastic quote. I don't know how I get it home though with insurance and it being out of state. My current carrier wouldn't insure it. I dream about driving it home through the fall folliage

 

The dealer guy mentioned the 355 and 360 even after I mentioned the brass valve guides in the 355 and auto, systems. I think he was selling me up. Which is fine but f1 service is cheaper?

 

No need for an alarm system. Who is gonna steal and 30 year old red Ferrari that sticks out like a sore thumb on the freeway to a helo pilot when a silver Honda is easier, less conspicuous and simpler to fence or chop?

If you feel the need, just have a flashing red diode installed in the dash in a conspicuous place. Make sure your car is always charged.

Services are so much easier in this car for the DIYer. The 355 isn't too bad for the annual stuff. The known items can be troublesome - guides, headers and adjustable shocks. The dealer is always going to upsell. An independent is more likely to tell you the truth. 348's are about as bulletproof of a Ferrari as you are gonna get.

 

Wow what a great response! I like the "bulletproof" reference Ok now getting it here is the next question. Can I drive it, if road worthy, on my old insurance under "personal" and then register it with Condon Skelly within 15 days? I haven't heard back from the seller in a day but he left me with the instructions to contact him when I am ready to put a deposit on it to hold the car. I would be driving about 250 miles back up here. So far he's only come down a grand to help with storage and transportation but he's asking a couple over NADA and if the 30K isn't done (but might be if truely mint-loaded) i'm taking 6-10 off in asking. Some minor front lip chip unless it's a flaw in the pic. Thinking of a local shop to address that.

 

10k for a major service is obscene but routinely charged by Ferrari Dealerships. Many independents with excellent reputations will do it for near half that. Of course the price can vary when you add in extra's.

I assume you considered my SS. I'm 5k under NADA because it needs a belt. Most buyers prefer to have their guy do the work. I'd be happy to consider an offer at NADA with a new major already done.

RE driving 250 miles. If your thinking the car would be challenged, your buying the wrong car.

 

Why not insure it with Condon Skelly before you drive it home? I have my insurance on my 355 through Classic Automobile Insurance and it was something like $500 per year and they were able to do it all through email in less than 24 hours. Not worth the risk driving it home without coverage. Attempting to drive it on your DD policy really isn't smart as if there is a problem, they will look for a reason to deny coverage.

 

This.

I wouldn't bother with an alarm system.

Kai

 

Get Lane's SS. It's the better buy.

 

Never seen an alarm system that prevented a pro from getting the goods.
Only good they are for is getting a better insurance rate.

They just keep the honest people honest

 

Aftermarket alarm systems are frequently more trouble than they're worth. When a car gets towed in because it won't start, an alarm is the first suspect.

 

Don't be too sure on that 10k number. Add the oil pump chain and tensioner, cam drive bearing update, water pump, hoses, clutch, repacking the flywheel, new release bearing, plus the regular stuff, your at 10k and beyond in a snap.

 

Sorry Saint, but Black on Black just isn't what I want. My Miata is Emerald Mica with a black cloth interior and it gets to be a hot drag with the top down. Not doing that again. Was your SS at Lime Rock in July for the ALMS weekend? I saw one there and loved the wheels, but like I said, I want the tan interior. More importantly I want scuderia red and tan, and the spider was just a plus. Can anyone recommend a private mechanic up here in the Boston area? I did the auto check and it's clean as a whistle with most of it's life in a beautiful spot just came to the east coast this year at auction.

Like the comment about 250 miles. Good to hear but I was worrying about 20 year old belts and hoses.

Why is this insurance thing being so vague? Condon Skelly has quoted and is ready to insure me at a great rate but the agent said it has to be in MA first. What does that mean? Are they saying pay the premium first before I even see the dang thing? My plan is to go down with rental car, inspect, drive, haggle, buy drive back, leave rental for driver pick up.

 

It seems that insurance rates are all about location. They probably don't want to be on the hook for a car that is outside their (and your) control.

 

I suspected that and haven't had to make a claim ever but once in the spring for scratches and busted windshield by vandals on the Miata. Do you know if a current policy would typically cover new purchases for 15 days? Maybe I will have to let it sit after I decide and then register at Condon Skelly? I just discovered my VOIP has failed at home for the second time. Not happy.

 

Most insurance will cover a replacement vehicle for 30 days here in Florida.

 

The best Insurance IMO...a small window sticker....
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I've called GEICO on my cell phone from a car dealership where I was buying a used car to add it to my existing multicar policy and they covered me on the spot, once I gave them the VIN, and immediately e-mailed me the binder. They never asked about where the dealership was located although I have bought cars out of state and drove them back home.

 

Good news. I called Travelers and the agent confirmed that new purchases are covered with 30 days to register. So it looks like I can psych myself up for placing the deposit. And I can call Condon Skelly if I buy it. I'm working tomorrow but I'll see if the dealer is open. Gonna talk to my brothers too this weekend since one is really trying to talk me out of it. But his Ducati has been sitting for years.

And I like the window sticker

 

As I psych myself up to place a deposit, I'm thinking of getting it in my driveway. Can anyone tell me the dimensions of the "triangle" below the front passenger chin spoiler corner, down to the contact patch at the tire? I'm wondering about the driveway apron and the hill I live on. My lowered Miata makes it ok at around 4 inches or a little less clearance, but I have "splitter winglets" under the chin spoiler, and they don't usually make contact. Just cleaned out the garage too

 

While my daily driver is in the shop getting some nice toys added, I thought I'd post a couple things on my search. Lo Jack will come to me to install so I have to think about the battery draw versus security in and around the city. I reserved a storage garage for December onward, probably March or April. Need to get a battery tender. I learned a little more about the car I'm interested in. It was an indoor display queen and had a full respray and restoration after being another color besides factory for a while. This might explain it's higher price. But if all of that comes with a 30K belt service and all the fixings then I might not have much to complain about at all! Still no word on a test drive and the above details but I can see how the dealer want's me to start with a deposit. He's marked down the asking price the same amount so that's fair for all. Get the feeling I better not let this one go. Next spring I could be kicking myself. Or when the market bounces back Right color, right interior right model, right badges. Man, maybe I am a "tifoso?"

 

Lo Jack rep informed me they do have systems with independent batteries. Cool!
Now to get my daily driver back and get in touch with Ferrari seller Storage garage is reserved for December and need to call back to confirm. It's feeling like a Bruce Wayne Bat Cave setup. Except for the Corsa Rosso!

 

Ok I just put a deposit on the car. I also found out the 30k has not been done. So, before I really bid on the car we're already working on addressing that. I gave him the dealer figure for it up here which is 10K and the independant fee from the brotherhood wisdom around 6K. They've helped me out already taking a grand off but it's listing there now too. It's still high for NADA so I plan to bid what I think will meet in the middle. Dealer is being cool and talking about meeting in the middle too but I need to see the car and test drive to check everything. I think I see some front lip damage so I'm taking off for that too. Then electrical and all that. What are your feelings so far? We're at 48K asking right now. It'd be awesome if they do the engine out but taking it off the price works too. I just hope the belts are decent enough to drive it back. Looks like Friday next week for test drive if not sooner. Monday and Tuesday are booked up. Got my storage garage reserved with a good low 1 inch lip at the door

 

Rental car reserved for trip down on Friday. Checked in mith my broker to arrange for the wire. All external belts have been done but not cam belt. I will try and see what I can with a mirror if possible. It was inspected this year and was supposed to be in a show last weekend. Wish me luck and pray for good weather. Thanks for all the help.

John.