328 vs 348

Hi,

I'm new to the site and new to Ferrari.
I've waited a long time to get one and now is the time.

I would like to purchase the car to drive regularly and most likely
keep it a long time.

The question, of the 2 models 328 or 348, which of these models is
the best overall to own for the following:

- pleasure of driving
- cost of maintance - annually and periodic major service
- availability of parts
- known problems - large and small
- likely value change
- overall perception of model by those who know.

If there is already a thread for this or an existing website, I'd appreciate a redirect.

Thank you in advance for all your inputs.

Regards

Riverside.

 

It's WAY less expensive to buy and maintain the 328. You should probably start with it. That way you won't be forever put off by Ferraris the first time you go in for a new water pump. I'm serious. The 348 has a sweet engine, though.

 

If you search the archives there are plenty of discussions on the exact same subject.

Most of it good advice.

 

If you do a search on 348 in this forum, you'll see a lot more maintenance/repair questions on these than on 328s. I'm Ferrari shopping now, and could probably stretch into a 348, but when you factor in the engine-out major service the purchase price is almost secondary. So Tommy's advice above confirms what I've heard here and elsewhere.

Also search on 348 and 'console' and you'll read about some trim problems.

Two independent mechanics I've talked to have also heaped praise on the 328 and to a lesser extent the 308qv, and have said parts are readily available -- except for weird, unique stuff like some switches.

Drive a 328. If you have wide feet, the small, close pedals, splayed to the right, are going to feel different. I got used to it, but it's not the same as, say, a Porsche 996 which is almost as easy as driving a Supra or (insert any other Japanese sports car model here). The 348 has a more conventional layout. I'm 5'7" and under 140lbs, so the 308/328 are fine for me. Tall, portly guys and 328's aren't an ideal match. If you can't get comfortable driving it, the rest of the discussion isn't so relevant.

While I don't think 348's are going to depreciate a lot more, 328s and 308s seem to be holding steady. None of these cars are real scorchers anymore when it comes to performance, so buy what you like. One thing to consider is that even for most of us who can swing the purchase price for a nice 3x8, the maintenance on the 348 is going to be a deterrent and may keep the sale values lower. The unlimited-funds crowd will probably head for the 355's and 360's. My .02...

Aesthetics are subjective, but many people like the 308/328 more. Because Ferrari's tend to be lust objects more than transportation, this may affect values as well. That said, both cars are gorgeous and a thrill to sit in, listen to and drive. Hope you find one you love.

Jon

 

The 348 is a completely different beast to the 328. As the 328 was an evolution of the 308, all the upgrades had been sorted over 15 or so years, so if you're looking for less stress - go the 328. That said the 348 can be trouble free as long as the model you're buying has had the upgrades and has bedded down - ie been driven a few miles (not some garage queen).

As with most FCars - its all down to looks.

 

Thanks to all for the insights and comments.

I fall into the like the looks and theory of Ferrari ownership more than the
need to go fast! As we say around here, go fast, past go, go directly to jail
and miss your turn! Thus speed is not the 4th or 5th requirement.

Cost of ownership and retained value are big ones, as I like both body styles, though I do lean towards the 308/328 designs.

Thanks again for all the input. I'll keep you up to date on the hunt and
hopefully purchase.

Riverside.

 

Riverside,
I have a lot of personal experience with 328's and 348's. I currently have an 89 328 GTB. I have owned an 87 328 GTS and a 94 348 TB factory challenge car which I put 15K on before selling. There are many former threads on this comparison, but here is a few quick facts:

1st, these are very different cars. 328's are the last of the tube frame, transverse motor design that began with Dino 206 in 1968. AS such, they retain much of the Dino charm and feel not to mention classic good looks. If you don't expect too much, they are wonderful driving cars with great balance and rev happy motors. However, by any objective measure they are not fast and do not handle great by modern standards. Nevertheless, the steering is very communicative and the handling very graceful like any really good classic car. They combine classic beauty, grace and overall enjoyable driving experience along with terrific reliablilty by Ferrari standards. That's why I plan to always have one.

But they are not for everyone.

