Greetings, gentlemen! I'm putting together a bit of money to buy a car, and I'm already starting the selection process. Not that I'm going to pick and buy tomorrow, but I'm already looking around on the internet. I don't know much about cars, so, I would like to ask you what I should pay the most attention to when choosing a 348? What are the most problematic places in the car and what is very expensive to fix? My budget will be at the bottom of the market, so I would like to approach it as reasonable as possible. I will be grateful for your advice! Image Unavailable, Please Login
The 348 is the car you get when you put the game of life of “expert” mode. If I were you — and I mean this with kindness, not arrogance — I’d get an NSX.
Maintaining a 348 is hard enough if you’re a DIYer; if you’re paying a Ferrari shop it could easily bankrupt you. I’m not joking. Add to that you’re looking at cheap ones… man, you’re in for a disaster. Buy gen 1 Boxter.
I understand, but i do not have task to buy good car, I'm have exactly goal of 348. It's important to me for personal reasons, and there's symbolism in it for me. I would like to buy the most complete car possible in my budget (I'm in Europe) to reduce the possible cost of breakdowns. But in general I do not expect them to be absent and the cost of maintenance does not bother me, due to the fact that the car is unlikely to be driven more than 1000 kilometers a year
My advice- buy a 348 that comes with thorough service records, and before closing the deal, present the records- and the car- to a good independent Ferrari mechanic for a PPI (pre-purchase inspection). That will be money well-spent. Good luck!
The right one will present itself and then you should buy it. The most expensive part is either the engine or the bodywork.
Curious where you get your information from….because what you posted couldn’t be further from the truth.
In that case, you can remove the helmet. The most important thing about the 348 is to choose the right colour, otherwise you will have a lot of problem with it.
348 was an all new design. Bugs not worked out. Don't get the first production year. By comparison, a 328 was the culmination of the 308 series. The 328 is one of the lowest maintenance Ferraris ever made. If you have your heart set on the "poor man's Miami-Vice" car, just know what you're getting into. (Scotty! Warp power to the flame shields! )
My ownership. I don’t know about Europe, but here *every* 348 I’ve seen in the wild (I don’t go to car shows, I’m talking about shops mostly) are poorly maintained heaps. I’m sure everyone on this forum has a beautiful car, but they are outliers. Most cars out there need a ton of differed maintenance. Not to mention cosmetics. If the OP “[doesn't] know much about cars” and is looking “at the bottom of the market” then he is in for a world of hurt. Good luck to you buddy.
This is true. Get a 94-95 before any other year. My 24 years of ownership experience does not support this. (I don't go to car shows any more, either.)
I see....so your ownership experience is everyone else's experience....noted. Funny, I've had my 348 for going on 16 years, and it has cost me less to maintain than the Lincoln Navigator I've had for half that time frame. Perhaps I should write a post that reads "all 348s will cost you less than $500 per year for repairs and engine out majors, cause that's what it cost me". My sub-$500 per year does not include oil/fluid changes, it includes two engine outs (I have another one due this spring), and a leaking TOB which required a seal that cost only 80 cents. If I were to include the oil/fluid changes, then $600 per year average.
Understand you My extreme unreliable Range Rover after I drove it 70k km, it cost me about $2,200. I got it at the bottom of the market, I got good luck.
If you haven't driven a mid-engine car before, keep in mind that they have less angular momentum than a car with the weight out at the ends. That makes them nimble on the track, but they're more prone to spinning out. Don't lose focus when turning in one.
You guys are thick. Sure, if you’ve owned the car for 16 or 24 years (since new practically!), are an enthusiast, and have kept up with maintenance then sure, if I’m sure it’s been good to you. Most people have not maintained 348s. This is the kind of car the OP is likely to afford.
There used to be a great site called my348.com but much of the advice is also available here and at old sites like https://myferrari.page.tl/
Buy on condition; with a solid service history. Get any car you are thinking about inspected; this can save you thousands. Don't worry about what some think is high mileage. Better a high mileage car with a solid service history than a low mileage car. These cars like to be used. As to service costs, its very helpful if you can diy, Having diyed, used indies and main dealers, it wont kill you, they are fairly basic cars; its some of the parts that will get you. In the Uk Id advice anyone to budget £2-£3k a year if you have to get others to do the work and keep it in decent condition. Not sure about costs on the continent, and US is totally different as they get done over for some reason! Just remember the old saying “there is no such thing as a cheap ferrari”. Better to spend a bit more upfront for a well sorted car than try and sort a dog.
