Discussion
Hi all.
I am looking to buy a Ferrari in a year or so, so wanted to start doing my research now on the different models and specs etc. I will comfortably have enough to buy and run either a 328 or a 348 (GTB) and was wondering if any owners had feedback on one or both of the cars. Which is the most relaible for my budget etc.?
Personally I like the look of the 308 and 355 better but I think the 308 will be too old and slow, and a good 355 is probably going to be out of my price range. I want to spend around £30K-£35K.
Also bear in mind I live in Canada so might end up buying from the US, so any advice on US vs Euro specs would be good. I want a berlinetta rather than a soft top/targa, but after looking on US sites there seems to be a very high proportion of the latter.
It will be a weekend car that I will keep for some time, so I'm not looking to flip it, I will definitely put some miles on it. But it will also be stored every Winter, more because of the amount of salt on the roads than the weather. So I need something that will be OK with being sat for 6 months. Your advice is appreciated.
Also how much is annual maintenance, £2K budget reasonable? And what size emergency pot do I need.
regards
Rob
I am looking to buy a Ferrari in a year or so, so wanted to start doing my research now on the different models and specs etc. I will comfortably have enough to buy and run either a 328 or a 348 (GTB) and was wondering if any owners had feedback on one or both of the cars. Which is the most relaible for my budget etc.?
Personally I like the look of the 308 and 355 better but I think the 308 will be too old and slow, and a good 355 is probably going to be out of my price range. I want to spend around £30K-£35K.
Also bear in mind I live in Canada so might end up buying from the US, so any advice on US vs Euro specs would be good. I want a berlinetta rather than a soft top/targa, but after looking on US sites there seems to be a very high proportion of the latter.
It will be a weekend car that I will keep for some time, so I'm not looking to flip it, I will definitely put some miles on it. But it will also be stored every Winter, more because of the amount of salt on the roads than the weather. So I need something that will be OK with being sat for 6 months. Your advice is appreciated.
Also how much is annual maintenance, £2K budget reasonable? And what size emergency pot do I need.
regards
Rob
What an awesome choice!
I could be way off here but as Ferrari models come in '2s' (308-328 : 348-355 : 360-430) is it reasonable to think that the 328 would be the sorted version of that era and the 355 would be the more sorted version of the 348-355? I know there are many 348 owners who have modified their cars and are adamant they handle as well as anything
Personally - these decisions are made by the heart and not the head for me - as much as the 348 has the look and sound of a newer era... I'd go for the hairy chested, hawaiian shirt clad, moustache sporting 328 every time!
(...yes, I know it was a 308 but the 328 is close enough for me to care
)
I could be way off here but as Ferrari models come in '2s' (308-328 : 348-355 : 360-430) is it reasonable to think that the 328 would be the sorted version of that era and the 355 would be the more sorted version of the 348-355? I know there are many 348 owners who have modified their cars and are adamant they handle as well as anything
Personally - these decisions are made by the heart and not the head for me - as much as the 348 has the look and sound of a newer era... I'd go for the hairy chested, hawaiian shirt clad, moustache sporting 328 every time!
(...yes, I know it was a 308 but the 328 is close enough for me to care
)jdw1234 said:
Ignore the prices in the classifieds, make some offers or put a wanted add in classifieds.
You could do a lot worse than this^^, especially when it comes to a private sale ad.But of you're not after a 355/360 and hence not after performance as a main aspect of ownership say, I'd go with the 328, they are just sooooooo pretty! Don't get me wrong, I'm someone who actually thinks the 348 looks damn good compared to most things, but next to a 328 it really is the munter
Thanks for the replies.
The thing that sways we to the 348 instead of the 328 is primarily reliability. I love cars and I love driving, but once I get under the boonet I f
k everything up. Mechanical knowledge is not a speciality of mine. So even though I can find a good independent (ex-racing) mechanic near me, I don't want to be calling on either him or an official dealer every time the thing won't start. I am perfectly willing to learn how to maintain it, but I won't have either the knowledge or the confidence to tinker for a long while.
A F355 seems about £10K higher on average, I'd like to get a decent version of whichever model, rather than stretch myself and get a ropey later car. What I really want to do is start with a 328/348 and work my way up from there every few years. So a 355/360/430 my be where I end up, but I don't need to get there just yet.
Really on the looks? I honestly think the later (Euro spec, not the NA with the large bumpers) 308's are the best looking of everything prior to the 355. The 328 seemed to add a few Mondialesque features which I'm OK with. Then to me the 348 is sort of an ugly 355.
So I'm either stuck with an ugly 308 or an ugly 355, ha ha. I like both the 328 and the 348 equally in the looks dept, maybe I need to see them next to each other to really compare.
Does anyone have any ownership info they could share? Reliability is key for me.
