Pls help Check out car for sale if near Portland ....

I have been to NW Investments many times. I think they have a white one and red presently? I have seen both. Which one are you interested in?

Mike

 

But I can go take pics for you tomorrow with my digital and e-mail you close up shots?? Who is your salesmen? Steve? As far as I know they are pretty straight shooters and sold alot of F-cars. I will go to the web site and look over for you. Don't know if you have read any of my posts but I just bought a 348 with the major just done told everything perfect. Took it to my Local Ferrari dealer and have a $12,000 bill. You can be told everything done ect but I would have someone from Gran Turismo here go out there and do a PPI for you..True is will cost you a few hundred dollars but if I would have done it, it would have saved me $12,000..Send me a PM with your e-mail I will try to go over there tomorrow and take pics and look at the car for you. What is there web site again???

Mike

 

Gran Tuismo Ron Tonkin is the oldest Ferrari dealership in the US maybe contacty them and ask how much to have one of their mechanics go over there and check it out for you 503-257-9655 ask for Kelly or Chris tell em Mansfield sent you

 

I head out tomorrow to look at for you. No worries. I know I was so excited when I bought mine I could barely sit still. Is this your first F-Car? I am not a mechanic but can tell if a car has been beat on. I would really suggest talking with Kelly at Gran Turismo Tonkin, especially if they say it was seviced there. I know when I was looking at a car there they told me it was Ron Tonkin's sons car. Thjink they use the Tonkin name to impress potential buyers?? Maybe not. I am getting my car now and will inquire at the dealership about that car.

Mike

 

Warning! That car does not appear to have been serviced in almost 6 years. Check the date written on the oil filter. That means the OIL has not even been changed in 5.5 years! Not a good sign. Basically, this car will need a major service performed, along with all fluids changed. I would also want to carefully examine the records, as a car this old should have had all the coolant and fuel hoses changed by now (especially the fuel filler neck hose). If not, it must be done, to ensure trouble free driving.

If it indeed needs that much stuff done, I would deduct at least $4k and perhaps $5k to get that done (check with a dealer for costs). You should also plan on at least another $1k for likely stuff that may also need attention, like water pump, alternator, brake caliper rebuild, etc. If the distributors need rebuilding (common at this age), that could possibly add another $1k or perhaps more.

Cosmetics look good, and the "unmolested" stock look shows a owner that did not go crazy trying to modify or change it (a good thing).

Bottom line, I paid $29K for a similar 15k miles "garage queen" like this (red/tan), and in need of a major service back in 1999. Prices really haven't changed any from then, so that is probably the "ball park" you are in. In fact, you may even be able to take a discount on the color combo....silver/red is not as marketable as red/tan.

Good luck, it looks to be an otherwise nice car.

Dave

 

Hi Ken,
That engine bay isn't pretty. It appears the previous owner felt that because it had such low mileage that the issues that Dave Handa has pointed out were in fact non-issues.

All I can see is original hoses everywhere in the engine compartment. ALL need to be changed immediately, especially the high pressure fuel lines. These cars are prone to fire because there is a gas tank on either side of the engine with numerous crossover and supply lines top and bottom. On hard bump or crack in these old lines and away you go.

I can't believe these guys didn't get rid of that filter! What a give away!. That means it is 6 years old at least!
Again, the oil in that thing has to be close to the consistancy of molasses if it's last change was in '99.

I would verify their claim in writing that the TIMING belts have been changed. You might ask about the idler pulley bearings also.

Everything Dave says is prudent and accurate. There is a chance that the carbs might need rebuilding if it has been sitting as much as the mileage indicates.

BTW, I am changing all of the fuel lines the previous owner missed on mine this week. 25 years is a long time for a rubber hose. They looked good on the outside but bad on the inside.

There are some independent shops in Portland that can do a PPI as well as Tonkin. Possibly for a better price.

Take your time. It looks like a pretty nice car but beware of "Pigs in Lipstick".

Good Luck, DJ

 

I just got back from Gran Turismo. They said that car has been for sale for over a year and is over priced by $7,000 to $10,000. They are very familiar with it and rate the car a 6 out of 10. The last serivice they performed he thought was three years ago. You need to call Kelly at Gran Turismo Tonkin service. His # once again is 503-257-9655. It would more than likey need a service. They can get the car towed to their shop for PPI, that is a must as they are straight shooters and tell you what the car needs. He knows all about that cars history and "NO" it was not owned by Tonkin's roommate either. Let me know if you still want me to take some pics for you. I just don't want anyone to go through what I just went through.


