Which V-8 car will become the most desired

I don't care much for either model but I have to chime in here. First, rarity is generally not much of a factor on future prices. Second, 348s really don't have very good manners on the road and (especially) tracks. I had a virtually new '94 TB challenge example and even with all the updates, the car was a handful. It just never had a predictable, balanced feel to it on track days. Because of that, I thought 308s and 328s were actually more fun on track days even with their excessive body roll and lack of power. Better balance. That's why I sold the 348 and went "back" to a 328. The market has spoken on these already. The 355 is a vastly better performer and much better mannered as well. Most people like the round tail lights and lack of cheese graters better also. There are few things I would bet on, but I'd bet 355s will always be worth more than 348s, probably a lot more.

Dave

 

Oooh, that's an interesting perspective I'd not heard before - thanks Dave. If you had a 328 engine putting out equal horsepower and torque to a 348 engine, I wonder if there'd be that same feeling of being a handful.

I'm afraid I do love the cheese graters - so you won't talk me out of that one very easily.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

They are very different cars. Power is not the issue. I've driven every mid engine V6 and V8 Ferrari from 246 and 430. All except the 348 have a similar feel in the balance and steering and can generally be called nice driving cars whether they have 200hp or 500hp. The 348 needed to be taken by the scruff of the neck and man handled to get lap times. When they were being produced, C&D tested them and got a high lateral G out of it even though it understeered like a loaded dumptruck. I found that as well on track days and it would also often get loose without warning. 308s and 328s are much easier to find a limit and then change the balance with the throttle which was needlessly tricky with a 348. It also has a harsher ride than any other Ferrari I have driven. Combine this with high maintenance costs and you have the reasons they sell cheap.

When your time comes, drive a bunch of different models and see what you like. Try not to have preconceived notions. Some people love the cheese graters but you have to admit they are, at best controversial and not uiversally admired.

Dave

 

+1

I am afraid that both the market and Luca di Montezemolo have given their opinion of the 348, and they both agree.

Do you really feel that the 430 and the Dino have a similar feel? I have no idea, because I have never driven a 430 as hard as I drive the Dino. Tell us more.

 

A few years ago, I got together with a buddy and his Dino with my 430 and we drove them back to back. Obviously, with 35 years of development, it is easier to see the differences than the similarities, but the overall balance and manners of the two cars is similar enough that you can tell they are from the same manufacturer albeit from diffeent eras. As you would expect, the Dino is a far more intimate, raw car which is certainly part of its charm. As my buddy put it, if you were to devolve a 430, a Dino would appear.

Dave

 

Nicely put. Thank you.

 

Thanks for your thoughts, Dave - I'll bear them in mind. When my time comes, I was going to try to drive a couple of models, but the 348 is going to be the first on my "must test" list and the Ferrari I most often envisage myself driving when I dream. As to lap times... if that was the goal, you can spend a lot less money on a modern car from a cheaper manufacturer and set a quick lap time. I'm more after the driving experience - as long as that's fun then I won't be particularly fussed about lap times.

While you're absolutely right that the cheese graters are controversial and not universally admired though they are, I love the look of them and I don't pick clothes or cars based on what other people might think of me. I pick what I feel good wearing and driving, often find myself out of step with what's currently "fashionable", and thoroughly enjoy myself anyway.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Definitely drive both. The 328, IMHO, always felt more like an exotic car, due to the cockpit, ensconced seating position and road view. It seems more akin to the Boxer and Countach with their extreme proportions.

The 348/355 felt more 'normal', except for their engine sound. They are fairly conservative cars, other than the cheese graters. That makes them more comfortable and usable in some ways, but it never gave me the adrenalin rush of the older cars.

Subjective stuff, but it's why I would unquestionably pay more for a great 328 than for a great 348 or 355.

 

You would pay more for 328 vs 348 because of the seating position?

When I look at a red 328 right away my mind drifts to magnum pi. middle age crises, mustache,hawiian shirts and gay landlord.
same with a white testa - miami, phil collins, pastel jackets, girlie haircut, 80's

 

Drive them both and get back to us.

Dave

 

Well having had a 348 and now owning a 308QV I can throw my .02 in here I think with a small amount of experience.

I am really starting to like my 308QV now that I am turning it back into a Ferrari, at least up to my anal standards.

Looks: I want to be like everyone else and say the 308 wins here, but my 348 in the flesh was a VERY nice looking car, and so I guess I would say push here. Pictures make the 308 look a ton better, but when you see a 348 driving toward you on the road, you don't mistake it for a Fiero, that is for sure.

Performance: Not even close. 348SS would smoke my QV six ways to Sunday and back again. Not much slower than the guys I hang around with that own 355's. The 308 isn't even close, but of course it is 27 years old, and let me say it FEELS and sounds just as fast as my 348, until you get into a 348 and then you go, "wow, my 308 is really slow". I know, I know, we don't buy these cars to go fast - calm down. That is why I am keeping this 308...