348's were a big deparure from 328's in layout and construction technique. The cabin is certainly more spacious and this can be important for larger drivers. The motor is very responsive and more powerful. The brakes are better (althoug 328 brakes are very good). However, the ride is harsh, the shifter stinks, and the handling is twitchy and unpredictable. They have a more modern feel but gone is the beautiful grace and balance of the earlier cars. I was able to match my 348 lap times with the 328 on a tight, twisty course despite giving away quite a bit of power. 348 styling has always been a love it or hate it affair. They had many growing pains and the service is expensive. 355's greatly upgraded the performance and got rid of the ugly louvres but they have issues of their own. I think in the long run the 206-246-308-328 series will be considered a closed end set of classics. The 348-355 series will be regarded as transitional models until the 360-430-? models came out.

Dave

 

Dave,

Thanks for the input and advise.

I have no need to go fast and I'm going to race the car. I want to drive
and enjoy the feel and handeling more than anything.

From what I have read here and heard from all you guys, it sounds like a 328 GTS/GTB for me. Now the question, find one and what is a reasonable price to pay?

Any insights out there?

Thanks,

Riverside

 

Riverside....as was mentioned before, try the archives, there is a lot of very good information there that has been repeated several times in previous threads on 328 vs 348.

You will also find many threads specific to each model.

Good luck in your search. Just remember, be picky, find the best one you can, don't fall into the "gotta have it know" syndrome....you will get burned.

 

My 348 is great to drive. I wouldn't subsricbe to the comments that the ride is harsh - its a ferrari for gods sake! Yes, you do feel the bumps, but you get good feedback from the road. On another point - twitchy handling - at what speed did you find the car twitchy?? The reason why i ask this, there are a lot of potential buyers of 348's who are put off by people who make comments about the cars handling - on a race track - yes and no, as there are a number of 348 drivers in the UK who regularly beat the 355/360 drivers on trackdays. But Riverside doesn't want to race or does he? The 348 is a considerble leap forward over the 328, just like the 355 is a considerable leap forward over the 348 and so on.

I am so glad i bought the 348 before joining Fchat! I did consider the 328, but decided against the car on looks 1st, performance 2nd. I would not want to have been discouraged by the 328 v 348 comments we see so much on this site.

 

I suggest you drive each before you decide - yes maintenance on the 348 is not for the faint of heart or wallet (ask me how I know) but I think the driving experience, at least for me, in the 348 was much more what I was looking for than the 328. I agree the 328 design is perhaps more aesthetically pleasing but the 348 spider I have is bloody gorgeous. Plus I spend my time IN the car driving so the driving experience was everything to me.

Having said that I keep looking at 308's as that was my dream car and they are beautiful in a way the 348 never will be.

Cheers
Kevin

 

I have owned both a 328GTS and a 348 Spider. The 348 looks better, sounds better, performs better and is more comfortable than a 328...so, the choice is easy...get the 348!

 

I have owned both...348 hands down.

 

I feel that this debate over the 328 and 348 is a real topic of discussion. The 2 models must be so good in both their respective areas that it brings out this type of passionate exchange.

I have never heard this kind of debate on 348 vs 355 or 355 vs 360, those conversation always seem to reflect, if you can afford it, buy the newer one. This does not seem the case with the 328 vs 348 decission.

So, at this point in our program boys and girls, it comes down to Ben Franklins,
how much for a sorted out 328 GTS and 348 GTS? Private sale, not from an inflated dealer or otherwise "great buy on a cream puff" from Ebay. A real car, from a real owner.

Thanks again for all the input, I'm taking all comments to heart to make a good purchase decission.

Riverside

 

This is a very astute point. I agree with you that there is not so much debate 348 vs 355 vs 360. It is my theory that this is because there is a perception that what you get is in line with what you pay for comparing across these three cars, e.g., value (bang for the buck) is constant across the three cars.

Continuing with my theory, I believe that the reason why there is such intense debate between 328 and 348 is that many people (don't get pissy with me about this) perceive that there is a difference in value in the 328 vs 348, where as it appear to remain constant for 348 vs 355 vs 360 (e.g., buy the latest car that you can afford). The 328 and 348 are priced pretty close together (much more so than any of the previous models mentioned), and, from what I have read, 328s even command a premum over 348s in Europe!

