I should mention I would pick a spider of either one. Manual not autmatic. Under 30,000 miles Factors should be driveability, (355 has a higher HP?) servicing (I believe both require an engine pull for a timing belt change) appreciation or future value resale colors? Seems every other one is red Price? both were under $40,000 two years ago. What is a good current price? Or should I forget these and get a 360? I heard of issues with the 1999-2000 Thanks
You ask valid and great questions and it looks like you have A LOT of research to do. I strongly suggest you drive all three cars, the 348, 355 and 360 Spider and make the decision for yourself. They all have their issues, they all have their pros and cons also. Engine out cam belt services for the 348/355 are not cheap, engine in cam belt service for the 360 is cheaper. I have driven them all *in coupe form* and I REALLY love the 348, with the 355 coming a close 2nd. The 360 is a great car, but not for me. Each to their own and I wish you all the best with what you decide to do. Take care and have fun with it mate.
Been in a 348 (as a passenger) owned an F355 and now own a 360 (coupe). F355 possibly looks the best (I'm changing my mind now though) and the 360 goes the best. Far more thrilling to drive than the F355 I had. However all of them a superb cars. If you can drive each and make a decision. I bought a Mondial first because it was the cheapest. I lusted after the F355 and bought a yellow one (favourite F355 colour). However as much as I loved it the servicing costs got a little too much for me when added to those unexpected problems. The Mondial was a pain (I know you aren't considering one) it was super unreliable, but I loved it loads. The F355 was great to look at but it needed a better sports exhaust and exhausted my wallet with servicing and emission faults :-/ 360 so far so good. Famous last words...
By the sounds of it, you are at the very beginning stages of interaction with those Ferraris, as they cover a vast range of formulaic and evolutionary differences between one another. Arguments will persist ad nauseum which one is the best of the three, each with their own merits and biases. The fact of the matter is that they are all fantastic cars. Based upon my own personal experience with the three, my preference fell strongly to the 348, for its aggressive looks and aggressive driving experience. However, I know plenty of others whose preferences fell strongly to each of the other two. Ultimately, you need to get some time up close and personal. Then, it should start to become apparent what your own preferences are. As far as your comments are concerned, HP is only a small element of the driveability equation. Getting behind the wheel fleshes that equation out... the sounds, the feel of mechanical engagements, the steering feel. In those respects, it is important to ensure the car you are drawing comparisons from is properly kept up. Bushings age, alignments go out, linkages require lubrication and adjustment. Servicing costs are really car-specific. An F355 may have a higher potential cost, all things considered, however many have mitigated or maintained the big ticket fixes over the years. Plenty of 348s have cost more to service and vice versa. Either way, they can be expensive cars to operate. The key is to find the right model for you, find a good example, and try not to too finely slice the $ aspect. The emotional fit of these cars is the much more significant metric. All of the models you listed have potential for future appreciation in value. I would consider the F355 and 348 over the 360, as they represent a more classic era today, right now. Who knows what the future will bring with perception of the 360 as a major shift in focus, it's variants, and production numbers. Between the F355 and 348, it is a hard call. The 348 is absolutely under-appreciated for what it is as a very pure and more potent old-school (with the quirks for better or worse) visceral experience and it seems that is finally changing, and the F355 has huge model recognition as one of the best-sounding exotics to-date, as well as being the car to bring Ferrari more in-line with the then-current market demands for a more accessible and friendly exotic sports car experience. Myself, I could easily form the justification for one of each in the garage.
Factors should be driveability: 355 is faster, 348 has better steering feel. servicing: 355 is more expensive to service appreciation or future value: rather similar resale: 355 will go for a bit more colors? Seems every other one is red: every other one was red ! Price? both were under $40,000 two years ago. What is a good current price? significantly more! Or should I forget these and get a 360? I heard of issues with the 1999-2000. The 360 looks like it got a bad case of the mumps.
I never saw ANY F355s (clean titles) for under $40,000. And certainly not two years ago. 2010 was the bottom I think, mid $40k.
I think a 355 is something you grow into with some ownership experience. 348 would make for an easier introduction to Ferrari. As to your questions: Factors should be driveability, (355 has a higher HP?) Correct. 300 vs 375. Supposedly the 355 handles better too. But I believe any twitchiness can be dealt with on a 348. servicing (I believe both require an engine pull for a timing belt change) Seems the 355 has more significant and costly ailments than a 348. Headers failing, early valve guides, hydraulics on the top, potentiometers, CEL and SDL and emissions, failing cats, shrinking leather, etc. Plenty of pitfalls to watch out for. Service is a drop out for both. I think the later 348s had all the fixes and are a sweet spot for that model. appreciation or future value/resale Taking the group as a whole, the 355 is going to win this inspite of the issues. 348 will trail just a little. I think they both will appreciate. And both will find a home when the time comes providing its maintained and in good condition. colors? Seems every other one is red This is your preference. I wanted something other than red. Get what you like. Price? both were under $40,000 two years ago. What is a good current price? Entry price for a spider seems to be around $50 on a 348, $60 on a 355. And on up from there. Or should I forget these and get a 360? I heard of issues with the 1999-2000 You should focus on the styling and what excites you. These cars are not particularly fast anymore, all have headaches, all won't set the world ablaze with their rocket like appreciation. So buy something you enjoy looking at and driving.
I sold my 308 4 years ago and while shopping for a 348 about a year (hence 3 years ago) I ran across more than a few nice 355's for under $40K. Not FCA platinum cars but not lemons either. 2-3 years ago there were decent 355's under $40k out there.
I've been watching the 355 market for about 15 years and bought my first nearly 4 years ago, my second nearly 2 years ago and my third last year (recently sold). If we are talking GTS and GTB's - I would have bought every single decent one I could find 2 years ago at $40K and I mean every one I only found one as a project car that I am fully restoring
If your interest is a short-term "Ferrari Experience" (2 to 3 years) followed by a positive resale then the 355 is best.
Agreed. At 40k and under I don't remember anything without a salvage title. Maybe one in poor shape with very high miles.
If you love engine sound, fast driving, high revving engine, and if you work on your own cars then buy a 355. If you love old school steering, fast driving, stop at changing your own oil, and want to belong to a group of quirky owners, buy a late 348.
Hey, 348s can sound cool too... [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CES0odLDONg&list=PLFE411B0DFBFB75AB[/ame]
Looking at the OPs history like you did, its more about can he afford it as opposed to what car to pick from as he was doing the same mental masterbation over 2 1/2 years ago.
