328 vs. 348?

My heart was set on a 348. I searched and shopped and drove. I had narrowed it down to a couple of 348's to purchase. Drove a "friend of a friend's" 328 for fun one day.

Game over. 328.

 

Obviously I came to the opposite conclusion, but this is a great post anyway. The 348 is much roomier; the a/c is better; the 348 is slightly less expensive than a good 328, making it a bit of a 'deal' (in Ferrari terms); and the 348/355 certainly serenade you with more exhaust music. Can't argue with that, although my Tubi'd 328 hits the perfect note for me.

As to whether the looks are more modern, I think neither car qualifies. Pop-up headlights, louvres and strakes, targa tops... no one does this stuff in the '00s. The 328 has more drama in its proportions, because it is very low and has pinched-in curves unlike any recent car - and all nicely balanced. The 348 relies on add-ons for its drama, because it has essentially no curves.

Beyond the build quality/dependability issues already discussed here, there is also the intangible (and it's not financial upside) that the 308/328 has 'future classic' written all over it. People in and out of Ferrari circles love them.

But it's a great idea to go to FOC/FCA events and make up your mind in person, not through photos.

 

I've owned both and put a lot of miles on both, including track time. My 348 was a 94 TB with all the handling updates. I'm sure it had more ultimate grip than 328's, but Ferrari never got the balance right on the 348. The handling is quirky and unpredictable, not to mention a fairly harsh ride. 308's and 328's on the other hand have much better balance and grace but are held back by considerable body roll. They are a pleasure to drive. However, both can be spanked in every performance parameter by any number of much cheaper, newer cars, so performance is a poor reason to choose. It comes down to which one feels good and will treat your wallet with at least a little respect. 328's are MUCH CHEAPER to own over the long run.

Dave

 

I started out wanting a 355 or 348.

They both seem more like a disposable car too me where the 308/328 seems more timeless, more of a classic.

 

The 348 guys are not snobs, they are just sick of everyone ragging on the 348. The 348 supposedly has "handling issues" but when you read the test reports in the magazines that started these rumors, you will find out that these issues are experienced at well over 100 MPH. I don't know about you, but I don't (can't!) drive that fast anyway. How many of the people buying these cars are going to track them at 100+ MPH or drive them on the street that fast? In MA I would lose my license if I was caught driving fast enough to experience the handling "issues" that this car is known for. And the issue is fixed with wheel spacers to increase the wheel offset in the rear. Yet this is forever used as a means to argue why the 348 sucks.

Someone asks about reliability and costs to maintain the 348 versus the 328 and the answers are inevitably "the 348 is ugly." We all know that looks are in the eye of the beholder. I think the 348 is cool looking. They also are fun to drive, make great sounds, and in the metal absolutely turn heads with the wild design of the cheese graters. Park a 348 in a parking lot and watch how this "ugly" car attracts spectators.

The engine comes out of a 348 a lot easier than a 328. Sure, you can do the belts with the engine in a 328 so the major is cheaper, but when it comes down to a real major (when the engine has to come out) the 348 will be cheaper.

The 348 is faster, more powerful, more modern and a more refined car than a 328 in most every way. Maybe the 328 is better looking to many, but that is not what the poster asked. How many of the people ragging on the 348 have even seen one in person, nevermind driven or owned one?

The 328 probably is more reliable. It is afterall considered one of the most reliable Ferraris ever made. But seriously, do you buy a Ferrari based on reliability? That's why we have Toyota. Ferrari is about the passion of driving a car that moves your spirit, not about keeping the maintenance costs down. If you have to pay someone to work on your Ferrari, it's gonna be expensive, no matter which one you buy. If this is a serious concern to you, either learn to work on your own car or do not buy one. It'll eat you out of house and home--even a 328.

In sum, buy the car that you like the most, and forget about everything else.

I love all of them, 308s, 328s, 348s and 355s. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. But it seems that the 348 design is not everyone's cup of tea, and the result is that everyone poo-poos this awesome car. Drive one and tell me if you still think this isn't a fantastic car. Meanwhile, I will keep hoping that the 348 stays unpopular so I can afford one sooner.

Keep in mind that these things "come around." Remember when the GT4 was considered ugly? Now they are the hot item in 308s.

Birdman

 

The 348 was the first of the modern Ferraris that can be made to sound like an F1 car. In fact many say that with the right exhaust they sound better than the later cars. Check out some of the sound clips on the Tubi website.

 

Well, every thread in FChat history has come down that at some point...

True, though. The 348 guys I know are real car guys and like the rawness of their rides.

 

In California you don't want to slow down to double-digit speeds or grandmothers will be passing you.

 

Just a point, but a full major can and is usually done in 328 without removing the engine.

