Could someone please shed some light on my dilema: I'm in two minds whether to buy a 348 or go for the 355. Choice of 348s: (1) 348TS, Grey/Grey, 15T miles, good condition, early 1993. Around £33K (2) 348TS, Rosso/Cream, 20T miles, good condition, mid 1991. Around £34K Choice of 355: (1) 355GTB, Roosa/Nero, 38T miles, good condition, 1995. Around £44K Criteria for my decision: a) Desirability/ Street cred b) Resale value c) Fun Value d) Maintanance cost e) Overall value for money f) Any other points that I've missed Thanks for everyone's help in advance.
The following is what I know about the two cars, and MHO only: a) Personal preference that should be your own decision. b) Never think of cars as an investment. If you must, I think the edge goes to the 355, as I think it is a better looking car and more refined/civilized. c) Depends on the driver. 348s are blinding fast on track if the driver knows what he is doing. As for the 355s, you can be an average driver and still be fast. d) Since you are in Europe, this may not be as big of an issue for you. The 348s can be more readily serviced by an independent, 355s needs specific diagnostic instruments/tools to tune. The underbody aero work on the 355s can also be expensive to repair, if you should scrap it against the curb/driveways etc. e) To me, that is another personal issue. You decide on what the car is worth to you, not according to others. You will be much happier that way. f) Bottom line is, don't think of any cars as an investment. Buy the Ferrari that gets your heart racing. You buy a Ferrari because your heart tells you to, not your head. Good luck and hope this helps.
Thanks for the comment. This is going to be my first F-Car and a stepping stone to the F-car ladder in the future. I only intend to keep it for a year or so, hence my emphasis on value for money and short-term fun/satisfaction. I like the two equally, but a bit concern about the depreciation of the 355, being the more expensive and newer car.
should be able to get a better price on 348 i'd think. ie get a 348 spider for much less than 355 coupe. need to make sure getting late model 348 which was much improved from older ones.
the 355 was a big improvement over the 348 in everyway,also , according to my f car mechanic friend, the 348s had more reliablity issues... i almost bought a 348 in 1993 but was not impressed with the drivablity or the performance of the car...several years later i drove the 355 and made my first ferrari plunge
Would you say, over a 2 year horizon, the 355 would offer better value for money in terms of: depreciation, fun, desirability, resale value?
Criteria for my decision: a) Desirability/ Street cred They're both Ferrari's....nuf said b) Resale value Check the net...348's seems to have bottomed, 355's probably have a bit more to go c) Fun Value They're both Ferrari's....nuf said d) Maintanance cost They're both Ferrari's....nuf said e) Overall value for money Based on the prices you've quoted 348 - 115BP per hp 355 - 115.79 per hp f) Any other points that I've missed How much money have you got?
Money is not my main concern. I've enough to cover either. I'm looking for value for money. More expensive models offer better performance/handling, but often not the best value for money.
yes, the 355 will maintain its premium over the 348 over time....and it more fun to drive and better looking....the 355 is really the best exotic car bang for buck at this time..prices have dropped below new 911 prices but the car still offers very good performance and looks and engine sound and feel....when the 355 came out, the automotive press hailed it has a major improvement over the 348, which only got luke warm reviews
"Money is not my main concern. I've enough to cover either. I'm looking for value for money. More expensive models offer better performance/handling, but often not the best value for money." Test drive them both! then pick one!
-It's a Ferrari....people are going to look at it regardless and you'll love the sound....both cars are equal there. -A 355 is much more powerful and subsequently a better vehicle. -A 355 is cosmetically more attractive by a large margin.....therefore a better vehicle. For the monetary differential you are talking about I'd go to the 355.............
not sure I agree with that one - looks are subjective, and some of us prefer the direct steering of the 348's. If you're jumping in for a year though, and the prices you state - the 355 looks like a better deal. Over hear in Canada 355's are easily double the cost of a 348. 348's seem to take a longer time to sell. I'm personally a fan of the 384's and you may want to search the Classic section for 348 histories. Whatever you do, do get a reputable mechanic to do a pre-purchase-inspection before you buy! I'm learning many of these cars have been hit and have "interesting" stories behind them.
This is the best advice I have heard on this thread...You have obviously done your cost-depreciation analysis. Common sense will tell you that you will FOR SURE lose less money on a 348 then a 355 (comparing apples to apples of course). How low do Ferrari's go? 348 has almost bottomed out. Remember it has virtually the exact same frame as the F355 but the F355 has much more horsepower. Anyone who says the 355 is better looking then the 348 or vice versa needs to learn one word...SUBJECTIVITY...Thats for you to decide...not members of this board. We all have our own opinions on what looks better. For me, 355 wasnt in the budget...i went for the 348 a love the car...I think the maintenance costs are going to run about the same...concerning maintenance...355s will be hard to cut corners on, or do it yourself, but probably does not have as many design flaws as the 348. Drive them both...if 355 is worth the extra money then buy it, if its not..then get the 348...both awesome cars. I compare those two cars to college and pro football...different in there own ways yet both equally fun to watch...
