wtb 348tb or ts, please help

Congrats on your decision to buy a 348. You'll love it. In answer to your question 1, the motor on the 348 is good for at least 100k, as I've seen a couple with that many on them. Mine has 60k+, no problem. The early trannies can have problems at around 40k. Just have some of the fluid drained and look for metal. No metal, no problem. Visit www.the348.com for a buyer's guide on the 348. I've found the 348 owners to be helpful and generous with their knowledge. The 348 brotherhood is strong!

 

Ha! You're now dealing with Italian cars...each car is unique...each year is unique...just like Italian wine.

1989 model 348's have conventional seat belts (later models have electric mouse-motor seat belts), metal cam belt covers, and dual disk clutches (great for racing or just handling added horsepower).

Later 348's have the better Motronic 2.7 fuel ignition system, updated/stronger hub bearings/design, a wider stance, better exhaust, and a better bearing inside the tranny (if you go with an early model 348 then you may want this updated on your vehicle).

Each year has advantages and disadvantages. You pays your money and you takes your chance.


You'll want to replace the tranny fluid with Red Line's 75w90NS (the "NS" designation *is* important). You'll want to coat your electrical connections with Stabilant 22a. And you'll want to check/replace old or corroded (externally) relays.

One component that will fail if you don't coat it in silicon is the exhaust ecu (well, there are 2, actually, 1 on each side of the engine behind the rear shock towers). Easy to get to by removing the rear wheels and inner fender liners.

Add an automatic fire extinguisher (because you care about your wife and want her to know that you are safe driving around a 15+ year old high performance volatile-gasoline-burning exotic) to your engine bay (West Marine can get you a Fire Foe unit for $130), and add a pocketknife or other seatbelt cutter inside the driver cockpit.

Check your fluids (oil is checked only when the motor is hot, coolant is checked only when the motor is cold, brake fluid anytime) and you should be good to go.

These cars are a BLAST to drive! Lots of fun on the road...lots of fun getting comments from bystanders while parked...and lots of fun getting them valet parked, too.

They are *easy* to work on. The 348 was the last Ferrari to be hand welded. Everything on the car bolts/unbolts or screws/unscrews. You don't even need an engine hoist...you jack the car with 2 floor jacks and the entire rear sub-frame comes out to pull the engine...from below!

You can adjust the ride height overall and at each corner (springs/shocks hand-screw in your adjustments)...so you've got total control for your handling, looks, etc.

Oh, since you are about my height, you may want a steering wheel spacer. 6 little allen bolts and your steering wheel is off, pop the spacer on, steering wheel back on, then screw back on those 6 allens and you've just won yourself a more comfortable driving position for less than $50 and 50 minutes of your time.

You are going to have a lot of fun. Get a compression test on your potential purchase. Take Plugzit's advice on draining a bit of the tranny and engine oil to check for metal. Verify that your seller has a valid license plate (correct year, correct state). Do an autocheck or carfax and buy the $50 title insurance (for peace of mind, just in case the car has been "cloned" or stolen or wrecked), and you'll be fine. Don't get too hung up about "records" for the car. What you need documented will be everything from the *last* major service to date...plus any service campaign fixes (e.g. tranny bearing update, mouse motor recall, etc.). Any records beyond that is a plus...but not a show-stopping deal-breaker.

Take your potential 348's for test drives. You're going to love the way they drive!

 

In Denmark we said: Turn 50, then it's time to buy a Ferrari. I bought my Ferrari 348 when I was 50!!!
Maybe 93' is bettter than 92' and 92' better than 91', but in the end it depends on the car you are standing in front.
A coupé is faster in curves than a ts, but we are talking about 1/100 sec. You will never notice.
With a ts, you have 2 cars. One to drive fast and one to enjoy the sun. Driving a ts in rain, you maybe will see water dripping into the cabin, - it's an italian car!
Until now I have had 8 smiling years with my 348 ts.

 

i have owned a 348 ts in the past, i liked the car alot. the few things i hated was the damn top !!! leaked bad !! other guys i know who had them experienced the same problem. the a/c never blew cold and the damn windows always went up and down slow.....

 

He said it all. Oh, and get a 1989 ts, they are my favorite.

BT

 

Excellent post No Doubt.

 

Don't be too fussy on a tb or ts. Just getting a good car should be your no. 1 priority. Also, make sure the car is somewhat waterproof and the wipers work. If you are going to drive to Monterey, u never know what ur gonna run into. There was a beautiful early model car on EBay with all sorts of updates and mods - that's what u should look for as well. Tubi, rear wheel spacers, hyperflows, 355 wheels - all these represent huge additions in cost that u can get for pennies on the dollar when buying a car.

 

have a 348 it leaks.
had a 238 it leaked.
have friends with Ferraris,,, their car leaks.
haven't seen one that doesn't yet.

 

not sure about the R 12. im 6'4 and could never store the top behind the seat either. whichever you decide- good luck !! p.s. get a PPI before hand ..

 

eBay should scare you.

 

Whats the problem with the leaks? When i got the my car from the previous owner it leaked everywhere. Then i just adjust everything and now all is leak proof. I don't know how the previous owner could life with that situation and doesn't repair it.

 

Weclome to Ferrarichat Bee Jay. Good luck on finding a 348 buddy.

 

+1. When I bought my 348 Spider there were two visible openings in between the seals where the rear of the windows meet the convertible top. Some silicon sealant, elbow grease, and a little trial/error and I soon had a leak-proof Spider.

 

Don't be so negative. I bought 2 cars off EBay and have been really satisfied. The trick is not to change any of your background checking etc. just because it's EBay. I only buy cars I can personally inspect. Meet your seller personally. If u need to take expertise with you. I use plugzit. I get them checked out professionally, however, cuz plugz ain't perfect and everyone can have an off day.

Do not do anything if it doesn't feel right. I will research the car I was talking about. If it did not sell, it might return to EBay.

 

Bought my car on ebay 1000 miles away. Guy had good feedback and it was better than represented. Got a good deal too-no reserve, guy just selling car at market. Scammers usually give you a queasy feeling and are resistant to your requests for info and inspection.

 

Yes, the 348 originally came with R12 (at least in 1989 it did). Some people convert them to R134a, but mechanics I spoke with don't recommend that. Sounds like a 348ts is your best bet, driving with the top off is great fun when the weather is good.

BT

 

I have a 90 ts using R12, it actually works pretty good...

 

I have a TS..... wish i'd bought a TB ! Leaks you can live with but over bumpy surfaces (remember where I live!) the scuttle shake is really annoying. But then if the roof is out most of the time and you have good quality roads you won't notice it so much. You'll just have to try them both first.

 

Is that factory R12 gas from 1990?

 

If/when I get a 348 it will have to be a "B"!!! In Silver!!! So if you see one you know I'll be looking!

 

you're right about the shake... )
they do on rough roads. I still like the cars that you can take the top off.
wished I would have bought a 348 spider.

and of course the R-12 isn't from 1990 I suspect that leaked out long before
I ever bought the car )
the system if far better than that 328 I had.
it was like getting blown on through a straw with luke cool air.