Sick of looking for a 348

Well, after 6mos of searching I have come up with sqwat. I have come to the following conclusions.

1)There are several types of people with 348's for sale. #1 the guy who bought his 2yrs ago and swears prices bottomed then. He refuses to open his eyes to the fact that prices have dropped over the past couple years. His car is now due for service and doesn't have the cash to do it but insists it doesn't affect the value of his car. Eventually something major will break or the clutch will go and he will cry when he has to sell it at an even bigger loss. #2 non-ferrari dealers, where do they get these cars? They have no clue about the car, and don't understand why its such a big deal to me to know when the last major service was. Who the heck "trades in" a 348 spyder anyway. Someone who is to lazy to simply put an ad in the paper? Or are they good people who know the car needs major work or something is wrong? So these must be the same cars that end up at these fly by night exotic car "brokers" who still don't understand why the service records are so important to me? There are no less than 20 348 spyders for sale across the country at these smaller non-ferrari shops. for the love of god who trades in a car like this. Wouldn't someone who loved or at least liked the car make an effort to sell it themselves. Once just once I would love to find an owner who actually is trying to sell his car not just list it for sale and see if some sucker will pay $20k more than what it's worth.

I've had $65k in cash sitting for 6 mos for a decent 348 spyder. So whats decent? A car for sale by its owner who has taken decent care of it and at least had the major service work done. I expect in this price range the car will have 25k-30k miles in reasonable shape without signs of abuse and documented service history. AM I CRAZY???

This whole rant may seem odd to people on this list because the folks here probably wouldn't trade their baby in (except for a new Ferrari) and wouldn't think of throwing service recipts in the trash. I guess the problem is most of the good 348's are owned by people who love them and rarely sell them.

But if anyone ever does, please let me know.

Sorry guys, just had to vent.

 

Did you contact CiaoBello from this board?
He has a nice 95 spider for sale.

Here's the link

http://www.catsexotics.com/inventory-detail.php?key=96
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Or could I possibly talk you in to a near perfect TB?
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We still talk from time to time but the car will be due for service soon. And given the age and miles possibly a clutch etc etc. So I would have to budget for about $7500 - $9000. with that in mind I can't see the car being worth $65k

 

Still holding out for a spyder... very nice TB though!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thought you had a Porsche? Don't I recognize the screen name from Rennlist?

 

I feel your anguish, but be patient. the right car will come along, and when it does, it will have been worth the wait. I've been there.

 

Totally agree. My hunt was around 1 year and my TB is wonderful and I love it. Im glad I waited and found a really good example with an impeccable history.

 

I am feeling it from the other side. Please see my thread about ballbusters.
Why do these cars bring out the worst sort of creatures?

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112473

 

How about a nice 355 Spider?

http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=1273&sort=1&cat=11&page=2

ooops, just noticed it sold
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On the other hand, don't waste months and months trying to squeeze $5K out of a the seller(s). The cars are simply too much fun, and once you're in the driver's seat you'll quickly forget the extra money spent. Buying a Ferrari is probably about 90% emotion, 10% economic reasoning.

The 348 is a terrific car. Crazy fun, at any price!

 

These cars do indeed get traded in. Some people who buy them may have been expecting much more from the car, and trade it in on somthing else, Porsche, AMG, Corvette etc.

Many first time Ferrari owners will buy a Ferrari, (regardless of the model)
are disapointed. Sometimes the dream is far better then the reality.

Trying to buy a car (no matter what car it is) that is 10 years old and expecting it to be perfect is very difficult. All these older Ferrari's will need some sort of maintenance which the owner has neglected to do, or just does not realize it needs doing. Sometimes they do indeed know that the car needs work, but have decided to move on and sell the car as it is, and let the new owner foot the bill. If you are know what you are looking for, and can explain why the car needs to be discounted form cars that are complete and serviced, you may be able to get the car discounted accordingly.

Do give up the search. 348's are very cool and fun cars to own.

 

I can see your point from both sides. When I was selling my 308 every other buyer would give me the line it needs this or that and would you knock $5 or even $7K off. As a seller I held out and the right buyer came along. He was thrilled to death with the car and the price.

When I bought my 348, it was just the opposite. As a buyer I was looking at alot of over priced cars that needed service. I waited and ended up with what I think was the best 348 made (the right color, model, and year). Did I maybe pay a couple thousand to much? Maybe, but I got the car that I wanted and a couple of years from now that few extra thousand will not really mean much.

