Does the 348tb Make A Good First F Car

If you buy a 348, do not follow this guy's pre-purchase advice, if he has any...

Rob.

 

This user obviously bought a bad example of a 348.

He has erred, however, in assuming that "we all know" that the 348 is not a good car. He has erred in assuming that we made the same error of buying a poor example of the 348

I think the tone of his post could have been a little nicer as well.

He presents the other viewpoint, which is always good. But it's a little extreme.

 

Mine is for sale is anybody is interested.

http://www.ferrariads.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=2316&query=retrieval

 

I owned a 91' TS, and even though it had a few issues (what Ferrari doesn't?), I think that for the money, the 348 has the best looks, the best sound, and the most magnetism of any other Ferrari V8 under $100K. Once I put a Tubi on mine, I forgot all about its maintenance costs, after all, you only live once, so get what you really want!!

Stephane
Scaledetails

 

Couldn't agree more - I have raved elsewhere on this board about my Tubi/Hyperflow cat combination on my 348.

I think hardtop makes some valid points - I don't disagree that arguably the 348 isn't aesthetically in the same league with the 328 and my 348 interior hasn't held up that well (the seats are awful) but when you're sitting in the car all you can see is the top curve of the left front fender (and the popup headlamps if your lights are on) and of course when I am sitting in the seat I don't see the creases, so as I mentioned earlier I think it comes down to the driving experience assuming that is why you are buying the car. I drive mine hard and I love the spider and the sound of my car is better than any 328 I have heard.

So go out there and drive some different cars and find what suits you best, then get the best one you can find/afford.

Cheers
Kevin

 

I had written and posted a rather scathing message to ChalStrad. Upon reflection, I deleted the post because I won't compromise my own integrity or dignity simply to refute his 348-bashing.

Anyone interested in learning more about ownership of a properly sorted-out 348 (or how to find/buy one), please PM me.

-Daniel

 

100% CORRECT. Now there is a clear, truthful and honest statement.

 

Daniel,

Might have been fun to read your "scathing" reply.....!

Am somewhat confused by your statement:"Upon reflection, I deleted the post because I won't compromise my own integrity or dignity simply to refute his 348-bashing." Does this mean that if you were to refute my criticism of the 348 you would be compromising your own integrity and dignity?

That is what you have said and I must say I admire your courage and honesty to admit that to argue that the 348 is a good car would compromise you.

By the way, a well-sorted 348 is a 348 that is about to get "unsorted" again.

No other modern Ferrari (from a 308 onwards) needs sorting......

Thanks for agreeing with me and helping a future Ferrari owner from making such a mistake.

 

Peter,

It's now obvious (if it wasn't before) that you're just trying to piss people off. Why don't you take it somewhere else...

Rob.

 

I recently bought a 1990 348ts and couldn't be more happy with it. I love it! It is my first Ferrari and it is a blast to drive.

 

The 348 is a GREAT Ferrari to purchase...One of the best in my opinion. I have no idea why people bash these machines. My 348 has over 100,000 miles, and has had no more problems than any "typical" car. They are rather expensive to repair, but what Ferrari is cheap? They love to be driven, and driven hard!! Pay no attention to this ChalStrad fellow..It sounds like he has a hidden agenda of some sort. Most 348 owners love them, the few that don't, should not own a Ferrari in the first place. They are a lot of bang for the buck!!

 

As with any fcar, as long as you can follow the history, and have the records of all the majors you should be fine. The 348 is a great starter car, even the 89/90 years are fine. Odds are they have been sorted out by now with the 2.7 ele upgrade.Buy the best you can find.....you 348 bashers need to stop this crap.

 

I'm really pleased with my '94 348TB. No dramas since I got it in July. It does about 200 miles/week although that will probably drop a lot over the winter.

Q

 

God, that ChalStrad is such a prick. Probably bought an MR2 kit car and couldnt tell the difference.

 

Watch your language, please. Mind you tha's what SHE said, last night...

