Why Are 348's so Cheap?

The owner of the garage I take my 355 to says 348s come in and never come back. The 355s are in far more often.

 

You're right FBB, it was the pinnicle of technology at the time. It's just a shame their reach exceeded their grasp on that damn A/C Heater control unit. Sure wish they had gone the keep-it-simple-stupid route with a few twist dials and cable operated flaps. Sure wish some enterprising 348 owner could figure out a way to convert it.

 

I'll agree with that wholeheartedly and add "no stupidly designed spider top"

 

I blame Borletti for that one. It blows. (not literally, however)

 

I didnt mean to imply that a 308 series car is a "no brainer". What I mean is that I dont need fancy lifts and God knows what tools to pull the engine. Most of the 308 work can be done with the engine in situ without much fanfare. Just be slow, steady, and smart. Not sayng its easy - but I cant see how dropping an entire drivetrain could be considered easier! Thats quite an undertaking and lots can go wrong. Believe me, having an Esprit has taught me just how tough access is with mid engined cars. Still, my lump aint coming out unless it is absolutely required.

Carbs are tricky but once setup they stay that way for the most part. I prefer injection though and the QV cars for that reason.

For valve jobs and such - none of them are easy to work on. For the average Joe though, hes got a LOT better shot at pulling off a major or other big job on a 308 versus a 348 or 355. At least, Id think. My good buddy has an '84 308 and weve done work on it. It was much better than I expected - but maybe I went in so scared that I dont see how tough it is? In fairness, his AC is out of the car so that issue is eliminated with water pump/timing belt access Just the fdner liner has to come out. We did his water pump and a few things pretty quickly.

It also sounds like your 348 has been upgraded/improved by you. Thats a great idea. I appreciate the better technology too and performance. Im a big 348 fan...lets make sure we clarify that!

 

I'd be asking $140K for mine Pap....for starters

 

You have the best 348 in Australia..................I would ask for $140K too!

 

I don't know what special tools you'd need? You don't even need a lift as there are a few threads here detailing how to do it without one. So far, my 355 has been very easy to work on. I've taken the clutch out a few (too many) times for various reasons and it'd only be easier on a motorcycle. The exhaust is simple to get to and get out, no valve adjustments needed, motor mounts were easy to replace etc. It's one of the easier cars I've worked on, tbh. I haven't had to pull the engine yet, but I don't anticipate that being more difficult than any of the muscle cars I've had to fight - It took me 4 hours to get the header bolts in one of them and I had no skin left on my knuckles. Another required similar contortions to get to the spark plugs. This thing is fairly easy, spend half an hour removing the diffuser and rear undertray, rear bumper and rear inner fenders and you can get to pretty much anything except the timing belts with a fair amount of ease.

 

The 348 did not have power stearing, it's older tech and it only puts out 312hp. While the 355 has power steering, new tech and it puts out 375-380hp.

I think that their are plenty of reasons why the demand for the 348 is not there.

 

I don't understand the fear of engine drops on the 348/355. Dropping the engine is more preferred than pulling it over the top. The Porsche 911 pioneered the dropping the engine concept for service and ... you can do that in 1 day or less. No lifts are needed (nice to have though)

 

You are making a lot of assumptions for a first post.

 

This is why it will ALWAYS have a market.

 

You make a good point man.

Frankly though, I am kind of glad the 348 is selling for less than a 355. After all, you have to have a starting point to Ferrari ownership. And I can think of no better beginning Ferrari than a 348, and they look good too. Who knows, when the years add on, they might become more valuable later on. (I shouldn't count them out so soon; Thanks.)

 

I would totally agree ...


Better question , why are 355 selling for 360 prices, I think I will post that question.

 

??? Most memorable 355 purchase was the former silver niles 355 that was veing sold by another guy for $40K and it took forever to sell or the 355spyder at the mitubishi dealer for $49k which took forever to sell too. There is another yellow 355spy near me for $48K right now. There are no 360's anywhere close to this price or they would be my new racecar. Perhaps the question is why are 348 and 355 so close together when a 355 used to always be twice the cost of a 348? Now the 348 355 gap is around 2-$20k

 

355's seem to be getting less expensive in my book. Won't be long before you get a free 355 with every 360 purchase.

 

I really enjoyed reading the posts here in 2006.

 

So you no longer enjoy them in 2012?

 

I think he is saying that we 355er's are dated.

 

It's just funny hearing the same people say the same things 6 years later.

 

LOL! Well I guess me being a noob, I didn't pick up on that.

Cheers,

 

If you think about it, 348's devalued about 30K in 6 years.

2009 Scuds devalued 140K in two years.

I'm not sure why 348 owners always whine on this issue.

 

Not all of us whine....I could care less what the value of my 348 is because I do not plan on selling it, but even if I did sell it won't bother me how much I lose on it because the ownership is priceless

 

Thats the right attitude for just about any exotic. They hardly ever hold their value and if they do its only because they are limited edition cars that you wouldnt dare drive anyways. Wheres the fun with looking at the car in a garage all the time? meh.

Driving and enjoying the car provides intangible benefits for the owner/driver of the car. Cant put a dollar value on smiles.

 

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