New to the Forum and looking for a 348/355

Hello to all. I've come to that point in my life where I am finally able to buy a Ferrari. I've decided on a 348 or 355. I know they are different in their own ways and both fine cars. I like certain things about both. It's a hard decision, I like the simplicity of the 348 and I like the option of the 355 (electrical and mechanical). I've had other sports cars and have done my share of repairs so I am not afraid to do maintenance and large jobs myself but You-all are the masters and owners and since a 94 348 spider has just showed up at a local dealer I was wondering what to look for when checking it out. What I do know is it has 30k miles and just had the timing belt done. Thats all I know so far. The owner is asking 47K for it and that sounds ok. My question is, What should I look for when checking it out and test driving it? If this car checks out I will finally fulfill a dream I have had all my life. Any help is appreciated.

 

My Ferrari 348 is an excellent place to start.

 

I vote 348.. Here is a link to my auction. Ferrari 348 Challenge | eBay

 

Welcome! Looks like you're on the right track already...looking at a 348

Do you have a link for the car you are considering? There are a number of things to consider when purchasing one of these things, and they are well-documented in other parts of this forum. If you post a link for the car, there's a good chance someone here "knows" it as it seems most of us here stay up on the market.

 

Here is the ad and VIN#

Weymouth, MA 1994 Ferrari 348 Spider Used Walpole, MA Brockton, MA S&E Auto Sales/ Walpole Mitsubishi | 097278 | ZFFRG43A4R0097278

I went there yesterday and looked at it closely. Checked for leaks, looked for rust behind the headlights, no cracks in the rear suspension towers, got under it with a flashlight looking for repairs couldnt find anything out of the ordinary for a 20 year old car (few blems very minor) here is what I found so far. No gold kit installed,drivers mouse motor inop, power windows inop(dealer said he is waiting for the module and will install it), What looked like a main ground cable in the RH side of the engine compartment up high behind the shock tower disconnected and hanging loose(dealer said "I'm not sure what my mechanic is in the middle of and it may be related to the window module??).Previous owner installed a Fab speed muffler (I expect it to be loud) and running rich(soot on tailpipes maybe chipped). I forgot to look at the clock to see if it was blinking all zeros and since it was inside the showroom and snowing outside I couldnt drive it and check all the HVAC buttons and I forgot to look for corrosion at the doorjamb wiring cables. The car is super clean and I will be back for a test drive and check the things I forgot but weather here in New England is iffy at best. As far as maint. history all he is sure of was the Major service he just had done other than that he was not sure. Any guidence is appreciated. Thanks to all who have responded.

 

Either model is good good luck with your search.

 

I would really check into this one, Really seems to be a good deal!! The people that can vouch for it are reputable. Dealers, it'***** or miss. Engine Maintenance is very critical! So, with no real records it's a shot in the dark. Shipping a car of this caliber is the way to go and cheap. So, IMO, think before you pull the trigger..

 

I think he's bidding against you ha ha

 

Who's bidding against who?

 

Everyone

 

I hope this car sells for more! Not many of those around. Hard to find kind of car. Knowing what I know now, would love to have a TB, a challenge even better. But still love the car I have!!

 

I like the price so far (I'm sure it will go up)of the challenge Time has on ebay and the fact they only made 32. I have my heart set on a Spider but the difference in price has me on the fence. The other thing is I need to test drive it before buying. I've purchased cars w/o driving them and had them shipped only to be disappointed. Not saying this would be the case and I understand respected ppl from this forum endorse how it runs I'd still have to see it feel it and drive it. Since I dont have time to fly to Ms. this weekend it looks like I won't be picking up Time's Challenge. Not to be funny but the timing for me is just not right and I know this will bother me when I am spending tons more on a different 348.

 

If you want a spider, better not to drive a berlinetta first. It'll ruin you. I made the mistake of driving a b once, and now the flex of my ts bothers me. The b drives like a sports car should, no shake, no rattle. Pure sports car. Just no sun on the bald spot. Of course, you can do track days in a b or ts but not in a spider. Do I sound partial?

 

No offense to the 348 gang, but I'd go 355 and never look back. If I post the reasons, I'll start a riot

 

I guess i'm partial to the 348. get in it turn the key drive , smile and enjoy. I don't know if its the cars or the owners,just doesn't seem like the 348 crew is looking for catastrophe's around every corner by doing compression tests, leakdown tests ,almost looking to exaggerate minuscule issues into full blown pandemonium.

In the 355's defense , i have an owners 355 in the shop right now , and trust me he give the car NO love, maybe his car has leakdown numbers 1.78459% less than optimal, but what he doesn't know or care about doesn't diminish the fun he has when he drives it.That car is testament that it is tougher than the worry wart owners make it out to be. I think both the 348 and 355 are capable of being driven more and worried about less than owners on here make it seem.

