Hello, I'm a first time buyer in the market for a Ferrari. I currently have my eye set on what looks to be a prestine 348 of the year 1989. The reason why I ended up with this year has to do with stupid fiscal reasons regarding registration taxes in my country, that basically make it extremely expensive to register a car due to CO2 related taxes when the car is not an oldtimer. Since the year 1989 is close to an oldtimer status, I was looking at these first. The car in question is a 1989 with about 53000 km. Asking price is around 32000 I've read several threads about the early 348 and some of them give me some doubts, among which a possible valve guide problem and some electrical issues (like a too small alternator, some ECU problems). It's not really clear whether these are actual problems or not. So I would ask. I'm not an unsavvy mechanic and intend to do my own maintenance. I have already restored a vintage corvette body off + engine/mechanical rebuild and although a Corvette is a lot simplier, I think I can pull a lot of the maintenance off myself. However a valve guide replacement is far from easy and would require very extensive engine work + a lot more. So how's the deal on these things ?
I wouldn't worry too much on going early, there's a lot of garbage printed about early 348's. If its had the Tech bulletins done and good service history simply do what you should always do, buy on condition now at the right price.
You have not said which country you are ! Eurozone has nearly twenty countries so why not look at your local classified or for simplicity mobile.de or one of the autoscout24 sites Also look in the section lower down here for Europe and see if your country is represented - if so ask there for better local information And don't forget My Ferrari 348 for advice
I believe the valve guide issues are limited to the 355 model, as are the header problems. The 348 engine seems to be more robust, but you won't get the Banshee scream at high rpm that you can achieve with a 355, or the power.
Lasyt year I did a complete body off restoration on a '64 Corvette coupe, I installed a Tremec 5 speed to replace the Muncie and installed Vintage Air. I recently purchased my first Ferrari, a 1990 348 on which I recently did an engine out service and replaced the clutch. While the electronics are more complicated than the Corvette, they are very basic compared to today's cars. There is tons of information on this site and others qbout servicing the car. If you can read and have some basic skills and tools, you should not have a problem. My service went smoothly and the car perfoms better than it did before the service.
I had a long telephone call with the seller. Apparently there are records which he's going to scan and sent, but last maintenance was done by the guy that owned the car and had a classic car garage. Car has had a respray. The seller said that there were some minor overspray marks on the windscreen apparently. It has the stone chips in the paint in the front and a small crack in the front bumperspoiler + apparently a goose bump somewhere on one of the rear quarters. Looks a less interesting already, and I have not seen it in person.
Hi Yves, I've got a 1990 (assembled in 1989) with 42000 km. IMHO a 348 is a very bullet proof car, even the early versions. David
It doesn't make me nervous. Last car that had 'some' things wrong costed me a lot of money. This time I see it as a possible bargaining opportunity unless it's really out of order.
It's a good sign that he is telling you about the warts. I would want to know why the car was painted. Do you have something similar to Carfax in Europe so you can see the car's history?
Correct. I have worked as a carexpert in one of my previous lives so I do have access to a system that allows me to see whether insurance claims/accidents have been demanded. Fortunatly the car was a previous Belgian car (untill 1997). I also have some access to the Belgian Ferrari dealership to chech history up until that point. It could be a lot worse as well. I intend to see it on a lift to inspect for repairs and such. The bulge (or wart or however you want to call it) on one of the quarters and overspray on the windscreen is something I do not like hearing as this could indicate a previous accident, with these 2 particularities it could either be totally nothing (aluminum rivet or something starting to corrode) or it was hit seriously in the side.
I agree with you. These things would make me very nervous about the car. Why would you leave overspray on a windscreen when you are selling it?!
Personally, I would avoid a 1989 model. I prefer the later years of the model, but I understand if there are price or registration or tax issues involved. Every state (here in the US) and country are different in their rules. I am curious though why you are looking only at the 1989 year?
If not 25 years old, I pay 10500 (1/3rd of the price in this case) in registration taxes. Once 25 years it's only 40 + virtually no yearly road taxes. Once 25 years (which in this case is december 2014) prices always go up for them (which is not the reason i'm buying) Difference is well worth it.
In a way I can understand the reasoning. It's like this with all the manufacturers. The last years of production are technically usually the best years since all the quirks have been worked out. Which doesn't mean that a first year would be extremely bad. Chances are a bit higher they actually do have their faults. A check if the car has had it's recalls done is already made, I mailed the garage that first sold the car. Will see what turns up.
This may be true, however, I understand the concern now. Man, that is one heck of a tax! At least make sure everything has been sorted out. It will have the 2-disk clutch so either make the swap to single disk or buy an extra one. Change the exhaust to a single can version and you are pretty much good to go.
Nah, heavier and more expensive. Drove yours and didn't like it. I think Ferrari was just being cheap by switching it in the first place. Even a lowly 1995 BMW M3 had one! The later 348's used the Spider exhaust which is a single can version. Our 348 Serie Speciale cars had them first but they still call it the Spider exhaust. You can delete one of your cans and adapt it to the later suspension bar. There may be a tech thread on this in the 348 section. As for the clutch swap, Bruce is up on that, I think.
