BBi, 49 state to CA, what gets done? Performance difference?

I'm not sure that you can get a CARB (California Air Resources Board) sticker for a Boxer if it doesn't already have one. I believe that it needs to pass the test, but hey, I don't even live in California!

As for Boxer prices, I posted in another thread on this forum my opinion. Basically, it is that Boxers have been too new to be regarded as "vintage" or "classic" cars and too old to appeal to the typical "new Ferrari" buyer. I would say they are still in the used car stage of their existence. My belief is that over the long term (say, 15-20 years), this will change. For now, I wouldn't expect prices to go up any time soon. You never know, though...

 

Check some other threads as well..

Basically UNLESS you have a reasonably economical shop on them, they cost a FORTUNE to maintain.

The CA sticker is indeed a field compliance test as I understand it.
To pass it, you'd have to tune them......and either carbed or injected.....this is a challenge. Components for these cars are VERY pricey...

So a lot of people say "forget it" and get a TR or more modern car.

All Boxers arer Euro in the sense they were NEVER federalized, all grey market.
So DOT headaches can accompany ownership, as well. As such there is no 49 state Vs. left coast issues. CA is well on the way to making them "track use only", IMO.....

I love them, truly the LAST of the hand hammered Ferraris, a tie line to the earliest cars!!!!!!

 

Big Tex / Bubba,

You mention the high cost of maintaining a boxer. Based on your analysis
what do you figure the yearly or 3-5 year cost would be based on driving 5,000-10,000 miles per year (no garage queen)? In your estimates what
items/things to do recommend strongly for preventive maintainece as to
keep the cost down ??

Thank you for your time.

 

If your Boxer needs a major service, you should expect to pay around $7,500. I know, I know, someone will chime in here and say that is way too much, but the fact is that when you do the service there will probably be a bunch of "while you're in there" items which you will end up doing.

The major service is at 30,000 miles or 5 years. Betweeen services it shouldn't be too bad, if you get a decent example.

I've owned various Ferraris, and I don't think the Boxer costs much more, if any, to maintain than the others.

 

If you want to keep the cost down, buy the best one you can find. Preferably one where the previous owner just spent 10k or more on a service and getting everything up to date. Seriously, that's about the only thing I can think of.

Look for a car with a thick stack of service receipts from a reputable shop, and one which has been driven regularly.

 

Don,

Thank you.

 

Having owned three 328s, a T/R, two 355s, a 246 Dino and two Boxers (512BBi and 365 BB), I disagree with the statement made earlier in this thread that Boxers cost a fortune to service. They are no more expensive to service than any of the other models that also require the engine to come out for a belt change. They are also not plagued with some of problems that F355 owners have to live with (valve guides, exhaust manifolds, catalytic converters, etc.). The fact is that all Ferraris are expensive to maintain; there is no reason to single out the Boxer.

 

Here is a past thread that gives pretty detailed info about the BAR sticker in California.
http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:6t8sETCffL8J:www.ferrarichat.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi%3Fpg%3Dprev%26topic%3D251280%26page%3D132866+getting+a+%22bar+sticker%22+for+a+ferrari&hl=en

 

The dealer is bull****ting you with the $3000 estimate. Depending on what emissions equipment is presently on the car (probably none), I would venture to guess more like $7-10,000.

There are only two labs in California that can do the compliance work and testing. One is Southern California, and one in Napa (http://www.ncdlinc.com/). If you are serious about the car, I would recommend that you contact NCDL and get a proper quote on performing the modification and testing.

Buying a car that already has a BAR sticker will save you a big headache and probably a lot of money.

Brian Brown
Patrick Ottis Co.
Berkeley, CA

 

If you are buying the boxer from out of state, was it registered in that other state? Could you register in that state again?

Up until about 3 years ago, CA used to charge everyone who moved there from out of state an extra 300 bucks or so to register their "out of state" cars... This got thrown out by the courts, and the state had to pay everyone back. . .

I think this lawsuit basically changed how you go about getting a 49 state car legalized in CA. Not 100% sure, but there might be other ways to get one of these into CA legally without bolting on a bunch of extra crap. Have a relative about to move into CA? Perhaps they could get your car registered for you more easily.