Hi, Im new on here, from Dublin Ireland, and it will soon be time to move from 911 to a Ferrari. But which one. Im worried about rust on a 308, and the 'i' models dont look to be that quick. The 328 is almost 348 money over here and in UK, so my main question is: Is the 348 that much more difficult to service than a 308/328. What is the cambelt (engine out) service interval on a 348. I have read 7000 miles, but that couldnt be right. Could it??? Great forum you guys have going here, keep it up. KershIrl.
"Major" service due at 30,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes 1st. 348 is a more modern feel and is quicker. 328 is more classic look w/ older technology. 328 got suspension upgrade and ABS starting in 88.5. Check the archives ("search" function) for droves of info on "308 vs..." "328 vs...." and "348 vs..."
I don't think the 348 is more "diffficult" to service; it just requires an engine out major service unlike the 3x8 series. Major on the 308/328 and 348 shouldn't be any different; every 30k or 5-7 years whichever comes first.
if you can afford the 348, just get it. If you've already driven all 3 cars, (as I have), you'd not even be asking the question. It's no contest really. No digs agains the 308's and 328's. I had a great 308, loved every day of ownership; BUT the 348 is awesome, (especially if you can get one forced induction)
Note some 348s have a shorter interval due to extra stress on one of the tensioners. A 348er can tell you more.
Dear KirshIrl, I have had 6 different 3X8's: In order: 84 308 GTS, 87 328 GTS, 77 308 GTB, 94 348 TB, 85 308 GTB, & currently 89 328 GTB. The sequence alone should tell you what I think. If you like "raw" cars, a carbureted 308 is great. For everyday 308 you might like an 84-85. These had rust proofing and are the most refined 308's. 328's refined most of the 308's weak spots plus more power. Late in 88 the suspension was changed making the steering feel more responsive and quicker. I put a lot of miles on the 348 (as well as the others) and a lot of track time as well. I don't really have complaints but it is a very different car. 328's handle gracefully and predictably, 348's can be a handful and never feel graceful. They ride hard and have less body roll. 348 shifters are crappy even by Ferrari standards. Electrical and ignition systems are weak in 348's. Routine maintenance is more expensive. Overall build quality is a step down from 328's. This is why I went "backwards" to a 328 GTB. 328's are really the last of the Dino line. Gorgeous cars that you put on instead of getting into. I suggest you try as many as you can as your preferences may differ from mine. DAve
Dave, Your 348 must have had an issue with the transmission. I own a '77 308 GTB and I drove a friend's 348 Spider the other day. The shifter was smooth as butter, more like the shifter on my Toyota Celica than the stiff and notchy shifter on my 308. I thought the shifter on the 348 was the best I had ever used on any car. Birdman
Thanks a million guys, its swinging to a 348, probably lhd that I will import from either UK, Germany, or Italy. It will have to be red or yellow....Now to sell the 911....
Birdman, thank you. As you stated, my 348 spider shifts as well as my former 308 and TR. Absolutely no issues. That said, as has been posted many times, I spent a lot of time setting the linkage/ cables properly. Have had Zero electrical issues. Build quality is as good, or better, than my 308, comparable to the same era TR. My only complaint would be the horrible coating on the far too many plastic interior parts. That said, we are comparing apples to oranges. My 308 had more of a hand built feel, all the quirks and charm. The 348 has a more modern, mass produced feel. Still plenty of quirks though. Performance. 348 will outperform a 328, 355 will outperform a 348, 360 a 355 etc etc etc. What does this prove? Nothing. Service. I serviced my 308, major was a pain but less cost because the engine stays in the car. 348 was a pain to remove the powertrain but once out, was very easy to service. 308/ 328 is probably easier to DIY. Not a big deal to me. They are all wonderful Ferraris! Buy what puts the biggest smile on your face!
If you must have one of those three...why?... and you want better performance and looks, go with the 348...I'm partial to Spiders. If you want ease and less expensive maintenance, go with the 328. The 308 is at the bottom of that heap in my opinion. Better idea, for almost the same amount you can buy one of many 12 cylinder Ferraris from the TR to the 365 2+2, which would be a far better choice than any of the v8 cars IMHO.
The reason I have not considered a Testarossa is that to import a car into Ireland you have to pay what is called Vehicle registration Tax (VRT) to the Government. This is calculated on the Open market selling price of the car. They then charge you 30% of this and that is your vrt. The VRT to pay on these cars is: 308 1980 gtb 50000 miles VRT to pay is 9,600 euro. 328 1986 gtb 40000 miles VRT to pay is 14,400 euro. 348 1991 tb 30000 miles VRT to pay is 16,200 euro. Because of this I am not even going to ask what they have in their book as the Open market selling price for a Testarossa. Cos VRT is viewed over here as a rip off, even the EU are questioning the Government on it. The only exemption is to get a car over 30 years of age.
Yea but the sidedraft Webers are a bear to tune on the GTC.....a minor detail, perhaps.... Good suggestion though!
Hi Alan, A friend of mine bought a US version GTC/4 last fall and I've had a chance to drive it. Very nice! I think it would be a good alternative for a buyer in Ireland considering the VAT. Barry
Good point! Road registration has become quite the burden in a lot of places....I have a vehicle that is no longer certified for street use...the Horn does not work! I told them I just shake my fist out the window, or throw an empty longneck bottle........
The only way you will find out what a Testarossa will cost is to ask them, before I bought the BB512i I was considering a 1992 512TR, and the vrt reg tax was 13400, that quote was given to me in may of this year, It is a ripoff but I was expecting it to be much more!!
It all comes down to personal choise. Some people like the 308/328 others like the 348. No question that the 348 has better performance, but I personally don't like the less than solid feel for the cable shift linkage (only model to have that, ferrari got rid of it for the 355) and the plastic feel on the dach/consols. Go with what you like best, as you are the one who will be driving it.
