I have come across a Rhd 93 348 spider yellow/black with only 22,000kms. From my understanding there were only 1090 spiders produced and only 68Rhd, so it would make this car rare. Should I be worried about the low kms, it had an engine out major service at a ferrari dealer within the last 12 months I have been watching 348 prices rise slightly in the US and Uk, do you think the 348 will be collectible classics in the near future, with prices continuing to rise. I was in the market for a 360 but have always loved the aggressive and old school styling of the 348, and this particular car has popped up. What's it like living with a 348, this would be a weekend toy only What are your thoughts
After years of having a 360 modena F1 (2004), I recently purchased a 348 spider (1994/19,000 miles). If you only plan to have the one F-car, go with the 360, as it is a much better car (faster and superior all-round performance, easier to drive, racier sound (both stock exhausts), much, much cheaper to maintain etc.). However, the 348 spider has some endearing qualities. It is more demanding to drive, but rewarding at much slower speeds. For example, the non-assisted steering and manual top both can be tedious and a pain, but once you are in the sweet spot, both are bang on (I generally drive the 348 in good weather and don't bother closing the top). The gearshift is also an interesting point of comparison - the 348 has a notchy gearbox (even when warm) that needs focus and muscle to operate. The 360's F1 system is about 6 time zones ahead. However, given the (much) slower "kinetic energy" of the 348, the notchy gated manual reinforces the visceral experience, and once you start getting in "right" you will feel like a hero from a bygone era. The superior performance of the 360 is (IMO) diminished without the F1 (at least with my level of ability), and the F1 system in the 360 fits the kinetic energy of the car much better. Hopefully, you can have both, as both a burger and a steak can be equally satisfying, in different ways. As for collectibility, your guess is as good as mine. Maybe the low production numbers will help, but the 348 was not Ferrari's best moment, and likely not the car a generation aspires to. Also, budget the running costs, and regardless of how collectible it may become, it will cost you two arms and two legs to run properly in the meantime. Hope this helps.
After years of having a 360 modena F1 (2004), I recently purchased a 348 spider (1994/19,000 miles). If you only plan to have the one F-car, go with the 360, as it is a much better car (faster and superior all-round performance, easier to drive, racier sound (both stock exhausts), much, much cheaper to maintain etc.). However, the 348 spider has some endearing qualities. It is more demanding to drive, but rewarding at much slower speeds. For example, the non-assisted steering and manual top both can be tedious and a pain, but once you are in the sweet spot, both are bang on (I generally drive the 348 in good weather and don't bother closing the top). The gearshift is also an interesting point of comparison - the 348 has a notchy gearbox (even when warm) that needs focus and muscle to operate. The 360's F1 system is about 6 time zones ahead. However, given the (much) slower "kinetic energy" of the 348, the notchy gated manual reinforces the visceral experience, and once you start getting in "right" you will feel like a hero from a bygone era. The superior performance of the 360 is (IMO) diminished without the F1 (at least with my level of ability), and the F1 system in the 360 fits the kinetic energy of the car much better. Hopefully, you can have both, as both a burger and a steak can be equally satisfying, in different ways. As for collectibility, your guess is as good as mine. Maybe the low production numbers will help, but the 348 was not Ferrari's best moment, and likely not the car a generation aspires to. Also, budget the running costs, and regardless of how collectible it may become, it will cost you two arms and two legs to run properly in the meantime. Hope this helps.
I contest the 360 recommendation above. If you want a Porsche buy a 360. If you want a Ferrari, buy the 348 Spider. It is the best of the model line and is highly under valued. A RHD model is going to be worth $$$ some enough. This cannot be said for a run of the mill, mass production Luca-mobile.
I have to agree with Vince that these are great cars to own and definitely undervalued. I have had mine for 2 1/2 years and love it. However you dont buy one of these as an investment. If it goes up a little great, and if it goes down a little well you have had the fun of owning it.
Normally that would be true but...... At the moment in the UK, 348 Spiders have gone from being £25K cars @ 3 years ago, to being £60K~£80K cars today, so they can be bought as an investment but there's no guarantee how long you would have to sit on them in order to cash in, and it would be all too easy to get it wrong and lose out financially.