As to the MR2, thanks for clearing up th mystery for me. I always wondered why my car did not sound like the others - strange though that they could not keep up?

The MR2 in France is called the MR....because if you say "MR2" in French it comes out as "EM AIR DEUX" or "Merde"

Luv'n'kisses to y'all

 

Peter -

I respect your obvious long term affiliation with Ferrari and think it's terrific that you've got a CS that is tracked hard in France. However, could you kindly respect the opinions and perspectives of other Fchatters? I believe they will, in turn, respect yours.

 

I abosutely do respect everyone's point of view. We live in a free world after all....

It was the exact point I was making to you when I thanked you for agreeing with me.

 

Lots of good advice in here - I drove the 355, 360 (watching me try to figure out the paddles was hysterical btw), and a 348 speciale - which I later bought

As far as the maintenance goes, as in all F-cars, you need a good mechanic, and spend the extra couple $$'s to get the car from a dealer that will certify it -

The look of the 348 is highly cool - I always loved the vented sides - reminds me of the 1984 TR - (getting misty!)

I think you'll enjoy the 348 -

R

 

Autocar magazine for Sept 04 summed it up:

"Forget tired old 308s and Mondials - they're affordable Ferrari's but, let's face it, they're ugly."

348 GTB was rated no 12 in used cars under £25k (example used was LHD model - they take a real hit over here).

No mention of the 328. Surprising, given how some people rave about it.

For info, the MR2 Mk1 came in at number 3 ... for under £2.5k. Still, good money for a piece of ****, if Monsieur ChalStad is correct.

 

I hope no one thinks I am bashing 348's. My comments come from extensive 1st hand experience with both cars. Many things are personal preference. Let's try to separate opinions from facts that are not in dispute:

Not in dispute:
1. 348's have substantially more power than 328's
2. 348's have greater head room and bigger seats than 328's
3. 348's have better brakes than 328's
4. 348's cost more to maintain than 328's or 355's
5. 348's are more prone to electrical gremlins than most models.
6. 328's have a smoother ride than 348's
7. 328's have a better shifter than 348's
8. 328 interiors hold up better than 348's
9. 328's are more reliable than 348's (pretty unanimous from techs)
10. 348's sound better than 328's (esp. late years with spyder or challenge exhaust.
11. 348's motorized seatbelts a pain and prone to fail. (US models 90-95)

In dispute:
1. Looks. Obviously personal choice.
2. Handling. I have driven my 328's nearly 20K and my former 94 348 TB 15K miles including lots of track events. My experience (and a timer) tells me the 328 GTB I now have handles as well or better despite considerably more body roll, higher gravity center, and less rubber. More importantly, the 328 is more predictable, better balanced and much more graceful in cornering. The 348 was always a real handful on the track.
3. Comfort. My wife liked the 348 better. I prefer the 328. Highly personal. 328's are the last "Ferraris you wear".

Conclusions:
Obviously one's preference will be dictated by how each individual weighs the above factors. I know some long term 348 owners who really like them and have had good luck. Others have found them to be money pits. I also know people who bought them and then turned them over pretty quick. 328 owners I know are universally pretty enthusiastic although most do wish they had more power.

I hope my observations seem rational to you all and useful to would be buyers.

DAve

 

I looked at a 348 one time as an upgrade from my 328. I was put off by a few opinions that i took as informed at the time.
All opinions were performance based. Maintenance did not enter the equation.

The book says my 328 should do 0 - 100 km in 6.0 sec. I was told that the book for the 348 says 6.0 sec 0 - 100 km too. (South African versions of most cars are usually quicker than the others )

Is this so ? I see so many people here saying that it has sooo much more power ?

I was told that the extra power in reality is negligible and not worth the upgrade from a 328 to 348 on that basis alone. I was also told that the rear snapped out and was dangerous but this did not bother me at the time.

Skin.