I hounestly would go with a 348 over a 355. Heres why. The 348 DOES have it's issues..but most have been fixed by now unless the previous owner was a cheap-o. Overall 348's are relativly cheap to repaire in comparison to the 355. The issues with the 355 are very expensive to repair, valves gudies, exhaust manifolds, interior components falling apart, dash shrinkage, airbags, electroinc suspension (acutators and shocks are common to fail) etc. One really annoying problem with the 348 is the heater control unit..they fail without warning and is expensive to replace. If you buy say a 95 348 Spider I think in all honesty you get a better car then the 355, in terms of reliabilty and daily driving duties. There were many updates along the way and this turned the 348 into a world class sports car. But as always buy the best and lateest model you can find. Many owners don't like the powersteering in the 355..it takes a bit away from the car in my eyes..much to light. The 6 speed gear box is a plus mind you..but you won't really notice it much except for on highway drives. The shift feel in the 348 was also greatly improved in the later models but still not as positive as the 355's. Not really huge issue if your buying a late 348. Just my opinion of course..but I see many more expenxive issues with the 355's then I do the 348. Most 348 issues can be fixed cheaply and most times when it's fixed once..it doesn't need to be fixed again. The 355 is a nice machine..but far more costly to run and keep in top condition..but if you can afford either without problems..buy the one that turns your crank the most. The 355 is in my eyes a ton better looking then the 348..BUT looks are only skin deep as they say..
In regards to "subjectivity of appearance"......item number two on the OP's list is resale value.....so it's not really an issue of whether or not individual members like the car or not......the issue here......is "how many members" in the pool like it versus those who like the 355 better. If the ratio is lopsided.....and the marketplace confirms that in almost every country where the cars are available it is lopsided in favor of the 355....."that" factor is a major component of resale value......and very important one indeed. Had the car been more pleasing optically....it may have held up better at the cash register. For those who can live with it....you are the beneficiaries of the marketplace's fault as you perceive it to be. If it's going to be his first car and he has to resell it in a year......it's better to buy something with a broader appeal.....than something with less. That's all.....
I've owned both; the 348 is more go-kart like, the absence of power steering is a real plus in my book. The 355 is unquestionably more refined, and leaving aside aesthetics, the interior is far better made. The 348 models you mention are, at least in the States, less desirable for several reasons: the cars did not benefit from later running improvements to the rear end/suspension, which i think only came into production here with introduction of the spiders in '94 and the "speciales." (Not sure if the same is true for euro-cars). The TS version may also suffer some issues associated with the targa-type top- ie, lack of rigidity and leakage. The '95 355 had some valve guide issues, but may not be a real issue unless the car you buy suffers from them. I agree with the suggestion that you test drive both, but frankly, a 1/2 hour spin in each may tell you something, but not everything, especially if you are just getting your bearing and have little to which you can compare your experience.
IMHO, the 348 is one of the best looking F cars ever made, the cheese graters give the car a very unique look, they should have kept them on the 355, the 348 takes more driver input, some like that, some dont, i do, reminds me of a race car, when i was younger i owned a 60's CanAm car, the 348 reminds me of that car, its just a kick in the rear to drive
are you comparing the 355 with Heidi Klum and the 348 with Rosanne Barr? Let me make a comparison then....if Rosanne Bar is a 348 then your wife is a 83' Chevette IMHO...of course.... and since we are going to extremes
there are some good points here. I've had both and looks aside (I like them both) they have different attributes. Steering wise: I like the lack of power steering in the 348 it really felt like you were going fast, but the 355 does handle better. Power: the 355 is a much faster car and for me that has been a lot of fun. At the risk of offending the 348 diehards (the 348 holds a soft spot in my heart) the power and gearbox of the 355 puts it over the top. Best advice here was: drive both and decide.
I just bought my 355 spider, LOVE IT. You will be happy with either car!! Oddly enough, when just getting into F-cars, I looked at the 348 and 355 and didn't know which models they were or which one came first! I actually was more attracted to the 348...reminds me more of the TR with those nice side-graters! Don't go thinking the 355 is too refined and you can't feel the steering: THAT statement is reserved for the 360 with fully-automatic technology. My feeling is that the 355 is the perfect compromise. Yeah, the 355 has power ASSIST, but you can still feel the hold really well. And with 80 more horsepower.....ya can't go wrong. My vote is for the 355, but I'm extremely biased!!! There is one thing to throw out: many owners told me to buy the newest & best condition car I could afford. Might be something to that? Like I say...either way you'll be stoked!
i have owned a 348 and driven plenty of 355. the 348 is without doubt the better car. when money is an issue i advise getting the 348 because it is usually priced 25-40% cheaper but is not 25-40% less car, probably only about 10-20% less car. in your case, wanting to sell it in a year and get something else, means you need an easy quick re-sale, and that is best served by a 355. selling a 348 may seem easier because the price is lower, but its actually harder to find somebody to take that car on, than the 355 which has a lot more credibility among those who are not tifosi. if you were planning to keep the car, i woudl advise the 355 spider. this has to be on eof the all time best looking cars and will hold reasonable value.
Most people who can afford a F-car seem to be more concerned with the value of the car, what it is worth, am I getting the best deal, will I get the most when I resell.... What we should be more concerned with is getting a really good example of the model f-car we purchase. Those of us who buy with an eye to quality rather than price can end up with a more reliable and less expensive to maintain vehicle. But never lose sight that when you go to sell your car everyone wants to steal it from you. So if you are going to be a short keeper by the best car for the least amount of money. It seems most purchases are more interest in the steal than the deal. It is almost always easier to sell the least expensive house on the block than the most expensive.
