[DanHutchens]

I'm new to the ff, and would like any advise on buying a 348. I'm selling my much loved Porsche 993 C2 and a Ducati 748 to purchase my first ferrari.
I would love a F355 but just can't afford one yet!!! So I have decided that a 348 is probably the next best thing, and would like some advise on buying the right one.
What problems do they have?
Which preferable year and model should I look at?
Thanks
Dan

 

[Stradale]

Welcome DanHutchens. I don't know much about the 348, but I wish you all the best in your search.

 

[Boxer]

Dan, Before you start your search, suggest you take a look at the 348 & F355 buyers guides in the Members Section. Good luck.

 

[gougoul]

Hi,

i think as for any car :

1. Buy a car you can afford to run
2. If it's already old (and the 348 starts to be old), get it inspected by a serious and indendant (from the sale) dealer.
3. As for wines, and with the exception of some trauma-year-cars (some jags, astons etc), there is no bad/good year, only bad/good cars.
4. Make sure maintenance has been made, if not, add a consequent budget to have it !

 

[Andrew]

Dan,

Welcome to the site, are you in the USA or somewhere else? In the USA there were a number of 348s that didn't make it here. Generally these are the very models I would recommend and that is the GTB/GTS. The U.S. market only got the TB/TS.

If you live in a warm climate I would suggest the Spider.

The early models had real problems and I would shy away from them.

 

[Boxer]

Dan, I would also suggest test driving a very late 328 and an early F355. Given recent price movements, an early F355 is a bit more affordable than it was a year ago. On the 328, many feel that the it is a better sorted car than the early 348's. Try to drive them all and see which is preferred.

 

[Stradale]

Dan, I would also suggest test driving a very late 328 and an early F355. Given recent price movements, an early F355 is a bit more affordable than it was a year ago. On the 328, many feel that the it is a better sorted car than the early 348's. Try to drive them all and see which is preferred.

I agree with Boxer. I have driven the 348 a few times before and I'd choose a late 328 over it. I did, when i was looking for my first ferrari! Test drive the models mentioned, then decide. You are seriously considering a Ferrari so the salesman will allow you the test drives.

 

[DanHutchens]

Dan, I would also suggest test driving a very late 328 and an early F355. Given recent price movements, an early F355 is a bit more affordable than it was a year ago. On the 328, many feel that the it is a better sorted car than the early 348's. Try to drive them all and see which is preferred.

I agree with Boxer. I have driven the 348 a few times before and I'd choose a late 328 over it. I did, when i was looking for my first ferrari! Test drive the models mentioned, then decide. You are seriously considering a Ferrari so the salesman will allow you the test drives.[/quote

Thankyou to you all who have given me some advise. I have deecided to give the 328 a thought but it just doesn't appeal to me as the 348 or 355. F355's are getting cheaper, but are still out of my price range unless I buy a LHD. 348's on the other hand ar much more reasonable. I'll drive both the 348 and 355, but I know allready the one that I will prefer is the one I can't have.
Wil let you know how I get on.
Dan

 

[Boxer]

Dan, Where are you located ?

 

[DanHutchens]

Dan, Where are you located ?

I'm located in Weybridge, England.
Dan

 

[Pete04222]

I don't know why these guys are knocking the 348, I think its a great car. I'd like to have one myself.

If the 328 doesn't appeal to you then don't even consider it. You want a Ferrari because you want to look at it and drive it, not just for the sake of having a Ferrari.

And a LHD 355 when you live in the UK? Man, that would not be a way to save money. You'd hate driving that car.

So my 2 cents would be either to find yourself a nice 348 to enjoy or hang on to the Porsche until you are ready to buy your dream 355.

 

[Boxer]

And a LHD 355 when you live in the UK? Man, that would not be a way to save money. You'd hate driving that car.

I would like to respectfully disagree. I have driven LHD in the UK extensively both on the highways and around London. It takes a day or two to get used to it and then you don't really notice. In fact I find driving a LHD car in a RHD country is much easier than RHD in a LHD country.

A friend in the trade recently told me that 30% of all Ferrari's in the UK are LHD.

 

[Pete04222]

And a LHD 355 when you live in the UK? Man, that would not be a way to save money. You'd hate driving that car.

I would like to respectfully disagree. I have driven LHD in the UK extensively both on the highways and around London. It takes a day or two to get used to it and then you don't really notice. In fact I find driving a LHD car in a RHD country is much easier than RHD in a LHD country.

A friend in the trade recently told me that 30% of all Ferrari's in the UK are LHD.

I guess we disagree then. For visibility I like to be closer to the center of the road, no matter which side of the road I'm driving on. Say you are behind a truck, how do you get around him? You can't see if anything is coming.

You have experience I do not have. I've driven on both sides of the road, the right side here in the US and in Asia, and the left side in UK and Australia. But I have never driven a LHD car in a RHD country.

 

[Bazil]

And a LHD 355 when you live in the UK? Man, that would not be a way to save money. You'd hate driving that car.

I would like to respectfully disagree. I have driven LHD in the UK extensively both on the highways and around London. It takes a day or two to get used to it and then you don't really notice. In fact I find driving a LHD car in a RHD country is much easier than RHD in a LHD country.

A friend in the trade recently told me that 30% of all Ferrari's in the UK are LHD.

Pete's right I'm afraid - it's a nightmare. Especially in a sports cars where overtaking, and thus seeing, is a big deal.

30% are LHD for one reason and one reason alone - they're cheaper. The reason 30% of all cars are not LHD however (bearing in mind that all LHDs are cheaper) is the previous paragraph!!

 

[Dolle Dolf]

What ho all.

first post heh heh.

Regarding the 'wrong side' driving, when living in the UK I drove my RHD Lancia frequently in Europe. And when in New Zealand visiting the old folks I drove my father's Alfas that he took from Holland, both LHD, on the 'wrong' side of the road. No biggie.

Of course in an ideal world you would sit close to the mid line with a better view. But, OTOH, if a 'wrongly handed' car would allow you to drive the car of your dreams, I would go for it at the snap of a finger. Parallel parking works very well though

Ciao,

 

[Boxer]

I guess we disagree then. For visibility I like to be closer to the center of the road, no matter which side of the road I'm driving on. Say you are behind a truck, how do you get around him? You can't see if anything is coming.

Hence the recommendation that Ferrari launch a new 3 seat entry level "Dino" with a center positioned drivers seat (as per the 365 P4/McLaren F1).

 

[justynb]

Dan,

what is your budget? My 348 Spider is for sale at £37,950 including an annual / cambelt service at Graypaul. I'm based in Derbyshire.

I have posted full details and pics here:

http://www.getafloat.com/348

Justyn.

 

[Pete04222]

Dan,

what is your budget? My 348 Spider is for sale at £37,950 including an annual / cambelt service at Graypaul. I'm based in Derbyshire.

I have posted full details and pics here:

http://www.getafloat.com/348

Justyn.

There you go Dan. Seems like a fair price too.

Justyn, why are you selling your car?

 

[justynb]

Hi Pete,

it's a very reluctant sale, we had our first child last November and I just don't have time to drive the car now.

I was thinking of maybe getting a 456 for about £40k so then I would at least have 4 seats but I remember a friend having his 456 gearbox replaced under warranty a couple of years back, Ferrari told him if it wasn't under warranty it would have cost a whopping £16k! So I'm thinking about it ....

Justyn.

 

[Bazil]

That's a shame Justyn - I'm due to have my first child Friday and I'd been thinking exactly the same thing - i.e. swap the 348 for a 456 - as they look to be an incredibly cheap used buy. I think I've just found out why!! You may well have put me off too!!!