348 TS/TB vs. 348 SS? Worth the upcharge?

The lack of the rear grille would make it worthwhile for me, it's just not my style. Others love it to death, though!

 

yes, it's worth it.

 

if you have to ask then its probably not.

 

VVassallo told me that you can upgrade a "normal" 348 pretty easily to most of the SS details. True. Does make me laugh though that we both have the SS model.

Get the best available car that you like. I was not looking for an SS, one just happen to come my way and was the right car. I paid more for it, but to me it was worth it for the lower numbers (manufactured - around 100) and Carbon/Kevlar seats and no slats...to each his own.

Plus it does look cooler on my new plates doesn't it?
MB
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+1!!

 

It's the 348 to own IMHO and it must have the seats and the front lip, as you stated some didn't. The seats really set the car apart from the rest.

 

anyone have rear pics of a tb/ts next to a SS. i personnaly prefer the slats on the rear lights.

 

I'd agree on the seats - they are significantly nicer than the standard ones, functional and really take the interior upmarket, IMO.

The limited number plaque has always seemed more of a Ferrari marketing ploy. If you look back over the long history of sports cars, the real collectible ones became that way due to rarity (Daytona Spyder, California Spyder, F40, XK-SS, etc.) or excellence (300 SL, 911 2.7 RS, etc.) I wouldn't pay a premium based on a plaque in a modern Ferrari.

 

Yes only if you get a '92 or a '93 model with the lip and kevlar seats. SS without these pieces would be as desirable as the regular TB/TS.

Back when I was purchasing my 348 in late 2006, there was a $5k premium for an SS over the regular car. Now possibly the premium may have reduced.

 

The seats make it worth it.

 

What does that mean?

 

You forgot a taller first gear...

It was absolutely worth it to me. I justified it by considering the limited production as a price strabilizer. Turns out I was right.

Thanks Matt...

 

Boy am I late to this party! Yep very worth it, especially if you can swing a good deal. I like the fact that most of them are 1993 models. There are a few '92's and then there are those poseur-mobile 1994 SS 2.0 cars.

Matt, love your new plate. Heck looks like mine now - 348TS SS.

 

But the gearbox cannot be replaced so easily.

The Speciale cars have a different gearbox with different ratios, making the cars faster. The gearboxes were swapped out at Ferrari North America when the Speciale Series was born.

 

Yeah, although I believe Spiders have the same gear box. The seats are a pretty cool option and I was drawn to the car because of them, frankly. Still, worst case is you can swap in some Challenge seats and have them leather covered, if you like. Plugzit did this and they are pretty nice. Saves about 50 lbs per seat, if I recall. Oh, and yes the SS is lighter than the regular model. The seats save 100 lbs and the single can exhaust is another 50 lbs. That's getting rid of one seriously fat chick, in the words of our beloved plugz...

 

The stock seats weigh 52lbs each per Plugz. You could save 70 lbs total by getting carbon kevlar seats but it will be non-adjustable and frikkin expensive. I think adjustable seats would weigh about 20 - 25lbs each saving about 50 lbs total and costing far less than the CF seats.

Didn't the single can exhaust save about 30lbs?

 

In my opinion, definitely worth it.

 

+1 ........... The SS 348 seats are quite nice .......

 

+1 Thanks Goth - I think so too. Not great for long trips like 3forty8 takes to Vegas, etc. But day to day, during enthusiastic driving I find them very helpful in keeping my arse planted. Plus they look sweet!
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Yes

It is worth, I appreciate the seats even more.