348TS and Mondial 3.4T - Are they worth the asking prices?
Discussion
348 was my first ferrari 5 or 6 years ago. At £28k mine was one of the more expensive for sale at the time but compared to the ones I saw for £5k less was a much much better example (I bought from a well regarded dealer).
It was an excellent car, better built and more reliable than I expected but usually needed something minor fixing every few weeks - or at least once a month. The electrical connectors for the door were a pain and got fixed one by one.
They are an excellent introduction to ferrari. Would I pay £50k - £60k for one? Absolutely not. If that's the way the prices stay then I guess there is little choice - but that puts it in the same ballpark as my 360 is worth and I prefer the 360 in every way. Plus - much as I like Ferraris - £60k gives you a LOT of car choice and I'm pretty sure I'd have a list of choices that wouldn't even have a 25 year old 348 on it.
It was an excellent car, better built and more reliable than I expected but usually needed something minor fixing every few weeks - or at least once a month. The electrical connectors for the door were a pain and got fixed one by one.
They are an excellent introduction to ferrari. Would I pay £50k - £60k for one? Absolutely not. If that's the way the prices stay then I guess there is little choice - but that puts it in the same ballpark as my 360 is worth and I prefer the 360 in every way. Plus - much as I like Ferraris - £60k gives you a LOT of car choice and I'm pretty sure I'd have a list of choices that wouldn't even have a 25 year old 348 on it.
I can't comment on the Mondial T but I've had 3 348's.One LHD TB and two RHD Spiders.Try to buy a later model with the relocated battery and little more power,the Spiders seemed slightly better balanced.Also don't skimp on tyres,fit a quailty brand.
There are a couple of good Main Dealers and a number of Independents who are knowledgeable with these cars.
Try to find a cherished example if possible as a few parts can be a bit expensive/tricky to find.TBs can get paint cracks on the buttresses.
They're a great car with proper steering,gearchange etc and need to be driven.I remember mine fondly!
There are a couple of good Main Dealers and a number of Independents who are knowledgeable with these cars.
Try to find a cherished example if possible as a few parts can be a bit expensive/tricky to find.TBs can get paint cracks on the buttresses.
They're a great car with proper steering,gearchange etc and need to be driven.I remember mine fondly!
Behemoth said:
No, not at all hideous. There are some gorgeous details, like the chamfered engine cover. I think the car's stance deserves the darker more subtle colours. There are elements of it that reminds me of the 400, another car that's better in darker colours and also much derided but actually quite astonishingly beautiful in the flesh.
+1Clean lines, not fussy or contrived.
In terms of driving both Mondial T and 348 provide proper analogue experience, even though the T has pas and adjustable dampers. Try both and contemplate your intended main usage before getting your own keys. In 7 years I had a Bosch relay fail on the T. Happy hunting
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/2OEAKiHj.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/ruw8Un0y" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/ruw8Un0y.jpg)
Edited by sparta6 on Wednesday 18th January 12:58
Mondial's are nice looking cars for what they are, but to Me, the roof always looks too high (even tall drivers look short when sat in a Mondial), and the driver always looks as though they're sat too far forward in the car.
To be fair though, Pininfarina had little choice as it was the only way to give the car a balanced design that was aesthetically pleasing to the eye, whilst maintaining a degree of practicality for the 2+2 layout.
To be fair though, Pininfarina had little choice as it was the only way to give the car a balanced design that was aesthetically pleasing to the eye, whilst maintaining a degree of practicality for the 2+2 layout.
348jeff said:
.....If your tall or plan on doing long journeys with the roof off the optional canvas soft top is a must as the removable hard top is stored behind the seats which in my case means you have to have the drivers seat just a little but too far forward than I'd like. The canvas roof can be stored on the rear shelf so you can have the seat as far back as you like.......
If you are anywhere near 6' or above, trying to drive a 348 TS with the Targa roof behind the seat is nigh on impossible!You'll find that, because the seat has to be further forward than you want it to be, your feet splay outwards on the pedals and you'll find yourself catching the throttle pedal and brake pedal together, and the clutch pedal and brake pedal together!
