I checked out a 1989 ferrari 348 ts today. Even got a chance to sit bechind the wheel

Red with tan interior. The salesman said it had 13K miles on it, which isn't bad, BUT the interior looked more like it had every bit of 80~90K which leads me to believe they rolled the miles back. They only wanted 55K for it. This place sells only preowned high end vehicles. I been going by that place from time to time for years and they always seem a little shady.

 

that is onw of my dream cars

 

For just a bit more, you could get a 84-86 Testarossa. The 348 was known to have a lot of problems, especially with the electrical system. If you can swing the little bit extra (they have been known to sell in the high 50 to low 60's range) you would probably be much happier.

Not to say the 348 isn't nice, but when you say that the interior is worn, and it's not an authorized dealer, you are taking big chance. Remember, you are talking Ferrari and nothing is a cheap fix on the car. An engine maintenance is gonna set you back at least 5 large, if not much more. If you have been looking for an F-car, then you already know that much. But do a little research, I think you'd be surprised what you can get for that $$$$ (a very low-mileage 328 or a 20-30K mileage Testarossa).

What worries me with only the breif description you gave is a) the wear on the interior (but mind you, it is a 15yr old car) and b) the fact you are unsure of the dealer.

Whatever you decide, make sure to do your homework. A friend of mine bought a "mint" condition Mondial. It looked great when it came off the truck. It drove nice. But when he brought it to the dealership, they uncovered a host of problems (no maintenance done on the car, stereo wiring that was done very shoddy which interfered with the car's electrical system, worn belts) that cost him well over 8,500 to fix.

 

whew..........a Testarossa still makes me go ga-ga whenever i see one, those cars are classic

 

Another car to check out in that range would be a 98-99 NSX. It has the bigger engine that has 290hp, 6 speed, a targa top, and is just as rare (if not more rare) than the 348. Sure it doesn't have a prancing horse on the car and it doesn't have the ferrari sound, but you would be getting a daily driver that would draw just as much attention.

 

The 348 was a piece of shit........save for an F355, it's an infinitely better car.

 

Yeah, the 355 is definately one of the best Ferrari's ever made. Classic lines, one of the best sounding engines ever made, and much was really the first, dare I say, "reliable" Ferrari's.

If I had my pick, it would be a 98 355 GTS. Yellow with a black interior with the yellow stitching in the seats. Wouldn't care if it had an F-1 or 6 sp (I would prefer the 6 sp, just for the look of the gated shifter...)

 

1997 and up NSX's have the 3.2 liter with the 6-speed tranny and a targo option.

Any NSX with factory-paint and a body-colored roof is a targa!

 

Oops my bad, the 3.2 did come out in 97. But not all body colored roofs are targas. They have made some coupes after 95. However, they were special ordered from the factory.

 

I thought all coupes were had a black roof... maybe I am wrong.

 

i love the look of the 348...even if it has problems..one of my favorite ferraries

 

Here's the info on the NSX

http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/General/changesbyyear.htm

They are rare, but in 94, the brooklands green cars had roofs that matched the body. Also, in 95 all cars had the body color roofs.

nsxprime.com is the best site for info on the NSX. Just like acura-cl.com is the best for CL's (sorry, cheap ploy to appease the acl.com Moderator Gods....)

 

Down the street from 6th and Lamar?

 

Actually, I think Allmotor actually owned an NSX...

 

yep!

 

the black plastic on the interior of the 348 was known to come off on hands and clothes. just one of many problems that car had. save and get the 355. it's a 348 version 2.0.

 

not my kind of ferrari..... but still would take one for free.

 

where i live there is a guy with a 355 f1, hardtop, and he is selling it for 55000 with 35k