Heres my dilema

Difficult decision indeed.

Doesn't the 348 beat the Testrossa around the track, and open topped motoring is the way to go. Make sure the 348 has had all the necessary updates - many here are knowledgeable about the fixes, not me however.

I am a 308 man myself.

These Testrossa's for 60 grand are fabulous and do make a wonderful car for not a lot of money. You must be a good mechanic to work on that 12 cyl. though, fixing a mistake can be way expensive.

 

I go with the Testarossa. It seems to me anyway that their prices are rising and 348's are flat right now

 

The Testarossa is a far better value (other than when service comes up). Plus it is outrageous!! The 348 is classy , and subtle. The choice is simple....do you want to be subtle or outrageous???

Just my humble opinion.

Carlo

 

I have never driven a Testa, But I can tell you I freakin love my 348!

 

I think this is true. 348's have fallen into nice 328 territory. A near-flawless TR under $60K is more tempting from a price standpoint. OTOH, I think you and your checkbook need to have a heart to heart before you buy a Ferrari 12-cylinder.

I'd take a 308/328 over a 348. But if you can stomach the service costs of the TR (and it may be a more durable car than a 348, given certain design gaffes in the 348), I would lean that way. Every time I see a really pristine one, especially from the rear, I just love the audacity of the whole design. It's a beast, and you can't mistake it for any lesser car.

 

Drive both, then decide. I had the same dilema before purchasing my 348. And at the time prices were/are similar. Loved the power of the Flat 12, it just kept on going. But loved the way the 348ts handled, and it is quick, a little quicker! Then there is the open top driving, that is hard to beat. I know that 348 get alot of trashed talked about their interiors, but I think the TR are more of a problem, they may not have the sticky black plastic we all have come to love, but they have leather dash's that all have problems with shrink from the sun. Its much easier and cheaper to fix the plastic on a 348, and ultimately its much cheaper to service an 8 banger then the 12. Again drive both, then decide what your needs/passions are.

 

I would get the TR, it seems to be a more desirable car to most.

 

I would put it this way. In Testarossa you'll feel like Tom Cruise or Michael Jordan.
You will not and can not avoid the Attention you get at anywhere at anytime.

In 348 you'll feel like Steve Carell or B.J. Armstrong.
You will be noticed but not as much as above mentioned.

I am not in anyway putting down on the quality of 348 or anybody who owns it. 348 is a great ferrari. I am just comparing the amount of attention you get on the road. I've been in both and it is just my opinion of how much attention you get in each different car.

Personally, sometimes when I am in my 512tr I wish I could enjoy the ride and the car without everybody and cars passing by focusing on you.
that's just me. Don't get me wrong I love the attention but sometimes I feel like I want to just cruise without the attention.
I know, I know, all you guys saying "why the hell buy 512tr if you don't like the attention" "why buy ferrari at all?"
well I guess that is one aspect you need to think about before deciding.
just my humble opinion.

 

Have you driven both?

I did not fit in a TR very comfortably with my preferred driving position, and find my 348 much more comfortable in driving position.

I am however, slightly larger than the average Italian.

 

I have owned both a 348 Spider and a TR...the TR is much more car that you will enjoy much more than a 348 Spider, even though it has a fixed roof. While settle for an 8, when you can have a 12!!!

 

You need to get a Straman TR best of both worlds

a guy at cavallino offered to trade me his new F430 for my Slutmobile & I told him "This is a future million $ Ferrari, an F430 isnt. "
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Not an easy choice. I like the 348's scale more than the TR's. I also like the 348's interior over early TR's.

12 is better than 8.

It's true about the attention a TR gets. It's certainly more than a 348, and half of the 348 attention is people telling you how nice your TR is.

It's been said, but it's true. Drive both - then you'll know.

 

Not sure about which is easier to service as I've never owned a 348, but I'm certain that the TR will be costlier

Parts / maintenance for my former TR was for the most part double in price than what they cost for my former 308...but then the performance was nearly double too, so can't really complain there.

There have been several owners here on F-Chat that have done their own engine out / rebuilds on TR's, but that would be way out of my league.

 

Let's say you pay $6K for a TR service and $3K for a 348 service. Over 5 year ownership (till next service interval), you will pay an extra $600 per year to own the TR. OK, but the 348 will prob depreciate more, mile for mile. It's a no brainer.

 

Assuming all costs to be accurate, when you break it down like that, it really *IS* a no-brainer! Dayum!

 

All I can say is, "Juevos," man....serious juevos! I like it!

 

Flat out, head to head, the Testarossa would beat the 348 easily.

 

The best way to solve this problem is just buy both

 

A 348 needing belt service should be priced in the 40's, not 50's.

Dave

 

Agree, I think the TR looks like the better buy in this case assuming it has no surprises.

Michael, if you want a 348 go ahead and rule out the TR. There are many 348's for sale (Symbolic in San Diego has three of them right now - I was there last weekend). If this one is $59K and needs a major service, you'll be in it for $66K-$67K almost immediately. I think f-chat price guidance tends to be low because there are a lot of people here who can spot deals and leap on them. If the asking on the 348 is more like $50K-$52K, it could be the right car.

I love targas, by the way. Open air driving for me is a big deal, and I think the GTS models are just better looking than the GTB's. For track use, the GTB has less flex and probably handles better, so some people like those. So... get what you really want. A great deal on something you don't want isn't usually a great deal - especially after sales tax and the usual Ferrari 'welcome' expenses.

 

Drive both and see which one speaks to you. Four additional cylinders is only one facet of a true analysis. How often is your driving going to benefit from the added horsepower? There are a lot of TRs out there so to believe it will ever appreciate in value is a stretch.

 

so did you ever decide on either the TR or the 348?