Should I get a 348

Simply stated the TR is the better value for money. Get a 1991. The 348 is more of a driver's car, so if you want a sports car get that. Get a Spider, SS or Challenge. The TR is more GT so if that's your preference - to blast down the highway - that's your car. TR maintenance is greater, by about 20%. The tech is a bit more dated than the 348. I had this choice with my first car and I ended up with a 348 Spider. Then I was looking for a different Ferrari and considered the TR until I drove it. After that I leaned toward a 355 until a SS caught my eye. No regrets.

 

Should you get a 348?

Yes.

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Kai

 

Read lots of threads here asking about the 348 - take a look at My Ferrari 348 - and go for it

 

If you can and like to work on cars, the 348 is a great car and pretty easy to work on. If you're not mechanically inclined, make sure there is someone nearby that can work on it, and have a fund ready, because there can be more issues than with a Toyota.

 

Everybody has an opinion on questions like this. I have owned predecessors of both cars (a 328 and and 512 at the same time) and drove both frequently. I loved the look and sound of the 512bbi but the 328 GTS was more fun. I now have a Mondial T which has the same engine as the 348 so if I was making your decision I would get a 348 TS or Spyder. Good luck and enjoy whatever you get.
Bob

 

Paul , your car is living proof that an owner with some common sense and mechanical skills can basically do anything to a 348 they wish, the cars are adaptable and resilient , and pauls car proves it , and i love your to hell wth the purists approach !


" serenity now "

 

Daren, for the reasons you stated, yes.

 

Should I buy a new pair of jeans today?

 

Absolutely! To me the the 348 is the last real analog Ferrari, the last Ferrari Enzo saw out the door, and they're easy to work on. Plus with a proper exhaust they don't sound that much different then the 'untouchable' 355...

Ferrari 348 Tunnel Flyby With Custom Exhaust - YouTube

Where about in the PacNW are you? I have a pair of 348's I'd be happy to show you around if you're ever in the area.

 

After having to replace parts on my new to me 348, I can say they are easy to work on. Remove the engine cover and everything is right there.
There is so much info on this site that if you can wrench yourself you are golden.
There is also so much info on parts, that you should almost never have to pay ferrari part prices.
I spent $370 in parts from napa, rockauto, and ebay, that Ferrari would have charged me over $2500 for!!!!

 

I agree with all of the above. How many times do you plan on living? I was at the exact cross roads and bought a 348 Spyder. I think it makes more sense than a TR but I would love to have one. Andy

 

With a $50k budget, the 348 is a perfect fit.

 

For $50k, you could get a great 348 with the maintenance already done for the next 5 years and not invest any more other then oil changes and pocket the other $10k for a rainy day.. I wouldn't get one with very low miles either, seems like they are waiting to break..

 

As a lowly 355 owner I hope you don't mind me trespassing on this thread but IMHO the 348 is a beautiful car a spider is awesome for evening drives and a 3 pedal Fcar on a twisty country road in the fall is heaven ... Doesn't matter which one Ferrari has a certain magic ... Take the plunge. Get one with some miles and uptodate and enjoy if I was making the choice there wouldn't be one 348. And if u ever have an issue you will be overwhelmed. With help from guys on here. Good crew

 

348 is much more pleasant to drive, less expensive to mantain, has better Handling and imho looks better Too. It's quite reliable and cheap. Take it.

Ciao

 

I've looked at many of these and owned and worked on more than a few. The TR is generally better built but not by as much as one would expect. It does reflect Ferrari's build technology of the 80's regardless of year. You could say it is the final hand built Ferrari but the 348 was on the same line and was mostly hand built. There are a lot of similarities in the cars when you get into the mechanicals except for several areas that really struck me.

The fuel injection is mechanical vrs. the EFI in the 348. The 1992-on 512TR switched. Engine management is pretty basic in the TR also reflecting late 80's tech. Lastly the exhaust system is just weird in routing and composition in the TR. Its not a car you are likely to work on or find a group of TR Brotherhood Stooges.

Plugzit has more first hand experience on this.

 

Get the 348!!
Last Ferrari in the Enzo-era. Unbeaten steering performance (read all the articles), for which the 348 is praised. No power-steering (fortunately).
Great looks: ask a child to draw a Ferrari and you get a 348!
Expensive majors, but otherwise no issues (that's if you find the right one, lots of junk available unfortunately).
A thrill to drive. Challenging gearbox, but if you get the hang of it: part of the driving fun.
Driving-experience: top of the bill for me. Only the small 348-community knows what I'm saying ;-).

And, although less important, the investment probabilities: recently a 348TB (600km on the odo, though) sold for 100k at RM Auctions, as I'm being told.
These F's are not made any more, the market on F's is increasing, lots of rich people from the BRIC-countries would like to have one (first imported F in China: 348!).

My first F was (and is) a 348 TS. The model I had a poster of above my bed.
Still very much in love, when taking her for a spin.
348's are so much under-appreciated!

But if your planning on long distance traveling: not suited.
I've bought a V12 for the long weekends touring.

Wijnand

 

That quote says it all 'how many times do you plan on living?' My same total attitude, so well put!
I had a beautiful 3.2 Mondial for 2 years and just recently did a deal for a 1993 348ts. It's an amazing car to drive and the build quality in comparison is so far better. I have read that there were many improvements over the years so I wanted a 93 model which had the battery in the front to help weight distribution and handling as well as some other suspension tweaks.
They certainly are amazing and agree that they are not long distance tour cars. I drove mine to the Ferrari racing days at Silverstone here in the UK yesterday and the long drive exhausted me. I
My head is still ringing but that's the beauty of the v8 with the help of a nice exhaust.

Just do it

 

Although maybe not the best long distance car, I did 1700km in 2 days when I first bought it, and I'd do it again!

 

You really need to try several 400 mi trips in a SS with those kevlar seats. You'd change your mind.

 

I agree with Alberto, I think the 348 looks better........
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