 

My friend has a 348 with a tubi and test pipe, and it sounds incredible! My poor 328 will never have that scream

 

You could buy the 8-track recording of the 348 symphony and play it in your car if it was that important to you.

 

Birdman,
Sorry, don't take it so personally. I put 15K on my 94 TB over a 3 year period. I don't take magazine reviews that seriously. In fact, I never read any 348 reviews before buying the car. I speak from personal experience on and off tracks and will state flatly that the 348 has poor balance and is unpredicatable in any type of turn ranging from tight, low speed turns where it often understeered like a dump truck and yet would step out suddenly at other times, to high speed sweepers where it always felt edgy, even when not at the limit. Putting spacers on earlier cars may help some, but (contrary to your assertion) does not eliminate the problems. I have driven and/or owned every other small Ferrari from a Dino 246 to a 430. They all have the same sweet, balanced handling, except the 348. Sorry. As far as aesthetics go, I didn't say anything, but even those who love 348's should be able to admit their looks are certainly controversial. Maintenance costs and reliability issues are well documented.

Dave

 

"THe 328gts and b are the highest Value retaining Ferraris ever built."

hello.

i stand to correct you. the ferrari 288 GTO had a m.s.r.p. around $90K. you will never see one for less than 3 times that amount. ever! there are thousands of 328's changing hands at well below their m.s.r.p. which ranged from $65K-$85K.

not to mention the origonal 250 GTO and Testa Rossa, 250 SWB or the 365 GTB/4 "daytona". you may wish to do a little bit of research before making such statements.

kind regards,

joseph

 

Hey Birdman, thanks buddy! Your post is appreciated.
As you are well aware, I seriously looked at 3 Ferraris prior to my purchase of a 348 spider. 328’s, 348’s and 355’s. Chose the 348 spider. The 328 and 355 are both fabulous Ferraris but my personal preference was the 348.
Thanks to the opinions many of the 328 owners have expressed I now understand why you guys make Greg(348ss) and I park so far away from the 308’s, 328’s, 355’s, 360’s and 430’s at our Starbucks gatherings! You guys don’t want the splatter from the thrown eggs and rotten fruit on your Ferraris!

 

MY 328 is a she, using the female name just like a boat.

 

Chimchim. You have a PM.

 

You my friend are a jerk. I have never made "such statements. You really need to tone it down. Oh and I am refering to modern production ferraris not Supercars like the 288 and the F40 or anything even close to that leage. When you have read over 50 books on the subject then you can open your mouth. I might recomend driving a few cars and maybe stepping up and buying one. I also noticed your wanted car list includes many but not the 328 get some seat time. Oh and my quote was almost verbatim from the book Collecting Ferrari by Keith Martin. And If your going to stand to correct me try reading everything I just said, Hell I even quoted my source for the values. YOu sir Just Got OWned..

 

Personally, I would rather give my money to Dave Helms, with 30+ years of experience working on all kinds of Ferraris. He's even been a race mechanic. I couldn't begin to compete.

On the other hand, if your knowledge and expertise is sufficient, I can easily imagine that you would save a great deal of money doing some of the work yourself.

BTW I would take a 308/328 GTB over any 348 just on aesthetic grounds.

 

My wife referred to my Ferrari as my "gumar." I was always going out with her and spending lots of money on her. She was happy when I dumped the old one but little does she know that I am currently looking for a younger, hotter Italian beauty.

 

The engine does not have to come out of a 328 for any reason except to rebuilt it and that covers every car made.

 

another interesting point as it relates to f-chat. go down the line and see how many posts there are on the 328. if they took the 328 out of this section, i don't think the post count would go down much. that's why i don't spend any time over here. nothing to talk about. that's a good thing.

 

This is true! The 328 has been so rock solid for me that I'm looking at Fiats and MGBs to have something to tinker with, true story!

That, and I'm dreaming up weekend projects. Like adding a power trunk release to the 328, hehe!

 

I think his response was correct.

You wrote:

"THe 328gts and b are the highest Value retaining Ferraris ever built. meaning from there original MSRP they have never really gone down more than 35 to 40 percent of there original purchase price. "

I have a 328. I love my 328. But...

In terms of value versus sticker, cars like the Daytona (and many others) are going to beat it in any financial analysis.

The 328 is at a nice price point, because it is done depreciating and nice ones are commanding a bit more money. But it was $75K or so new, and a superb one will set you back about $60K now. If you had invested that $75K 20 years ago, you would have done better.

Not here to argue cars versus cash, because obviously I spent cash and bought the car. But it's going to take another decade for the 328 to really shine financially - if you care about that. I honestly don't.

I agree with you about the 328 being a better buy than the 348 right now. The market is soft for the 348.