Ugh, very sorry to hear that. Some obvious issues as well. It can become frustrating when such issues are not disclosed up front (as per my own thread with a car described as flawless/excellent). Only makes it more difficult for both parties. Not willing to work with you to make some of the more egregious issues (sounds like doors were apart previously?) right? Some of the other issues with loose bolts, oil-leaking seals, exhaust gaskets, and bushings shouldn't be bad fixes when performing the long-overdue major.
The best $200 you will ever spend by the looks of it. That is quite a list for a car that only has 16,000 miles on it. +1
Totally agree with you guys. If the engine is strong, all that other stuff can be fixed with a lot of time and a little bit of money. It sounds like David doesn't have the time or interest in doing this, so he is going to walk. If the price is right, then this would be a great car to put some money back into. I don't what David was looking at paying, but if he decided to make an offer on it he would have to take into account the price of parts and more so the time it will take to fix it himself. Being a first Ferrari, maybe he just wants a well sorted one. I can understand that also. Looking forward to hearing David's thoughts on this.
Fully agree with Pap. Nice to see a detailed report like that because it lets you know that they really did look the car over carefully, instead of just driving it around the block. Didn't see anything super scary on the list and some items are easy fixes. But the overall sense I get is that the car has not been maintained as well as it should have been, so one has to wonder what other flaws are waiting to reveal themselves. That said, the car is certainly well worth repairing and bring back up to standard. But you'd have to buy it for several thousand under the current market price for a low mile early TS in order to make it worth the effort. All used cars are going to have issues, some more than others. So if you could buy this car at a price point that would allow you to repair the outstanding issues and wind up with no more invested that the price of a nice car, you'd come out ahead since almost any nice car you buy would still need some work. Personally, I think I'd walk away as well. But if I wanted the car in the first place I'd make an offer that would give me enough room to make the car right, which would probably be way less than what the seller thinks the car is worth. But you never know-- he might call back in a week and accept. Like Pap, I'm interested to hear David's thoughts...
PAP, the asking price is $45K. Guy wasn't willing to budge on it. He's willing to "look at" the oil leaks, but only one, which is around a drain plug. He's not willing to address the clutch, the electrical issues, or the doors. He did say he would replace the missing bolts. But at this point I just don't feel confident in the car anymore. You're right. I want a well sorted car. Don't want to begin my relationship with Ferrari on a sour note.
I'm currently zeroing in on another 348. This one has higher miles but comes with a stack of service records and upgrades.
Yes sir, would be nice to tidy back up again if the price is right and if David has the time to do it. Being his first Ferrari, I think he wants a sorted car. I know I did when I bought my first Ferrari. But now I would be more than happy to buy a Ferrari and put some time and money into it. And there you have it. Cheers mate, I had the feeling you wanted a well sorted car. This car is nice, but definitely needs some work put into it. Which is ok, but it will take some time as they are the little fiddly jobs on that car. The oil leaks being the major issue here. He obviously only wants to fix the easy oil leak and replace some missing bolts. Lol, definitely walk away from this car just on principle. Is $45K too much for this car? I don't know the US market that well at the moment sorry. Very good! You are better off buying a car with more miles, that has been well taken care of. My car had 22,000 miles on it when I bought it 10 years ago and it had a 1" thick pile of service records and repairs from new. I would have bought this car on the service history alone and I was glad the immaculate condition of it sealed the deal. Any pics of this other car mate? Or any details on colour combo etc?
David, I think that you are on the right track. I would not pay $45k for that car when there are a number of other later cars available in the same price range. That price makes me feel very good about the deal I made earlier this year.
When I spoke with Hagerty a couple of weeks ago, the rep told me the 348 was valued at 30K in May 2015, and 45K in Nov 2015. So if you bought earlier this year, your price is probably looking pretty sweet right now.
It's this one. Currently listed on eBay with a price of $49K, but I spoke with the guy over the phone earlier and he was willing to move down into my range. High miles (63K), but I'm not concerned about resale value. As a plus, I understand high mileage cars are typically well maintained. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.) Image Unavailable, Please Login
Mine just rolled over 80k mi. Still solid. And, I don't drive it like a little old lady. Still in love.
That looks like the car someone asked about in another thread located in NC today. Looks like a nice color combo
Hagerty's values trailed the market at that point so I didn't do nearly that well, but I got a later model car in better condition that the one you were recently considering, and mine has also benefited from a number of dealer installed updates as well. Someone here recently virtually stole a 348 from a dealer for a *very* good price, so good deals do come along occasionally.
That car looks great in the that colour combo. I would buy it with that mileage, as long as the condition is good and it's got it's full service history which is what you just said before. Have the PPI done when you come to agreement in price and then go from there. I work on cars. I have seen some cars come in with 20,000 miles on them that are trashed and I have seen the exact same model car come in with 100,000 miles and it's still like new with the exception of a few minor paint scuffs. My Wife bought an 18 month old car back in 2006 with 12,000 miles on it. I sold it earlier this year with just on 79,000 miles. The car was fully serviced and repaired by myself over the years and it was immaculate inside and out. Only a few small stone chips on the front. I listed that car on Facebook that morning, the first person came whom came over an hour later to look at it bought it that night. He came back with cash. That was literally "first to see will buy". He said it doesn't smell like a new car, but it still looks like one 10 years later. So don't worry about the mileage, buy on condition, service history and PPI. Hopefully this deal works out for you mate. Very cool man!! You definitely don't drive Miss Daisy! Some members from a few years ago have 100,000+ miles on their 348s. And they were still rock solid and looked great too.
There's no guaranty a higher mileage car has been well maintained. It still comes down to how the car has been treated by both its drivers and its mechanics. IMO, the ideal car is a low mile example that's still been driven regularly. Which is not to say that higher miles are a bad thing, only that it's no assurance that the car has been well treated.
So.....did you buy it? Looked like a good one to me. I bought one just like it this summer. I absolutely love the car!
