Looking at this car tomorrow

Ferrari : 308 QV GTSi Euro Version in Ferrari | eBay Motors

Would like any input from you guys... Here's what I was told: He bought the car in Ohio approx 5 years ago. The previous owner had a recent belt service and he hasn't done them since. The interior is in good shape.. I have yet to see it, but the clock crystal is yellowed. It had the usual hood crimp from someone trying to close it without pressing the latch button. It has kilomoters and with the conversion the odometer is around 63,000 miles. He owns a auto repair shop, so he has tended to minor issues since ownership (I'll find out more tomorrow). I told him it can't be an '86..has to be an 85, but I'm having a hard time trying to deciper the VIN codes.. there seems to be an actual Euro number and a U.S. Customs assigned number. Anyone familiar with that, or know anything about the history of this car?

Thanks.

 

If you decide to purchase the car and want a new clock crystal Unobtanium now carries them. I love the French version of the 308 with the yellow flashers.

 

Door plate with the VIN will have the build date.

 

That's a late '85 Euro. ZFFLA13B000058613 is the Ferrari VIN, and it should have been the number used to federalize and register the car way back when. F106ASQ58613 I believe is the engine block serial number. That would make it numbers matching, so that's good.

The description also leads me to believe he has the original DOT/EPA papers, if so you know it's here legally. Otherwise you might want to confirm with the DOT. Search FChat for info about contacting Richard Merritt from the DOT to check is book.

The car looks nice in the pictures, and the price is right and is a little on the low-ish side, IMHO. I would at least do leak down and compression checks, but a PPI from an experienced Ferrari shop is ideal. Plenty of info on FChat about pre-buy inspections.

Good luck!
Glen

 

I believe cars over 25 years old are exempt for DOT/EPA regulations. So the car is here legally regardless of the paper work.

 

His ad states there was a recent belt service performed. Does he think 5 yrs is recent?

You should have an independent PPI performed and factor, at minimum, the belt service costs into your offering price.

 

Thanks guys...I don't think there's a better car forum than this place. Its good to know Fchatters are always here pitch in with solid advice. I'm curious as to what the engine bay looks like.. that should be a tell-tale sign of how well it was maintained... oil filter brand and hoses. I asked if the fuel lines were changed, but he only mentioned they're fine, without leaks. However, he said he has service records from the previous owner, so that will be helpful.

 

Buy it! I really wanted a Euro, I think the price is right (belt service notwithstanding) - you would be one of the few to join the elite E-Type / 308 club!

 

mcimino......What happened with this car? Did you look at it? How did it look? I see the auction ended at $25,500. Were you the winning bidder?

 

Yep, curious whats come of it.



PDG

 

That is correct

 

Congradulations!! I wanted my good friend to look at this, he did not like euro. I like euro!!

 

Anytime I here Smithtown New York I cringe. MAKE sure it wasn't underwater.

 

I looked at the car last weekend. Unfortunately we had a little snowfall the evening before so we never took it out of the garage. Cosmetically it looked very nice and the interior was clean and tidy...just minor wear on the driver seat bolster. It had some paint touchups too, but seemed very straight. It started right up, I stook my head in the engine bay and the motor sounded very smooth. He said 2nd gear was crunchy until it warmed up. It hadn't had a belt service in over 5 years... and too my bad, I get so star struck just looking at these cars, I forgot to even ask about looking at the service records. Anyhow, at the Buy it Now price of $28,000, there seemed to be too many things unanswered. The auction ended at $25,500 and I started kicking myself in the ass. Then Monday nite he calls me to say the winning bidder backed out and since I live 20 minutes away he offered it to me before calling any other bidders. So at that price I couldn't walk away. He's holding it for me and we plan on taking it out this weekend for a drive. Today I spoke to Dan at Bradan about coming with me to do a PPI on Saturday, but he rather we take the car to his shop so he can get it on the lift. Unfortunatley, he's not open on Saturday, so I don't know if we can arrange to get it there on a weekday yet. What to do! I might see if I can get another mechanic to come with me on Saturday. The other thing is the owner does own a service station so he said he's always tended to any issues over the years. Funny thing was he said he's not a "Ferrari Guy"... he bought the car because he was a Magnum PI fan.

So hopefully we'll have a good test drive Saturday and can make the arrangements to get it over to Bradan.

 

That's funny... he said his summer house out East is next to the one that was underwater on the cover of Newsday (the local newspaper).

 

I spent since last May putting mine together after an independent PPI that the seller and bank arranged. $18,000 mechanical bill and $9500 Body bill. Sued and now in garnishment. Haven't seen a dime yet. Found mold and corrosion everywhere.

 

Oh geez! Sorry to hear that. So much for PPI's! You really have to wonder who's side they're on sometimes.

 

Yeah, me too. My girlfriend looked at the picture and said whats that big thing in the front... it doesn't even look like a Ferrari!

 

Well Im getting back on track. 2 new rims, tires, alternator, water pump, Rewired the whole car, fuse blocks, stereo, both digiplex's, steering rack, seats, caps, rotors, wires, extenders, crank sensors, injectors, frequency valve, fuel pump, filter, check valve, Rebuilt all 4 CV joints, both oil lines to the cooler, timing belts. idler pulleys, tension springs, brake pads, rebuilt the calipers. The list goes on and on. And the car was appraised at $50,000 I purchased for 30.

 

How did the car get so damaged and was it running at all when you purchased it?

 

I live in Ohio and relied on the PPI. Never saw it myself until the day it was delivered. I about **** my pants. Only ran on 4 cylinders, no brakes,cracked tires and the paint on the trunk was coming off in 6 inch chunks. The rest of the body if you but a quarter on it had at least 10 cracks. Muffler diaper was held on by 2 screws. The rest had rusted away. all of the leather was dry rotten. Hence the lawsuit.

 

Was listed on the dealerships web site, Edmonds, Lemon Free and e-bay. Select Auto Brokers Inc - 1985 Ferrari 308 GTS QV - smithtown , New York
Photo shopping at its best .

 

I wouldn't automatically think you are getting a steal at $25k because the supposed buyer backed out. Unfortunately I have seen it all on E-Bay, shill bidding is more common than anyone will admit, so difficult to gauge where the real buyers stopped bidding. Even if he was real, what was so bad at $25,500 that made him back out? Then again, I could be overthinking this, and it might be a great buy. I hope your inspection goes well. Good luck!

 

Looking at the pictures in post #22, $25 may be to high. Car looks tired. Keep looking around. I looked for over two years, you have lots and lots of time.

 

That's the car kbecker purchased last May.

I have to say those photos are pretty misleading as to what was actually delivered!