328.348.355

Before you Archive Search Nazis abuse this first poster and tell him to do a search or try to give him an unwelcoming to FerrariChat by hazing him in some way...

Think twice, because you shouldn't do it. I've seen first posters abused very much lately--I mean especially in the past 2 weeks... it's a pattern on this board and I think it's disgusting.

F69: Please hold while I compose my response to your inquiry... and please fill out your profile so people know your name and where you're located, etc.

 

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The 348 is unloved by people who buy into the conventional wisdom that it is a plain looking car; that it represents the "low point" for Ferrari in terms of beauty and quality.

Thousands of people have seen my 348 coupe by now, and let me tell you--each one of them nearly falls off his/her feet upon seeing the car. It's a beautiful work of art just like every other Ferrari. It's exotic and far from plain.

In order to hate the 348, one has to hate the Testarossa. It's true: the 348 is a "baby" Testarossa. The back, the sides, and the front are virtually identical! And it's pretty hard to hate the Testarossa, a car that defined an era. Just say that quintessential word: "Testarossa." Everyone associates that word with "Ferrari."

So the design of the 348 can't be properly characterized as "poor," especially if the car is literally a miniature version of the Testarossa.

People complain that the 348's rear tail lights are plain. Indeed, the rear lights are not round. But as I've said elsewhere, the car itself is not round; it's angular and square, and so is the design of the rear lights. There is consistency in this. Again, everyone who sees the rear lights on my car is amazed at how beautiful they are because he/she had only seen round lights on a Ferrari previously.

I think the 328 and F355 are beautiful cars.

That said, for my personal taste, the F355 looks awkward because there is a mixture of straight and round edges. In designing the F355 body, Ferrari literally started with the 348 body, took some pieces off, and replaced them with rounder pieces. That's all the F355 is--it's a 348 with some different looking body pieces.

I love the 348 because it's "old school." That's why I bought it. It brings me back to the 80s--to the Testarossa days... to the days of old school square edges. For me, the F355 isn't "old school" enough.

 

The search function on this board isn't all it's cracked up to be. I'm pretty good with it but there are times that it can't perform even a simple search using EXACT TITLE WORDING.

The early 348's are much maligned for design flaws and quality of assembly problems. Most have been improved upon and corrected.

If you can afford the purchase price, the eventual cracked headers and exhaust diverter valve replacement the 355 is what I would go for.

For the same money as a late 348 you can buy a nice Testarossa.

A 12 cylinder with a TUBI and you won't go back

 

Save that the 348 has much better overall proportions.

Disagree

If the 348 never existed and another company introduced a car with this looks (well, let´s say w/o the cheese graters) everybody would applaude the well made interpretation of the classic formula: Mid-engined car + flowing lines = beautiful car.

 

Buy what you want like or can afford no matter what ferrari you buy some body will have an opinion if you want my opinion it must have 12 cylinders in the rear everything else is a compromise

 

No, up front mate, the horse pulls the cart...

 

OK, i did a search for my comments on the 328/348/355 the last time the issue came up, and at the risk of quoting myself, here's what i said the last time:
haven't been studiously watching the 328 or 348 markets, but it seems to me that the prices for late model 328s firmed up a couple years ago, and haven't suffered any significant renewed depreciation since then, whereas 348s started a downturn at around the same time and looks like they've still got room to go south. The 328 B is desirable in the US, if only because fewer of them came here when they were new.
The early 348's did have some teething problems which got sorted out by the time the Spider was introduced in the states, circa 94. The later berlinetta and GTS versions of the car benefitted from these improvements, which, as i recall, involved some changes to the rear suspension, and some other odds and ends. This was not the watershed car for Ferrari, the 355 was, so the 348, which in some ways was a transitional model, gets overshadowed.

I've owned both, as well as a number of other models. The 328 is, in some ways, the more coherent design, but it lacks the kind of punch that will throw you back in your seat. The 89 still gets a premium because of ABS. Aesthetically, its a subjective issue. Quality wise, i did think the interior of the 348 was not of the highest quality; the 328 was better, and the 355 was a greater improvement still.
You should drive both, more than once if possible, before committing your dollars. I did like the fact that the 348 was the last of the 8's with no power assisted steering and you could launch it. It also sounded pretty good with a Tubi.
As to whether you can find one at 40k, i'm not sure where the current market is, down to the dollar-but, i will tell you this, as a general matter in Ferrariland: five grand saved up front doesn't stay in your pocket very long if the car has needs. I'd rather buy one that has been fully serviced by a reputable dealer (there are some) and is a known quantity, than look to save a few dollars up front. Believe me, more than any other expenditure you might have made in your life, Ferraris are not the kind of things to be penny-wise, and pound-foolish about. my 2 pounds

 

I've owned all three models. The 328 was a great car. Reliable, well built, beautiful and fun. Downside was that it was getting older, the A/C did'nt do it, the interior was pretty tight and small. I would have one again though! The 348 was a kick. I think it was very good looking. More power, A/C worked well and the car was much faster. Downside was that there were some reliablility issure with the electronics as with all 348's. Build quaility was not as good as the 328. I probably wouldn't have another one but I don't regret the one I had. Remember, the 348 came out when there was a worldwide economic downturn. All exotic manufacturers suffered and I think that colors the 348's reputation even though it had little to do with the car! Finally, the 355. GREAT CAR! I love the lines and the power is much better. The drivability is greater and I think the build quality is much higher. My car has had the valves, headers and everything else done so there are no issues left. Of all three, the 355 is clearly the best, fastest and IMO most beautiful. However, you will not go wrong with any of the three. Drive what you want and forget what anyone else thinks! Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

F**KIN A+, well said.

