Backwards, or Forwards in time from a Testarossa?

I have a 512tr and always thought a 328 would be a good partner

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Interior wise the 328/TR & mondial are very similar. As in looks the same. Drive and feel they are all different.
The 308 is by comparison a very simple interior with less electric switch/button etc.
Out of all options I'd jump to the 348, nimble little handfuls. But not a huge modern leap from the TR, that's the 355.

Now if you step away from stock and take a 308 and build out the engine and update the suspension... That's an E ticket ride.

Tough choice though, 308 vs 348...

 

That's what I did with the 308.

 

????? Engine out service is expensive. The early year cars can be a little squirrely to drive. Like any run, the later models have kinks worked out so look at the last couple years of production.

 

IMO the 328 is the pinnacle of all V8 Ferraris up until the 458. Most reliable, fewest weaknesses, cheapest to maintain (tied with the 308).

Compared with other Ferraris, the 348 always was and still is a disappointment, and prices reflect this. Even the ho-hum Mondial garners more interest now. Engine out service expense, lousy handling, frequent problems.

Come to think of it, a soft top Mondial would be a really good companion and is a good value because it's relatively easy on the wallet and prices are rising. Chris Harris likes it so much he bought one.

 

The OP's already got a Testarossa, so an engine-out service shouldn't be anything new to them (assuming they've had the Testarossa long enough to require a belt service).

The OP's also in the UK, and over here, a 348 cambelt service from a reputable independent Ferrari specialist such as Kent High Performance (formerly The Ferrari Centre), will cost @ £2000/$2500 ( https://www.tfcgb.com/workshop/34834-mondial-pricing/ ).

The (much argued) belt service interval is quoted as being every 3 years from the factory, some owners say every 5 years. When I bought my 348 TS from The Ferrari Centre, they said most their customers do the engine out belt service every 3 years, but in their experience, they're fine at 5 years, but wouldn't go beyond 5 years, as the engine relies on one belt to run all 4 cams and the water pump.

So if you change the belts every 3 years, the cost of the cambelt service works out as at £2000/1095 days (365 days x 3), which comes to just under £1.83 per day ($2500/1095 days = Just over $2.28 per day).

£1.83/£2.28 per day expensive? - I don't think so.

(For some weird reason, engine-out cambelt services seem to be much, much more expensive in the USA than the in the UK. I say "weird" because Ferrari made it so easy to drop the engine out. For Ferrari specialist garages/dealers in the UK, they have it down to a fine art, and don't bat an eyelid when it comes to carrying out the work)

As for the 348 handling: For day to day driving, at decent road speeds (70~100 mph), the 348's handling is fine - You just have to learn how to drive it (avoid heavy braking/hard acceleration/big lift-off's mid-corner - Save all that for when the car is pointing straight ahead and you'll be fine). Drive the car at race circuit/stupid speeds for the public roads, and you can get into trouble pretty fast. The reality is, the 348 is not the instant widow-maker that some people make it out to be.

One of the hidden gems on the 348 is the steering. At parking speeds, it feels very heavy, but once rolling along, the 348 has better steering than almost every other V8 Ferrari. It's direct and immediate, with great feedback, and loads up perfectly in the corners - It's like a big go-cart!

The steering in my 328 GTS is pretty damned good to say the least, but the steering in my 348 TS was better.

There's more leg room in a 328 than a 348 (which seems a bit odd as the 348 is a bigger car), and I'd say the 328's interior feels a slightly better quality than the 348's (the 348's interior not being helped by it's plastics switches/buttons and vents becoming sticky - Something the 328's plastics don't do), but the difference in quality is only a slight one.

I suspect most general car fans would go for the 328 over the 348 every time, but if you were in your teens/early 20's in the mid to late 80's, and loved the Miami Vice era, then chances are the 348 will have an appeal for you (I know it did with me).

The 348 is basically a baby Testarossa (I had quite a few people confuse my 348 TS for a Testarossa - One guy saying that he never realised Ferrari made an open top Testarossa. I tried to explain that it wasn't a Testarossa, even showing him the badge on the engine cover, but he still wouldn't accept it!: "Nah!, you can't fool me! .......I know a Testarossa when I see one!" ). I'd worry that having a Testarossa and a 348 sharing a garage, might be a bit too "samey", styling-wise.

With the 328, even though it's from the same era as the Testarossa, it looks more "previous generation" next to the Testarossa, and is more in keeping with most people's thought of what a classic Ferrari looks like.

For me, having owned both, the 328 Vs the 348 is a tough one - I love them both.