The folding soft top is the perfect solution to this - But be aware that they are as rare as hens teeth and not cheap when they do come on the market!
(There are also two different types: the Ferrari factory version that 348jeff has, and a Ferrari North America version. If you do a Google search for "Ferrari 348 folding roof" you'll find a number of threads on FerrariChat that explain the differences between the two, but the easiest way to tell them apart is that the factory version sits slightly proud of the front rail above the windscreen, and doesn't have the targa top latches to hold it in place, whilst the Ferrari North America version sits flush with the the front rail and has the same latches as the hard top to hold it in place).
4rephill said:
Mondial's are nice looking cars for what they are, but to Me, the roof always looks too high (even tall drivers look short when sat in a Mondial), and the driver always looks as though they're sat too far forward in the car.
Yes, similar to an F1 car 
GT4 drivers are also near the front, great driving position in both
4rephill said:
If you are anywhere near 6' or above, trying to drive a 348 TS with the Targa roof behind the seat is nigh on impossible!
You'll find that, because the seat has to be further forward than you want it to be, your feet splay outwards on the pedals and you'll find yourself catching the throttle pedal and brake pedal together, and the clutch pedal and brake pedal together!
The folding soft top is the perfect solution to this - But be aware that they are as rare as hens teeth and not cheap when they do come on the market!
(There are also two different types: the Ferrari factory version that 348jeff has, and a Ferrari North America version. If you do a Google search for "Ferrari 348 folding roof" you'll find a number of threads on FerrariChat that explain the differences between the two, but the easiest way to tell them apart is that the factory version sits slightly proud of the front rail above the windscreen, and doesn't have the targa top latches to hold it in place, whilst the Ferrari North America version sits flush with the the front rail and has the same latches as the hard top to hold it in place).
An, yes. Mine was a TS - I didn't want one since I assumed they leaked but the car that ticked the other boxes was a TS - and driving with the roof off was lovely. Except that it meant my knees were next to my ears because of the seat position.....You'll find that, because the seat has to be further forward than you want it to be, your feet splay outwards on the pedals and you'll find yourself catching the throttle pedal and brake pedal together, and the clutch pedal and brake pedal together!
The folding soft top is the perfect solution to this - But be aware that they are as rare as hens teeth and not cheap when they do come on the market!
(There are also two different types: the Ferrari factory version that 348jeff has, and a Ferrari North America version. If you do a Google search for "Ferrari 348 folding roof" you'll find a number of threads on FerrariChat that explain the differences between the two, but the easiest way to tell them apart is that the factory version sits slightly proud of the front rail above the windscreen, and doesn't have the targa top latches to hold it in place, whilst the Ferrari North America version sits flush with the the front rail and has the same latches as the hard top to hold it in place).
Foundy said:
Hi Andyman, I had a 348 from 2009 till just recently (decided to depart for a V8V)
I initially bought the car to join friends on a European trip where the car covered 2900 miles faultlessly and the intention was to sell when I got back but as you know with cars you can fall in love!!
In that time when I sold I totalled up all the receipts and it came to £13000 in servicing and repairs over 11000 miles. Taking into account the car had belts done when I bought from Foskers, one of the biggest bills was the cambelt service for approx. £2500 iirc when I did it in 2013. I also had the pulleys changed and sourced them cheaper than the agent from Europarts. Another big bill was when the clutch master cylinder failed. I decided to change the clutch at the same time and that also came to approx. £2-2500.
Starter failed and that took a few weeks to source a genuine one £600, Door cable snapped so could open from inside, Aircon rarely works, engine bay struts lost ability to hold lid up, battery failed but apart from those items all the rest was routine servicing (which was done yearly) that you would do on any car.
Biggest bug bear though as mentioned above is the sticky plastics, air vents, steering column etc as get that on your clothes it just wont come out.
So to summarise it worked out approx. £1800 a year or £1.20 a mile to own and drive a Ferrari. Would I do it again..... Hell yes Only ever got positive reactions from people also.