Bottom line is all these cars NEED something. You will never find THE perfect car. Find a car you can live with and BUY it.

 

Why wait a couple of years to make that assessment?


Might take a beer or two to come to this conclusion, but...

Just decide it was worth every penny & you'll get that much more enjoyment in the here and now.

 

Just keep in mind that the Market eventually returns all Ferraris to their rightful owners.

If you can't find the right deal, then you are being saved from the whole experience. If you do find the right deal, then you'll get to frolic in the whole experience.

It's good either way, especially if you are just buying a toy with some play money or indulging in a life-long dream/passion. Keep it light-hearted. Enjoy.

 

$5k won't make or brake a deal for me... but paying $65k for a car that needs $9k worth of work puts me in it for $74k... could get a nice 355 for that...

I figured $65 would find me a decent car... am I that far off base?

 

Yeah, to bad you don't have a spyder, we could end the agony for both of us LOL

 

I agree, better to wait a little for the right one (took me almost a year..).
Problem is, there are others that are waiting too.
Make sure the cash is in-hand because when it does come up for sale - IT WILL BE GONE!

There was a yellow ts speciale for sale recently in FL but .... the history seemed questionable from what I could tell...

 

pm 348spiderguy,

he is selling one of the most beautiful 348 spiders ever made !!

and RARE.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112410

 

I think you are right on. My dad has one that is getting prepped for sale (leather bolster refinish etc...), it is red / tan with about 28k miles and had the major plus done a year ago. He will list it for high 60's but will take mid 60's. I am supposed to be in charge of the sale. I know you are looking for a Florida car, but this one is on Arizona. I am flying out there in a week so if you want I can see if it is available for photographing. I would not assume the costs of doing the major are as high as you think. I would budget no more than $5k for the major (unless you need a clutch).
BT

 

You will know when a dealer has found a superb car - price will be 10-15k over actual value. They know what matters...they just play dumb.

 

The problem is a classic one. Most buyers are low ballers and looking to squeeze every nickle out of the deal. When I was selling my F40, I had this idiot call me every month with the same low ball offer, claiming that he could by them all day for this price..........and I kept telling him to do that. But of course he couldn't. I went through the same BS with the TR, 308, Mondial t, etc. The right, appreciative buyers came along for every car.

If a car has history, and been loved and taken care of, just step up and buy the car....the fun and pleasure is worth the money. There is a reason that you still don't have a car, and its not that there is a shortage.

 

I reckon that's exactly it, and with old cars like 348's that's even more true. As time passes it's getting harder to find a good one.

Don't give up though, you'll eventually find a perfect one Just be prepared to pay top dollar

Don't settle for the anything other than the spider though. I'm biased, but I do think it's one of the very best looking Ferraris ever made.

....and no, mine is not for sale (and on a different continent from you anyway )

 

You seem pretty quick to judge and slander people. I'm not sure when or were it was I offended you but remind me so I'm not as offended by your last comment. Is there a shortage, no but that doesn't mean you run down to "perfect used 348 spyder Inc" that of course is on every street corner and buy one. There are plenty of cars out there and many are junk. There are also many good ones "for sale" buy owner who are only willing to sell them at 30 or 40% more than market value. Given the list of cars you said you have owned, I find it hard to believe you "stepped up" and paid 40% to much just because you were an appreciative buyer. I'm noy looking to steal any car. As I said I feel $65k is a fair price for a spyder in decent shape. I have asked several times if I was off base. So far no one thinks I am. I do thank you for the time an effort you put into your post up until your last sentance. You think they are so easy to find?? show me.. I have the cash......... Everyone else on this board has been very generous with their time and info and incredibly kind and understanding, I'm just not sure what I did to deserve that remark.

 

hi do what I did, join your local ferrari club, meet some of the members, learn from them, they will always have a car for sale or know of a member who has, at least you will know it was loved, its service history and so on. Thats what i did, waited 9 months but picked up a beautiful 93 TS, from another state. Had all his history , was a one owner car with all books and tool kit, I still spent $5000 on the motor, did all the belts , water pumps and so on u name it we did it, had it 2 years hasnt failed me yet except for a flat battery.
Andrew