Whichever you pick , they are both great cars. Both have pluses and minuses.You have to decide if the pluses of the 355 are worth the additional cost.If you just want a nice car to drive, a 348 will do , if you're going to track the car maybe a 355 is better.I drive my car to work, the store and out for nice drives and the 348 is great for trouble free driving. But do one thing , just drive the damn car, if a problem rears its ugly head , fix it and move on . its a car ,it can be fixed. Spend more time enjoying the car instead of dwelling on potential problems.

If you want a spider a, buy a spider, who gives a crap when the top is down , sun is shining in , wind is blowing , that when you hit a bump in your spider it has a minuscule amount less rigidity than a tb. You'll be having so much more fun in the spider you won't care.

Despite what **** luca said , it is far from the worst ferrari ever built, ask a 348 owner and he'll tell you its the best.

Good luck!

 

Guys, just came across this forum. Looks like a great component of owning a ferrari. I currently run a track and daily driven (barely) Evolution, and am considering a new toy. I have been shopping 308s and now 348s to get myself educated. Like above not afraid of the engine maintenance as a DIY. (I built my evo....um...several times)

Could those of you familiar with tracking these comment on the ins and outs. I saw that challenge one had mounts of roll bar, but what about the spiders or taigas? Can you not track those because they don't have modern pop up roll over protection? Is it possible to retrofit a roll bar that would mass a safety inspection for track days (CA).

Any feedback appreciated. I though it fit this conversation, but if this jacks the OP thread let me know and I will post a new one. Since I don't know much on these I didn't feel like starting a new thread. This seemed a good discussion.

Thanks!

 

Guys, just came across this forum. Looks like a great component of owning a ferrari. I currently run a track and daily driven (barely) Evolution, and am considering a new toy. I have been shopping 308s and now 348s to get myself educated. Like above not afraid of the engine maintenance as a DIY. (I built my evo....um...several times)

Could those of you familiar with tracking these comment on the ins and outs. I saw that challenge one had mounts of roll bar, but what about the spiders or taigas? Can you not track those because they don't have modern pop up roll over protection? Is it possible to retrofit a roll bar that would mass a safety inspection for track days (CA).

Any feedback appreciated. I though it fit this conversation, but if this jacks the OP thread let me know and I will post a new one. Since I don't know much on these I didn't feel like starting a new thread. This seemed a good discussion.

Thanks!

 

There is a huge difference in the culture of 348 vs. 355. Luca was right but now he is dead wrong because we fixed all Ferrari's shortcomings. 348 owners were not afraid of fixing the problems or the implications of fixing the problems. 348 don't have the 355 poor reputation because today there are zero 348 issues because we understand and fixed all of them. In 1991 the 348 was an owner's nightmare. In 2014 the 348 is a bullet-proof Ferrari you can beat on all day long even on the track. 355's used to command huge premiums over 348's. Now a good 348 costs what a fair 355 costs! And a fair 355 could cost you a bundle. There are no time bombs in a 348.

 

Hi Caperss,
Good luck with your search. I spent about 10 months searching for the right 355 and found it about 3 months ago. I LOVE this car. During my research of the 355 here is what I found to be the common issues:
- valve guides - I have read this was an issue with the earlier cars. If your car has some milage on it get a compression and leak down test done. Not that its a guarantee but with some milage on the car and a good compression leak down test you're probably good on valve guides
- headers - this is probably more of not if but when they fail. The factory headers were made of thin wall steal and will fail over time due to heat.
- sticky bits - the interior parts were covered in a coating that fails with time and heat
- recall fuel divider - most cars I assume have had this done if not I think Ferrari still honors the recall
- dash shrinkage - the leather on the upper dash will eventually shrink around the vents and airbag.
Whether you decide on the 348 or 355 look for a car that has been well sorted. As stated many times before, there were issues with the 348 and 355 but over time the issues have been addressed and make the cars very dependable.

 

+F355!!! .........

 

Well, I guess Dave and gothspeed asked for it......LOL
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Lol.

To the OP - I suggest you test drive each

 

Beat advice yet.

 

Thank you all! I have enough information to make a difficult decision. As always it comes to a personal issue. As I have said they both have good and bad points. So unless someone happens to just drop one or the other in my driveway. The search is on and this spring is going to be fun and filled with testing 348's and 355's. If anyone knows of one that has been sorted out(not looking for a project car) please fire me a PM and I will check it out. Thanks to all and I look forward to sharing my new purchase and experiences soon.

 

(+) f355