348 GTB/GTS/Spider relative values

Hello,

I'm in Europe looking for a late 348 with all the factory upgrades.

So a GTB/GTS/Spider.

I'm not sure what to expect as relative prices for the 3 models, assuming similar mileage, condition, provenance and history.

Reminder of production numbers:
GTB: 222
GTS: 252
Spider: 1090

I would have assumed that the Spider was worth the least, due to much greater production numbers.

And that the GTS would be worth more than the GTB because it offers "two cars in one" and offers the wind-in-the-hair experience that tends to please owners more, as these cars move gently from being "used" to "classic", and hence kept for sunny sunday drives and such.

Does that make sense?

Or would a Spider always command more than a GTB / GTS because it has a more glamorous image?

Thanks,

 

I don't have an answer but I'd like to ask a question that when I bought mine was the most important of them all: which one rocks your boat?

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

I am not set on a particular variant ; I am buying with both heart and head and would like external opinions to help on the "head" part. ;-)

Also, having various opinions will help me judge if certain asking prices are reasonable, i.e. which models I might expect to pay more for...

 

Talking about reason: are you firm on wanting a 348 Alex? 355s values are going bananas as of late. From an "investment" point of view, it might make more sense, although a 355 is a whole different ball game.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

Well, my heart prefers a more engaging, involving car like the 348. The 355 is too easy to drive. ;-)

(and my head happens to agree - although I could easily be wrong - that a more old-school driving experience as well as a stronger more iconic style will eventually be more sought-after...).

 

Alex in that case I'll be silent because I know virtually nothing regarding the 348 and will wait for the experts to advise you which I can't.

In any case, I'll share my personal experience: I really wanted a 355 and an F1 transmission (I already owned a manual). Having that in mind, I went out to search for the rarest version and it happened to be the GTS. I recommend doublechecking production numbers and if you really want a 348 and nothing else will fit the bill, choose the rarest version of that model.

I have:

348 ts: 4.230 units.
348 tb: 2.895 units.
348 Spider: 1.090 units.
348 GTB: 252 units.
348 GTS: 137 units.


Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

I prefer open top cars and like both the GTS and Spider.

I guess my question is how much of a premium should the GTS command over the Spider, due to simply having a much lower production?

 

Hard to tell, but as a general rule Spiders usually carry a premium. Even so, on a personal note, I chose to ignore that and went to the lowest production number variant (in the 355s case, the GTS). A more solid ground for an eventual future appreciation, imho.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

don't forget the speciale's...

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/480917-production-numbers-348-a.html

 

True David. But usually Challenge/Speciale numbers are harder to keep track of. I searched for an exact number regarding the 348 but came up empty in terms of finding an undisputed source.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

on a practical side.....the coupe would be easier to live with.....especially in the rain...the non fixed tops all don't leak, but a lot of them do.....

 

Sure, but as these cars move from "used car" to "classic", surely they tend to generally get used on sunny days. So why buy a closed variant?

For older Ferrari (60's), the open variants are invariably vastly more expensive than the closed variants (for models that exist in open and closed, like the 275 GTB/S, 330 GTB/S, Daytona, etc.).

If anyone here drives mainly on sunny days yet prefers a closed coupe, I'd like to hear why.

 

Skin cancer. Driving in a closed car I feel more secure and always liked the feel of it. Convertible don't like as much and love the feel on having windows close and don't like messing my hair.....LOL I guess if you are bald it's OK...LOL

 

You got a point there Zman. I just had Mohs surgery for a basal cell carcinoma on the left side of my nose. Back in January actually. Only been a week since I stopped bandages. Excision was 13mm circle, drivers side of course. Now the scar has closed and shrunk a but but slowed down in improvement. a small triangle about the size of original sore. Laser follow up in six months but sunscreen, Vaseline and vitamin e oil will help along the way. Takes a year or more to see near complete healing and blending.
The Spiders were split about 500 Europe, 500 US so keep that in mind.

 

I've owned a GTS and now a berlinetta and I feel both have their own merits.

GTS-

If I drove the car anywhere I felt compelled to re-install the top in able to close up/lock up the vehicle. Not very hard to do but also not entirely convenient to be removing/installing the top.

The open feeling with the top off was great and also you can hear the engine/exhaust more.

At times (usually in colder weather) the top can creak/rattle a bit over bumps. I found treating the seals and adjusting the latches helped this a lot but didn't remedy it 100%.

As for rain, I only got stuck in it twice and the car didn't leak at all.

berlinetta-

Chassis definitely feels more rigid as one would expect. Though some here claim this is impossible to perceive so it may not matter to you.

No removable top means no open top of course but more convenient to never have to mess with removing/installing the top also. (and also no squeaky rattly roof ever).

 

Silverstone Auction 5 days ago [credit Clive77 for info]

Final paid prices

355 Spider - 98 RHD 26K miles £64,688 ($96,000)
348 Spider - 94 RHD 19K miles £65,250 ($97,000)

 

The 3 348 GTS/GTB I saw on the Internet the last month were offered for 58000€.
One is left.
One or two month ago I saw some spiders for 40000-46000€. All sold.
Only a handfull are on the internet now. Starting with 60000€.
If you wait another month the cheapest Ferraris will be the 360's.

 

Really? - You don't drive a convertible/open top car because you're worried about getting skin cancer?

You could spend your whole life doing everything you can to avoid getting skin cancer and then one day find out that you've wasted your time because you've got testicular cancer! (Better get your nuts cut off just in case!).

Life's just too short to worry about the ifs, buts and maybe's!


Besides all of that, open top Ferrari's are not just about driving on sunny days, they feel just as special when driving at night with the roof off/down, especially on a warm summers night, with a clear, star filled sky above you and a cooling breeze blowing around your head - There's nothing like it! (And driving on a warm summers night, with a clear, star filled sky above you in a TB/GTB with the windows wound down isn't even going to come close to the same experience!).

The TB/GTB makes you feel that you are driving a special car, the TS/GTS makes you feel that you are driving a car that is even more special, and the spider makes you feel that you are driving something extra special!

 

I agree... at night, or early evening, is the best for top down driving. Also, it's usually too hot here in the southern US during the day.