RHD 348 Spider? If it is at an affordable price, grab it quick. They are going stratospheric in price in the UK. The only 2 I know of for sale right now are red and £90k each, and look like mint examples. Yellow one will be less than that though.
btw the 348 is "old school" and requires effort to drive, but rewards equally. No power steering or driving aids. Sounds amazing with Tubi decat. Not quick by modern standards, but looks like a baby Testarossa, and there is nothing like it on the road. Spider has very clean and eye catching lines.
RHD 348 spyders....grab it.....besides the competizione cars (8 RHDs), i suppose this is the next rarest type ( 68 RHDs).... with the 360s, you'll be able to get one at any time in the future....however you don't mention much about yourself....the 360 would be a much much easier car to drive and would be much more comfortable as well....
At the moment any right hand drive 348 here in the UK is very rare. There is nothing for sale apart from the one we keep seeing which is at £60k. The UK market is getting flooded with left hand drive at the moment as dealers are buying from abroad so they can have stock to sell.
Thanks for the feedback, I know most of you are biased towards the 348. I'm 31 years old and will be my first ferrari. I have funds to purchase both but don't want to be greedy. I'm not all about the newest and fastest, this car will be for my own enjoyment. From anybody that has owners both which one brings you more joy and why. The advantages for me for the 348 is probably no depreciation and very rare and 360 more modern and reliable.
Hi Hypek9, I have one of those 68 RHD 348 Spyders.. Mine has 36K miles on it. There is a few for sale here (in Australia) which seems to be holding the prices back compared to overseas. I am about to list mine for sale (once i resolve my clutch issues) as all servicing is upto date and the body work and interior is now immaculate, however the market here is flooded as probably every other RHD spider in Australia is currently listed for sale. If you want more info on mine, let me know. I can see these being a good investment here in the next 2-3 years Thanks Christian
now that's why we don't seem to get to see much around! they all ended up in the land down below!!! i only know of two here though.....
Exactly 12 months ago Rardleys had a very nice spider for £37,000 with 27,000 miles, red with black interior. I would have bought it but just didn't like the black interior at all (just my opinion). I ended up buying my mint 93ts for £38,000. No regrets at all but how things have changed in only a year is incredible. They have one on their website now in the coming soon section but don't know how much.
just clicked a link on yahoo titled " the ten new classics " . number one , you guessed it, 89 to 94 Ferrari 348.
Oh great, was closer to putting mine for sale and now am hesitant. I've had mine 4-5 years and I would guess it's gone up about 25% in value since then. When you look at the price of a Lexus or BMW who wouldn't rather have a drop top Ferrari
FWIW, I spoke to Wayne Carrini of Chasing Classic Cars (Discovery/Velocity channel) and the '95 348 spider should run $45-55k. Low end higher miles needing full service and other end very nice examples lower miles recent service.
don't calculate "investment gain" in your calculations - these cars cost a few dollars to keep year over year, and counting on their value going up is gambling. if you spread your risk over a lot of different cars then you're investing. I hoped for price stability when I bought my LHD 348 spider 8 or so years ago, and the value dropped by half (Canadian market). EVERY older Ferrari model I cross-shopped had tripled in the same period. Great cars, kind of an Italian Miata, and far from a modern sports car.
Some interesting comments. Perhaps another apt analogy is that of a wooden vs. composite tennis racquet. There is no question that if you know and have the ability to play the game, you can have fun with the wooden racquet, and when you get it right, it will feel absolutely great (maybe even better vs. the composite racquet as you know it was all you, not the racquet); however, if you don't hit the sweet spot (and it will be harder to hit), it may be an exercise in frustration and disappointment... Still, burger or steak, both great choices - you really cant go wrong either way!! Good luck hunting!
I own my 348 Spider for more than 14 years now and it is a real joy. The value is the same as 14 years ago and will increase for sure. Just look at the 328 Prices today - crazy. Dont plan to do longer trips in difficult conditions with the 348. the car is a challenge to drive an unsafe in wet conditions. But it is delightful for a sunday ride in the mountains or similar short trips.
