348 spider,need your advice burriana.
Discussion
looking for a bit of advice. have had a touch of fate..was speaking with someone i work with who drives a lancia and remarking how i pine for something italian , used to have integrale. she said "anything in mind?". said 348 she said , my partner has one he might want to sell!! 348 spider. lhd. red/black...it would be a second car obviously with my first being 89 3.2 carrera. i can think of someone on this forum who may be able to help with his recent experience. now i've searched this forum and theres lots of good advice ie buy as late a model as possible. arent all of the spiders the latest and most upgraded versions? also ,the million dollar question...why doesnt anyone seem to really use these cars..ie put any miles on them??
The 348 spiders are the latest models with the newer engine and suspension mods.
Some people don't drive them because:
- It puts too much mileage on the cars
- Too much mileage, more depreciation
- Limited mileage insurance policies
- They are scared of something going wrong
- They like to keep the car immaculate
They also must have amazing self control as I can't resist driving a Ferarri parked in the garage.
Some people don't drive them because:
- It puts too much mileage on the cars
- Too much mileage, more depreciation
- Limited mileage insurance policies
- They are scared of something going wrong
- They like to keep the car immaculate
They also must have amazing self control as I can't resist driving a Ferarri parked in the garage.
Ask away john . Si has already answered the two questions you had 
As for mileage... I had mine one and a half weeks before I hammered it 3000 miles around Europe and up and down the Alps on Eurohoon 04 ... fantastic introduction, just a shame i didn't have the Tubi fitted until after I got back! (you WILL want a Tubi
)
Then last August I took it down to Nerja on the Costa del Sol... again, fantastic.
I also drove it most weekends in between including winter and snow. All in all I did 13,000 miles in my first year, as a weekend car ... they love being driven. As long as you keep up with the servicing, and pay a good price to start with, which you may well do with a LHD, then there is no good reason to keep it stuck in the garage.
I now have what seems to be a very good 3.2 Carrera, but it is still no match for the Ferrari, on any level. The history, the racing pedigree, the character, the passion, the sound ... just sitting behind the wheel looking at all the dials with the quirky orange numbering and orange prancing horse, the chrome gear shift, the fantastic Meccano-like click-clack of the gear shift through the dog leg gate (you'll never tire of that 3rd to 4th shift!) ... then there's the handling and performance ... oh, and the looks and the picture taking.
Anything else you need to know?
oh, and mine has even made an appearance on exoticspotter.com
proud
>> Edited by burriana on Monday 10th April 14:05
As for mileage... I had mine one and a half weeks before I hammered it 3000 miles around Europe and up and down the Alps on Eurohoon 04 ... fantastic introduction, just a shame i didn't have the Tubi fitted until after I got back! (you WILL want a Tubi
) Then last August I took it down to Nerja on the Costa del Sol... again, fantastic.
I also drove it most weekends in between including winter and snow. All in all I did 13,000 miles in my first year, as a weekend car ... they love being driven. As long as you keep up with the servicing, and pay a good price to start with, which you may well do with a LHD, then there is no good reason to keep it stuck in the garage.
I now have what seems to be a very good 3.2 Carrera, but it is still no match for the Ferrari, on any level. The history, the racing pedigree, the character, the passion, the sound ... just sitting behind the wheel looking at all the dials with the quirky orange numbering and orange prancing horse, the chrome gear shift, the fantastic Meccano-like click-clack of the gear shift through the dog leg gate (you'll never tire of that 3rd to 4th shift!) ... then there's the handling and performance ... oh, and the looks and the picture taking.
Anything else you need to know?
oh, and mine has even made an appearance on exoticspotter.com
proud
>> Edited by burriana on Monday 10th April 14:05
thanks al. the situation with this guy is he isnt using it and so "at a price " is willing to let it go. he has described it as immaculate. sounds a very genuine guy and i do know his missus. i've yet to see the car but i think 93, with 19k on. not sure of most recent major service. what price would one be thinking ...my thoughts where around the 30k mark. also , al is the 3.2 your first one? i've had mine 2yrs, never thought it could become a daily driver but it has and have put 25k on it with no dramas and they are very enjoyable cars..just think the 348 is in a different league..and will be something special to take out on sunny days...big plan is to get this car for july ...got a wedding to go to in italy....
I think a compression test may be a little overkill Si? As long as the service history is good. main thing is, when did it last have the cambelt change. This should be done every 3 years or 30k miles (although most people will do them at less mileage to be safe). It is normal for this to be tied in with a major service and will cost between £1500-£2000 depending where you have it done.
There are a lot of good independents around, some of which are trusted more than some main dealers to do the job thoroughly and fairly.
Some people's idea of pristine varies wildly, here are some shots of mine for reference ...
