348, budget Ferrari - Good move?
Discussion
I'm no authority, not having owned one, though I nearly did buy a couple of years back so did a lot of research. Check the archives here theres a wealth of useful advice.
Main consensus was to buy a late car (93) if you can as numerous tweaks (battery position and other things) improve the car a bit. Other than that condition should be your guide, seems that the engines are pretty reliable. Gearbox usually notchy when cold - 2nd - 3rd usually worst. Obviously FHS is a must.
Theres a buyers guide in a back issue of EVO (25k supercars buyeers guid from a couple of years back where the compare this, a 928 and a TWR XJR) they rated it best buy.
If you're tall then you'll need a GTB/spyder - GTS cars have a lower roof inside (composite panel thicker than tin roof) and storing the lift out panel means putting it behind the seats which if you're 6' or more isn't really an option.
As I said I ahven't owned one, several others on here have - so give the archive a search.
Anyway - I think they look great, go for it...
Main consensus was to buy a late car (93) if you can as numerous tweaks (battery position and other things) improve the car a bit. Other than that condition should be your guide, seems that the engines are pretty reliable. Gearbox usually notchy when cold - 2nd - 3rd usually worst. Obviously FHS is a must.
Theres a buyers guide in a back issue of EVO (25k supercars buyeers guid from a couple of years back where the compare this, a 928 and a TWR XJR) they rated it best buy.
If you're tall then you'll need a GTB/spyder - GTS cars have a lower roof inside (composite panel thicker than tin roof) and storing the lift out panel means putting it behind the seats which if you're 6' or more isn't really an option.
As I said I ahven't owned one, several others on here have - so give the archive a search.
Anyway - I think they look great, go for it...
Hi Corin, I have a '93 LHD 348, and its a great car. I've had it for a year now and its been very reliable, the only real problem was that the clutch needed replacing. Services are around £700, and you can add £1000 to that if the belts need doing (every 3 years). I'd say go for one thats been driven, say 30k -50k miles for a '93. Garage queens in my opinion are to be avoided. Go for it, if you get a good 'n you wont regret it! 
Hi,
I owned a 1990 348TB RHD for three years. I also did some research and I agree that a driven example is better than low mileage. My car had done 1100 miles a year on average, before I owned it, then 4500 miles a year during my ownership. As an introduction to Ferrari ownership it was a great car, quite costly because of it's lack of use before hand. I drove it to Maranello in Italy which was great, very comfortable. I could not use a 348 as my "only" car as it was heavy in town / traffic. Find a well maintained car and it should hold together well, there are plenty of 348's out there but they look tatty if they have been neglected, so if it looks good and has Full FSH then it will be the one to have. The later 348's have better high speed stability (over 140 mph !!) and the battery is moved out of the engine bay and behind the front bumper making access to it difficult. As with most Ferrari's if they don't get used regularly you will find they have a flat battery, get a battery conditioner, which keeps the battery alive over it's storeage period and saves disappointment when you want to go for a blast...
Good luck and take plenty of time to find the right car. Then get a Tubi style exhause because it sounds Great on the 348.
Cheers
G.
P.s Corin, I also had a TVR Chimaera before the 348. What a difference I found..
>> Edited by prancing on Friday 20th February 07:11
I owned a 1990 348TB RHD for three years. I also did some research and I agree that a driven example is better than low mileage. My car had done 1100 miles a year on average, before I owned it, then 4500 miles a year during my ownership. As an introduction to Ferrari ownership it was a great car, quite costly because of it's lack of use before hand. I drove it to Maranello in Italy which was great, very comfortable. I could not use a 348 as my "only" car as it was heavy in town / traffic. Find a well maintained car and it should hold together well, there are plenty of 348's out there but they look tatty if they have been neglected, so if it looks good and has Full FSH then it will be the one to have. The later 348's have better high speed stability (over 140 mph !!) and the battery is moved out of the engine bay and behind the front bumper making access to it difficult. As with most Ferrari's if they don't get used regularly you will find they have a flat battery, get a battery conditioner, which keeps the battery alive over it's storeage period and saves disappointment when you want to go for a blast...
Good luck and take plenty of time to find the right car. Then get a Tubi style exhause because it sounds Great on the 348.
Cheers
G.
P.s Corin, I also had a TVR Chimaera before the 348. What a difference I found..
>> Edited by prancing on Friday 20th February 07:11
Hi Corin,
The main difference was the mid-engine feel, having owned several Tiv's front engine, rear drive etc. waiting for the arse on the 348 to step out took some balls. The Chimaera was "sideways" within a short period of time
the afternoon I bought it!! The Ferrari took a little while to get used to, probably because of the cost difference.. The brakes are excellent in the 348 for heal/toe downshifts and the handling is so forgiving, I went into a corner too quick one day and I know never to brake mid corner..But This time was different. the corner tightened half-way around and I gingerly pushed the brakes (closed my eyes)WOW it slowed down without upsetting the car or filling my Trousers. I learnt to "drift" the 348 sideways when pushing it hard rather than the TVR antics of Arse-out. As I mentioned I owned the 348 for 3 years, now I have gone back to a front engine (rear wheel steer)layout. A 456 GT. Awesome. My friend bought my 348TB and it has been an excellent car for the last two years he has owned it. I must admit it was "heavier to drive" than the 456. I don't think power steering it an option on the 348 although it is only weighty at parking speed.
Email me privately if you want some more advise.
Cheers
G.
>> Edited by prancing on Friday 20th February 10:26
The main difference was the mid-engine feel, having owned several Tiv's front engine, rear drive etc. waiting for the arse on the 348 to step out took some balls. The Chimaera was "sideways" within a short period of time
the afternoon I bought it!! The Ferrari took a little while to get used to, probably because of the cost difference.. The brakes are excellent in the 348 for heal/toe downshifts and the handling is so forgiving, I went into a corner too quick one day and I know never to brake mid corner..But This time was different. the corner tightened half-way around and I gingerly pushed the brakes (closed my eyes)WOW it slowed down without upsetting the car or filling my Trousers. I learnt to "drift" the 348 sideways when pushing it hard rather than the TVR antics of Arse-out. As I mentioned I owned the 348 for 3 years, now I have gone back to a front engine (rear wheel steer)layout. A 456 GT. Awesome. My friend bought my 348TB and it has been an excellent car for the last two years he has owned it. I must admit it was "heavier to drive" than the 456. I don't think power steering it an option on the 348 although it is only weighty at parking speed. Email me privately if you want some more advise.
Cheers
G.
>> Edited by prancing on Friday 20th February 10:26
I went from a Griff 500 to a 348GTS, agree with everything prancing says. I'd (persoanlly) try to find a GTS/B as opposed to a TS/B, lots more things sorted out on them. Do a search on here under 348 as we've talked at length about buying advice etc, might give you a few tips. Best of luck.
ps.www.ferrarichat.com can be useful too.
ps.www.ferrarichat.com can be useful too.
darhart said:
Hi Corin, I have a '93 LHD 348, and its a great car. I've had it for a year now and its been very reliable, the only real problem was that the clutch needed replacing. Services are around £700, and you can add £1000 to that if the belts need doing (every 3 years). I'd say go for one thats been driven, say 30k -50k miles for a '93. Garage queens in my opinion are to be avoided. Go for it, if you get a good 'n you wont regret it!
Is it really that cheap? I was under the impression the cambelts costed a lot more to change?
Reading the other replies makes a 348 very tempting!
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff