Buying advice? | FerrariChat

Buying advice?

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by polartech, Mar 4, 2004.

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  1. polartech

    polartech Karting

    Mar 4, 2004
    228
    East Yorkshire
    Full Name:
    Geoff
    Hello to all,

    This is my first post here.

    As I`m just on the verge of acquiring my first F car, I wondered if anyone had any good buying advice to help me.

    I`m looking at landing a nice 348 GTS ideally, (c 92/3) and I think that the most sensible route would be from a specialist dealer (I am drawn to Sant Agata in Preston - a couple of examples there really catching my eye).

    Is it best to have an independant inspection done prior to commiting to a deal? If so, who best to contact, what cost, etc?

    Generally, any input most welcome. I hope to get to know you all better as things progress,

    Thanks,

    Geoff
     
  2. CraigW

    CraigW Formula Junior

    Apr 11, 2002
    423
    London
    Full Name:
    Craig Williams
    make sure it is a real GTS, if its 92 or early 93 it will be a ts and there is a lot of difference.

    Lots of buying advice on here re these, do a search under 348 buying. Good luck.
     
  3. sletti

    sletti F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Nov 19, 2003
    5,084
    NW Kent
    Full Name:
    Stig W
    Geoff,

    Welcome, "rookie", to the fold. Hope you enjoy your stay.

    There are quite a few 348 owners and I'm sure they will gladly offer their advice.

    An idependent check will give you maximum piece of mind, and it really is a must if you are buying privately, but if you have a dealer in mind then perhaps some of the chaps here will weigh in with their opinions. If you are buying from a reputable dealer they will often throw in 12 months warranty anyway.

    But the biggest bit of advice I can give is to make sure that all the documentation (service history, books, v5 etc) is all in place BEFORE you part with any money.....

    Regards

    Stig
     
  4. MarkCollins

    MarkCollins F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jul 2, 2002
    3,202
    South England
    Full Name:
    Mark Collins
    Geoff

    I think Chaa (Chaz) bought his car from Sant Agata? which I must admit is the first I've ever heard of them in my 8 odd years of ownership, maybe they've changed their name or something?, Might be worth checking out their history as much as any car, not saying there's anything wrong of course but if you search through threads on here you'll see that everything is about reputation and there are many with enviable ones. Personally I would consider getting a well known specialist ot check out any car, Nick Cartwright might be an option for you, typically they charge around £500 to check a car which is a small price to pay :)
     
  5. jkuk

    jkuk Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    259
    Wirral, UK
    Full Name:
    John K
    Geoff,

    I have my 348 in JMH Holmes Chapel, Cheshire for an 18K service, not too far from Preston.

    Jason is very knowledgable if you need someone independent that's reasonably close. I would recommend him.

    See the Servicing in Cheshire thread (UK section)

    I do like the Red 348 TS Santa Agasta has, but did not go to see it.

    I think it is a GTS look-alike rather than a real GTS

    Cheers

    John
     
  6. sletti

    sletti F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Nov 19, 2003
    5,084
    NW Kent
    Full Name:
    Stig W
    What are the difference between a TS and a GTS, and what are the other variants of a 348?
     
  7. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    From talking to 348 owners at the meets I've been to so far, there are a couple of things to look out for on a 348. 1)Make sure you test all the electrical components, check they are fully functional 2)General neatness varies a lot depending on how well the owners have looked after it, so make sure you see several cars before choosing - for comparison.

    Whats you budget? LHD or RHD? There have been a few 348s on eBay recently (LHD), but have not recieved any bids (?!) - might be worth checking them out and potentially putting in a lower offer if the owner is finding it hard to sell... might get a bargain!
     
  8. Badapple

    Badapple Formula Junior

    Nov 20, 2003
    875
    West London
    Full Name:
    Phil
    Yeah,
    I noticed that too, there have been like about 8 different 348's on ebay in the last month or so.
    It's obviously good coverage if you can cope with all the idiotic emails.

    Phil
     
  9. polartech

    polartech Karting

    Mar 4, 2004
    228
    East Yorkshire
    Full Name:
    Geoff
    Many thanks to all of you... some great advice.

    Yes, it seems to pay to look at a few different examples before deciding, and getting the professional once-over done is certainly something that I`ll be investing in.

    I have noticed the mass of 348s on eBay recently, although many seem to be LHD versions, and not what I`m interested in. (RHD, c35k).

    Oh well, I`ll be out and about looking at a few dealerships over the next few weekends, and once THE one has been located and the deal done, I`ll post here with a few pics.

    Again, thanks for the pointers on what to look for... look forward to speaking to you later!

    Geoff
     
  10. Badapple

    Badapple Formula Junior

    Nov 20, 2003
    875
    West London
    Full Name:
    Phil
  11. kenyon

    kenyon F1 Rookie

    Oct 7, 2002
    2,837
    East Yorkshire
    Full Name:
    Justin Kenyon
    Polartech,
    The later the 348 model the better the model is......

    1989 to early 1992. The 348 TS and TB had 300 BHP, with black bottom sills, small plenum chamber and black horse badges with the battery in engine bay.

    In late 1992 the 348 TS and TB models where updated after some handling issues. The botton sills where painted red, horse badges chromed, battery moved to front wheel well and handling improved... Also more leg room in the late 1992 onwards models after the rear bulk head shelf behind the seats was shortened.

    In late 1993 the 348 models rebadged and called 348 GTS and 348 GTB and had 320 BHP due the larger plenum chamber, battery still in front and sills still coloured coded, the suspension was modified and wider track introduced. The badges still chrome, the gear level chromed. The front grill had a black surround on it.

    In late 1993 to early 1995 the 348 spyder came on the seen. The 348 GTS and 348 GTB were discontinued with the new arrival of the F355 in 1994. The 348 spyder continued in production and was used as the test bed for the 355 spider. Some late 348 spiders had 355 brake mods and suspension set up's.

    The 348 spyder was 20 kg heavier then the 348 GTS and 348 GTB but was a better handling car because of it was stiffer....

    The early AUTOCAR magazine in 1994 talks about the 348 spyder and 355.....

    I would go for left hand drive save money and can always sell abroad and buy another left model car.... LHD cars ae becoming better sellers in the UK and cheaper then RHD. Its upto you though.....

    The pure ferraris are lefthand drive. Some say better feel when driving a lefthand drive ferrari....

    You need to get a tubi exhaust on the 348 sounds much better.

    It took me nearly a year to find the right 348 model. Test drove some real rough ones. If your not happy with the car in someway walk away from it. Their will be others around.

    Make sure they are fully serviced and documents back the service book up.
    Check all the electrics and check for gear change problems etc....

    Note a late RHD 348 is nearly the same price as a early LHD 355.......
    Maybe worth waiting a bit ?????? or a tessa....... NIce.....
     
  12. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    Polartech,

    cool, have fun looking/test driving. I was toying with buying a late RHD 348 GTS for about that money myself..... there are certainly more sellers than buyers at the moment, so you should be able to get a fair price.
    Have fun
    Ade
     
  13. Rosso Badger

    Rosso Badger Guest

    Jan 17, 2004
    72
    London
    Full Name:
    Al Boswell
    You could also try one of these on-line guides:

    http://www.sportscarguides.com/ferrari/

    I've got a couple and they're pretty good. Done in conjunction with the Owners' Club apparently.

    Badge.
     

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