The thing that sways we to the 348 instead of the 328 is primarily reliability. I love cars and I love driving, but once I get under the boonet I f
k everything up. Mechanical knowledge is not a speciality of mine. So even though I can find a good independent (ex-racing) mechanic near me, I don't want to be calling on either him or an official dealer every time the thing won't start. I am perfectly willing to learn how to maintain it, but I won't have either the knowledge or the confidence to tinker for a long while.A F355 seems about £10K higher on average, I'd like to get a decent version of whichever model, rather than stretch myself and get a ropey later car. What I really want to do is start with a 328/348 and work my way up from there every few years. So a 355/360/430 my be where I end up, but I don't need to get there just yet.
Really on the looks? I honestly think the later (Euro spec, not the NA with the large bumpers) 308's are the best looking of everything prior to the 355. The 328 seemed to add a few Mondialesque features which I'm OK with. Then to me the 348 is sort of an ugly 355.
So I'm either stuck with an ugly 308 or an ugly 355, ha ha. I like both the 328 and the 348 equally in the looks dept, maybe I need to see them next to each other to really compare.
Does anyone have any ownership info they could share? Reliability is key for me.
Bob_Defly said:
Thanks for the replies.
The thing that sways we to the 348 instead of the 328 is primarily reliability. I love cars and I love driving, but once I get under the boonet I fk everything up. Mechanical knowledge is not a speciality of mine. So even though I can find a good independent (ex-racing) mechanic near me, I don't want to be calling on either him or an official dealer every time the thing won't start. I am perfectly willing to learn how to maintain it, but I won't have either the knowledge or the confidence to tinker for a long while.
A F355 seems about £10K higher on average, I'd like to get a decent version of whichever model, rather than stretch myself and get a ropey later car. What I really want to do is start with a 328/348 and work my way up from there every few years. So a 355/360/430 my be where I end up, but I don't need to get there just yet.
Really on the looks? I honestly think the later (Euro spec, not the NA with the large bumpers) 308's are the best looking of everything prior to the 355. The 328 seemed to add a few Mondialesque features which I'm OK with. Then to me the 348 is sort of an ugly 355.
So I'm either stuck with an ugly 308 or an ugly 355, ha ha. I like both the 328 and the 348 equally in the looks dept, maybe I need to see them next to each other to really compare.
Does anyone have any ownership info they could share? Reliability is key for me.
You are looking at that completely wrong,.The 308 is one of the most beautiful cars ever made, then Ferrari took all the agressiveness out of it and put on that butt ugly front and rear and came up with the 328.The thing that sways we to the 348 instead of the 328 is primarily reliability. I love cars and I love driving, but once I get under the boonet I f
k everything up. Mechanical knowledge is not a speciality of mine. So even though I can find a good independent (ex-racing) mechanic near me, I don't want to be calling on either him or an official dealer every time the thing won't start. I am perfectly willing to learn how to maintain it, but I won't have either the knowledge or the confidence to tinker for a long while.A F355 seems about £10K higher on average, I'd like to get a decent version of whichever model, rather than stretch myself and get a ropey later car. What I really want to do is start with a 328/348 and work my way up from there every few years. So a 355/360/430 my be where I end up, but I don't need to get there just yet.
Really on the looks? I honestly think the later (Euro spec, not the NA with the large bumpers) 308's are the best looking of everything prior to the 355. The 328 seemed to add a few Mondialesque features which I'm OK with. Then to me the 348 is sort of an ugly 355.
So I'm either stuck with an ugly 308 or an ugly 355, ha ha. I like both the 328 and the 348 equally in the looks dept, maybe I need to see them next to each other to really compare.
Does anyone have any ownership info they could share? Reliability is key for me.
They did the same with the 348.The 348 had the agression put back into it then they santatised it and made it look all pretty and girlie in the 355.
Had a 308 and loved it and would have another tomorrow, dead easy to work on and should be pretty reliable.Got 2 348's at the moment and again easy to work on.Engine out every 3 years though for the belts whereas the 308's are done insitu.Bullit proof mechanics on the 348, hardest job you will have is finding a good one and believe me 90% of the ones people will tell you are good won't be.
I'm on my second 348 and at the time also considered a 328. I went down the 348 route because in my opinion it looked a bit more dramatic and delivered the perfomance I was after.
The current car I have had for 2 years and until very recently it was faultless, always started and with a sports exhaust sounds lovely. So the running costs were only servicing until the slave cylinder in the gearbox went 2 weeks ago. It is now being sorted and as the clutch was 65% worn I decided to get that done at the same time with a few other minor items. Total cost £3500 from Dick Lovett (though I do work for them so probably cheaper than your usual man off the street)
So two years and a total of £4700 (two services and a clutch/cylinder)
The current car I have had for 2 years and until very recently it was faultless, always started and with a sports exhaust sounds lovely. So the running costs were only servicing until the slave cylinder in the gearbox went 2 weeks ago. It is now being sorted and as the clutch was 65% worn I decided to get that done at the same time with a few other minor items. Total cost £3500 from Dick Lovett (though I do work for them so probably cheaper than your usual man off the street)
So two years and a total of £4700 (two services and a clutch/cylinder)
Foundy said:
I'm on my second 348 and at the time also considered a 328. I went down the 348 route because in my opinion it looked a bit more dramatic and delivered the perfomance I was after.
