Which Ferrari should I get: 308, 328 or 348?

I am saving up for my first dream Ferrari and have been considering either a nice low mileage 308, 328 or 348. Which model has the best overall reliability and ease to find parts? Ferraris are notorious for expensive service and parts and I want to find a nice used one for under 50K that I can enjoy for a long time. As a backup, I have also considered a used Maserati Spyder as they can be had used for about the same price.

Thanks,
Scott

 

348 slightly more modern

328 prettier

308 prettiest

Maser biggest bills probably & not a Ferrari

To help choose between the three do a search on this site - its a frequent question

 

"348 slightly nore modern"?
My friend, surely you gest. It's in a different league all together. I'd recommend the 348. It is huge bang for the $$$. Go for it.

 

Bigger bills for a 348 (engine out) than for a 328 ?

 

Any 348 selling for under $50,000 I would we weary about.

 

my first was a 328 used-348 next 355,360 and now f430-328 go for it -my vote van

 

So if I decided to sell my 348 to go for a 512TR it should be priced above $50k so nobody would have to worry about it??? To answer the question in this thread I would find the model I liked best and then have enough money to buy it plus 20% for unknowns & taxes. That way you don't have to worry about the repairs / maintenance when they come up. The consensus here is that the 328 is the best starter Ferrari due to holding its value well and having easier maintenance procedures. An independant shop charges anywhere from about $4k up for the major service on a 348 which is recommended every 5 years. Keep saving and buy a good one (whichever model you chose), you won't be sorry.
BT

 

328

 

The market for this vehicle appears to be low 50s for the earliest examples and moving up to around 70 for prime 1995 examples. Any vehicle you find in the mid 40s range will likely have any of the following issues: crash history, high mileage, weak service records. Ask yourself this question, why would a seller leave $5000+ on the table if the market should support a better price?

 

Thanks for the recommendations. Yeah, I would much rather have a Ferrari 348TS over the Maserati (which is ugly in the back). I saw a nice 1991 Ferrari 348TS with 19k miles at Symbolic Motors in La Jolla for about 68,000 which is on the high side. I also like the 512TR quite a bit and these cost less than a used Testarossa which was my dream Ferrari when I grew up as a teenager. Hopefully these next few years will be good for me so that I can buy my 348 or 512 in a few years. But first, I need a house and garage to house it.

 

If it matters, one source for service prices has the price at $3000 for the 30,000 mile/5 year service for 308s and 328s and $4000 for 348s. The ratio for the 15,000 mile service is the same. You might want to take that into account.

 

Your last line pretty much sums it up... too many people go into debt over Ferraris.

I was at Symbolic a few weeks ago. I think they have two 348's there - the white/red one has been there a while and was disassembled last time I saw it, and in need of restoration. The red one was parked out back - didn't get much of a look at it.

 

I can get you a beautiful white/red 89' 328 GTS with 13k near that price...

 

Thanks. You made my day. I guess I have been mentally depreciating the car since I bought it. Nice to know the Ferrari market is doing pretty well. Don't take this response as sarcasm, it is sincere.
BT

 

Just look on ebay auctions that actually reach their reserve or on cars.com and autotrader to get a feel for market conditions. I enjoy looking at the prices in periodicals like the DuPont Registry, wonder how often they ever sell a car within 10% of asking price? I recently saw a 348 advertised at over $80,000, a not realistic price IMO.

In two months time every Ferrari will increase at least 5% in value as the spring demand ensues. By September prices should fall back. A Ferrari is very similar to a swimming pool, it is expensive to buy, it is expensive to maintain, you use when it is nice out. So if you are a seller, you want to sell during the "in" season and if your a "buyer" you may want to buy in the "off" season.

With no new production Ferraris selling for under $150,000 the used market for sub-100k should stay stable.

 

FYI Barrett-Jackson posts sales prices on their website. IMO 90% of the cars they sell are over market value.

 

328. Think of it as the most refined, bulletproof and powerfull of 308's. I had a friend who bought an already high mileage car and drove it as a daily driver for 3 years without any major unscheduled issues.

 

Moved to the appropriate sub-forum.

328 -

 

You owe it to yourself to spend a few hours researching past threads. Yours is a common question. Do a search on SUBJECT LINES that contain 308 and 328, 328 and 348. You'll come across a lot of good discussion that is more than just people chiming in on their favorite car!

Yours is a common question--do some good research and you'll come away with a lot of insight. Search!

 

Like others have said, do a search, learn what you can about the different cars, all are nice but each has it's own plus & minuses. Go and test drive each, then make up your own mind. For my own reasons I drive a 328, and could'nt be happier. In the end, you are the one you have to please.

 

Go with the 328.....in my opinion it is the most beautiful and reliable 8 cylinder car that Ferrari has ever produced. I believe that the 328 is the best car for your dollar and it will hold it's resale the best.

 

I did this when I was trying to decide and it was a huge help!!

 

Personally, I like the 308 better. When I bought it, I could have purchased a 328, but I MUCH prefer the looks of the 308...call me crazy, but I like the US bumpers. 308/328 are not the fastest thing on the road, but they look great...again, I don't like the integrated bumpers on the 328 or the interior...much prefer the 308.

I have never been a huge fan of the 348 styling...but then I never liked the TR or the 308GT4...now I want each.

Bottom line, look at a bunch, drive each type, and go with your heart...you will know which is the right one when you drive it.

GET A GARAGE FIRST!!!

 

Bottom line is you now have impartial opinions from Mike328, Doug328 and Mark328. But probably better wait for Steve328 and Bob328 to check in before we call the vote closed...

 

Given I have no idea of your financial state.... =)

Make sure to allow yourself a little room for service and repairs no matter which car you choose.

Maxing out your budget (if you have one =) just on the car will leave you frustrated and stressed when it comes time for parts/repair/maint etc.

Also factor in a realistic figure for how much and for what purpose you will use the car. I live in northern WI and I realistically have 5 months of decent weather to drive my fun cars. Given that, I wasn't going to go out and spend $40K-$50K on a car I'd only use 15 times in 5 months. I didn't want to feel like I had to use the car to get my moneys worth. I spent a reasonable amount on a nice, fun car that I don't feel pressured to use.

Enjoy the search...make it fun.

Good luck.