328 vs. 348

Yes.

Search the archives. There are plenty of threads on this very topic.

In short drive both and pick what you like.

 

Yup, what Ernie said. If you like the looks and enjoy the drive, end of story.

Prices for 328 and 348 are comparable. Maintenance on 348 is more expensive, thus the depreciation to 328 levels. 348 is faster. Neither car carries much plywood, gets very good mpg or enjoys snowdrifts. The later 348's have a better reputation than the earlier ones - more bugs worked out.

ANY car over 10 years old is an "old" car. Period. Find one that has had caring owners and known and documented recent (at least) history.

(And fill out your profile... )

 

Yeah and that too.

 

If you want a new car, buy a new car. These cars are a decade old. Any used car will have issues.

To avoid getting "burned", there are two things you need:
1) A pre-purchase inspection. The PPI will let you know what major issues may be lurking in the machine.
2) A service budget. Even a car with a clean PPI will have the kinds of little details a ten year old car will pick up. You need to expect to spend money on getting the car the way you want it.

You can't treat these cars like Toyotas. Regular service is a fact of life with european performance cars. It's only after you've been under the hood yourself (or your mechanic has been) that you really know what you're dealing with.

The good news is that most of these cars can be put back into whatever condition you want. Just remember that there are two costs to obtaining a used sports car: the purchase, and the service to set the desired condition.

 

well said!

 

PPI aside. Things can fail within weeks of using & some symptoms do not come up during PPI. Fuel/water pumps, electrics, fuses, hoses, belts, fluids if not changed or maintained can strand you on the roads. As mentioned, these are at least 12-20yrs old. Get ready some spare cash, a list of parts suppliers & worthy mechanics. Good luck & enjoy!

 

Agreed. I think you can get a nice 348 for around $50k. If you are interested in mine (thinking of selling in the spring) PM me (in my case the car would be less than $50k).

BT

 

The chice of 328 VS 348 is much tougher to choose than the 348 VS the TR. Somehow I think the 328 is a really old design, although it was introduced in 86 but the design carried on from the 308 since the mid 70's. But, the 348 was a newly design, although base on the TR but not as old as the 328. But they are both gorgeous, may be the 328 is a little more. The 348 is faster and more friendly to use, nice cool a/c. Which would I choose..? May be, just may be the 348.

 

I looked at both the 328 and the 348. I drove them both (including an 89' 328). I would compare a nicely sorted 328 to an equivalant Porsche of the era. A 328 feels reasonably quick, has a good ride (in my opinion), is generally robust mechanically, and (for an Italian car) feels well built.

On the other hand, a 348 feels FAST, rides like a buckboard, is a thinly disguised race car, and maybe feels like it could pull a stump out compared to a 328.

They're just different. Both are unquestionably exotic. Bang for the buck I take the 348 but I'm biased.

 

I have put a lot of miles on both models. Here is a summation:

Advantages:
328
1. Good ride
2. Excellent build quality (for an exotic)
3. Gorgeous classic looks
4. Great balance and predictability
5. Will easily go over 100K without serious problems

348
1. more power but still wasted by my Subie STI
2. better brakes
3. stiffer chassis

Disadvantages
328
1. really aren't any

348
1. stiff ride
2. twitchy and unpredictable handling
3. expensive maintenance
4. iffy electronics
5. controversial styling
6. build quality not very good, especially interior
7. crappy shifter

Bottom line is I sold an 87 328 to get a 94 348. Then sold the 348 to get an 89 328 GTB.

Dave

 

I'm told that the brake feel on a 328 can be improved by replacing the rubber lines with steel braid brake lines.

Of course, it still won't stop like an EVO -- the EVO's pads are roughly double the area of the 328's.
(The Alfa spider had good brakes for its day. But after the EVO, the Alfa is scary.)

 

It's funny why people says the 348 has a controversial styling, if it is the same of the 355 and I never listen nobody saying the 355 is ugly, controversial, or something so negative about it shape!

 

There is always a first...
355 = Toyota MR2

Ciao
Eugenio
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You are right, of course, the 355 panels even interchange with 348's. But I'm just stating facts. 348's have a polarizing effect on people, 355's are pretty much universally loved. I think it's all the louvers on the 348 that turn many people off. I don't like them. I don't like the fake grill on the front of either car for that matter.

Dave

 

Haven't owned/driven a 348, so I'll defer to your input here, but...

The 328 shifter is also cantankerous compared to (insert whatever '80s-on car you can think of here). Having owned a number of German and Japanese cars with manual gearboxes, I can say that the gated five speed with its 2nd gear access foibles is archaic in comparison.

The 348 styling is "busy" and not as clean as the 328 or 355, but I wouldn't list it as a disadvantage -- the people who buy 348's probably love the "cheese graters." The TR is more flamboyant, and seems to have a following. I tend to like the 308/328 school more. But 348 buyers don't. No worries.

From what I've seen, though, you're right about 348 interiors. They need proper care or they turn to goo, and the original materials are subpar (to be charitable) for such an expensive car.

 

No 3X8 shifter is slick, but there is a lot of difference from car to car, and overall, the 348's were the worst owing to the cable system. My previous 87 328 was not the best, my current 89 GTB is quite smooth and will go into 2nd even when cool, no grind. It is the best of the 6 3X8's I have owned. My 430 is smoother still, but not as slick as the best Jap cars. It's hard to have a really slick shifter connected to a rear mounted motor. Some people like the cheese graters and that's fine, but many don't....hence the "controversial styling" comment.

Dave

 

Actually, 328 brakes have excellent firm feel right from the factory. Even at track events, the pedal remains firm and consistent and are easy to heel/toe. True, they do not have the power of newer systems, but with the speeds you can reach, killer brakes aren't that important as in newer, faster cars. In a recent conversation with another 328 owner who has tracked his, we discussed the weaknesses, but neither of us ever ran the car out of brakes either. My Subie STI has powerful Brembos, but they will wilt on track days. Makes it hard to get the most out of the car.

Dave

 

Go with the 328

 

A little out of the scope I know, however, take a Mondial t ('89+) convert or a Mondial 3.2 convert for a spin - not especially fast I know but no better way to bomb around town when the sun is out and the family is in(to taking a ride with you). Great cars with styling and overall appeal that I think will fair well as time goes on.

 

328 gts all the way!

 

the 355 has the same problem with the goo. It also uses the same materials in the interior.

I have owned both 328 & 348 spider


go with the 348 spider

oh yea, I have no problem with goo problems

 

The interior turning to goo costs about $10 to fix and takes about three hours in my experience. Certainly not anything to be worried about.
BT

 

I agree. easy off oven cleaner

 

I love my 1994 348 Spider (red/blk). No regrets or problems what so ever 3 weeks after the purchase. (Fingers crossed!)