Buying a 355 or 348, need some advice!

348 spider has a manual top, 355 has electric. This is good - manual tops rarely break. The tubi doesn't add much hp, maybe 5-8hp. 355 has an over engineered electric top, I'd be a bit weary of it. The 30k or 5-6 yr service is about $5,500 - $6,500 for the 348 and in the 6's and lower $7k's for the 355's I think. Both of them sound terrific - you won't be disappointed. And lastly the 355 is faster, but not THAT much. 348 0-60 in 5.4 sec, 355 in 4.6 - 4.8sec. Hope that answered some of your questions. Why would you be selling it in a few years? Oh, and you wouldn't take much of a hit on depreciation, especially with the 348, that one's about bottomed out.

 

I owned my first 348 when I was 22, I loved it, it was great!! I sold it for a few grand less then what I bought it for 3 years after. I then purchased a 355

In the 348 you have a coupe, targa, and s spider - TTarga being the roof peice being removed by hand (like t-tops, but the whole lewidth of the roof) and a spider of course is a convertable

The driving difference in the 3 are simple, c coupe = solid , targa = flex, spider = mopre flex

This one depends if you list the vehicle for only rec driving during certain times of the year, or if you insure it full time, if you have a clean record it wont be that much, even with progressive, I wasnt paying that much on either

I wouldnt touch it, drive it the way it t is and then you will get to know it, then make changes to what you want.

In the end they both are FERRARI and they bot th are great cars, the Ferrari Challenge series started with teh 348's and they are a strong car, you get more response from a 348 as far as feedback, and the 355's add pomore power items so you get less feedback (and I am aware that the newerr models introduced speed variance etc..) but in general terms you can get lazy and cought up pretty quick in a 355 over a 348 iIMO

 

Don't forget about the smaller items that will add up too, like brakes, tires, oil changes. These things can average out to another $1-2k per year.

 

Get an insurance quote....this may be the deciding factor...........

 

Hello,

As for the black trim, all 348's (except the Berlinetta, and speciales)(I think ) came this way, most owners teneded to have them painted the color of the car as it made it look better.

I painted mine as well , I think it made it flow better.

As for my 1st Ferrari story that will take some time, so I will PM it to you when complete, but in short form it was the best car .. Even todate when I have a 360, I still remember the days in the 348, it could be that I learned to drive it at racing school, that I mastered my heel/toe in it. could be alot of things, but thwhen I got the 355, it was a whole different WOW, as I had challenge ehaust on it, so the sound was way different, the brakes, clutch, steering , all something new and different.

You cant go wrong with a 348, if you have the means the 355 hais newer and has some better features, and creature comforts that the 348 doesnt.

As most on this site will say, as long as you do the preventive maint. you can expect a ton of good times out of your F-Car.

Parts for both 348/355 are fairly easy to come by, new and recovered, etc..

Just dont odoubt yourself and love what you get, The car will lead you to many great times!!

 

I have personally owned two 355's and spent 4 days in a 348 spider rental. My first 355 was a spider and my current car is a berlinetta. The spider was fun for the open car factor, but the berlinetta is a much more solid car. I personally don't care for the gts in either model, my feelings are go one way or the other. Open car with flex and a top you don't have to stow, or closed car that is a lot more solid. As far as the difference between the the two models, if you can afford it go with the 355. It is a much more modern car in more ways than just driveability. The 355 has newer gauges, an extra gear,better seats, better ergonomics, late model Ferrari looks, and no rat trap seat belts. The 80 hp makes a big difference, any car that breaks into the 4 sec barrier is much faster feeling than a sub 5 sec time. If your budget is leaning you towards a 348 spider, I would buy a 355b, as the cost difference between the two will be fairly close. Anyhow good luck with your search, whatever you decide make sure you get a service pedigree, DO NOT BUY AN F-CAR W/O!

 

I love my spider. What I like about the 348 spider is the low production #'s 1090 & I think only 556 came to USA. Don't listen to all the people that bash 348's. 355's have their problems also.The 355 is a upgraded 348. Yes, it's a little faster ect... but it should be ITS A NEWER MODEL. Ferrari would be backing up if it did not improve it's cars from the previous model.
Buy what YOU want and don't listen to childish people that will bash other people's cars because there not as new as theirs.

Good luck
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If you buy a 348, I'm sure no one will think your a hairdresser. "Not that there's anything wrong with that".