Steve
Hi,I initially bought the car to join friends on a European trip where the car covered 2900 miles faultlessly and the intention was to sell when I got back but as you know with cars you can fall in love!!
In that time when I sold I totalled up all the receipts and it came to £13000 in servicing and repairs over 11000 miles. Taking into account the car had belts done when I bought from Foskers, one of the biggest bills was the cambelt service for approx. £2500 iirc when I did it in 2013. I also had the pulleys changed and sourced them cheaper than the agent from Europarts. Another big bill was when the clutch master cylinder failed. I decided to change the clutch at the same time and that also came to approx. £2-2500.
Starter failed and that took a few weeks to source a genuine one £600, Door cable snapped so could open from inside, Aircon rarely works, engine bay struts lost ability to hold lid up, battery failed but apart from those items all the rest was routine servicing (which was done yearly) that you would do on any car.
Biggest bug bear though as mentioned above is the sticky plastics, air vents, steering column etc as get that on your clothes it just wont come out.
So to summarise it worked out approx. £1800 a year or £1.20 a mile to own and drive a Ferrari. Would I do it again..... Hell yes
Only ever got positive reactions from people also.Steve
Thanks for the feedback, and it sounds as though you had a great ownership, and overall the upkeep and spend was not that bad - despite many horror stories.
I have been looking at service costs, parts prices, and 348Jeff sent that link to euro parts which is useful, for some things seem very cheap, and others overpriced but this can be how things are its much the same with my E-type Jag. Sites like this are so useful to obtain real world views and ownership truths.
What made you decide to sell? and if you dont mind me asking what price did you sell for? are the dealer asking prices of £50K plus realistic?
Does seem a shame you moved to a V8V but they are a very nice car, just not a Ferrari. did you have the fun you wanted from the 348 and then want something newer?
Andy
davek_964 said:
348 was my first ferrari 5 or 6 years ago. At £28k mine was one of the more expensive for sale at the time but compared to the ones I saw for £5k less was a much much better example (I bought from a well regarded dealer).
It was an excellent car, better built and more reliable than I expected but usually needed something minor fixing every few weeks - or at least once a month. The electrical connectors for the door were a pain and got fixed one by one.
They are an excellent introduction to ferrari. Would I pay £50k - £60k for one? Absolutely not. If that's the way the prices stay then I guess there is little choice - but that puts it in the same ballpark as my 360 is worth and I prefer the 360 in every way. Plus - much as I like Ferraris - £60k gives you a LOT of car choice and I'm pretty sure I'd have a list of choices that wouldn't even have a 25 year old 348 on it.
Hi,It was an excellent car, better built and more reliable than I expected but usually needed something minor fixing every few weeks - or at least once a month. The electrical connectors for the door were a pain and got fixed one by one.
They are an excellent introduction to ferrari. Would I pay £50k - £60k for one? Absolutely not. If that's the way the prices stay then I guess there is little choice - but that puts it in the same ballpark as my 360 is worth and I prefer the 360 in every way. Plus - much as I like Ferraris - £60k gives you a LOT of car choice and I'm pretty sure I'd have a list of choices that wouldn't even have a 25 year old 348 on it.
This is why i started this thread, stupidly for a long time i ignored that i could have bought one, and to be fair i bought my E-type over 3 years ago, and could have bought one of these 348/mondials and not spent as much, but this is how things go. I do wish i could get a really good car for £28K now, but it seems these cars are £50K+ and no one is willing to do much of a deal, in fact i cant even get many call backs, or replies to emails which makes me wonder if they are speculating or selling cars that dont exist.
Can you really get a good RHD 360 for £50-60K, although ideally £50K is my budget max in this case, and i do take your point that this money offers a lot of car choice.
I must explain another part of looking for a 90's Ferrari is that i can remain in my local classic car club, so having other cars even a 360 (the norm is years 2001/2/3) and the youngest the car can be to be eligible to stay in my club is 1999. so these cars 348/mondial fit the bill perfectly in this respect being early 90's.