Good Luck,

Mike

All these guys on this forum will be able to assist you with any purchase. They have sure helped me and taught me an awful lot

 

25k for the car MAX. sounds about right. Less if it needs timing belts and bearings. Even more of a discount with each additional item.............................

 

I've always been a bit wary of NWI Cars, I've never dealt with them seriously but it's just the feeling I get when wandering through their showroom.

I guess Tonkin did the last oil change, however, as "RTGT" on the oil filter stands for "Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo!" If it was in 1999, that would have been long before Kelly was there, probably back in the Rich days (I always got along well with Rich).

Other shops in Portland which could look at it for you are ATD and The Jag Shop, either of whom would be fine. However, given the history, I'd probably take it to Tonkin. I've been having pretty good luck with them lately.

 

guess the car is heading to Tonkin today. I cannot make it to Tonkin today as I have a few meeting. Ask Kelly to take some close up digitals for you. He should have a camera there? I am unfortunately heading out of town on business for the weekend. If you would like Monday I could go to NW and take some pics. Please let us know what you find? Good Luck!

Mike

 

Ken,
don't worry about it...just move on. Now you are understanding how exotic cars can get such a bad reputation. This is typical...sell the car to a "newby" who has no knowledge of what he is getting into.

This also explains why Ferrari dealers charge top dollar for a used car. They are going to do all the maintanence things we mentioned, and that costs money. But for them, that is the only way they can sell an older car with any confidence that they will have a satisfied customer.

This is why it is typically better to find a car with few or no "needs"...saves time and money in negotiating.

Good luck in the search, don't let this get you down.

Dave

PS: I bet there is no other deal, or in the slight chance there is, that it falls through. You'll see that car on their website in February, or gone for a couple months, and return in March...

 

Ken, sorry about your car..........but, on the bright side, you got a lot of help from here and I'm sure you'll be better off. Of course they don't want the car checked out. They are hiding something.......I wouldn't work w/them again. Some up there should post the vin as a car to stay away from.

Good luck finding what you really want.

 

A very good move. It sounds like the dealer knows what we have guessed about the car. They are looking for an uneducated, first time buyer.

I have always felt more comfortable buying from a private party. It would be even better if it was a club member's car and it's history was fairly well known. I think a private party is more willing to compensate on a deal too.

Good luck,

DJ

 

Absolutely unbelievable!!

Ken you are doing the right thing, walk away from the deal.

I sure hope they return your deposit.
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Yep they were looking for another "Mike"!!! I just spent over $12,000 getting my, what they said, needed nothing "new 348 in ship shape. The funniest thing is that I shopped and learned ect for over a year looking for the right one as to not have waht exactly happened to me!
Sometimes people screw ya, lie, cheat and steal. I don't know who said it earlier in this thread but an authorized Ferrari dealer that has the price a little higher for a used model is the only way I will buy my next F-Car.


By the way everyone: I put 176 miles on her today...Just couldn't take her home....I'm in LOVE!!!!!!!

Good Luck Ken,

Mike

 

Keeps me posted as to what you finally end up with..





Curious minds want to know,

Mike

 

Wow........just proves how valuable this site is! Sorry to hear about your troubles with your first Ferrari Mike........but good attitude. Enjoy the heck out of her. If you don't mind traveling north a bit............we drive quite often and get together just as. You'll find the NW group is pretty tight.

 

I am ready for trip of North. No garage queen here. Please keep me informed as to drives event ect. Just want to shake everyone's hand and say thank you. Oh ya, do some drivin too.


Mike

 

My '78 308 was purchased from RTGT 2 years ago with about 28K miles on the clock, it was in respectable condition, excellent re-paint (NOT Original as the dealer claimed however, and thankfully not as I later found out) and excellent interior at the time of purchase. Rebuilt cats, 30K service with belts, etc., done at the dealer before I brought it home. Price, $32K.

I've done more since then...window cable pully lube, major PITA; 16" wheels, shocks & alignment plus numerous other TLC items...it's ongoing with an old 308, Dave Handa and Spasso can certainly elaborate on this as they have already.

The car in question seems even more suspicious...enlarging the thumbnail for the instrument cluster shows 45483 on the clock!