Keep the 328 or go to a 355
If you are serious about moving up then forget the 348. Ugly car to say the least. And yes the p/s does make a differance. Go directly to the 355 and enjoy. The valve guides are NOT $20gs. Do your homework and look for a long time for the right 355 and you will have a car to enjoy for a long time.
There aren't. I guess Simon is right. Only if you are bored and want something different you should upgrade to a 348. I drove both. I think a 348 is more a handfull than the 328. It's also more expensive to maintain. Cambelt= engine out. I think a 348 looks more beautiful. There is no significant difference in speed between the both of them. If you haven't found a convincing reason to swap then stop asking because there isn't a reason for you.
I'm not going to try selling you on the idea, only you can make the choice. You know what a 328 is all about, maybe you just need a change. A 348 is a different car in quite a few ways (especially if you got a Spider) but not so different that you need driving lessons. Is it possible that there's a certain black one with some cosmetic issues available near you? There are plenty of cars to go around. If you decide later that you want a 328 again (I'd bet that doesn't happen), you can get one, maybe from someone who wants to "upgrade".
I just don't get people who trash the 348's looks while singing praises of the 355. You'd think they were comparing a Pontiac Aztec to a 246 Dino. The 348 and 355 are very, very similar visually. The lines of the cars are essentially the same, with only trim details that separate the look. I really like both cars. IMO, the front end of a 348 is more aggressive and better looking than the 355. The 355 looks a bit feminine to my eye, though not in a bad way. It's just softer. Same with the side cooling intakes. I like the cheese graters. Even without the strakes, I like the way that the back edge of the intake follows the lines of the door, unlike that of the 355, which again, looks a bit softer to me. No arguments about the rear lighting and the wheels though, the 355 wins that contest hands down IMO. With respect to the lack of power steering, once above 10 mph, you don't even notice its absence. I've driven both cars and actually like the 348's steering feel better. Phew. Got that off my chest.
My experience with the 348 is that it's user friendly. A guy with reasonable mechanical skills can do many of the maintenance items and upgrades. The engine is very dependable, just requiring major service every 5 years, then pretty much bulletproof. Very tractable throughout the rev range. More systems to go wrong than 328, less than 355. Parts readily available from several reliable sources. Plenty fast when enthusiatically driven. Beautiful to me. Interior good when sticky solved, highly functional, criticized only by picky people. Responds to upgrades. Technical help widely available here from nice people. Very few dissatisfied owners. Looked down upon by snobs, looked up to by connoisseurs. As far as "upgrade" or "downgrade", strictly a matter of personal preference.
Yep. The steering thing perplexes me, too. I've found 348 steering to be pleasantly go-kart like. Granted, my car has significantly lighter than stock wheels, but I also really enjoyed the feel of the cars I drove that had stock wheels. Then again, I lift weights, shoot big guns and enjoy beef that fights back.
There are 6 million reasons why the 355 is by far superior to the 348 and everyone on here knows that. There are hundreds of 348s out there with 355 parts on them but I have yet to see anyone convert their 355 to look like a 348. Hmmm, I wonder why.
Is the 355 superior to the 348? Is the 360 superior to the 355? How about the 430 to the 360. I guess it depends on what you consider superior. Buy what YOU like. I have a 348 Spider and a 3.2 Mondial Cab. I don't drive the Mondial as much as I should. I love the 348. There is a BIG difference in power between the two. But I mainly drive the 348 because I like the way I feel when driving it.
I drove a 355 before getting into a 348. I love 355s as well as 348s (and respect all F cars), so I'm not going to bash them or anyone's decision to purchase one. However, there are several distinct reasons behind MY decision to go with the 348, as "superior" a vehicle as the 355 may be: 1) Steering feel. 2) Looks. Yes. I feel the 355 is a little bland in comparison to the 348. Not unattractive, but when I think exotic I think somewhat wild. 3) The engine. Sure, it's not as powerful as the 5 valve, but the 348/Mondial T powerplant is very stout and produces plenty of power. 4) The relative lack of electronic gizmos. The less stuff the better, IMHO. Not all of us suffer from 355 envy. I don't want 355 taillights or wheels; I don't want to remove my side strakes. It's up to you, of course, do what you like. Not trying to pee in the pool here, but this stuff starts getting old. Get what you like, and enjoy it. I don't even remember the OP asking about a 355, either.
With all of your personal ownership experience, perhaps you can share a shortened version of your 6 million.
I own both and there are only two reasons to upgrade to a 348. One is that the 348 has a a lot more interior room and if youre a big guy you'll fit easier in a 348. Two is to buy a 348 Spider. The spider came out in 94 and has the bugs ironed out of it. Better front suspension, stronger gearbox, more HP, wider rear track, upgraded injection, less electronics than a 355, no crappy 5 valve heads like a 355. Manual roof instead of the unreliable and expensive to repair electric roof and seats on a 355 that jam on you at the worst possible times. The 348 spider looks amazing in any group of supercars, new or old. Its probably the most reliable, best value, exotic car you can buy. Porsches are possibly more reliable but I dont count them as an exotic car. I love driving my 328, its like a go kart, handles awesome and is a great car. The only reason Id sell one for a 348 would be to buy a spider and even then I'd miss my 328.
I've got a 355, and prefer the feel of the 348 steering to the 355. I also agree that the 348 has a better looking front end. The acceleration of the 355 is very satisfying though. I wish I could compare either to a 328, but sadly, I've never had the pleasure of driving one.
Well, you should upgrade to a 348 to help me sell my car Seriously, my car is on ferrariads and is fully sorted out, has been religiously taken care of and has some great upgrades that make it look like a 6-10 year old car, not a 20 year old one. It used to be Jmiff348's car. Ad is here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=6215 Price is negotiable.
It's been a while since I visited the 348 section, but I see the same old crap from people who don't know **** is still being posted up.
