Hey Guys, Im getting much closer to making my dream a reality. Im going to get my Fcar early in the new year; pending finding the right car ofcourse! Ive got some questions about costs associated with 348s. 1) How much should I expect to pay for the engine out servicing? I plan on acquiring a car that has up to date servicing, but if an otherwise perfect car comes along, I need to know how to factor the service into the price of the car (ie I am thinking only if the car needs the service done within the first summer of ownership). $7K? 2) I love the 348 styling, but one of the things I dislike about it are the slats over the rear lights. I can avoid this upfront by buying a Speciale, which happens to have a few other things I much prefer, but my favourite is a 355 rear conversion with a challenge grill. If I get a Speciale, Im fine with the lights. If I get a tb or a ts or a spider (less likely), I have to do something with those slats! How much would I expect to pay for that conversion? Who does it? $2K? 3) How much does it cost to transport a vehicle enclosed across Canada should I find a car on the west coast or in Calgary? $1k? 4) The other thing I dislike about 348s, early ones in fact, is the black panels. I would HAVE to get them painted. I could avoid this by getting a black car, which luckily looks fantastic on 348s, or again, a Speciale. How much to paint a non-black tb or ts (I guess including the roof) up to Fcar standards? I assume about $2K for tb, or $2.5K for the ts? 5) Again, I prefer the Speciale rear wheel offsets. How much for the challenge spacers? $150? Right away I think Im getting about $4k worth of things I like with a Speciale, or about an extra $2k by purchasing a black car. Im sure Ill have more questions as I continue to learn. Thanks in advance.
Wow, that's expensive. I just sent a Land Rover from Toronto to Calgary for $700.00 and change. I once sent a friggen Bentley from Toronto to B.C for $650 3 years ago- go figure. But then again im talking dealer rates . That sucker is heavy too, should have seen the flatbed try and pick it up to bring it to the train depot! Thank God they didnt charge by the weight. LOLL I highly recommend Hansen's Forwarding, i've used them many, many times. They are the best for in-Canada 416.293.9135. Sorry, they dont have a 1-800 or else I'd get it to you. Or you can try TFX if you are getting the car around here. They used enclosed traillers and they go all over too. Hope this helps. Vasco.R
Wish you luck on your find. In a nut shell, buy the best example you can afford. Have it checked out by an independent f mechanic. And most of all be PATIENT !! ( History, history, history !!) It took me 4 yrs to find my TR, and never regretted my purchase. Buy what your heart desires, if not, youll be trying to convince yourself how much you love that car.
I'll only address the freight issue for you. Follow Vasco's advice...L. Hansen's is the best. It's not enclosed....but who cares. You will pay TFX $2,000 for enclosed service and wait weeks.....or you can pay Mackie $2,000 and wait even longer......TFX is great if you are moving a valuable collectible as they deliver on time....Mackie is horrible as the dramatically over promise and severely under deliver. Never had them show up or deliver on time....stopped using them three years ago. I am a dealer and have used all 3 extensively. I have personally seen over 2,000 units shipped by Hansen forwarding without problems. And that includes 360's.....GT3's....Lambo's...etc..... PM me and I'll get it done for you at the dealer rate when you are ready....you'll save about $200.
MayB1day you should get a copy of the back issue of Forza Ferrari magazine where they have a buyers guide featuring the 348 models. They also did one for the 355 models. The publisher sells back issues and you can check there for the cover dates. You might even find the issue you want quicker on ebay. The buyers guide has lots of useful info there highlighting some of the problems you may encounter. They also note improvements made during the production run. The market choices in Canada are small compared with the USA. However once the car has it's 15th birthday it is open season here on anything (automotive!) you want to import because it is then legal. ch
If you have to ask how much Then you are not ready for a Farrari. Buy a nice Mazda and enjoy life. Once you have at least $150,000 to blow then you can look for a Ferrari and of course that will be a so so ferrari
Spoken like a true Ferrari owner. If ever I do own a Ferrari and I speak like this, please someone slap some sense into me.
You just have to learn to ignore those people/posts that add no value. The general attitude on this site and of the Ferrari owners I know in Canada and the US (whether rich or just getting by ) is one of 'if you like or own one, then you are part of the 'family'.
Well said Gerrit. For the record, I do not own a Ferrari (yet), but I am a member of the Ferrari Club of America. I have not encountered any type of snobbery from any of the owners in the club. Quite on the contrary, the owners are more than willing to provide advice on searching for your first car and love to talk about the latest cars, or F1 race. They are aware that not everybody has the same means, but the same passion for Ferrari. I have also found this site's members to be a great bunch of guys & gals, passionate about F-cars. Owners here (in my opinion) are very willing to provide help to non-owners (read future owners). Thanks to all for helping to make the Ferrari experience great!
Yes, my apologies. I did not mean to imply that all Ferrari owners are snobs, but the brand certainly does have that rep. I suspect that it is a small number, ruining it for the majority of those who own Ferraris because they are the most exciting automobiles the world has ever known.
Ill tell you why the brand has the rap.....because most people are envious. Then you get the flash in the pants rude comments which turns owners into this "snob" I get that feeling everytime Im out. Ive heard it all....kit car, its a fake, your in a midlife crisis. So I chose to ignore there ingnorance. Hence, when someone does approach with benevolent intentions you do get abit put off because of the bird brains out there. Im not justifying or defending, but most owners feel this way for a reason.
Urr - the guy doesn't even own a ferrari. He's a trolll. Ignore him - and back on with the 348 conversation! Does anyone sell conversation kits for the speciale taillights? The grill on the back must be the ugliest thing about the 348.