In an ideal World I'd own both my 328 GTS and my 348 TS , AND a white Testarossa (Thanks to Miami Vice! )

 

A GT 4 Bertone Dino compliments a TR well .
I had a TR for 10 yrs btw .Now a GT 4 Dino which is actually imho a better drive more fun despite the image and historical negativity.
Carbs .Buy a 80s 3*8

 

Based on my personal experience, I wholeheartedly disagree.

I have own or owned almost every two seat V8 there is in the line: 308 GTB (2v and 4v), 328 GTB, 348 TB Challenge, 355, 360, F430, as well a bunch of 12 cylinders (Daytona, 512bbi, 550) and a supercar (F40) and I would definitely have the 348 on my shortlist.

My 1994 348 Challenge was a phenomenal car for all the 5 years that I owned it, never gave an ounce of trouble and did many miles and two 1,000 mile road trips. It was an incredible handling car that ran circles around my 308 GTB qv and my 328 GTB. I wish I never sold it.

If I were looking for a V8 to add to a Testarossa, I would take that car over a standard 308, 328 or 355.

Disclaimer: if you’re going to ask why I don’t own another 348 TB Challenge now, it’s because I was able to get the only dual purpose V8 that I wanted more: a 308 GTB Gr.4 car. If I didn’t get that, I would have bought an Fchatters 348 TB Challenge last year.

 

I have a 77 carb’ed 308gtb, and 87 Testarossa (had a 84 euro 328 previously, have a few other non fcars as well). I think they compliment each other pretty well. I like the simplicity of the 308 and toggle switches (when I had the 328, the one thing I envied on the 308 were the switches and sliders...), easier to work on. The 308 is more tossable and more of the rpm is useable on normal roads and city. There’s more suspension travel and body roll in the older car. Different experience. Not really interested in the newer cars, too fast and frustrating to drive at legal speeds for me. Never owned 348 or 355, (I had the 308 first) but would of considered a 355 instead of the Testarossa (not in addition). Good problem to have and think about !


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That's great, but completely contrary to everything I've ever read about and heard from other owners of a 348. Maybe the Challenge was the difference. Anyway, I'm glad to hear your experience was a good one.

 

Well, I think that’s one of the issues that plagues the 348. Everyone has “heard” horror stories but when you talk to a lot of long time owners, there aren’t many of those stories to be heard. It’s a lot of old wives tales (not all, mind you).

The car had all kinds of improvements by the end and even the earlier cars usually get sorted by owners. I know that the last gen of 348s had the same suspension pick up points as the 355 (this includes the spiders) and they handle really well. However, all people say is that they “hear” how poorly they handle.

Anyways, I think they’re great and it’s coming from experience. I’m sure there are bad examples out there, as with any model, but they aren’t a bad model. I think more owners and former owners need to share their experiences and hopefully in time some of the undeserved reputation goes away.

For the record, I have a friend who owned several 328 GTBs (and got me into them) who also owned a 348 challenge and he didn’t like how it handled at all. So it’s not like every owner raves about them.

 

If you want linear heritage the 308 is the mini Boxer and the 348 is the mini Testarossa.

 

I concur on the "Mondial" cabriolet; a 3,2 cabriolet would be very nice, and very different from the "Testarossa".

Rgds

 

This to make you see what you might get in to… Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Out of your choices (308, 328, and 348), the 328 is the all-around better car.

From a classic standpoint, the 308 wins every time (the interior and sharper lines are classically gorgeous).

From a design standpoint, I would rather have something contrasting than similar… so I wouldn't even consider a 348 if I already had a Testarossa.

Someone else mentioned a 308 GT4, which I will attest to that. As an owner of a 308 GT4, and having driven a number of 308 GTS and a couple of 328 GTS in my life, there's just something much more fun about the 308 GT4. I think it's one of the best cars Ferrari ever made.

 

Yep! Just saying..having a 328 GTS is interesting since it’s a topless car when needed so it’s nice when weather permits.

 

A 328 over a 348 for you any day !!!

 

I have a 1990 TR and 1986 328 GTS. Funny, I was also looking at a 348 to add to the group, but the styling was to similar to the TR and I didn't feel a lot of excitement over and above the 328.

So, instead, aquired a 458 Italia (if you're going over the top, may as do it in a big way LOL).

But, yes, if you want to be truly iconic, 308/328 to compliment the TR.

 

If I could pick a dream Ferrari to add to my gated 575 and gated f430, it would be a 288gto. Short of that impossibility, it would be a 308 group 4 rally conversion.

Was yours imported or converted in the US? I haven’t heard of any US shops that have done this. Would love to see some pics!