Hi everyone! First post here! I've just discovered the site, and am still happily wading through the acres of information on here I currently own a Porsche Boxster, and am thinking of changing late this year / early next year. I'll either upgrade to maybe a Ferrari 348 (and a runabout) or a new Cayman (I've not yet bought a brand new car and am looking forward to the day), or downgrade to a normal car and have some money in my pocket for a change! (but hopefully the former!!) I've a few initial questions, I'd be grateful if you could assist in answering; 1) Sadly I don't have a garage. Is this a major problem with Ferrari's? The insurance doesn't seem to mind on the quotes I've tried online. Is someone likely to try and rob it? I intend on keeping it covered obviously. Would it cause it to rust? Would it generate any additional maintenence problems being kept outside? On the days with the cover off, do they suffer from paint fade (all my previous red cars have gone pink! :-s)? 2) I've had a sit in one recently (at 6'4" I wasn't sure I'd fit! I can..just!!). Whilst this might sound terribly girlie, I noticed that the clutch was pretty much solid compared to the Porsche. Is this standard? Do they having biting points, or more like racing clutches where its all-or-nothing? 3) Speed bumps! Those little red squares that our loving council feel are needed everywhere. Can the 348 get over them? 4) The Boxster hasn't been as reliable as I'd hoped - costing about £3k in maintainence in 10 months - with about another £2.5k waiting in the wings. What are 348s like generally? How much do you spend on yours per year? 5) I've done a search for a buying guide on here, but not found one yet. Are there any good comprehensive sites, or is buying books a better option? 6) What do you do if there isn't a specialist near you, and your car breaks? 7) Warranties - can you get good comprehensive ones?? Thanks everyone - apologies if these have been covered before - I will keep searching I promise! Paul.
There is a 348 site comes up via here or most search engines - its Amercian and originally based on the Spider but very comprehensive If you have a tame local specialist plus good RAC type cover then thats that taken care of - just like with a Porsche Most warranties are too full of exclusions Welcome & enjoy the search http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62586
depends on the area you live in and wether or not you intend to keep it on the road or on a drive, if you keep it on a drive you can use an external carcoon to keep it dry, yes the paint does fade a bit but that can be mitigated by keeping it properly waxed, as the newest 348 is now over 10 years old it should have done all the fading it's likely to clutch's are going to be a bit stiffer than your boxster, yes they have a bite point but its best not to drag the clutch as you'll wear it out quicker Yes but you need to go sideways over the bigger ones, get a set of skid plates for the front from Hill engineering Most of the bugs should have been worked out, a majot service is around £1500 by the time you factor in the "while its apart" extras, but yes if something big does go wrong it will be expensive......around 30% more than a 911 have a search there is a 348 primer kicking around. where are you there are specialists all over the country, if it breaks down you just call the AA/RAC or your local recovery company to get it to the specialist Not normally worth the paper there written on, save your money for a Pre Purchase Inspection from a specialist (which should be mandatory when buying any Ferrari), and put the rest aside for maintanence
Thanks guys! I am in Yorkshire area (Leeds way). Is there a directory anywhere detailing local indi's. I had a look in Google but didn't have any joy. I've got a driveway, so the car-coon looks quite interesting. Ive just been looking at their site. £1500 p/a servicing and maintenence costs sounds quite reasonable. A couple of other questions have come to mind if you don't mind.... 8) I remember about 3 or 4 years ago, I saw a 348 for sale, and it had a modified rear-light cluster (and the bit in the middle obviously) to look like the 355. Is this possible, or was this likely to be a custom job, rather than off-the-shelf modification? I love the rear lights on the 355, but the rest of the 348 would suit me fine - especially the price the are currently! 9) Are Tubi exhausts legal for MOT in the UK? I saw/heard a video on google with one on, and it sounded like a race-car! Flippin' marvellous!!! 10) Are there any regular things that go wrong on 348s? For example, on the Boxster, new radiators and air-condensors every 5 years are common place due to the design. This is about £1k which I wasn't expecting. Other things are new rear screens at 5 years, new roof-hoods at 10 years etc. Are there any of these types of 'common problem, sir' things on the 348s? I'll get a feel for this as I read more of the forums, but thought I'd ask the question anyway Thanks again for your replies so far, most helpful!
