22k 83,000 mile 348

[cologne2792]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FERRARI-348-TB-Coupe-348...

Good value - or is the mileage frightening ?

[R36vw]

Mileage shouldn't be an issue, buy on condition. These cars run better if used and a lot of problems come from storing up and never used. It looks quite honest, but always worth checking out. Biggest thing with these is cost of certain parts are pricey. Aircon will set you back 1500, that's if you can find parts. The door sill is missing so my guess it was rotten(common)carbon ones cost about 750 steel pattern ones about 450 unless you got a local engineer that can make a set for a fraction of that. Is it a bargain. Depends what you want. Buy it, do nothing, run for 6months and car is still running fine it is likely to have cost you little and will sell for about the same. That would be a great way to get into bargain ferrari motoring but be warned..costly if something goes wrong, especially if you can't wield a spanner
. As a long termer you probably would want it all done.
So from what I see just on the ad
Cam belt service(every3yrs) due as mileage gone past recommend 18k.....since last done ....this is a crunch cost
Cambelt change approx 800. Engine out!
Service. ". 700
Sills. ". 450
Aircon. '. 1500?? Could be a simple fix for as little as 50 though
Tyres?
So you would have a price of 3500 roughly straight away....start adding in possibility of water pump 300. Tensioners another 300-400 you soon start to see an 83k mile car costing anything between 25-28k. Compare to others a bit cheaper but not the bargain you think.

[kambites]

How easy are they to work on? Is access particularly poor?

[R36vw]

These cars are relatively basic to work on as it was the last real 'analogue' ferrari. Access to clutch is very easy as it's at the rear. One of the few costs that are on par with most cars for a simple clutch replacement. Exhaust unbolts in 20-30mins starter motor, idle control valves, maf sensors, coil packs all easy to get to. Water pump however is engine out. Needs assessing whether it'll last the till next time or do now. Alternator is accessible but a bit fiddle and best getting to underneath. All rads are straightforward.as access panels under wheel arch. Mechanically they are pretty bomb proof but you have to bear in mind they are coming up for 25yrs old. Certain parts degrade, and with most ferraris they got an electrician on LSD to wire them up. Brakes are a diddle, very basic to deal with. Cost though is about 600-700 for pads and discs all round. Aircon well that depends on the lucky parts bin how it performs. All in all, eyes wide open, they can be cheap to buy but I wouldn't recommend unless you had at least a few thousand in reserve.

When all is taken into account this car could make a cracking entry for someone, go in eyes wide open, be mindful that costs can mount up very quickly. It'll never be as much as the ones pitched at around 40k taking the mileage into account ..no matter how much money or work is thrown at it. But it will make a great car...will not go any lower than the price it is. When driving it around who gets to see the mileage...it doesn't matter, you get the same looks...all good and you still get that grin of sitting behind the wheel and knowing ...you are driving a ferrari.

Edited by R36vw on Thursday 22 May 19:53