Hi, My name is Amo and I am from the UK. I found this forum on Ferrari's and I think it is great (can't find nothing like this in the UK). I wanted some advice - I will be in a position in the next several months to buy a 348, and I have tried looking for buying guides on the car but I can't find any. I was going to get a Porsche 911, but soon as I see a 348 I just get a tingling feeling and I know I will have to get one. So any info like reliability, running costs, what to look out for or any advice you can me on this beautiful car would be very much appreciated. Look forward to getting to know you all!! Amo
I have a couple of buyer's guides I can send you if you PM me. I've had my 348 for 3 1/2 months and it's awesome. If you get one with a good service history and get a PPI done on it, you will love it too.
Hi there, Thanks for the reply, for some reason I can't PM you. But if you could send me the guide to: [email protected] - I will be vey greatful.
HI Amo Hope you get a 348. I have had mine for 1.5 years now and still love it. I go to a lot of UK FOC events and local group events (Cotswold area). Try to get one that has not been mucked around with. You can then do that if you wish. When I got mine I immediately had a belt service so I know where I am starting from. On Ferrarichat UK section there has been a lot of discussion about certain dealers not doing there jobs properly. SO just beware and ask questions about the paperwork. John
Hi, I agree, get a PPI done. I used this basic outline when looking for mine. * Don't let your emotions get in the way of your inspection * Documentation & History - Read over and understand * Body Work - History of. Typically to have front resprayed. * Cold Starts * Warm Starts - Could be a sign of other issues. * AC Electronics - Flashing Zero's or Bad Characters * Automatic Seat Belts * Windows & Mirros - Might be slow and have a gap if door is shut. * Door Electronics - Remove Connectors and Inspect (very easy to do) * TS / Spiders - Leaks * Tire Presure and Wear Patterns * Steering - Does it pull? * Engine Sounds - Very hard to know but as an owner, you will know all of them over time. * 30K Service - Better safe than sorry. * Annual Fluides - Oil, Radiator, Transmission * Radiator Flush - Recommended Power Flush. Could lead to potiential or current electrical issues. * Underside - Leaks, etc. Check under the transmission. * ECU Codes - Nice to Check. * Headlights - Low beam / high beam * Turn Signals * Interior Condition - Normal to have gummy like vents. * Fuses - Check both boxes * Tool Kit * AC / Heat * Glove Box Cynlider * Manual Transmission - 2nd is hard when you first start - skip to 3rd * Window Washer and Blades I hope this helps. There are a lot of information buried in this list and some sites with other suggestions. I suggest doing various searches and just learning as much as you can. Never can have too much information. Don't be scared by all the negative press the 348 seems to get. It is a great car and with a little TLC, is as good as any other F-car IMO. The maintenance costs (higher than your Honda) totally outway the joy you get driving these Happy shopping! -chris
Visit the thread in this page: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72018 It has alot of info on the 348's you should read before buying one. Good Luck! BT
Thanks for the replies everyone. I know the press have been a bit unfair with this car. But I think it is one of the best looking Ferrari's and for the money it is just unbelievable. I am going to try and go to a few events. May be going to one this Weekend the Ferrari & Maserati day. I got several months so I am going to really do my homework on these cars. I am hoping to go to a few shows and join few forums and hopefully someone will have a mint example that they want to sell when I want to buy!!! Well fingers crossed. Just out of interest what kind of money are they fetching in America? In the UK they are selling for between £25000 - £35000.
The range I have seen in the US is around $42k for a higher mileage small problems car to about $72k for a real nice convertible. I paid $47k for a 1989 348TS with about 22k miles and recent major servicing complete. BT
Ferrari pricing is very subjective. My opinion is to pay for what you feel good about. The $42K mark is very low and probably require some maintenance and in the long run, hurts the 348 market. I beleive in finding someone who is moving up, kept there car in great shape and wants the new owner to do the same. If you are looking for a top shape car, most of those individuals will not be "giving" them away unless they need to dump quick. I think the $50K - $55K USD range is a good price range for 89-92 TB/TS with good service records and add a $5K or slightly more for a 94-95 Spider.
I think you are right about what to expect to pay for a good quality 348. I was just giving info on the range of prices I've seen in the 348 market over the past year or so. Also saw one recently listed at $39k and it looked good, but I figured it had to be a misprint or some kind of scam (was a 1992 348ts) red/tan. BT
These are such great cars, I can't believe anyone would sell one for under 40K. I know with condition my car is in and "if" I was a seller, for that price I would rather keep it and enjoy it alongside say a F430
Hi Amo. Try to get along to Donington Park this weekend for See Red. The Ferraris will all be parked together and you'll have plenty of opportunity to have a close up look. I've owned my 348 for 5 years and adore it. I will be at Donington both Saturday and Sunday, but unfortunately without my Ferrari. If you can get along, ask one of the Ferrari Owners Club officials for Jonathan and I'll be very happy to chat. Jonathan
Hi Amo, Do also visit the UK section on this site The 348 is a fantastic Ferrari, and the last one made that still feels raw. The next one, the 355, is a more modern feeling drive if that appeals more. It's subjective, but the Testarossa look *IS* Ferrari for me, so a 348 is a great choice for a car with those looks, yet excellent driveability. Avoid buying cheap, as you'll pay in the long run. These cars are not cheap to maintain/repair! Jas
Hi, Thanks for the replies everyone. Also thanks for the buying guide traimpz348. I am going to try and go up to Donington Park this Saturday, and I will ask for you Jonathan so we can have a chat. Also I am going to try and get few insurance quotes before I buy, any one recommend any insurance companies? I have been looking around this site, and I have seen some beautiful examples!! I am just hoping one of these will come up for sale when I am going to buy!! Also is any one else going to Donington Park this weekend?