8) yes but they look a bit silly 9) yes perfectly legal 10) it's all in the 348 primer, best to keep a couple of thousand in a pigy bank somehwere just in case something expensive does go wrong
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73809&highlight=yorkshire And http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=111813&highlight=348+buying
Hi Paul. Strasse (Porsche specialists in Holbeck) have a guy who does Ferrari service work (or used to anyway). Or there is Italia Autosport in Huddersfield. I'm over in Halifax so if you ever want to pop over for a nosey at my 348 give us a shout. I suggest a tb/GTB if it were to be spending a lot of time outdoors - less rubber seals to dry/crack/leak. The clutch seems to get heavy/high when the plate is near the wear limit. Mine was feeling a lot heavier than my daily driver so I checked it - nearly to the rivets. I put a new plate in (couple of hours work) and it's lovely and light now (well, for that sort of car..). Mine has the later single-plate clutch BTW.
Thanks for all the replys everyone, its really helpful ) Fan512, I agree, I think they look really good indeed. Where do you buy those from then? I'm assuming it isn't a standard off-the-shelf fare? Thanks for the replys re: Strasse. Coincidently, thats where I take my Porsche for service and repair work! I didn't realise they did Ferrari's too. I've since had a read on their website, and it mentions Trev's passion for the Italian motors. Nice to know both Huddersfield and Leeds have got a specialist! chrisx666, thanks very much for the offer - its much appreciated! I actually live/work in Halifax so I'll be sure to take you up on that soon if you don't mind (I used Leeds as the reference point as people can visualise it better on the ol' map!). It would be great to meet someone who owns one and show me round. I've been reading up on the links thats provided, and a few others from the general 348 section for hints and tips. I'll be back soon with more questions Im sure Thanks again!
Sorry but I don't,part of the appeal of the 348 is the rear lights,to me,if you consider changing them just buy a 355,cos that's what you probably really want.
Here is the 348 Primer page. Courtesy of No Doubt and the help of other 348/fchat owners. A wealth of info for you to read before making the big decision. Enjoy. http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html#EngineStallsOverheats
Couldnt agree with you more. I still love the 355 rear. But this is a 348 we are talking about here. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Pap, Steve and Sy. Don't get me wrong chaps I have no problems with the rear end of the 348. If I am honest with myself when I get one I can think of other things to spend my money on. Point is I do prefer the round rear lights of the 355. Would not let it stop buying a pre-converted car
If you have not got a garage, what you need to think about is the chances of it being vandalised. Which IMO is worse than an outright steal. This is the real problem. You have to claim on your own insurance each time(lose NCB etc) its always a hassle to sort out - we are talking either re-spraying or in my case a whole new 355 roof ! There are plenty of people that will do it just to be spiteful. Good luck with your decision.
Hi Guys, Paul, I bought my 348 4 years ago and have also considered buying a Cayman this year for the usability as if I keep the Ferrari i have to buy another (the girlfriend uses the BM now) daily runner also but, If your a car nut like us work it out, I can help with the 'man maths' as I've been doing them for the last 6 years. The Cayman looks a good buy, but it's just going to be a better Boxster the Porsches just don't have the soul I had a Testarossa then had to get a 993 as I needed an all rounder, fantastic car but no Ferrari, easy to drive, fast,safe but it didn't tug at the heart strings.A year later I got the 348 and put 4,000 miles on it in the first 6 months and my daily driver was a Fiat bravo deisel! I agree with the guys on all their points, get an inspection done, HPI ect, but you have stumbled on the best source of info ever by finding this site look at the cars for sale privately here (a brilliant addition to the site) as we LOVE the cars and look after them like babies! We do the silly little jobs that other owners wouldn't bother about (slow operating windows ect!) I think there is a 348 available at the moment (don't be put off by LHD as you'll be wanting to drive the car abroad anyway!). Your Boxter seems to have been a bit of a bad one judging by your 10 month running cost as they are pretty reliable normally but Andy is about spot on with his servicing/running costs. I have had One major/cam belt sevice and during that I had the other 'while the motors out' bits done , clutch & bearing, tentioners, Valves,water pump £4,600 all in plus I've had 3 oil change services and some odds and sods. Total is around £6,000 in 4 years and 10,000ish miles about what a Cayman will depriciate in 1 year! (There's your man maths!) If you haven't got a garage what about one of those smart big wooden sheds I left my 993 on the drive and some little brats shot the back window out with an air gun! Jelousy is a terrible thing and nothing gets the green eyed monster going more than a Ferrari. Well thats my pennys worth, one last thing, if you haven't been in one yet, get one of the guys to take you round the block, you'll be hooked.
