First post and need some guidance from the veterans here!

I think this link will answer a whole lot of questions for you.

http://club348.com/technical/Tech/348.html

Happy reading.

 

I'm no owner but if you can only really afford the car then I think your looking in the wrong place. These cars cost a lot in maintenance, even if you buy a very good example it is still a 15-20 year old car and will need service. I would definitely look into the cost of the maintenance and insurance and everything else and add it all up and see if you can still afford the car. I would also look at the 308s and 328s as they are always suggested for a first time owner.

 

Welcome to Ferrarichat!!! You have definitely come to the right place to discuss anything Ferrari related.

I think the 348 will be an excellent first Ferrari, as you have already mentioned make sure you find a nice one with good history and get a good PPI done with a person who knows not only Ferrari's but the 348 model well.
Take your time to look, the search is a lot of fun. Driving loads of different cars will be an experience in its self.

 

http://www.theferrari348.com/

Also, a thread I created elsewhere about the 348

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=582925&nmt=Ferrari%20348%20-%20info%20thread

 

welcome, and all the above seem correct.

1. You do need to set aside $$ for maintenance if you farm it out: otherwise you'll need to put off retirement as part of the budget.

2. Get the car you want, just read up on it, to know what you are getting into.

The link to the 348 site is good primer. That engine is solid.

Know the maintenance on that car can be just as equal to older 3x8 cars. The initial cost for the major seems daunting but keeping up with the gremlins, out-of-sorts on the older models makes the two, IMO, about equal on the bottom line over time.

good luck.

 

I dunno, quite a few seem to want an introduction to your wrench, just to "get to know ya better" up front . Maybe due to slightly different driving patterns/use? But if you've got the time, they're pretty simple cars to work on, with no computer degree required, nor hydraulics expertise.

Despite what the 308/328 camp says, I think 348's also make good (and only!) Ferrari's. But I'm one of the believers that the only step up from a 348 is a 288.

The market seems slow, and it's only going to get slower as the weather starts to turn, so take your time. A strong local car was for sale here;
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210772
Might still be available if you're interested.

If you're not an expert, then a PPI from an unbiased expert is the cheapest insurance you can buy. As an example, I had a clean 348 spider I was quite interested in that just needed a tune-up and new tires. Once the PPI was done, that car was 1) not allowed back on the road by the mechanic, 2) in a shop for a long time 3) still not completely fixed properly but could be "sold".

Good luck, and take your time!

 

What he said. Even if you get a good car, it's not unusual to find a few thousand dollars' worth of stuff that needs attending to. That goes for any Ferrari I can think of, except one under warranty. If you find the current copy of Forza magazine (October 2008), Michael Sheehan has a buyer's guide on the 348/355/360 that highlights some of the major 348 issues.

I don't know, the 308/328 crew are a savvy bunch. Don't be surprised if one of them shows up and tries to steer you in that direction -- they're pretty shameless.

 

I don't want to be a traitor, but at least "try" a good 328. They're a really great car. I owned a 1988 328 GTB (Euro). More power (270 hp), more refined, and better sorted than the 308 GTXi/308 GTX QV series. The parts are, comparatively, less expensive than the 348 (especially the interior electronics). In addition, they are the last Ferrari that you can, if properly skilled and motivated, do all of the work on yourself with relative ease. It certainly wouldn't hurt to at least drive one.
Just to reiterate what has already been stated, spend the necessary money on a good, complete PPI (including compression/leakdown tests). In the end it will end-up saving you a lot of $$$, trouble, and heart-ache!

 

The 348 is an excellent choice very sexy very fast very Ferrari my advise do you homework find out all you can about each model and each year of production they are all different to some degree.

Then choose style TB TS GTB GTS SPIDER SS CHALANGE you have lots to choose from I suggest 93 and newer good luck.

Finally make your move to the finner side of life and do as they say drive it like you stole it...

 

Nice job...Information is your friend. Its awefully hard to walk away from one of these beauties isn't it. Keep you sight set high. You will find her.