In the market for a 348, which year and why?

In the market for a 348. Currently have a 77' 308 GTB that I will be keeping.

So my question is what are peoples thoughts on a "Best" year to look at and why? Or, why do you like or prefer the model/year you own. Also,I am not interested in a spyder.

I do all my own maintenance and engine work so paying a shop for "Engine Out Majors" is not an issue.

Thanks

 

There are several threads here asking exactly the same question...

So, personal preference, acceptable condition and availability. And maybe color.

 

I did a search (have been involved in racing online forums years! ) but didn't find any relevant or useful comments

That is the reason for the question of what you like about your own model/year.

 

89 is good. Aluminum timing belt covers, storage in the center console, easy upgrade of the handling with spacers, no crazy mouse track seat belts.

 

Thanks! Exactly the kind of info/experience I was looking for!

 

I guess it depends on what your intent is (i.e. best for resale, best for the track, etc.).

But hopefully others will chime in as well.

In the meantime, there are some great, interesting and amusing comments here:

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/which-year-348-are-the-best.474681/
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/348.255506/
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/looking-to-buy-my-first-ferrari-348ts.577030/
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/im-looking-to-buy-a-348-ts-advice-needed.117112/
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/things-to-know-about-the-348-before-you-buy.420590/
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/ready-to-buy-348-have-a-few-questions.158533/
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/new-to-the-forum-and-looking-for-a-348-355.435031/

 

Thanks! Yeah I read a few of those threads.

I plan on driving the piss out of whatever I buy! It won't be for resale, but for enjoyment. For example, I put 5-7k mi. a year on my 308

 

I agree with BT, who sold me my car. '89, Rosso over black ts.. Get that blue one on BaT, and i'll trade you 1:1.

mine's a good one to drive the piss out of, as you say. Hill engineering everything, needs it's major.

sjd

 

I saw that one Steve! I almost bid on the black one a few days ago, but decided to keep looking.

 

Later the better as they address issues with years. Bearings, ecu, exhaust, wheel track the list goes on. That said any year can be updated easily. It comes down to condition, budget and color. pre-spiders are essentially the same but many like the 89 due to no mad mouse belts etc. I would have bought a 92 but they are like hens teeth. 91's are fine too but it seems 90's were most abundant when I was shopping, so I found the best cleanest red one I could and it turned out to be an October 90. I also like the Berlinettas (TB) but again, hens teeth. Targas (TS) are far more common.

Condition, budget and color. It really comes to that. If you entertain spiders then they are definitely better but me like you could not do it so plan on 89-91. I actually LOVE the Spider convertibles until the top goes up to Targa for me, incidentally the 90-92 348 TS where the S stands for Spider. So sometimes spider can be confusing.

good luck.

 

Thanks!

 

Any year is a good year. Bonus that you do your own work.

 

In order of most desireable: 348 LM, 348 GTC, Euro 348 GTB/S, 348 CH (depending on race history), 348 TB SS, 348 TS SS, 1992 348, 1989 348, 1990-1991 348. My educated and experienced opinion.

 

And the SS desirability is really centered on the seats IMHO. Otherwise, meh.

Also, at this point, don't forget you can import Euro cars too, which is what I did. No mousetrap seatbelts among other niceties. I always wondered though why they got rid of the lockable center console sometime in the 90-91 timeframe...

 

What is a LM and GTC?

 

LM is refering to some of the LeMans race cars. GTC is GT Competizione.

 

I have an early 1991 M2.7 and a 1994 GTB
Apart from the 355 seats I have in the GTB I cannot say there is a big difference between the 2
So buy the car that is in the best condition you can find

 

As diy owner, i would search latest one with old type wheel bearings.


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What is the chassis number for that cut off for the old wheel bearings? What was the difference in bearings making older ones more desirable?

 

I dont remember actual build no: ,but you cant change bearings in later ones, they sell complete units only

 

Thanks

 

Frank,

Thank you for the feed back on the 1991 vs 1994. Do you feel the handling is the same?

 

Jerry,

The handling is the same: neutral
but keep yr foot on the gas
The 1991 is a TS so there is more chassis flex
I have 15mm spacers in the back of the TS
Steering feel is superb

 

There's more to the SS than just the seats.... otherwise you can take a regular 348 and just put in the SS seats

 

People keep saying that....but I think that's part of the 348 myth.