First Ferrari 348 TS?

If the car checks out, go for it! I bought my 348 ts at 26 as well, last November. It was always a dream of mine to have one. They seem to be solid cars and if you are handy with a wrench, the 348 brotherhood has pretty much every procedure covered. They seem easier to work on than my VW, once you get past the shock of pulling parts off your Ferrari. Plus lots of parts can be sourced from other makes. You have $25 crank sensors, $60 o2 sensors, $150 alternators, etc. I have driven a fair number of cars, including a few F-Cars and nothing gives a better driving experience than the 348. It perfectly blends the rawness of the older cars with a more modern seating position of the 355. It also has the best steering feedback of anything short of a dedicated race car. I could go on for thousands of words, but I think you get the picture

 

At that money, might as well sit on your drive

But with any car, do your homework. This site is very helpful My Ferrari 348 So as well as doing the checks you would on any second hand car, e.g. make sure all the electrics work etc, this site offers some good advise on those aspects specific to 348s that can typically have problems. I would also add to their list in the rear subframe can suffer corrosion, typically on the longitudinal secondary brackets. Its not a major job to fix, just annoying, also check the shock absorber spring perchs. Again not a major job but defiantly a safety issue, one of mine was obviously cracked, and as I do things in pairs on suspension, changed the other side although it looked fine at first inspection but once of the car was also cracked.

Whilst the 348 is standard engineering etc, what is different is the cost of the parts when something does go wrong (other than as Luke says the common parts), and it will as they are circa 25 year old cars at the end of the day.

Budget some money to fix things in the first year that weren't spotted when you bought it. This doesn't mean you have to make the car A1 or concourse, just safe and usable.

The above may sound on the negative side, but the positive of driving the 348 far far outweighs and of the above, so if the car checks out go for it and enjoy it!

 

Keep us updated. I am browsing around for 348s and come from BMW as well. 1991 M5 and 1994 M5 3.8. I love the S38s but the F129/F119s look pretty appealing also.

Hope it works out for you.

 

Actually with higher miles and if it needs a belt service that number sounds about right...

Good luck!

 

Sounds like a good buy if everything checks out. Make sure you ask about when last major was performed, if the water pump was ever replaced, if the gearbox had any previous work done to it etc.

Like mentioned above, my348.com is a great resource. Have fun and good luck!

 

They are definitely out there!

sjd

 

The sill covers rust, that's
normal. Doubt there's actually rust under them. Due for a major though for sure.

 

Spoken like an Alfa owner .

 

Good for you in holding out. The right one takes time to find. Nothing worse than realizing your dream then come to find out it's actually a nightmare.

 

Oil, coolant, and axle grease dealt with at major, which is due anyway. Rust under door jamb trim common and easy to deal with. If the car checks out otherwise, it's doubtful you'll find a significantly better deal. You can shop forever and maybe save $1000, but while you do, you're not enjoying your Ferrari!

 

I agree with this. When I had my heart set on the 348, I soon realized how seldomly they show up for sale. When I found one with "needs" for a good deal, I jumped in a bit more impulsively than I normally would.

 

hmmmm if you cannot say anything nice, then say nothing at all......i will keep my mouth shut

 

I can vouch for that, because if you're not, then someone else will.

sjd

 

pm sent

 

Pls elaborate