348 v 430

If you want the best Ferrari model around for the original Ferrari experience, the 348 is it. The 355 has more performance, but is a softened design. I'd appreciate a 6-speed in my 348, but I can live with the 5 speed. Besides, the mileage is excellent and the 6th gear of the 355/360/430 is necessary to increase the mpg from the very thirsty engines.

Nah, I can't see a preference for the 360/430 compare to the 348 especially if you consider the financial investment. These cars do have some cool features though:
- variable valve timing
- better intake design
- 6 gears
- timing chain on the 430
- lower service costs (360 anyway), unless you do it yourself, which is impossible on a 430 and marginal on a 360
- well, that's it as far as I am concerned

 

This is what's great about these cars and this thread. I even love the fact the 348 has the ol' dog leg box.

Each to his own

 

Please show me where I did not respect your opinion?

Or are you so full of yourself that you confused my post with someone else?

The fact that you make an assumption that everyone and anyone would take a 430 over a 348 says more about you than anything else.

 

I was talking with my car's previous owner yesterday, and I mentioned that I'm not sure where to go from here. I can't see myself buying a modern Ferrari, because, IMO it just won't be what I like. I'm sure for some people, that can be hard to understand, but then again, I can't understand horsepower wars (especially in the US), magazine racing, and taking your car to the dealership for service and bending over for things you can do yourself. So, maybe I'm weird.

I'm also very suspicious of automobiles that are becoming overly technical (again, IMO). I want to drive my car, not be driven by my car. I LIKE not having power steering, traction control, airbags, what has become a mandatory paddle shift transmission, more and more computer controlled BS, blah blah blah.

So, amazing as it may be, some of us actually wouldn't take a 430. Nothing wrong with it -- it's a beautiful car, and a manual does make it more appealing to me, but still...just not it.

 

Let it go Mike...its not worth it.

 

+1

How about everyone just take a step back and a deep breath...

mmmkay?

Mike

 

The 348 was the first Ferrari that made me want a Ferrari. Then I had a boxster which I thought was a fantastic car. When I saw the 348, there was no doubt that I should swap it, which I did. And I never looked back. As such, the 348 will always have a special place in my heart

But between the 348 and the 430, I personally would choose the latter. Having driven both older and modern cars, I've come to a point where the ease of driving is important to me. Plus the fact that I'm a bit of a fussy pot meant that I get upset when things start to breakdown or come undone due to age. That's not to say that things would not go to **** with newer cars but a lot less IMO. Looks-wise, I like them both. If I'm back to the 90's, I would say that the 348 is pretty much a perfect car then in terms of looks. However, I wouldn't say the same for the 430 now cos the headlights just don't do it for me. Digressing a little, I would actually prefer 360 headlights on the 430. However, if I could only have 1 of the 2 cars in the pictures, I would personally still pick the 430 for both looks and drivability. I hope I didn't confuse anyone here.

And IMHO, if someone has lived to an age where he can afford a Ferrari and laughs at a perfectly neutral and unprovoked opinion of anyone, I don't think any amount of constructive comment would change the way the person behaves in the future. A kid maybe. I would personally discount his posts entirely and chat with people who are really interested to talk Ferraris

 

Sounds good

 

I own a F355, and drove a 430 on a track recently. I wouldn't trade.

 

The 348 is my favorite Ferrari - ever. They are the perfect size and by far look the best to me. Only the costly major on it and perhaps some parts that are unobtainable nowadays prevents me from buying one. I still might, but I just cannot give up my NSX and Boxster since I love them to death over the past 5 and 8yrs+ respectively. I may get the 348 someday, I just wish I could work on cars more than just brake pads/rotors.

 

If you were here in Stooge-ville, this would not be an issue and as for the parts, this is why we have the exchange thread. Luckily, the lower buyer/collector interest in the 348 provides a decent source for those Ferrari-specific parts when we need them, which isn't too often, thankfully.

If you drive an NSX and a Boxster, well, I am afraid that the 348 isn't going to measure up to your finnicky standards.

 

I don't follow what you mean, can you please elaborate? I'm assuming you mean the 348 section, but I'm unsure how that can help much in doing the 30k service for more reasonable sums.....
Thanks!