Drivability: The 348 Feels a TON newer even though mine was still 17 years old. The windows actually go up and down and the A/C and heat work and you can actually expect them to do so. The 308 is more like a classic car like any classic car I suppose. If the 348 can be described as "Medium Rare" than I suppose the 308 is like cutting a hunk of meat straight out of the side of the cow and shoving it in your mouth. It is very VERY raw. I like both, but I had the Carbon seats in my SS, so this may be unfair, but the 308 is more comfortable for long drives, but space is very much more tight than in the 348.

Overall perspective: As it has been beaten to death on Fchat, these are two entirely different animals. The 308 Feels old and slow(er), but not much gets the adrenaline pumping like a drive on a crisp day with the lid off in a 308QV. Enzo and the boys got it right with that one.
The 348 is a newer beast, and although starting to get a little long in the tooth, it still takes a bite out of you when you gas it, and it Looks like a "newer" Ferrari. Rarely will someone mistake you for Tom Sellek in a 348, although that did happen once to WetPet when he rode along with me....KIDDING!

They are both really fun cars, and the 308 although cheaper to maintain, still isn't free. Test drive them as previously mentioned here, or at least get a ride in both and then come back and tell us what you think.

MB
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Back then a candy bar cost a nickle and a beer cost a dime.

 

No, for the overall package. It is uniquely good among Ferraris. Easy to drive, easy to own, widely admired. Traditional, but with fuel injection for less fuss.

Market values for 328s tend to be higher than for 348s, so something other than age and horsepower is at work. As values of 355s fall and people get tired of replacing valve guides and patching up cracked C-pillars, I think 328 values will probably be the strongest except for the latest V8s.

I remember Miami Vice and Magnum, but I don't own any Hawaiian shirts, in the same way Dino 246 owners tend not to wear bellbottoms. Ultimately a great car will stand on its own.

 

My opinions/ramblings-

I think the 308 and 328 are beautiful cars but did not consider one due to lack of horsepower. Wouldn't stop me from buying one if I had a 10+ car collection but to have just one Ferrari I think I would need a little more performance to keep me satisfied over time. (I would love a 3X8 with a 355 motor swap)

Never really cared for the looks of the Mondial.

I really like the 348 but could never see myself owning one as the 355 exists.

As far as body style, GTS gets my vote. I like targa cars, open roof driving but for some reason could never see myself buying a convertible. I would take a berlinetta over a convertible.

I prefer 355 styling/sound over that of the 360 and 430.

I don't know what the future will bring but my choice is 355 GTS.

 

Looking at the whole "old car" market, it's most often the pretty ones that remain desireable. All this debate about production numbers and horsepower is silly, the pretty cars are going to be or become desireable even if they are slow or they made a million of 'em.

If any of us could predict the future I doubt we would be sitting here on fchat... we'd be too busy spending the huge fortunes we amassed by being able to predict the future.

 

Jeff328, that is a very good point.

There were almost a quarter million 69 Camaros made but being a pretty car they are still highly desirable and pricey.

Rare doesn't always equal desirable.

 

360 all the way

 

Pretty much my exact thoughts.

 

Most of the time, things that were rare to start with were rare for good reason. Occasionally things fall out of favor for a while resulting in rarity. The 275 GTS NART spider is a prime example. Chinetti was sure he could sell a bunch but ended up selling 10. The Daytona spider didn't sell very well either. But usually things that sell poorly to begin with have some major flaw. When it comes to cars, the flaw is very often how it looks.

Dave

 

Right, like those 328 GTBs.

 

Which just goes to show that the anti convertible hysteria circa 1968-72 reversed completely and went to the other extreme by the 1980s. It seems to me that we have a better sense of balance in the last 15 years in terms of closed vs open cars.

Dave

 

I have to agree that the electronics in some of the early "electronic" models may be an issue, especially when there are beautiful looking strictly mechanical cars out there. As for power, there are lots of old slow cars worth fortunes. The 308 is, in my mind, what ferrari was to the (my) world growing up. It is what made me interested in the brand. This may be because of magnum, I'm not sure - I don't remember what I saw first - a 308 or the TV show, but rest assured it symbolized Ferrari for me and lots of others of my generation ('71). In the distant future, who knows, but in the next ten years my money would be (and hopefully soon WILL be) on the 308 series.

I would like to see the GT4 get dragged up as well. Every year that passes I think it looks better. Maybe it is my taste "mellowing" ( I did just listen to a fleetwood mac album... on vinyl)

 

I wonder if that is my ex 328.

 

no disrespect, but the 348 and 355 have PROVEN with all the broken car threads on here, and expert testimony from experts like Rifledriver, that the maintenance on these two models far exceeds any speed racer benefits.

as far as the "tubi" on the car sentiment goes, i have used Magnaflow mufflers on several of my 308s and spent less than $400.00 , as opposed to the $$$$ a Tubi costs. and finally, there is no where, on public roads where i live to drive around in a 348/355 anywhere near redline, and not end up in jail. we are in a Police State, and you cant fight them.

again, i would rather have a 911, and several 308s, than any single "go fast" car.

i think i need to give up cars completely and just buy an airplane.

 

The guy who owned it, was an older guy who said he owned it for quite a long time (I'd guess more than 5 years, don't remember exactly what he said).

He liked to race his cars, until his mechanic yelled at him for beating his 328 up too much, so now he uses the 328 for a driver, and bought a track car. He said he's an avid track rat.