Ferrari 348 vs 328

hard to believe, but true.

 

guess we know who has a little dick issue…oh wait, it's called "inferiority complex" is it...…. just keep saying "the car is not the extension of my life"……very oxymoronish isn't your "advice" up there…...

 

Thanks for proving my point.

But, as I said, I love the 348 and if I was choosing between it and a 328 (as the OP asked), it would be 348 all the way.

Let's leave it at that, shall we?

 

Well, as for performance...not that it matters much, because both cars have rather low power by today's standards, but may I direct all the German-speaking, or at least German reading F-Chatters towards the chapter devoted to the 328 / 348 succession in Dirk-Michael Konradt's book, "Autos, die Geschichte machten, die Ferrari 308 und 328"?

In said chapter, the author quote different german magazines period comparisons between the two cars, made when the 348 appeared on the market, and it shows that in Europe at least (I don't know about the american magazines) it was not the often quoted "difficult" road-holding that made the 348 a disappointment, but its lacklustre performance which showed no improvement at all over the 328 (again, euro-versions).

The main reason is that both cars have exactly the same power-to-weight ratio:
- the 328 (in Euro specs) 1300 kgs for 270 hp = 5kgs per hp;
- the 348 (Euro specs) 1500 kgs for 300 hp = 5kgs per hp.

Most test drivers concluded that there was no improvment at all in performance from 0 to 100 miles per hour (or 0 to 160km/h to stay metric...), the 348 only making a slight difference above 100 miles per hour.
In fact, the test drivers actually concluded that the 328 was a smidge better between 0 to 100 miles per hour, and its pick-up quicker also; being lighter and smaller, it was their prefered car.

Buy the one you want, the one that makes float your boat. A friend has both, these are different cars indeed.

With the "caveat" that - and again, I don't know about the trend in the United States - but here the two cars are not in the same price bracket: 348 being at about 35.000 euros these days, and stable (lots of cars on the market, very difficult to find a good one as most suffer from deferred maintenance); 328 being at about 50.000 euros these days, slightly rising (very few cars on the market, very difficult to find a nice one, especially not red).

Rgds

 

You should do it know; don't wait too long, its the mistake that I have done, the only thing I regret in my ownership: having waited until I was absolutely sure that everything was in place; I have lost a few years that I regret.

Rgds

 

The 328 is latched on to the vintage Ferrari's of past (not a bad thing), while the 348 harkens in the new MODERN Ferrari with its longitudal V-8 and more aggressive styling...I have had both...loved them both....would take the 348 as a first time Ferrari

 

I am of the same mind, it just isn't possible right now - not merely just difficult.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Entirely valid argument, of course...

Rgds

 

I like the 348 a lot. My choice over the 328.

 

Thats not saying much!

Don't the strakes ever rattle like they do on a testarossa?

 

While I love 308s and 328s and looked at quite a few (and still wouldn't mind adding one), I agree with Nerofer's statement regarding the pivotal nature of the 348. I was really drawn in by the fact that it marks the split, so to speak, and has touches of both old and new(er) Ferraris that I really appreciate. Plus, I loved it when I was a kid. I haven't been disappointed one iota.

I'll concede that this is a tough call, really. My only advice is to not even consider flat-out performance when you're talking about 20+ year old cars. Buy them for their character and their feel first -- whichever car speaks to you the most. If it happens to be fast it's just a nice bonus, though we aren't talking about mini vans here so it is going to be fast enough. Modern cars have become so ridiculously fast that it's almost no fun anymore and the scale has definitely been a little warped, IMO.

 

A different view
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Well, not wanting to confuse things further, but...

Again, I don't know about the american market, so please forgive me if my words are not relevant for someone looking for a car in the United States; but:
- in France, anyone prepared to put money on the table today for a very nice 328 would have to draw about 50.000 euros from its pocket.
Well, for that price, you can also buy a good / nice 355, or a "fair" 360.
And I expect the 430 to enter the same price bracket in 18 to 24 months.

Mindboggling, in a way. You really have to decide what you like best before, I guess.

Rgds

 

Sums very much sums up what I think of the 348. BTW, I´m to tall to fit in a 328 so the 348 is the car for me. And I like it CRUDA!

 

Then there are the ownership costs and value equations. Consider the 328 has an "engine In" belt service vs "engine out" for the 348. All things being equal I would imagine a major service for a 328 to be about $5-$6,000 and for a 348 $7,000 and above (thinking dealer prices here). Also, the market place has spoken with 328's costing more than a 348 given equal examples. Consider that nice 328 GTS's are selling at values similar to very nice 355's. As for performance, as pointed out earlier both have the same wt. to hp ratios so that is a draw.

Having just sold a 355 I would probably lean more towards the 328 as I like the closer ties to the 308 series vs the Miami vice look.

 

The looks!

 

They are both great cars.

As many have said - buy what you are passionate about.

Pros for the 348
+ More torque
+ Functional A/c + lack of interior heat from front radiators
+ More interior space
+ Better seating ergonomics
+ Better brakes
+ Dry sump - better for track days
+ Better engine sound

Pros for the 328
+ Classic timeless looks
+ Stable, benign handling
+ Stable prices
+ No sticky parts
+ Cheaper servicing - will save approximately $2-3k every 5 years

I chose the 348 specifically for the power and a/c given that I live in Houston.

 

Il like that thread, it is interesting...

I had second thoughts, after writing that, for the price of a nice 328 here, you could have a good 355, or a fairly good 360; and that in about 18 months you could add a 430 tyo the equation also...
...because I should have added that you could also have a good 550 Maranello fo that price either!

So, again, take the time to ask yourself what do I want, exactly?

Rgds

 

The 328 does not have cooling issues at all nor do the targa tops leak air. The fuseboxes on 328s rarely give issues although they are expensive to replace if they do. Probably no more expensive than a 348 fusebox though. They are basically the same design.

I think are points above are confusing a 308 with 328 and the OP was asking specifically about 328. The 328 sorted all the known issues with the 308 including fusebox, cooling, aircon, handbrake, window mechanisms and other points.

 

The 308 is in a different category than a 328 as well. Styling inside and out are so different. Love the old school 308 switchgear, not a fan of the 328 stuff that extends into the 512TR range.

Im not a believer that the 348 is the last real ferrari, I think that ended long before the 348 in a sense. Many connect FIAT's entrance as the end of the enzo era so a 348 is just another mass produced ferrari that turned out to be a turd in many ways. Montezemelo said it was the worst ferrari built and the 355 was supposed to be the solution. I wouldn't mind a 348 but I figure the gearbox is going to rear its ugly head.

 

Thanks for the comments! Really appreciate it!

 

Good points. And the view with the engine cover up is wonderful! Very esthetically pleasing if this matters to anyone.
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Please elaborate.

Thanks

 

Man, I wish I could $%^t like you!

The gearbox thing is a legitimate concern, but definitely not an insurmountable odd. Mine shifts great after the PO rebuilt it with better components. It's wise to look for an updated car.

 

I added a few plus points to the 348.

All the best,
Andrew.