 

Hi,

Having driven most of the Ferrari range for a living, I will say I still love my 348 Spider!!

Everyone’s opinion is valid here, no need to fall out over this, we all have differences that we like about some of the cars, more than others!! Just like women!!!!

Sy, is that my old friend Terry Hoyle in one of the pics of the Muira??

Best regards,
Phil.

 

I'll take a 1992 Ferrari 348 tb/ts over any F355. Period. Exclmation point! No power steering, no stereo, no cruise control, no adjustable suspension. Love the cheese grater side strakes and a gear lever that requires patients and practice.


IMHO

Joe

 

Hi Phil.

Yep that's Terry.

That reminds me, have to email him those pictures.

 

Here is what I mean precisely. If you were in the SoCal area...

You buy the parts and then we Stooges show you how to do this job yourself, all the while drinking your beer closet dry and raiding your fridge. FBB would scarf all your snacks too. This way you spend much less money, learn a heck of a lot and subject yourself to a bunch of 348 crazies who will stand around and argue about the best way to flange a brakeline.

 

EVERY car has it's ups and downs. It's hard to compare a car that is 15 years old and valued at +/- 50k to a car that is virtually new and near to 3X that price.

Personally, and this is just me, I am not a big 348 fan. I was never a cheese grater lover, and though I can accept it (just) on the TR, I always thought the 348 was a stretch. That's obviously just me as the graters all but define the styling of their time, and have been imitated by almost every major manufacturer. I have just never been a fan.

The lack of power steering in the 348 is great. The gearbox - not so much.

I like my 355 better. That's not to say it is without drawbacks. But it happens to have the things that I personally love: Pop-up head-lights (gone now forever), buttress rear deck, round tail lights, and a compact feel that is lost in modern cars due to their need to accommodate "real" (ie big) people.

There is no question a 430 is a better car. Put the keys on the table, and I am taking the 430 keys EVERY time. But sometimes better does not mean more charismatic. And the REAL question is: would I pay the difference in price between my car and a 430?

Nope.

 

You have to step back and think about what a car actually is. The 348 offers an experience very different than the F430 (good or bad, you decide). From a financial stand point (for those of us paying to have our cars fixed) I honestly think it's a wash. So you have decide what you want, and what you like. I love old cars. I have a 1933 MG J2, a crap car from a 30's standpoint (when considering what Bentley was doing) but I love it. It offers an experience unlike any other car.

The 348 is probably crap compared to a 430, as it should be. But to say that anyone would chose it over the 348 is dead wrong. Take the value of the car out of the equation (obviously if given to you - you would take the 430 from a dollar standpoint) then it's up to what the driver wants. Depending upon what you want from a car. Often times if you can just jump in and drive the car like a pro, it's less exciting to me. The 430 doesn't require any deep knowledge of the car. It has to be that way. That's what cars are today. It's no fault to the F430. But if you were to jump into a 348 I can assure you, your comfort level and understanding of the car would be nowhere near the owner's ability to drive it.

To blow off the 348 as junk in comparison just shows a lack of respect, experience and knowledge of cars. Too bad for you.

 

^^

Nice post

 

Technologically more advanced? More extreme in performance? Those would be nicer than "crap". I have a hard time referring to ANY Ferrari as crap, even in comparison.

Other than that, awesome post!

 

You are 100% correct here.

Only problem is I would then sell the 430 and.....buy a 348!!

 

no reason to laugh!

i still love my 348 Spider after i have driven modern Ferraris.

different feelings, different looks and different price range.

i love the power and comfort of my 456MGT too, but the old Spider is special!

 

Man that's cool, no clue what flange a brakeline is, but sounds like I would learn being around you guys! Too bad I'm in WI. I always have tons of snacks though!

 

+348 - okay, I know how I would flange a brakeline, but I would LMAO listening to you guys argue about it. An experience I am doomed to miss out on, sadly, since I'm up in Oregon. But if you guys ever take a road trip, the fridge is full!

Lastly, I love my '91 348ts dearly, but I'm buying a '97 355 spyder this week. I was planning to sell the 348, but this thread is making me worry that I might want to keep it.

 

Experience tells me that you should keep all the cool cars you can. I've sold way too many cars that are now worth big bucks. Trust your taste in cars to guide you to what will be valuable in the future.