Now I never classed mine as "mint", but simply in very good condition. The interior was hardly worn at all, the engine was clean, but not obsessively so, it had 34k on the clock and was simply a well looked after car that I personally put nearly 40% of it's total mileage in the 15 months that I had it.
RHD, full history, and I let it go for £29,999 last November. If I was selling it now, it would be £34-35k. So yes, following the rule of thumb that LHD is on average worth around £5k less, and we are coming into summer, then £29-£30k would be a fair price.
Check little things like the original tool kit are with the car. And also that it has matching tyres, and that they are decent. It should have Pirelli P-zeros or equivalent.
Then get in touch with the FOC and see if they know the car and also ask on fcars.co.uk.
Oh, and I never even bothered getting mine inspected... nor did Stig off Fcars forum that bought it from me, but then again, it was a well known car. Never under-estimate the value of these forums
>> Edited by burriana on Monday 10th April 22:51
There are a lot of good independents around, some of which are trusted more than some main dealers to do the job thoroughly and fairly.
Some people's idea of pristine varies wildly, here are some shots of mine for reference ...
Now I never classed mine as "mint", but simply in very good condition. The interior was hardly worn at all, the engine was clean, but not obsessively so, it had 34k on the clock and was simply a well looked after car that I personally put nearly 40% of it's total mileage in the 15 months that I had it.
RHD, full history, and I let it go for £29,999 last November. If I was selling it now, it would be £34-35k. So yes, following the rule of thumb that LHD is on average worth around £5k less, and we are coming into summer, then £29-£30k would be a fair price.
Check little things like the original tool kit are with the car. And also that it has matching tyres, and that they are decent. It should have Pirelli P-zeros or equivalent.
Then get in touch with the FOC and see if they know the car and also ask on fcars.co.uk.
Oh, and I never even bothered getting mine inspected... nor did Stig off Fcars forum that bought it from me, but then again, it was a well known car. Never under-estimate the value of these forums
>> Edited by burriana on Monday 10th April 22:51
burriana said:
I think a compression test may be a little overkill Si? As long as the service history is good. main thing is, when did it last have the cambelt change.
Probably Al, but with the costs involved it would be well worth it.
I got my car from a very well known independent without a PPI. Although in great condition, when it was having a tubi put on we found that it had a blown cat and the seller said it was'nt covered by the 3 month warranty, although I knew it was. I did'nt argue about it as I was going to replace the cats with hyper-flows anyway.
But a PPI would have found that problem anyway.
Personally, I would never buy another Ferrari again without a compression test.
>> Edited by angelis on Tuesday 11th April 10:39
saw the car today. as described and truly is immaculate. last cambelt last year at qv in ascot. only issue i suppose the fact that maranello's have changed the clock to a mph one ,all documented at egham who supplied the car to present owner and so mileage doesnt read correctly. have a lot of these lhd's had this done or is it unusual? my thoughts are to have the car checked at qv , has anyone had experience of them? thanks for any help.
If the speedo conversion is properly documented I would see this as a plus point rather than an issue, kph is a pain in this speed camera era (I use my Talex as a speedo). Bought a couple of bits from QV and got excellent service - not used them for any work (too far away) but they have a good reputation.
Also, I presume that they have the original with the car. This is a must as it backs up the paperwork. Mine, even though RHD was originally a Hong Kong car and had a speedo change. I had the original in the replacement box that went with the car as a very important part of the car's history.
car is being inspected at qv in ascot next week. i'm going to be there to have a poke around...having searched the threads i'm fairly clued up about what i'm looking out for but wonder wether anyone has got any top tips on what to ask,look out for...also original speedo has been sold...obviously i'll have a good look at the paperwork and if nescessary discuss with egham..who apparently did the swap.
pneumothorax said:
also original speedo has been sold...obviously i'll have a good look at the paperwork and if nescessary discuss with egham..who apparently did the swap.
Absolute MUST. And get it confirmed in writing. Mine was also detailed in the front of the service book with mileage at change and a dealer stamp over it.
Good luck.
pneumothorax said:
looking for a bit of advice. have had a touch of fate..was speaking with someone i work with who drives a lancia and remarking how i pine for something italian , used to have integrale. she said "anything in mind?". said 348 she said , my partner has one he might want to sell!! 348 spider. lhd. red/black...it would be a second car obviously with my first being 89 3.2 carrera. i can think of someone on this forum who may be able to help with his recent experience. now i've searched this forum and theres lots of good advice ie buy as late a model as possible. arent all of the spiders the latest and most upgraded versions? also ,the million dollar question...why doesnt anyone seem to really use these cars..ie put any miles on them??
Hi,
Is the seller Trevor and he lives outside of High Wycombe? If so I can vow for the car and the speedo was changed by Maranello's as he bought it via Maranello's acting as an agent. Its a great car and genuine. I know Trevor very very well.
If its not Trevor's then good luck
Peter
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