Why Are 348's so Cheap?

I had a 94 348 TB factory challenge street car I put 15K on. I agree with Chris. I never really warmed up to it. The handling is tricky and never graceful, even with all the updates. I have tracked V8 Ferraris ranging from 308's to my new 430.

However, the main reasons they are cheap is that the looks ae controversial and maintenance is higher than any other V8 model. Add to that some reliablility problems and poor quality and the recipe for depreciation is complete.

Dave

 

Done mate! Hope you enjoy

 

Ah jeez guys.....

The Dino was sassy, the 308 classy....but the 328 just got whacked a few too many times with an ugly-stick. Seriously, the front-end on that car is just blunt, puggy and unattractive....it's a dated Euro-trasher....THAT car should be the low-point of Ferrari if any.

The 348 is a mini-Testarossa...the side-scallops are beautiful-classic styling and when I was just getting into Ferrari's and didn't know the difference, I actually thought the 348 was maybe a bit better looking then the 355 in a few ways.....the handling is great, the power is plentiful and the car is solid.

Sure, it has a little less power....but I've followed Bruce throgh the canyons and really had to push my 355 to keep up with him...and he never fell far behind me when it was him on my tail. The 348 "dollar-per-value" is an exceptionally excellent deal.

Let's not spoil the thread with a comparo thing, ya gotta appreciate a car for what it is. Unless it's a 328

 

Wow...I've never heard THAT take on my 328!

I think I have the best of both worlds, the 308 body, but with the driving lights of a TR.

Otherwise I support your positive comments about the 348, looks like a mini-TR to me too.

 

Harsh be thy name

I dunno, I just have a complete lack of admiration for the 328. In the same era look at the Detomaso Pantera, that car was decades ahead of it's time....it embodies sleek lines, big wide tires, lots of power, low-profile front-end, etc. Then we have the 328 which looks like a cross between a Ferrari & Saab. Don't think about it....just look at it. The Dino was sleeker & sexier then the 328. They should have called it the Three-Twenty-Mistake.

 

Ouch! I guess it is good that the 348 and 328 are no longer in the same forum or you would surely upset the droves of 328 admirer's. I like the 348 for its modern look and raw feel, but I think the 328 is still one of the best looking Ferraris.
BT

 

the reasons could be these:
-early cars had bad handling, a friend of mine could not keep up with period merc SL's on higways because the car was tricky at hi speed
-line is so-so: not classic as a BB, not beautiful as the 355, it looks a "TR wannabe", it aged badly
- not so powerfull, a old weber 308 is near as fast and indeed more beautiful
- they made A LOT of them

 

Gonna have to disagree on the build quality department Chris. The 355 IS COMPLETE JUNK for interior workmanship. The over chassis layout is the same as a 348. The brakes are the same as a 348. They are both constructed with the same shoddy materials, because they are basicly the same car. The biggest differance between them is driveline..thats it..which in it own right is full of issues..355 a better quality car?? I highly doubt it.

When was the last time you have replaced exhaust manifolds on a 348? Valve guides?, power roof components for the spiders? Shinking dash board? repaired rattle after rattle?..a better car? No way. In many ways the 355 is WORSE then the 355. I have 2 355's at the shop right now an 1 348. The 348 needs 400 bucks in parts. Between the 2 355's (both are 98 models) 15k in parts..why?

Advantage goes to the 355 for looks and and power, the 6 speed gearbox which is a very good unit. Slightly better interior layout, and power steering (if you can call that a good thing). Thats about it. Not the huge advantage some would have you belive.

 

uh, yeaaah.

The only way a 308 is nearly as fast as the 348, is if the 348 is in the middle of it's engine-out service.

 

Not to argue, but...

-Later cars handling was improved dramatically. I have a '94 tb CH and it is heads and tails above my old '83 308 in handling. The 308 maybe had better/softer ride. Maybe it was you friends driving ability?
-The "cheese grates" were required because the size opening to radiator was mandated by US or Euro standards. At least my understanding. Look at 348 next to 355, SAME LINES! Styling cues from TR, but not "wannabe", progression of V8 model taking wind tunnel styling from TR.
-carb 308 in US 255hp vs 312hp on later 348? What about carb sputter on hard turns. 14in. tires hold up on track like 17in?
-Made about 7000 tb/ts from '89-92 for US and Euro. 160 tb/ts for US '93-94 in form of SS and CH models and 1100+ spyders '93-95. 500+/- Euro GTB/GTS in '93-'94. I think they made a whole lot more 308's and even 355's.

 

I have to agree with Dr. t348 100%. Well said!!

 

What a load of cr*p.

A 348 is substantially faster that a 308. As a 360 is substantially faster than a 348. That's just how it is.

I'm not a 'numbers' expert but did they not make about 5000 MORE 308's than 348's?? Does someone have the numbers to hand?

Edited to add: Richard got there first on the numbers.

I love the 80's look of the TR/348 - maybe if I was a bit more middle aged I would prefer the 70's stuff..;-)

 

nice way to express opnions, congrats
numbers say 348 290-300hp, old carb 308 255 hp
weight: the 348 is at least 200 kg heavier than a fiberglass 308
i can see cars with similar performance

i say this car will not grow much in value because it is the 355's "poor sister", i know they are similar, but the design improvment worked really well and 355 are much faster and better handling car
308 are an other thing, they look too different and have a proper style while the 348 is a car that lacks personality ( IMO)
just my opinion

 

Thank you, you are welcome.

 

'80-82 GTSi has 200hp! '93-94 348 has 312 hp! 700 fiberglass GTB's. 32 348 tb CH's.

My 348 CH weighs 3060 lbs., probably has slight advanced timing due to being raced and has slightly more than 312 hp. Drivers being equal I would take my 348 a fiberglass 308.

Actually as posted on previous thread Fiorano track times:

'80 308 GTB, test driver - 1'50".
'89 348 tb , test driver - 1'37".
348 challenge, test driver - 1'33".

 

a 348 ch is a much much better car than an early 348,
i agree your car is a better driver

308 i are dogs , you are right but carb car are faster and good fiberglass are way better cars

congrats about your ch, could i see pics?

 

Yes, click on my name and check my profile and you can see a picture. It really looks stock otherwise. Wolf in sheeps clothing?

I agree 308 carb/fiberglass car with Euro specs would be my choice for 308

 

are those speedline wheels, magnesium?
look good in black

there is a 348 ch for sale here in italy,never raced,street car , priced 60k euro, do you think it is the right price for it?

 

You need to jump on that unraced 348C car like a dog on a bone, my brudda!

You never pay too much, you just sometimes buy rare cars too early....

Bubba
'77 308GTB steel #22127
'77 308GTB steel #22641

And there's a '77 Boxer here I'm gonn look at, in a minute......

 

Make sure the kit is complete though if it hasn't been installed by the selling dealer......In Italy, you'd think it'd be on the car!..

Dr.T, you have the race exhaust? Do your neighbors still speak to you?
ROTFLMAO!

 

What's a Euro cost today in dollars?

That sounds market correct to me, we are trying toi point out there just are not that many..

Heck go all the way! 348GT at Ferrari of Atlanta..$159,000.00 USD
678 802-5000

I don't think you can use the word "cheap' in THAT sentence!

 

Yes, they are 348/355 magnesium speedlines. They are they original challenge rims.

I bought mine last year for $55K USD. I don't know what that is in Euro's. It sounds like a good deal if never raced.

 

...and fibreglass are not "way better"...........LOL!


They are about >......................................................................< that much better, unless a true Dry Sump engine, which is handy on Track Day!