Since you are in the UK the only thing I will suggest is getting a tb/gtb, because it rains ALOT over there. I have a ts and the seal on the top SUCKS!
I'm in the UK and have a ts. Yes it does rain a lot here! My roof seal is okay. It doesn't leak, but the water does collect at the top of the 'A' pillar where the windscreen meets the roof and you can get a puddle in your lap when you open the door after it has rained. Ernie, know that the Brits often like to have a roof they can take down to make the most of the three days a years when it is dry and the sun is shining! I believe more cabriolets/spiders are sold in the UK than anywhere else in Europe. I look forward to meeting you! I am currently with Liverpool Victoria (0870 6004528 - that might not be the quote line, but I'm sure they'll transfer you if necessary). Previously with Privelege. Also, see the list on the Ferrari Owners' Club site (under Sales and Wanted and then Trade Services, Insurance). Plus, if you search back on the UK section you'll see the suggestions that have come up in the past (Search option is top left on the FChat screen, just in case you haven't spotted it). Jonathan
Hi Amo the guys on this site know what there talking about, i'm in Australia so we are paying a lot more than our US bros for a good 348 here you are looking at the $75,000 to $90,000 US mark. Partly because we are sheep & followed the UK system of right hand drive cars, if only we had followed the yanks we would have been better off, hence we pay more. Anyway u will luv the car dont settle for less than a TS or spyder. Andrew
Well hellooo Amo I may have just the thing! No, not doing a sales plug in particular but my 348 Spider just so happens to be going in on Monday for it's service and nose paint so that it's all sparkly and ready for sale! As a guide, mine is a late 93, RHD Spider in Giallo over nero leather with 34k on the clock. I have done 13k of these miles in the last 11 months including two long European trips, the last one being to Costa del Sol a couple of weeks ago, so mechanically it is spot on. It also has a rather splendid sounding Tubi exhaust It has full history and well known previous owners in the Ferrari community. For £35k it is a lot of car... however I would rather sell it at £33.5k and have it go quickly to a new home so I can start saving for a 512TR. You may not be into Spiders but at least this will give you an idea of price. If you are interested then email me and I can send you some pics... it will be going in the classifieds in the next few days as soon as I get chance to write the ad. Here's a couple to keep you going, the yellow is brighter than in this shot Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Well, a) Did you buy it from a dealer? (sorry if I've remembered wrongly) b) Yours may have a few less miles on. c) Did you have to pay another £2k for a Tubi? I put that down as a general running cost. A bonus for whoever buys though I'll admit. If I had been selling mine 2 months ago with 3000 miles less on then I would have been asking £36,500 which would have still been a fair price. However, once I decide a car is going, I would rather it went to a good home quickly rather than be sat in the garage looking all forlorn. With it being for sale I will not drive it much once it is back from it's servicing. I believe that £33,450 is more than a fair price which will hopefully let me get on with saving for the next one at the earliest possible opportunity... patience is not one of my virtues Maybe I am selling it £1500 too cheap, I honestly don't know. I spent some time speaking with Karl Verdi last Friday and he seemed to think that £34k was around the right mark for a relatively prompt sale. All I do know is that someone is going to get a bloody good Ferrari.
Al, You're right about those things. I did buy from a dealer, and have included Tubi costs. 25k miles on mine. I'm happy with what I paid, but was just commenting that yours seems heck of a good deal. Good luck with the sale Jas
Hi burriana500, Your car is very nice burriana500, but I don't want a spyder. Plus I am not in position to buy yet. I am selling a couple of assets in few months, and I will be looking to buy then. Thanks for the offer, and good luck with the sale!! Hi Andrew, Tell me about it. We seem to pay more for RHD ones, but still I think they are worth every penny mate!! Hi Jonathan, I will use the search tool, and have a look at some past threads on insurance. Also it looks like it is going to be Sunday now I am going to be able to make the show, so I hope to see you then. Also thanks for the info ccantrell - its very useful.
Amo FCHAT's the best forum for getting access to a good 348. No one on here would either treat their beloved badly or ignore the necessary maintenance. My only advice is to get the best car you can - yeah, we've all seen 'cheap' cars, but if the car's exceptional, no matter how many miles it's done (within reason), the car will command top price. I would suggest that you budget to spend between £35K - £40K (dealer). That way you will get the best. If you are looking for a TS, omegasteve's selling his, and I know that car's been well maintained (redTS cream interior) - £33K - £35K. Good luck - they are the best looking fcars!!