Andy
sparta6 said:
Behemoth said:
No, not at all hideous. There are some gorgeous details, like the chamfered engine cover. I think the car's stance deserves the darker more subtle colours. There are elements of it that reminds me of the 400, another car that's better in darker colours and also much derided but actually quite astonishingly beautiful in the flesh.
+1Clean lines, not fussy or contrived.
In terms of driving both Mondial T and 348 provide proper analogue experience, even though the T has pas and adjustable dampers. Try both and contemplate your intended main usage before getting your own keys. In 7 years I had a Bosch relay fail on the T. Happy hunting
Edited by sparta6 on Wednesday 18th January 12:58
Shaks specialist cars have a RHD cab, and a LHD 348 try as i might they just wont call me back, and i'm not chasing them day in day out, made 3 calls already, shame as its only 1.5 hours to get to their showroom....and would give me a direct comparison, and also rule in/out LHD.
Andy
andyman_2006 said:
Hi,
This is why i started this thread, stupidly for a long time i ignored that i could have bought one, and to be fair i bought my E-type over 3 years ago, and could have bought one of these 348/mondials and not spent as much, but this is how things go. I do wish i could get a really good car for £28K now, but it seems these cars are £50K+ and no one is willing to do much of a deal, in fact i cant even get many call backs, or replies to emails which makes me wonder if they are speculating or selling cars that dont exist.
Can you really get a good RHD 360 for £50-60K, although ideally £50K is my budget max in this case, and i do take your point that this money offers a lot of car choice.
I must explain another part of looking for a 90's Ferrari is that i can remain in my local classic car club, so having other cars even a 360 (the norm is years 2001/2/3) and the youngest the car can be to be eligible to stay in my club is 1999. so these cars 348/mondial fit the bill perfectly in this respect being early 90's.
Andy
I'm biased obviously but I'd expect my 360 to be worth somewhere in the low 50s and I think it's an excellent example. RHD, manual, full history, about 31k miles I think, pretty immaculate (just had the front resprayed to get rid of some chips).This is why i started this thread, stupidly for a long time i ignored that i could have bought one, and to be fair i bought my E-type over 3 years ago, and could have bought one of these 348/mondials and not spent as much, but this is how things go. I do wish i could get a really good car for £28K now, but it seems these cars are £50K+ and no one is willing to do much of a deal, in fact i cant even get many call backs, or replies to emails which makes me wonder if they are speculating or selling cars that dont exist.
Can you really get a good RHD 360 for £50-60K, although ideally £50K is my budget max in this case, and i do take your point that this money offers a lot of car choice.
I must explain another part of looking for a 90's Ferrari is that i can remain in my local classic car club, so having other cars even a 360 (the norm is years 2001/2/3) and the youngest the car can be to be eligible to stay in my club is 1999. so these cars 348/mondial fit the bill perfectly in this respect being early 90's.
Andy
You'd probably add £10k if you wanted the same in red though (mine is Grigio Alloy - having had a red 348 I intentionally chose non-red)
davek_964 said:
I'm biased obviously but I'd expect my 360 to be worth somewhere in the low 50s and I think it's an excellent example. RHD, manual, full history, about 31k miles I think, pretty immaculate (just had the front resprayed to get rid of some chips).
You'd probably add £10k if you wanted the same in red though (mine is Grigio Alloy - having had a red 348 I intentionally chose non-red)
Sounds a really nice car. So really £10K for red? thats insane. I'd take any colour to be honest, really not that fussed. Its the car i'm more bothered about . oh correction not silver, maybe not black hate black cars!You'd probably add £10k if you wanted the same in red though (mine is Grigio Alloy - having had a red 348 I intentionally chose non-red)
Really like Ferrari's in Yellow, and blue also. But i'm realistic that i cant be so picky on spec/colours so i'll happily look at nearly anything in my budget thats good condition, and has good history.
Andy
andyman_2006 said:
Sounds a really nice car. So really £10K for red? thats insane. I'd take any colour to be honest, really not that fussed. Its the car i'm more bothered about . oh correction not silver, maybe not black hate black cars!
