348 search continues, I have more questions

1) If you buy one without an aftermarket exhaust, the first stop for your new ride should be to the shop to get one installed.
The stock 348 exhaust is horribly quiet. Increase in HP is minimal, but the sound is OUTSTANDING! Tubi is around $3k plus install on a new unit, Used pop up for around $2k on the 'Bay.
X-ost will run you around $2200-2500 installed, but makes about a $5k difference in the sound. I can't believe I waited a year to have it installed.

2) The major in Socal should run @$6k. Depends on what is needed, Everything little thing is expensive

3) As long as you look at the car, touch it, feel it, drive it, you will know your car when you see it. Enclosed Transportation is more along the lines of $1800 for enclosed transport

4) see you at Concourso (Hopefully I can make it this year!

5) Regarding a mechanic up North, there is a master up there, he goes by RifleDriver on this board. His name is Brian Crall, he comes highly recommended from the Ferrari community up North. He will/should take care of your new toy.

6) going to bed, lost too much in Vegas this weekend, got a Headache

 

A few answers...

You should easily be able to find a good car in so cal, especially since you're OK with red. Just take your time. I've bought two in so cal and had them shipped to Texas. Ferraris are plentiful in CA.

Eugenos (sp?) in the so cal area is supposed to be the independent shop of choice, though I had a 30K done at Modern Auto Technology in Pasadena and it was fine.

A comprehensive 30K service includes the belt (that's the CHEAP part), new tensioner bearing(s), rollers, and water pump. Plus check to see if your new 348 has the updated oil pump kit. If it doesn't, you're on borrowed time my friend. Get the update kit.

Plan on spending anywhere from $5-$8K for a comprehensive 30K, just depending on variables that you won't know until they tear it apart. That price is at an independent.

Seriously, I would rather find a 348 WITHOUT the 30K service and pay to have it done - that way you know it was done RIGHT with no B.S. Plus you can find a 348 needing a 30K HEAVILY discounted. My last example ("Old Yeller") I bought for around $36K and change, spent about $7K on all the necessary 30K stuff, and I'm in a fresh 30K 348 that looks like new for about $43K.

I have a tubi on mine, but it's not that big of a deal to me. I've had with/without, and honestly the stock sounds wonderful. Tubi is louder.

Ditch the 348 wheels and get the 355s. The 348 rims belong on Jeep Cherokees, not on Ferraris. Your car will look like it should, and about 10 years "younger" at that.

Respraying a front spoiler/bumper is cheap. A few $ hundred.

BTW, look on Chicago Craigslist - there's a sweet sounding red 348 on their for $46K. Who knows could be a deal.

All of this is just my opinion, I could be wrong. GOOD LUCK!

 

Here is the website for one of our local Ferrari Mechanics that comes highly recommended.
I will not use anyone else as long as I am in Socal and have an Fcar...



http://emelbon.tripod.com/eugeniosferrariservice.html

 

i do know that after the 1990 model maybe even the 91, the car was made a bit wider. also , i had a 1990 TS - this year had a 2 piece fly wheel, that sucked !!!! when the grease thats between the 2 pieces drys up and gets old, its a ***** to start the car while hot- you ll hear a terrible knocking sound at start up. this was changed after 90 or 91 I THINK ...... ernie or jeff can better explain in detail.

 

Thanks BJ,

I have decided to keep it. Good examples are hard to find. Since I have one of 'em, I thought I'd keep it.

I will help you with your search. Let me know if you need me to check one out for you in my neck of the woods

 

BeeJay -

Have you considered a 348 Spider? You could find a good example in the upper end of your price range.

 

1.Tubi or not tubi? A few cars have tubi exhaust already installed. I'm all for more horsepower, so this is a good thing right? Does tubi increase power and sound, or just sound? Is this worth something extra in the purchase price?

--> If the previous owner has already done it then this is best option as the exhaust will lose 50% of value upon resale. Also if it has the hyperflow cats in addition this would be a great bonus. Better sound and more free flow exhaust

My car doesnt have a tubi but I feel it sounds pretty good with the stock exhaust. I will wait for a year or two before buying one. It also depends on whether you intend to do short drives or long drives in your car. On long drives (say 8 hour drive) a tubi might get a bit annoying/deafening. On short drives this wouldnt be the case.

There is a cop in my neighborhood that seems to fine people with loud exhausts. One of my Z06 owning friends got repeatedly pulled over by him.

2. Major belt service? Cars in need of this service are understandably priced accordingly. Isn't that a good thing? I think I would feel better if the service was done for me and paid for by me with someone I will get to know and trust in the future. "Cam belts just done" seems to mean so many different things, from just last month to two years ago. If I can get a nice 91 or 92 in need of a service, but more reasonably priced, I could spend the savings on an immediate belt service, and be more at ease. What does a full 30k mile cam belt service on the 348 run? I only live three hours from LA, so who do you recommend?

--> $6-8k should be a good estimate. Sometime you may have to change the clutch also and a couple of while you are at its as well. Make sure you ask for documentation to prove the 30k service in the past. Call up the dealership that did the service to check their records.

The official FNA guideline is major service every 30K or 3 years. This can be partially relaxed to 4/5 years in most people's opinion. If your car has a recent service - <2 years back it should be OK.

3. California cars tend to have more miles and cost more. Buying a car from up north or back east might cost me an airline ticket, or a transport cost, or both, but If I find a good car at a price that can allow a $1k for shipping, I think I'll go for it. How are 348s rust protection? Problem areas?

California cars would be good from a lack of rust standpoint. Overall with flight, hotel, car transportation the price differential between equivalent cars in Cali and say New York would be the same.

I bought my car out of state primarily because I couldnt find a good local car at the time. I drove my car back to Houston - fun trip.

4. Are there any significant differences between the '91 model year and '92? What did they cost new?

--> I think the new price was around $115K or thereabouts. When asking about cars remember to ask about the build date. Some people say they have a 92 car but the build date will be Sep 1991. Therefore it is a 91 car as far as all the improvements are concerned.

Here is the link to the mechanical changes over the years --> http://www.the348.com/factoryUpgrades.html

5. What does a front bumper respray cost? How much does it cost to paint the front spoiler, lower valences, and possibly the targa top body color?
Again, where is it best to get that done?

--> I am guessing about $700-1K. You can post up in your regional section - maybe someone will have the names of a good paintshop

6. Pre Purchase Inspections. Other than a compression check and leakdown check, what are the deal breakers? What engine, suspension, or other modifications should I avoid. I love the look of later 3 series wheels on the 348 btw, and I consider that a plus.

Make sure all the switches and buttons work. Make sure the car tracks correctly. Drive it for at least 45 minutes to let the oil warm up and then see how it shifts. Does it have new tires? Are there a lot of creaks when driving. Does the A/c panel work. Lot of normal checks you would do on a used car.

 

I drove my 348 once, for 20 minutes before purchasing it.

If you want to be extra sure, drive it for 20 (or until the oils heat up) one day. THEN, make a surpise visit to the car & drive it. That way, if there are any issues that the owner is prepping because he knows you are coming, then you'll find out For example, disconnecting/reconnecting the battery will hide some error lights from popping up on your test drive (if he knows you are coming).