Hi Everyone, I've been lurking for a while doing research and I think I've settled on a 348 as my first Ferrari! I'm only at the very beginning stages of looking around and there are no 348s for sale near DC at this time. I happened to be out in the bay area for a conference and saw an ad for this car at Cammisa motors in Burlingame: http://ww.getauto.com/autolinks_cardetail.html/adid-8915130/e_dealer_id-/x_dealer_id-AADV6 It's a 94 Challenge TS with 17K miles, VIN ZFFRG36A2R0098208 asking 60K. I went to check it out. I was not able to drive it, but the car looked to be in really good shape. Body was flawless outside of a few minor stone chips. Engine compartment was very clean. Interior was very good, bolster on driver's side showed a bit of wear, but nothing major. Trunk up front looked great and had original ferrari luggage. Larry, the owner of the place said the last major engine out service had been done 2 years ago and he also said he would have no issues having someone else do a PPI on it. It was unclear if they had full records for it, but said they could get them. I had to run and did not press the issue. Shipping back east would run $1800. On the surface it seems like a good clean car that would need minimal attention for the next year or 2, but maybe a bit pricey? Any one in the bay area know how long they've had it? Finally, and this might seem like a dumb question, how similar a drive to a 355 is the 348? I haven't driven either, but will drive a friends 6speed 355 in 2 weeks. I want to wait for that happen before I commit to purchasing anything. I realize the 355 has much more power, but are the chassis dynamics and overall feel somewhat similar? Thanks for the help!
Not really in my opinion. The 355 has power steering which completely changes the feel of how it drives versus the 348. I don't know if the challenge cars go for more, but $60K is steep for a 348 TS. That is spider territory. Birdman
but still get an expert to take a look at it. I can't comment on the price as all you guys get your Fcar's for less than us Canadians. 348 and 355 are a very different drive - 348 is the last of the old school Ferrari, imo. 355 is the first of the modern cars. Think real (manual) steering vs boring numb wife-can-drive-it power steering My feeling is the 348 has more torque 1-2k rpm's, but the 355 does have a bunch more rpm's to play with up high. 348's are a simpler car to work on with less computer stuff. As one adviser to me said: 348's can have a lot of little things go wrong, 355's can have a few big things break. Definitely drive a few before deciding though - the search will take longer than you think, and can be a lot more fun once you start noticing the nuances.
A little overpriced in my opinion, some Speciales are selling for that or less. I also agree that the non-power steering makes a huge difference in feel, etc. You will need to drive both before deciding, but if you decide 348, don't spend $60K for that car, $55K and under is more appropriate.
Interesting car. The only Challenge stuff visible are the pedals and the badge. No challenge seats, no challenge wheels, no challenge spoiler. Hmm, looks fishy. Have to check redfcar.com once you get the production number. I don't think it is there...
Looks in good condition. The challenge cars in '94 were sold as street cars. They never had a wing. Some came with the rear badge and some wtihout. Some came with pedals and some without. All came with leather seats, welded mounting points for the roll cage under the floor mats and behind the seats. All came with stiffer suspension. There were quite a few other changes. Look for the roll cage mounting points. If not there than not a factory challenge. I have a '94 tb challnege and the ride is a bit rough. I like that though. As far as handling the challenge will handle very well. I have not driven a 355, but the previous owner of my car claims it is faster than a stock 355 6 speed on the track. There have been published track times from Fiorano test track that confirm that. The only troubling thing is s/n 98208 is not listed on the 348 factory challenge registry. Are you sure that's the right vin? The list is pretty conclusive, but not necessarily right. Check out www.redfcar.com and see for your self. Do a carfax as well. That vin has got to be a '94 MY. In '94 there were 32 tb and 13 ts challenge cars and 15 ts SS's ONLY imported to the US. Sometimes there will be a plaque on the right hand door sill with serie challenge #X of 13 ts, but not always.
