I am facing a tough choice here. I haven't driven either due none available in my immediate area. Here are the examples: 1992 348SS Red with 17K miles. I talk the number down to $47,000.00 I spoke with the mechanic that has been serviced the car for the past 5 years. He basically told me that all problem has been addressed, 2 majors have been performed at 2009 when it was purchased and most recently May 2013. Compress/leak done in May 2013 is good and he told me it needs nothing just need someone to drive it till next major. 1996 F355 Yellow GTS 6 Speed with 31K miles asking $50,000.00 major service done in June 2011 and its only gone 2000 miles since. I did all the belts, both radiators, alarm, secondary water pump, main water pump, tires, interior fixes (removed all sticky vents, clusters, console) replaced with new. $22,000. May 2013, factory headers replaced, A/C compressor replaced, fluid flush, and a few other items $15,000. The wheels have been refinished and are mint. it has a rare vinyl top, not the common fiberglass color top. A major may be needed in the next 2 years. Both seem sorted and in top conditions. Which would you choose? Thanks,
I have owned a very nice clean and perfect running 348 but I still changed it eventually for a 355 GTS so my answer should be obvious. Do yourself a favor and drive a good example 348 it doesn't have to be a SS and a good example 355 it doesn't have to be a GTS. You will make a very well informed decision after that. Good luck!
I had the exact problem as you, I went with my childhood dream, the F355. The carbon seats of the SS ALMOST won me over but I liked EVERTHING else the F355 had to offer. I later added SS seats to my F355 and I couldn't be happier. A $50K GTS is a great buy but I would MUCH prefer the color matched top to the cheap looking vinyl one, though it would probably never be on the car anyway. Rob Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Rob, I LOVE the black carpet on your car but (no offense) those seats are not for me. I like the carbon frames just not a fan of the seat area. The black carpet is pretty rare and looks amazing!!
Owned a 348, and bought a 355. Night and Day difference, yes you get a little flavor with the SS, but 355 is better preforming car. I loved the road feel on the 348, and kept it over the 355. Drove a 360, then finally traded the 348. Drove a 430, traded the 360. If you want raw feel, the 348. Want more performance the 355. My two cents. But if I ever ran across a 348SS for the right price though with the Carbon Seats.......in the right color, I would buy it. So........I would do the 348.
Buy a great 355 first. See if you need anything else after that. You need some seat time though. Robb
I was looking for a 355 GTB and found the 348SS which I ended up buying. I have driven both cars and each is special. Like Bruce says, drive them and see. What you will notice is that driving the 355 you will see other cars like this, but you will seldom see another SS on the road or even at club meets. That puts you in pretty rare company. We can get pretty close on performance so don't let that stop you.
not true at all.....i thought the same once due to advice like these but was proven wrong.....please go and try both cars and decide for yourself....you might be pleasantly surprised!!
Thanks for all the advice. I am going to make an offer for the 348SS then go from there. It is pristine and may not need any work for at least 3 years since the major was just done few months ago.
The 355 in my opinion is the mastering of all the technology that existed at the time for that model (aside from a challenge edition);; Just like when the 360 came out , then not to long there after the 430 which i believe was the mastering of that eras technology and hence the 360's used are fetching almost what a well sorted 355 will get. If its a long-term play i think you'll be not only happier with the net performance, looks, experience in a 355. Knowing only my experience in vetting one, do your homework on the 355 you're looking at, get a good PPI and expect some unknown repairs to come up. I drove both prior to buying and the F355 GTS won me over and i haven't looked back For whats its worth...
I have owned both a 348 and a 355 and they are night and day. In my opinion, the 355 is way better in all aspects. Perfomance is simply much better, and this makes the driving experience more fun. But at the end of the day, its your call. You will be happy either way, for sure....
This is tough because both cars are a steel right now. I personally prefer the 355. I think the lines are timeless where as the 348 can be dated (not necessarily a bad thing). In the end it's up to what you like and not everyone else's opinion. They are both Ferraris, and therefore pure awesomeness!
