Drove a 348 for the first time...now I'm really hooked!

If you saw my last post you'll know I fell for the 348 and have been looking for one. I did not mention that I actually had never driven one...that is until yesterday!

When I started looking I went to John at Forza Motorsport here in Monterey to talk to him about pros and cons, potential problems, recommended upgrades, and if it can actually be driven daily. He was super cool and answered all my questions thoroughly. He then asked "have you ever rode in a 348?" Jokingly, I told him "I had not, but it was okay, since I'm a millenial I watched a ton of youtube videos on it, so I pretty much know what they're like."

He said, you should experience one first, picked up the phone and called one of his customers, Andy, with a 348 and asked if he would show it to me. He agreed, and we met up yesterday. Not only did Andy let me ride in it, he let me drive it, showed my the ins and outs of the car, told me everything he's encountered owning it, etc.

I'm hooked now! Below is Andy's beautiful ride. His is a 1990 red on tan 348 ts with about 50k miles on it...just like the one I am looking at. Maybe it's a sign!


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testament to the camaraderie that can exist in the ferrari (and most car) community. Total stranger takes the time to not only show you his car, but let you drive it and share the passion. Kudos

 

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/verdict-in-348-best-355-in-thoroughbred-classiccars.372778/

 

Awesome story. I hope you find one soon!

 

The 348's are my very favorite of all Ferrari's. I have a Mondial now, but I miss my 348 Spider. Best looking engine too! Good luck finding one you will love it!!

 

I think we may soon have a new member of The 348 Brotherhood?

 

Let me tell you....I owned a 328 for 10 years an although it was a great car and arguably the least expensive to maintain and the most recognizable....the Magnum PI comments got old real quick. I now have a 348 and for me is such a more enjoyable car. Easier steering, brakes, shifting......and awesome AC!!!!!. And don' t forget the sound! My wife is always complaining its too cold.....the 328 was like grandma's warm breath and that' when it was fully charged on a good day! Pull the trigger you won't regret it and they are still affordable now.....3x8s are way way overpriced right now.

 

348 is the most underrated Ferrari. I always go for my 348 first. A true drivers car

 

I think so! Waiting for the PPI. Should have an answer for you guys by the end of the week. I hope it all goes well and look forward to joining the club!

 

That's exactly what I want, something fun, but useable (compared to some other models). I plan to alternate between it and my Alfa for a daily driver. I don't haul much stuff or people so I think the 348 fits the bill perfectly. Plus, being young (26), I wanted to get a cool, gated shift Ferrari before they all become unobtainable. I have been following prices for 3X8's and 355's since high school and don't want to miss out on one, because I've seen the prices go crazy! I have my fingers crossed for this 348!

 

I'm a millennial as well and have been in love with the 355 since high school. I have not regretted it and I hope you get yours soon!

 

nice 348.. looks so much better with the 355 wheels.. I appreciate keeping things original.. but the oem wheels just date the car too much
something other then the oem wheels would be a must for me.. with simply 355 wheels modernizes it so much.

I would say the 348 as with the 355.. can be easily "semi" daily driven.. the first season owning the 355.. I drove it almost everywhere.. more then comfortable..
I think the 348 is definitely a little more bulletproof compared to 355..

good luck with the purchase..

 

Thanks bro! I am having the PPI done next week, so if that goes well I'm doing it!

 

Thanks man! Getting the ppi next week, so if that goes well I'll be a Ferrari owner! Yeah, definitely either going to get 355 wheels if I can find a set for a decent price, or get the stock wheels coated a dark grey like in the pic. Also, planning on getting the targa top wrapped body color, so it'll look good, but can easily be taken back to the stock look. Also, probably going to get an exhaust. Other than those things, I plan on keeping it original. Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

contact roberto at roselli foreign car in san jose. I believe he has a black and tan one at a stealer price

 

Of course you can daily a 355, they made it a soft GT car. The 348 is for people who are hard as nails.

 

Yeah the 355's are sissy la la cars for sure compared the the 348 :

 

How did the 348 compare to the 4C? Both have manual steering but very different ways to build power. I haven't driven one but always keep it in the back of my mind. I am very curious to hear a comparison from a 4C owner.

As for the 348, I have nothing but praise. I drove a few models before getting mine, most notably a 328 and 355. Nothing compares to the driving experience of a 348. It's like dancing with a beautiful woman. She can most certainty hold her own in the ballroom, but expects you to lead and demands your best. In return, you are rewarded for every gracefully executed input. A 348 is exactly how I expected a Ferrari to feel.

Good luck with your search! I hope the PPI goes well and you can add a 348 to your stable soon.

 

As far as I know the 348 Spiders were only produced 1993/94.
A lot of things were improved in the "2nd series" of the 348.
A link with a copy of "Forza": https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/things-to-know-about-the-348-before-you-buy.420590/

 

Had my 348 coming up for a year.

I just love driving it, it is most definitely alive and really rewards when you put the effort it. It’s so satisfying when you stick a number of gear changes together that all come together.

I’m sure you’ll love the experience; good luck with the ppl.

 

Thank you! I hope everything goes well too, I can't wait to own a Ferrari!

The 4C is a very different beast despite having so many similarities with the 348. Neither have power steering but the 348 was much easier to steer at low speeds. The 4C has a small diameter steering wheel, so the driver must crank a lot harder to turn at slow speeds. The bigger steering wheel on the 348 makes a big difference. Also, the 348 has better visibility and a smoother ride, so would be a much easier car to daily.

Noise on both is awesome, but in different ways. The 348 has a beautiful, high pitched Ferrari symphany while the Alfa is mean, loud, and snarly. It's like a little tasmanian devil.

The biggest difference in driving experience though is the lack of a manual in the 4C. The dual clutch is great, and very fast. Honestly, with the crazy amount of boost from the turbo and how quickly the engine revs, it's probably better suited to the car than a manual. Still though...I miss a clutch pedal. The gated manual in the 348 is awesome; something so satisfying about shifting your own gears, even more so with a gated shifter.

The 4C is definitely a riot though. I plan on keeping mine for the long haul because no car company will ever make a car this ridiculous again in its price range. If your in Monterey, CA message me and we can take it out for a ride.

 

I may take you up on that someday as I will have a 4C at some point. I thought about one when I was on the 348 hunt, but figured I’ll have time as they are still depreciating a bit. I’d get a hardtop as I think they sort of messed up the Spider. I was disappointed when I sat in one. Quite the opposite of how I feel about the 348 because it was targa all the way for me.

 

Yeah, coupe is definitely the way to go the 4C. The spider just doesn't flow as well. Plus with the coupe you can get a carbon fiber roof, which I thought looked really cool. I was lucky enough to pick one up with the carbon roof. Below are some pics of mine. I'm the same way about the 348 though, I'm looking for one in a targa. The 348 targa doesn't change up the lines of the coupe, so it works much better. Yeah, they are starting to drop in price at this point. I imagine it'll be a lot like the Elise or Exige depreciation where they'll hit a plateau and hang out at that price for a while. Image Unavailable, Please Login

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There's nothing like a nice car guy . . . That's what makes the world go 'round. Have fun with the 348 when you get it.

 

How did the PPI go?