 

I bought my 348 for looks alone, its the most beautiful car I have ever seen and is one of the classic ferrari designs. After the 355 & F50, designs IMO have gone very run of the mill, and in some cases boring with the exception of the Enzo. New cars just seem like BMW's in drag. Undoubtably 'better' cars over all, but they just don't 'do' it for me.

Still, its all about how a car makes you feel and opinions. What does annoy me is when people try to force their opinions on you. The only Ferraris i would ever want would be the F355, F40, F50 and Enzo. They are the ones that give me the 'wow' factor. But thats just me. I'm sure more modern or more classic Ferraris do the same for others. I just wish people like Chalstrad would shut the f**k up as I find after wanting a 348 ever since it was released then getting one and then having to listen to some t**t run it down is really quite annoying.

 

Dave - excellent post!! As a 348 lover, may I respond?

yes indeed... and that's the rub that turns many 308/328 owners against a 348. Engine out is a big deal for a non-DIY owner.

I sortof agree. My 348 has had -zero- electrical problems, but any 15 year old car can certainly develop them. Add the fact that Italians aren't exactly electrical engineers by birth, and indeed it's a recipe for trouble. The reality is, I think many 348's on the road today have been "sorted out" already. Not all... but many.

When my 348 is smokin' hot from a track run or an Italian tune-up, it shifts like butter. Around town, it's rough. Like most Ferrari's, treat them like a Italian test driver, and they get smoother and smoother.

My interior isn't melting or sticky -- but I know that's the "exception" not the norm. If you really want to talk about crap interiors, let's bring the 355 into the mix. A 355 without a shrinking airbag or melted A/C control unit is rare. I'm curious how 360 interiors will stand the test of time.

My experience might be different, but I've had ZERO reliability issues. Frankly, I attribute most of that to Mike Grande and LNS Motors in Knoxville who (I assume) ripped the car to the studs for a recent 30K service.

O.K. I'll admit that N24RE's (Fchatter) 328 sounds great. I don't know exactly what he's added -- or removed -- behind the bumper, but it sounds terrific. HOWEVER, I think Kevillino and I would tell ya', a 348 with the right plumbing can sound downright vicious. I'm never sitting behind my car when it's at 6K RPM, so I don't know the exact sound mine makes. Drivers behind me with a well tuned ear, can usually hear giggles and laughs coming from the drivers seat!

YES, you win on that one !! They seriously svck. Simple fix takes 4.5 seconds, and $0.00. Disconnect the connector under the seat, and use the belts manually. The motors and tracks stink like a rotten egg in a dead pumkin.



Just my 13 pesos....

-d

 

My personal experience with my 348 spider parallel Jack Russell Racing. My car now has 48k miles and as strong, or stronger, than new.
I perform my own service. Recent major was not as difficult as I expected. Once the powertrain is out, actually much more enjoyable to work on than my former 308 with the motor in the car.
The few electrical problems I have experienced are no worse than my former 308, 246 or TR.
Fellow F’Chat member Birdman, owns a beautiful early 308, drove my 348 spider and found the shifter to be as good as his Honda. He has posted that observation several times on the list.
My 348 did have the infamous “sticky” interior parts, as also found on 355’s. I removed coating, sprayed a Rustoleum rubberized coating, much more durable.
Also disconnected the motorized seatbelts and actually belt myself into the car. Easy fix.
Regarding Skindiver’s observations on performance. I do not know about early 348’s but late GTS and GTB’s list 0~100km at 5.4 seconds. If I recall correctly the spider is listed at 5.3 seconds. 328 is not as fast as the 348, 348 is not as fast as the 355 and so on. Appears to be a progression there.
All that said, I enjoy my 348 spider for all it offers. IMHO the 328 is also a fabulous car, undoubtedly more dependable from all I have heard.
Buy what puts the biggest smile on your face.

 

i owned a '89 348tb

it had the usual problems, alt, starter issues, clutch, slave etc

had to spend some coin to get it all cleaned up
but after that
it was a fairly reliable and fun car