Help from the experts, please... 348 or 355

First of all, what a great community you all have here.

I am in the market for my first Ferrari. I have narrowed it down to a 348 or 355. I know I want a Spider, and I love the styling of both.

Besides the obvious of history, records, etc, what are the negative/positives of these two models? Is there a model year thats preferred? Plus anything else I should and need to know?

Luckily, I can be very patient for just the right car, but theres so much I dont know.

Thanks for any help.

 

i have owned both and prefer a 355.
if your looking for a 348 - watch for slow windows [ up and down ], ts model- leaky roofs- get a ppi done prior......

355 - if its a 1995-1997 make sure you get a leak down test- some have bronze valve guides - a no no.... the 355 is faster, has power steering and handles a bit better.
major services will run kinda close in price, about 5000, depending on nothing else is needed. get a ppi- im sure there are some other factors too- other guys here will add to this....... good luck

 

Welcome to Ferrarichat mate!
All I can do is recommend getting a 348.
I love mine and I know you would love a 348 Spider.
No Doubt owns a 348 Spider and I am sure he will tell you all about them.
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You may want the 355... little more power between the legs... lol
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Nothing wrong with that!! You have a great looking car!

 

This is a topic that regularly gets quite heated. If you can find a good one, shoot for the 355. There have been numerous discussions in the past on each model and the attributes of each.

General folklore and history will unfortunately see the 348 go down in history as the ugly red headed step child of the Ferrari range in much the same way that the Porsche 964 was little loved. By comparison the 355 was generally felt to be a much better Ferrari in terms of performance and looks.

At the end of the day its horses for courses. I still love my 348, but am the first to admit that it definitely is not the ultimate Ferrari by any stretch of the imagination. And in hindsight may have done better to wait for a 355. Having said that, I will not change the 348 to a 355 now, rather waiting till I can step into a 430. Feel that the different experience between the 348 and 355 is not worth it now that I have sorted the 348 out.

 

348 is cheaper to keep alive..most issues with them are stupid electrical gremlins that will drive you insane..but once sorted (as most are by now) they are a good little car to drive around in. Just watchout for gearbox issues, as a few on here will tell you, and from personal experiance.

355 is a great car when its running in top condition, one of the best around, but when they break..hang on to your wallet for one last kiss goodbye.

 

The 355 is the better car - but I like the 348 a bit better. It's more of a "real" sportscar feel imo, where the 355 is the first of the modern computerized Fcars. I work with those darn computer things every day - I certainly didn't want them in my Fcar.

YOU have to drive them first and then decide.

there's not much I'd give up my 348 spider for. Maybe a 288GTO or 250GT CS

 

I was in the same position a few months ago. I drove both cars to get a feel, although admittedly, even after 30 minutes in each, it's still not enough seat time that only ownership will bring.

I think you've answered the aesthetics bit, so we can dispense with the cheese grater vs. scoop, or rear grill vs. round taillights bit.

From a driving experience, the 348 gear was harder to shift, the clutch stiffer, and the steering requiring more effort. The F355 gear was smoother (although I don't think it's as smooth as my previous 993's), the clutch less stiffer, and the steering wheel requiring much less effort. The lighter steering wheel was also a slight negative as I couldn't feel the road as much. I haven't driven the newer Fcars but can comment that the PS in a 993 gives you both assistance and roadfeel, wherelse the F355's could've been dialed back a bit for more roadfeel. There are supposedly work-arounds the 348 shifting issues but only a back-to-back driving between a well-adjusted 348 shift and an F355 would be able to tell you whether there is still a big difference.

Many may disagree, arguing that get the one you really want, and damn the wallet, but my decision came down to financials. IMHO, the 348 is about 80% of a F355, and I don't just mean in valve per cylinder count. But, in my market (ie not the US of A), the price delta between a 348 and F355 is huge (a '95 F355 is 75% more than a '91 348 - or in USD terms, a whopping USD 50k). Add the exhaust header and valve guide issue (and my current bank account status), I simply cannot justify the premium of an F355.

If, however, I was in the US where the pricing gap was smaller (about USD 20k these days?), I would fork the extra dough for the F355. But this also boils down to my preference of the scoop, classic taillights, 6-speed, more power, and cabin redesign.

As for stories of nightmarish 348 handling, it is my understanding that the 348 Spider have improved specs (lower suspension pick-up points, wider wheelbase, etc.) and with the exception of the adjustable shocks and lighter overall weight, no one has been able to show how significantly different the F355 suspension system is to a late model 348 (or 348 Spider).

Have you had a chance to drive both versions? You're in a market where you should be able to drive a few cars. Your personal experience will help you steer you towards the final decisions. A few folks here have pointed out their experience and preference, so it is your job to verify them (is the clutch that stiff? is the F355 really that computerized? etc.)

 

Not in my opinion. I like the looks of the 348 over the 355. The 348 to me has a much more exotic look than the 355. Just my opinion.

Rodney Dickman
1990 348 TS

 

Yeah but yours runs better... lol

 

Of course it does........its a 348!!

 

Well summed up. True, the differences given he price might not be justifiable in some markets such as Singapore and Malaysia. That is a key reason that I wont trade up to a 355 now, rather moving to a 430 as and when funds permit. Did you end up securing a good 355 or 348?

 

Dont forget about Australia. I would NEVER pay the extra AU$60-80K to own a 355 over a 348 here in Australia. No chance. Rather wait and step into a F430 or 599 when they become more affordable to bums like me............say 15yrs time if I am lucky.

 

I had a 91ts for about 4 years and frankly I loved the car.
No real big problems with the 91 or at least nothing I couldn’t fix myself.
I parted with the 91 late last summer and bought a 95 348 Spider.
The difference between the early & late 348’s is like night and day.
I did test drive a 99 Spider and I can see why you 355 guys love your cars.
I could have easily bought a 355, but it’s just not for me.
For me the rawness of a 348 is my true love…………Dave

 

True, I forgot how riduculous the pricing is in Australia. Was back there recently and went to see a 355 spider, asking over 200k at Barbagallo, and if I remember right, a 348 goes for about 130k? Thats a big percentage increase!!!

 

Get ya self one of these son Ya know it makes sense. Why make do with a peroxide blond (348 like Paps) when ya can have the real deal
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I reckon mate.........
355 Spiders around and over the AU$200K.
355 Berlinetta around the AU$160K-$190K.
348 Spider around the AU$140K.
348TB around the $120K.
Not worth the extra AU$60-80K IMO. 360 prices are coming down nicely. Have seen one or two selling for AU$230K with around 60,000km on the clock.
They may even sell cheaper than 355 in the near future. Seem to be more 360's for sale. Probably what is driving prices down. Plenty of them still selling over the AU$300K though.

Here are a few Aussie online car sales sites. Aussie Ferrari prices. We pay through the nose for em........


http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/FERRARI/private-results.aspx?State=All%20States&Make=FERRARI&N=4294966380+0&distance=25&state_id=0


http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-cars/search.aspx?N=279%204294966867

 

Buy a 355 Spider and it comes with this............
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LLLOOOLLL!!!!!!!

And sometimes one of these:
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Dont forget the 355 Owners Handbook.
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LLLLLLOOOOLLLLL!!!!!!!!!

Pap you're killing me!!!

LLOOLL!!!!

 

Thankyou thankyou!! I will be here all week.

 

He killed me alomg time ago

 

I am sorry mate.
I know we usually go big game hunting that time of year and that day I had you mistaken for a water buffalo, so I shot you down like a bat outta hell with my 30-06!