Safemoney

I have been considering a 348TS or 360 and have heard different things. Some people complain that the maintenance costs of a Ferrari are high, but I have also talked to some local Ferrari club members and owners - they don't seem to think the maintenance costs to own a Ferrari are that bad at all.

Anyone out there have experience?

stace

You should talk to Robin Sun (aka - Robin 993DX) expert knowledge of 993s, developer of the RSR exhaust mods for our cars and more recently a Ferrari owner. he has strong opinions based on lots of time underneath both cars.

Safemoney

I'll PM him - thanks...still interested in other's experiences.

nile13

Stop by at your neighborhood crack house an inquire about the price of crack. You'd be surprised to learn that they also seem to think that the costs are not that high

M Fig

I'd like to hear Robin's opinion too...not that I'm in the market, just curious

nile13

I think most of us have heard Robin's opinion (just search). And it was as expected. And Robin is more qualified than anyone to talk about 993 vs. P-cars, period.

"Hi! My name is Mike. And I also look at 348/355 and mutter under my breath "it's only money". Then I get a hold of my senses and that insanity goes away for a few month".

JM993

"More qualified than anyone." Really?

To the OP, I think you're smart in soliciting several opinions regarding your question.

Cheers,
Joe

vjd3

Having been tempted myself ... go on over to Ferrari Chat and peruse some threads on the 348-355 board. They take it as a matter of course that some mysterious rattle is going to mean an unexpected $10,000 repair, or that the design of some sharp hose clamp by a fuel line might mean the car can burst into flames. It's expected, and they've conditioned themselves not to freak out when it happens. The others act as a support group for the hapless owner. Be sure you have deeeeeep pockets.

Everytime I see a 355, and start thinking, for $60k you could get a helluva nice one ... I head over and do some reading. Helps every time.

Here's a fascinating blog about someone who decided to see if he could spend one year with a 355 and not break the bank.

http://www.oneyearwithaferrari.com/

goofballdeluxe

A word about buying/owning a Ferrari:

Don't.

chris walrod

With each model, the Ferrari gets less maintenance intensive. If you must buy an F-car, buy the newest model you can afford. Sometimes its not so much the labor (DIY), its the parts pricing structure thats insane. Make's Porsche a complete bargain to rebuild!!

nile13

Yep, really. If you can find _anyone_ who's wrenched as much as Robing on both the 993 and P-cars and has understood and written about both, let me know, please.

Makmov

+ 1

Earlier Ferraris have insane maintenance intervals. Like 10K on a t-belts and the entire engine needs pulled.

I have seen 17, 18, 19k bills on 30K services.

Yes the newer ones are not nearly as insane, but then you need to get into a 360, 430 and then you are talking a whole nother ball park to buy one.

JM993

First and foremost, my purpose is not to question Robin's ability/knowledge. He is a valued contributor to this forum.

However, what you are saying is that Robin is the foremost authority on 993s and F-cars. Is he a factory trained F-car and/or Porsche technican? Has supervised factory race teams for either or both marques? Does he even wrench on these cars as his primary profession? There are numerous technicians with intimate knowledge of both F and P cars. You should know better than to make such a sweeping and irresponsible proclaimation on this board.

ilko

I'll give you my opinion on the F348, since it's more in line with the 993 costs. And that should tell us something right off the bat, if you can get a nice 993 for the same money as a similar vintage Ferrari...

Anyway, apart from the service costs, I don't like the F348 for 2 reasons - the steering wheel is way off center and the gear box gets too hot on a long drive. That becomes very uncomfortable, since your thigh is right next to it. That being said, I think it's the best handling Ferrari ever made. But I wouldn't own one myself. They are much more temperamental and you can generally fly under the radar in a 993, while the F-car screams "look at me!"

jdistefa

Go drive a 348 and then immediately get into a 993. Case closed.