The current car I have had for 2 years and until very recently it was faultless, always started and with a sports exhaust sounds lovely. So the running costs were only servicing until the slave cylinder in the gearbox went 2 weeks ago. It is now being sorted and as the clutch was 65% worn I decided to get that done at the same time with a few other minor items. Total cost £3500 from Dick Lovett (though I do work for them so probably cheaper than your usual man off the street)
So two years and a total of £4700 (two services and a clutch/cylinder)
£3500 for a clutch & clutch slave, how's that worked out to be that price ??The current car I have had for 2 years and until very recently it was faultless, always started and with a sports exhaust sounds lovely. So the running costs were only servicing until the slave cylinder in the gearbox went 2 weeks ago. It is now being sorted and as the clutch was 65% worn I decided to get that done at the same time with a few other minor items. Total cost £3500 from Dick Lovett (though I do work for them so probably cheaper than your usual man off the street)
So two years and a total of £4700 (two services and a clutch/cylinder)
If it's so hard to find a good 348 what is the best way? I'd rather not pay dealer prices unless I have to, but then again I know FA about what goes on under the bonnet, so I would at least need someone with me to view them who knew what they were looking at. Is a Ferrari owners club the best way to find a good one?
Is the clutch & slave an engine out job on a 348?
Also, does the 3K miles per year translate into North American cars, so 5K kilometers p.a.? Or do different regions around the world have different norms?
Is the clutch & slave an engine out job on a 348?
Also, does the 3K miles per year translate into North American cars, so 5K kilometers p.a.? Or do different regions around the world have different norms?
Bob_Defly said:
If it's so hard to find a good 348 what is the best way? I'd rather not pay dealer prices unless I have to, but then again I know FA about what goes on under the bonnet, so I would at least need someone with me to view them who knew what they were looking at. Is a Ferrari owners club the best way to find a good one?
Is the clutch & slave an engine out job on a 348?
Also, does the 3K miles per year translate into North American cars, so 5K kilometers p.a.? Or do different regions around the world have different norms?
There is no best way, just keep looking.Is the clutch & slave an engine out job on a 348?
Also, does the 3K miles per year translate into North American cars, so 5K kilometers p.a.? Or do different regions around the world have different norms?
The clutch is dead easy, engine stays in.Rear bumper, heat shields, exhaust box, undo the nuts on the clutch/flywheel hsg and you're there, 45 mins tops.
Bob_Defly said:
If it's so hard to find a good 348 what is the best way? I'd rather not pay dealer prices unless I have to, but then again I know FA about what goes on under the bonnet, so I would at least need someone with me to view them who knew what they were looking at. Is a Ferrari owners club the best way to find a good one?
Is the clutch & slave an engine out job on a 348?
Also, does the 3K miles per year translate into North American cars, so 5K kilometers p.a.? Or do different regions around the world have different norms?
Same deal as always, have a look at a few, if you see one you like and think may be a winner, spend a few hundred notes and get it inspected Is the clutch & slave an engine out job on a 348?
Also, does the 3K miles per year translate into North American cars, so 5K kilometers p.a.? Or do different regions around the world have different norms?
Btw North America work in miles too just like us!
But FWIW, 3k miles is a shade under 5k kilometresSteve w said:
£3500 for a clutch & clutch slave, how's that worked out to be that price ??
To be fair it was the cylinder in the gearbox, a shaft/rod of some sort (I'm a Salesman, not a Technician so forgive my lack of understanding) clutch and some other items noticed whilst upon the ramp... trouble is those little items soon add up. Oh and had the wheels refurbed at the same timeGet a 348, put some 355 wheels on it, add a set of AP Racing brakes at the front and a Quantum racing suspension system, tweak the engine and you'll have a great car with more performance than most people can handle.
On the other hand, the 328 is such a beautiful car. The only reason I didn't get one originally was because I didn't like the driving position.
Plenty of info about the 348 on the interweb:
The 348 owners Bible
http://www.my348.com
Ferarri info thread I did a few years ago
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
My 348 runing report
http://www.fgear.tv/forum/showthread.php/3-Ferrari...
348 owners support centre - all the help you'll ever need
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?...
and a couple of pics to help you decide.....
On the other hand, the 328 is such a beautiful car. The only reason I didn't get one originally was because I didn't like the driving position.
Plenty of info about the 348 on the interweb:
The 348 owners Bible
http://www.my348.com
Ferarri info thread I did a few years ago
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
My 348 runing report
http://www.fgear.tv/forum/showthread.php/3-Ferrari...
348 owners support centre - all the help you'll ever need
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?...
and a couple of pics to help you decide.....
Edited by Angelis on Saturday 19th February 01:45
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