348 - Which model and what should I expect?

Good Evening.

First post here. Am hoping to buy a 348 towards Christmas time if all pans out as I intend this year. I have been trying to take in as much as possible about various model changes and keeping an eye on price fluctuations for a while now and would appreciate some input from those with more experience. For reference, I am in the U.K.

I have mainly been looking at early TB models as I generally prefer the feel and drive of a hard top. But, am I missing a trick here? In one of these is the TS as solid to drive as the TB or do you notice a difference in rigidity?

Secondly. Earlier and later cars. One of the visual aspects of the later cars I like are the colour coded lower body trims. One car I have been watching is an early model that has been colour coded. Is this something that is generally accepted or would it put you off?
Apart from geometry (easily upgraded it appears), ecu and breathing changes and a re located battery are the later cars really worth holding out for?

And finally. LHD vs RHD. Several cars I have looked at have been LHD. I don't have an immediate issue with this myself and see it as a possibility to sell abroad if needs be in the future. What thoughts do you have on running a LHD car in a RHD country? Any personal experiences?

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply. I look forward to learning more and getting involved further in due course.

 

I'm about 3 years on from where you are now, bought a 1990 348tb in my preferred colour, black. It's LHD in the UK. It's a nice original car but after 27 years lots of little things needed fixing. I've spent the last couple of years going round lightly restoring the car and fixing things as a rolling project so it's now looking and driving just where I want it to be. The drive out today was particularly good!

The LHD driving experience in the UK is interesting, same as everything else, the gearbox is different side, 1st and reverse are switched, the speedo is in km, the steering wheel on the wrong side. I think it's great. Adds a bit too the special feeling of the drive. You should never drive the Ferrari if you are genuinely in a rush anyway so the more difficult overtaking position is not so much of an issue. Toll booths, drive throughs and car park entries are fun too My car is from Japan and weirdly they actually prefer 'foreign' cars in the original spec of the country of origin, it's considered some sort of a badge of honour to drive LHD over there.

The only RHD black for sale at the time was way out of my price range, I didn't believe a RHD late model with much higher mileage was worth over 30k more. I would have been in a 355 instead for that money.

I've heard the ts and spider can suffer squeaks and shakes but I've not experienced one, and they are slightly heavier so that's the sacrifice of having the open top experience .

The body trim colour can easily be reversed back to a satin black on early cars and I think most prefer to see early cars that way.

Keep doing the research, it becomes an obsession! and don't rush any purchase.

 

Start by reading some of the stickies at the top that refer to 348 & take a look at my348.com then read more and more here as its all been asked and answered before

 

I have had LHD before, not too much of an issue, you get used to it. However, I wanted the 348 in RHD as I don't intend to sell, so didn't mind paying a premium.

 

Thanks for the replies gents.

I have had a good read through on my348.com already - it's a good source. What I haven't seen (or may have missed) is much feedback between the ts and tb. I suppose I'll just have to get out there and have a look at a few.

Hope it drives better than the 360 I drove in Modena. That felt very tired. And the gearbox really let the car down. One of the reasons I like the idea of the 348 is its lack of automation.

Davsk- great reply, thank you for touching on the points about the ts. I had missed your post when I started replying originally. Sounds like I need to stick with the idea of a tb then. There is a nice looking black one for sale at the moment actually which I have been watching.

One thing with the 348 market that I am just getting used to is the length of time cars seem to be for sale for. Quite different to other cars I have bought and sold previously.

 

tb or ts, personal preference really.

I like the structural integrity of the tb. Consider your weather too (you didn't mention your location), it rains a lot in Florida. Every time I drove my ts, it rained. So I had to pull over to install the top. Plus the top leaked when it rained. Now I have a tb.

 

I’ve had my TS for a year now. Complete go kart; and a fantastic community. I’ve met a lot of really nice and interesting ferrari owners over the year, been to some great meets and an epic weekend in wales. In the summer months there is probably something going on most weekends if you want.

The lack of power steering, traction control etc is in my view great. You do have to pay attention though ( it’s not like driving a bmw down the motorway!!). but when you hook up a great set of corners and gear changes the reward is immense.

As to ts vs tb; do you like topless or not? Mere mortals are not going to notice the difference in handling in my opinion. As to the roof on the ts, takes about a minute to put on!!!

I’ve got a 92, and have never driven an early one so can’t comment on the handling etc.

I’d join the uk scud forum, there is a very well looked after one for sale at good price on there. There are also probably half a dozen 348 owners on there with a huge amount of knowledge with a couple have done some serious restorations.

Full history should take precedence over miles in my view. These like to be driven regularly and like any car that is about to become classic, ie over 25 years old need the odd bit of tinkering. I’ve found them fairly easy to work on , so far!!

Whatever you look at get Tim at walker sports to do your ppi; he is very very helpful and I have never heard anything but total praise for him (don’t buy from Hendon way unless you like dealing with the reincarnation of trotters independant trading!!!)

Good luck with your search. I’m not sure where in the uk you are, but if it’s south west happy to catch up at some stage and show you my ts.

Cheers
Adrian