Views on my next purchase F348 Spider

[Tigerfurxxx]

Hi Folks

Im seriously looking to buy the car in the attached link. I will be trading in my much loved Carrera 2. Any advice from owners etc would be great also guidance on what faults to look for would be good.

Thanks

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1629022.htm

[Mario149]

Tigerfurxxx said:

Hi Folks

Im seriously looking to buy the car in the attached link. I will be trading in my much loved Carrera 2. Any advice from owners etc would be great also guidance on what faults to look for would be good.

Thanks

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1629022.htm

I don't have one, so can't really make too many comments. But....

I personally love the colour combo, almost got yellow/black for my 355 Looks like it may have an aftermarket exhaust on it as the exhaust tips seem to look different? Only other thought is that it may feel a bit slow compared to your (996?) C2. Similar horsepower but less torque in a heavier car. Not that'd you'd care mind! Engine character was the biggest difference when I went from 996 to F355, I need to rev the 355 like a SOB to get the horses (half the fun!) whereas the 996 seemed to go from 2.5k rpm onwards!

Anyway, I'll shut up now and let someone who actually has one say something

[larrylamb11]

Beautiful cars, had a bad reputation in the early days, truth is nowadays most of the early glitches are understood and a good one is a joy. They are quick, not shattering but quick enough, make an amazing noise and feel like a big rollerskate - they had a bad reputation for 'iffy' handling when new, in reality most were lazily set up at the factory and a modern lazer-ligned reset by a competent technician will often work wonders. Added to that, when you reach the limit of adhesion speeds are high enough that you have to react very quickly to catch one, especially as they have a pretty short wheelbase.... that goes with the territory though.
Other than that, they are generally regarded as mechanically very tough indeed, especially the engines. Check for a full and complete service history with a recent cam belt change for preference - cam belt change is engine out and every three years (officially, though a lot of owners in the USA stretch to 5yrs and longer) which is not cheap, so set aside a decent budget for maintenance.
There are plenty of parts that are no longer available, but generally supply is pretty good, if not cheap! Check to make sure the aircon / climate control is working properly - its complex, electrical and expensive to fix. You may well find the interior plastic bits are 'sticky' these can now be cheaply refinished by a guy in the USA. You can have problems with the exhaust ECUs and 'slow down' lights, again the bits are expensive to fix properly but there are work-arounds. Gearbox's also have a known issue with the securing nuts coming off the internal shafts - thats an expensive fix too - although they don't all do it by any means, they just 'can', look for a rebuild invoice in the history as it should have been sorted at rebuild. If it is baulky into 2nd, don't worry - they all do that, sir - changing from 1st to 2nd over 4k rpm helps. Expect the electric windows to be slow and niggles with the electrics to the doors (the wires break at the multiplugs in the A post), all fixable to various degrees of ease. Clutch hangs off the back of the gearbox, check for leaks of fluid from the grate under the clutch housing. Also check for oil leaks from the camshaft forward seals (nearest the bulkhead), plus the usual checks of coolant and oil tank etc. Its dry sump, so check oil level just after switch off when warm. Thats all I can think of off the top of my head, I expect there is plenty more though.
One piece of advice, if you are looking at this as a replacement to your Porsche, prepare yourself - its a completely different animal, far more 'highly strung'. If you daily drove your 911, you may struggle to daily a 348 - many do, but really they are more special than that and are 'occasion' cars. They don't have that 911 utilitarian property, which is part of the appeal I guess.... IMHO.

[F355spider]

This might help you http://www.my348.com/348.html

Looked at this particular car a few weeks ago, as i only live around the corner.

Didnt look too shabby and a great colour combo.

I would ask them if they object to having an inspection from a Ferrari independent though, just for peace of mind.

[burriana]

Blimey... reading what Larry said and I might be put off!

I have had a 348 Spider in exactly that colour combo and year... I only had it three weeks before hammering it 3500 miles around the Alps... Brilliant!

The following summer I then drove it down to the Costa Del Sol... Brilliant!

The only problem I had was the aforementioned error on the climate control. Not a big job usually, just dirty contacts most of the time.

The gearbox issue is often mentioned but I don't know anyone who has actually had one go. The stiff second when cold is inherent in most, it's fine after a few mins and you learn to either put it into second as soon as you are rolling, or go first to third. But, like I said, after a few mins it is fine once the warm oil gets to the back of the box.

Handling is superb. It is often quoted as being tricky on the limit, mostly by people who have read it somewhere. The truth is that the car's "limit" is far higher than most of ours, so you rarely get there. Any time I do step the back out, lift off slightly and it snaps straight back in line again. Very neutral handling and a joy to drive quickly.

It is quicker than a standard Carrera, but yes, you do need to use the revs.

Look at my profile and you will see, I like them so much that I am on my second

Private, that car would be high 20's, so you may be able to knock a little off.

To give you an idea, I sold mine in excellent condition and 34,000 miles privately to Sletti (Stig) on Club Scuderia for £29,999 in November 2005.

[Tigerfurxxx]

Thanks for all your advice folks it was great. Still not decided but will let you know how I get on.