The bottom line is that the cars are so fundamentally different that making a "linear" comparison between them is difficult. They look radically different, are built radically different (build process and build quality), and have somewhat different maintenance paradigms. Further, they represent different stages in an engineering evolution: the 328, the last of an evolved, proved line; the 348, the first. Meanwhile, they perform somewhat similarly, with most contending that the 328, while slower, represents a more balanced machine. The previous posts all make great points about some of the individual differences (e.g., cabin space in 328 vs 348; "It's a Ferrari!" recognition of 328 vs 348; etc.)

So for the above reasons, many consider the 328 to 348 to be a sideways step, where as 348 355 360 is linear "upward" step. This, I believe, is the core source of the controversy. This assertion is greatly supported in that similar money (but not the same, not in the U.S. anyway) buys both a nice 328 and a 348 ("sideways"), while more money will get you from a 348 to a 355 to a 360 ("upward").

Now more about the money.

348s and 328s each have been each been priced in threads on this very forum by very knowledgeable members. It is my position that the information in those threads is going to be better and more current than any price guide you could possibly find.

If I could gently suggest that you do research on this independently, since the information is there, and then support the community by providing your own analysis and answer to the very question you posed.


You may find these threads of interest:

328 or 348
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44969

1988 328GTS on Ebay $47,600 and counting
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49114

Anyone know of a good 308 QV or 328 GTS
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48830

What's the $$ market for a red 328?
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48089


Again, welcome to the Ferrari community!

 

I own a 348 and have driven a couple 328's. In my option, hands down 348 , looks and definately performance. If you buy right maintanence should not be a problem. Get a PPI on one with the major just done and a new clutch. Trust me on that one I know. Either way you decide, welcome to the Brotherhood!

Mike

 

Right. 348 owners always and without exception prefer 348s. That's why they got the car--it "does" it for them! 328 owners are mostly in the same boat, although I'm sure there is a portion of 328 owners who would consider moving to 348. Good advice though, above.

 

Heh, true, true!

Well, being Ferrari-less I'll give my $0.02: The 328 is way better looking than the 348.

No idea about being behind the wheel expect they should perform better than my Porsche 914

 

I've read about this over and over again. It doesn't mean anything to me anymore.
I bought my 92 euro 348 ts a year ago before I know anyhting about F-chat, thanks God. I am so obsessed about it from the day one till now. I try everything I can to make it looks better and works better and she never let me down. Few weeks earlier I got a chance to chage it for a 96 355 spider. Even though I like 355, I love my 348 even more. I will keep her as long as I can - maybe never sell her.
I recently buy quite a lot of carbon fiber parts from "Maranello Auto Sales" and they really makes the interior looks better. If someone hate those cheap plastic, this should be the best way.

Just buy any of it you love then try your best to make her better. You won't regret. It's Ferrari, man!

 

If you decide to go with the 348, the best advice is to spend as much money now as possible and get the best one you can find. Money seems to be a constant with Ferrari's -- its neither created nor destroyed. In other words, get an early model that has some problems and maybe not all of the factory updates and you save money on the purchase price, but spend more on maintenance -- and have less time with the car as its in the shop. Spend a lot of money now and get a '94 or '95 (the best years for the 348 I've been told) and you'll probably have less headaches and expenses later.

At the end of the day, the difference between the 328 and 348 is a personal choice but in terms of initial costs and "likely" first year maintenance expenses, it seems like you are probably talking a difference of about 25 grand.

 

I think the 328's are generally less bang for the buck than the 348's in today's market. It is similar to the boating crowd that has developed into a buy the best you can afford. I found the looks of the 348 more odern and attractive. I found a good example 348ts with low miles and recent major servicing complete for $47k. The comparable miles and condition 328's available were nearly the same price. So for me, I would rather have a newer model that appears more contemporary. Also, the handling while not always the fastest around a track is certainly fun around town. A little oversteer is great with sticky low profile tires. I am definitely happy with my choice and I am sure you can not go wrong with either model.
BT