 

Elgin348 I hope you didn't take my comments as "bashing". I was only illustrating that for not much more than a car like yours, he could have a newer version with more power. I have respect for every car made by Ferrari, even the bastard early 308 2+2.

 

I have a sweet 348 that sits in the garage since I got the 360, and more recently 430.

Tubi, chips, 22K miles, Black 348 targa, chrome wheels, 22K miles, all services done and photo documented, kicken stereo, cover, chrome wheels, super sweet. email me if you are interested, someone needs to drive this baby, I have lots of photos too, best 348 I have ever seen. challenge brakes and suspension to boot.

 

what year? im Looking

 

Not sure what you mean by hairdresser status, or where you're located, but in the UK we tend to equate hairdresser status with cars like Merc SLK's i.e. good looking open top cars that are in no way a "driver's car". As such, the 348 is very far removed from that. The 348 is a fairly raw driving experience, with good feedback and is a car that requires to be driven with a "firm hand/foot"

On the choice of 348/355, well as someone who has just bought a 348 I'm baised. But I personally prefer the classic looks of the 348 with it's baby testarossa design, and it's lack of electronic aids and power steering.

If you want a more modern feeling driving car, or the quicker car, then go for the 355

The 348 is not an especially quick car by current standards, so your choice of style if you go for one should be driven by what you like rather than the stiffness of the body or whatever. The spider does have less stiffness than the coupe, but unless you're tracking it, it's not an issue. And if you are serious about tracking, there are much better cars than the 348/355.

For my money, the 348 Spider is a stunning looking car and a future classic

Jas

 

Hey Elgin328 - I have your 1st picture set as my background here at work. I found the picture on a different thread about 2 weeks ago. One of my favorite cars and the best looking convertible ever - I think. Great color and great car!

 

Well IMO I would say that alot of people that buy F-Cars cant drive them to the limits in stock form, so granted many people choose to change the exhaust for sound and rims, etc..

As far as making it go faster, it just depends on what you going to do with it.

348's and 355's and even 360's are NOT off the line champions, nor should they be, but you would be hard pressed to find a mustang or corvette, etc that can go the distance with the pedal to the floor.

I had someone pull up to me at a gas station, in a chevette, that was all mod'd out, you could just hear this thing, prob had 1000HP..

He kept saying "I'll kick yer ass in the 1/4 mile" and my response was pretty simple...

" That might be true, but the the fact still remains that after the 1/4 mile, I am still in a Ferrari and your in a Chevette"

As for Turbos etc.. on a 348, they can be done, and I know a sponser here has done a few "Norwood", but in all honesty I dont think its needed, unless you are going to be doing for profit racing, or something. (it will increase your risk for maint.)

-A

 

I have some further advice for you. Find a buddy that wants to spend a weekend in Vegas, shouldn't be hard, and rent both cars. There is at least three places that will have each car and they rent by the hour. It will probably cost about $350 for 5 hours in the 348, and $4-500 for 5 hours in the 355. I am not sure if you can get them for just one hour, but if so it would be even less. This would be a great way for you to get a real feel for each car, and nothing beats ringing a Ferrari out in the Nevada desert. Anyway, good luck again.

 

I did this as well, just make sure you have some room on that credit card for a pretty hefty authorization

 

Thanks guys for the compliments.
355rossocorsa no, not at all. But as you know some people on other threads make chidish remarks about 348's.

 

Only the ignorant, elgin. People that think the 348 is not a great Ferrari probably have more money than brains.

 

yes, very well put.

 

I am surprised by the amount of support for the 348 in this section of the forum. The differences between the two cars are small but everywhere you look. the 355 has better ergonomics, power, transmission, etc... But the 348 is more like the 308 series due to its less refined demeanor. No power steering, handling that can be jumpy / squirrely, notchy transmission. Most people that I read that enjoy the 348 experience like the quirks and difficulties with the 348. I would not recommend financing most of the purchase. You may get caught with a large repair that you don't have the funds for if you are stretching to make the payment. I do not know your situation, but make sure you can handle the possibilities financially. The insurance on my 89 348 is only $750 / year for $100 / $300 coverage with no restrictions due to the fact that we have multiple cars on the policy. I have had my car 6 months and spent $3000 servicing it to get everything working properly. By the way, the 89 348 does not have the electric seat belts that I have read some complaints about. Good luck, both cars are great!
BT