Really like Ferrari's in Yellow, and blue also. But i'm realistic that i cant be so picky on spec/colours so i'll happily look at nearly anything in my budget thats good condition, and has good history.
Andy
I like yellow cars, but wouldn't have a yellow Ferrari for the same reason I didn't want a red one the second time around. Ferrari's do attract a lot of attention - 99% positive, but even so - sometimes it's nice to drive down the road without attracting quite so much of it.Really like Ferrari's in Yellow, and blue also. But i'm realistic that i cant be so picky on spec/colours so i'll happily look at nearly anything in my budget thats good condition, and has good history.
Andy
I'm the current owner of davek_964 348ts, with an owner in between. Ive owned it now for over 3yers. This car has had 12 owners now. Its not unusual to have a car this age with a high ownership, this is another thing not to just discount or put you off. These type of cars are common for someone to dip their toe in just for a summer and move on to the next toy. The upside can be that if its returning through the dealer networks, all work to get it up to scratch is done. So a one owner car isnt necessarily going to have had that sort of treatment. As said...buy on condition. A ppi is worthwhile for peace of mind. View as many as you can and you'll start to get an idea whats poor. As for maintaining it? Engine out every 3years, basic cost is about 1800-2000. Annuals have come in at 790 both times. This is just routine. Remember these cars along with the mondial are now 23-30 years of age depending which model, they always have something need doing. Most can be done as diy, but others like bushes are not straightforward.Even a 10t press couldnt remove them and needed burning out. My costs arent the norm as ive strived to get the car mechanically A1. 6k on bushes and suspension overhaul.4k on engine work when engine out on top of the service costs. A job thats not going to need attention for another 25years. Ive still got a list, 14k spent in that time but the car drives like a dream, very reliable, and great fun.
As for are they worth it? I paid 31k and worth every penny of the fun. 50-60k now? It is what it is, id still have that fun, and yes id still want one. If the market stayed flat and you got one for 50k, kept for a few years, you arent going to lose much in comparison to a new car that you can wave goodbye to 10k plus the moment you turn the key.
They are marmite, people love them or hate them.
andyman_2006 said:
Hi,
Thanks for the feedback, and it sounds as though you had a great ownership, and overall the upkeep and spend was not that bad - despite many horror stories.
I have been looking at service costs, parts prices, and 348Jeff sent that link to euro parts which is useful, for some things seem very cheap, and others overpriced but this can be how things are its much the same with my E-type Jag. Sites like this are so useful to obtain real world views and ownership truths.
What made you decide to sell? and if you dont mind me asking what price did you sell for? are the dealer asking prices of £50K plus realistic?
Does seem a shame you moved to a V8V but they are a very nice car, just not a Ferrari. did you have the fun you wanted from the 348 and then want something newer?
Andy
Decided to sell as just fancied a change and had always liked the V8V. Two completely cars to drive but both great in different ways. Thanks for the feedback, and it sounds as though you had a great ownership, and overall the upkeep and spend was not that bad - despite many horror stories.
I have been looking at service costs, parts prices, and 348Jeff sent that link to euro parts which is useful, for some things seem very cheap, and others overpriced but this can be how things are its much the same with my E-type Jag. Sites like this are so useful to obtain real world views and ownership truths.
What made you decide to sell? and if you dont mind me asking what price did you sell for? are the dealer asking prices of £50K plus realistic?
Does seem a shame you moved to a V8V but they are a very nice car, just not a Ferrari. did you have the fun you wanted from the 348 and then want something newer?
Andy
As for price I decided to sell mine via the trade as couldn’t be bothered with the hassle of private. My car needed about £5000 spent in my eyes immediately (Belt service, brakes getting low, few paint issues and the wing mirror bases corroding away, interior degrading etc) and highest bid I received was £40k of which it was later advertised at about £55k. I could have got more privately
It didn’t hang around long either and probably due to the fact I was only the 7th owner and it had 23 main dealer service stamps (DL Swindon since 09) and I had all invoices/old MOT's/tax disc's etc to go with the service book. Thinking about it now I probably let it go a little too cheap!!!
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