I have been looking 348 also I have the same question how much one should pay? the other this maintenance issue? Can you share your research? Thanks easycareFerrari/mustang
thanks for your help everyone. Yes, I do think the car is overpriced, but then again, I have not negotiated at all, there is probably room to knock it down. I happened to be here for a business trip and it was a nice diversion to check it out, but ultimately, I'd like to get something local that i can personally drive before purchase. Also, I think I'd rather get a tb than a ts since I'm not really a convertible kind of guy. But the fact that it was a low miles '94 was appealing and the car is in good shape. Perhaps a person local to the bay area might try to get it. As far as research goes and pricing, it seems to me that the big issue with 348's is whether a recent major service (engine out) has been done. It costs around $5K to do. Other than that, they seem like really solid cars. From what I've seen you can find cars (tb/ts) that are 90-91 for 45K needing a major or low 50's with a major done recently. I'm not sure what premium to put on the fact that this car is a 94 and allegedly a challenge car, but I'd expect there to be some premium and it supposedly has a recent major so 60K isn't too outrageous if you can knock it down to 56 or so. -Eric
I called and asked about that car; whether it was one of the original 13. The guy I talked to said I'll find out what number it is and call you back. At that, he cut me off and didn't really want to answer any of my questions about the car. To me, that's a "bit" of a red flag. I've heard good things about the dealer though.... and... Price is WAY high with none of the factory challenge bits; cage, seats, wheels, etc....
Not that I am biased, but I think the '94 challenge cars were the best of the 348's. I would think if major done recently that $55 - $60 is a fair price. You would like to have some of the original challenge kit as almost none of that is available now. There seems to be some question about this car and if it's a true challenge or even a '94 MY. In '94 there were 13 CH and 15 SS in the ts form. So it it's a '94 it's one of these models.
You mean this car might be legit? I saw it and dismissed it because I thought all 94ts were SSs. No SS seats, spoiler, or tailights. I didn't know about street challenge cars with regular seats. And it's here in Cali? And only 17k miles. Damn.
Check out www.redfcar.com it's a pretty good compilation of the 45 factory challenge car from '94. This one does not show up. '94 SS's (15 ts) came without the carbon seats and front lip. I don't remember if they had the rear valnece or not. All 45 '94 factory challenge cars come with street interiors. They came with the challenge kit as well from the factory ($15,000 delete item if you did not take it). There were quite a few modifications on the factory challenge cars from the factory. As I said there were a few things that made them easy to ID. Most noticebly there should be prewelded mounting points for the roll cage. Something like the pics minus the actual roll cage. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I'm going to San Francisco Friday. I'll definitely stop and check this car out. I'll bring my camera. I'll leave my checkbook in the truck. Can someone please run this vin? Thanks Bee Jay
Hey, I have dibs on it Just kidding, I'm still on the fence, and will likely wait on finding a local car I can actually drive. I did run a carfax on it. Came up clean, 3 owners. Started out in NY then moved to NJ, then to California in 2005. Always passed emmisions. The fact that it has the chrome cavallino in the rear matches the info I have found on model difference of the 94 Challenge TS cars. I did not think to lift the mats up to look at the roll cage bolt on points, if you go there, please snap a picture of that. I found my info at google's cached copy of the ferrariclub 348 model differences since that site is not responding. See here: http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:Br0VSlJFFUIJ:www.ferrariclub.com/faq/348versions.html+348+models&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us&client=firefox-a Anyhow, it seems like the car is legit in that it is one of 13 '94 Challenge TS cars. Assuming that is correct and assuming PPI checks out, what do people think this car is worth?
It's worth what you think it's worth to you. Some will argue for much lower price, but I would say if service is up to date and checks out as '94 challenge then you're looking at $55 - 60K range. Remember this was one of 13 cars made. You are not going to get it for $45K unless there are some major problems.
Don't worry, I already bought a car. It's in Indiana getting a major service. Hey, even if this car is not a Chllenge car, it's a low mileage, recently serviced, US, 94ts. My low milaeage recently serviced 92ts is costing me $55K plus shipping. So to me, this car would have been worth $55-60k. I need to stop looking at cars now that Ive bought one, but after four months of looking, it's hard to stop. I'm addicted to 348 shopping. Hi, I'm Bee Jay, and I'm a 348 shopaholic. Bee Jay
Hi Bee Jay, and welcome to the meeting. Have some coffee and relax. When the meeting's over, we're going over to a sexaholics anonomous and continue shopping.
Acording to the link: "For North American buyers of street cars, the Factory Challenge (never converted for track use) cars are the cream of the crop, with the Serie Speciale preferred next." Now I'm really starting to regret. Honey, can I have two 348s? One for you, and one for me. The kids don't need college.
LOL... Meanwhile my honey said she is willing to let me do it. I have to find a PPI mechanic in the bay area next. I might do this.... I feel ill