 

word

 

As for the question, I really think the 355 is worth the premium over the 348, unless it's the styling of the 348 that really attracts you (personally, I think it's brilliant.) But I would definitely choose the 355.
Iterior: The 355 (along with the 456 at the same time) had the first interior in a Ferrari that you could really live with and was somewhat modern. The 360 then replaced it with a really modern, user-friendly interior. Nevertheless, I think the 355's interior is nice and ahead of the 328 and 348. Performance: the 348 is definitely lacking in torque (as is the 355) but you feel it more in the 348. The 355 has the best numbers of the three, and you can feel it.

In the end, you will be attracted to one of the three cars more than the other two. You could say the 348 and 328 are more "charming" in some ways. I think this is probably true. But the 355 has some charm of its own, and there is something quite special about it. It looks and sounds great, and really stands out in people's minds. I think this is becasue the 360 was so different, so much more modern feeling, a bit bulkier, etc...

In my opinion, the 355 I think will go down as the last somewhat small, quirky, non-modernized Ferrari that has certain problems that you learn to live with and just add to its charm. If that makes sense.

 

Dave,
As a "Nazi" I "resemble that remark"... Some newbies deserve it...this one most certainly does not...nor does he require your defense of him....He has offerred a cogent, and detail question, and has certainly received the same back.

Just don't try to defend the next one that asks: "Which should I get, 308 or Mondial?" Those guys KNOW they got it coming....

 

I've owned 2 348s, and 1 355. I'd get the 355, a 96 or newer. The 348s had electronic problems and they never fixed (they did, it's called a 355).

Art

 

Preface here....I personally LIKE the 348, particular the TS (targa) model...and considered getting one at one point.

But to explain why MOST people find the 348 unappealing, is that the car really broke no new ground visually, for itself. It IS just a baby Testarossa, and will always be looked at, from the shadow of the larger, flat 12 TR. So the stigma of, "is that a Testarossa?", always rears it's head, and the inevitable explaination that follows.

Aside from looks, there were many problems with the cars, which where resolved throughout production...such that the final couple years production were quite good (this is typical for most of Ferrari's production, never buy the first one or two years). All in all, most of the complaints were not so big a deal, especially in comparison to the more recent 355, which seems to have more than it's share, of much more expensive, problems.

Ultimately, (I believe) the car must please you...if you are concerned with resale, and what others think, then you better get something else. If you are the only one that matters, then get a 348 and enjoy!

Personally, I'm an intellectual "weenie" and stick with buying the more "popular" Ferraris....

 

the 348 is overshadowed but yet its such a gorgeous shape, it draws such attention and i think people are stsrting to appreciate the 348 more and more

 

the horse works better trying to catch the cart not pulling it mate

 

Of the three cars 326, 346, and 355, which car has the lowest maintnance cost? Which do mechanics see least?

 

Of all V8 Ferraris, the 328 probably costs the least to maintain. Certainly less than the 348 and F355. This is because the 328 has less (or no) electronic wizardry and does not requre the engine to be dropped out of the car for a belt change.

This has been discussed many times; you can do a search to explore the debate.

 

Both 328 aand 355 are nice in their own different ways.
328 is definitely the universal recognisable Ferrari's look representing the older look but 355 has been very popular of the newer version.
Both look extemely smashing in my opinion and I am still in love with my 328 GTS but also looking for a nice example of 355 to own.
But regarding 348 I have no opinion of it.

 

I' ve got a 355 in a shop getting the Pre-Purchase Inspection done as I type this. Obviously, I went with the 355.

The funny thing is...just as I was getting into Ferrari's and didn't know model numbers worth a darn....I actually looked at the 348 and 355 and felt the 348 looked a bit more aggressive, bad-ass and downright sporty then the 355! The cheese-grater sides and all....just looked really HOT!!!!

BUT along came the onslaught of F-chatters who talked me into the 355. About the only pro-348er's were 348 owners themselves. Which is not to say they are self-righteous delusional peons...no, I'm not saying it...only implying it!! totally kidding.

This is what I've been told: the 355 is a perfected version of the 348. The 355 has 100 horsepower more and all the kinks, querks and problems of the 348 have been worked out. Did I mention 100 horsepower more?? HELLO!!!!! There are so many improvements, upgrades and refinements in the 355 that it makes every bit of sense to spend the money to move to that model.

Let me see if I can help ya. I once had to decide between the color of white and orange...so I looked at some color swatches, check it out for yourself:

Ya see....either way your gonna get a hot-ass Ferrari!!!!!
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PM me for front-side shots!

 

I thought I had heard, or read somewhere, that a 348 could get belts changed through the firewall or in some way that the engine didnt need to be pulled. No?
I like the 348 with 355 door skins.

 

The garage queens

/Peter