How good is the 348 ?
Discussion
Main dealers. Don't you just luv 'em? Not the first time I've come across them spouting bollox. When you get more insight into how Ferrari works, it becomes less surprising, but it's still a pain. Just remember that whatever they're saying to you, they want you to buy a new/newer car.
There's a lot of rubbish been written about the 348. I have a problem with this, since all these stories aboutrust/handling/repair costs kept me out of Ferrari ownership for several years before I pulled the trigger. My fault, I listened to it, but still pisses me off.
The 348 established it's reputation with the early cars, and that's stayed with it. That means a bargain for anyone prepared to push aside the bullshit. Later cars are the ones to go for. Handling on a 348 has nothing, and I do mean nothing, on a contemporary 911 in the surprising handling department. A 355 will handle better, but handling is probably the strongest suit of the 355. This is a car nut site, so most people here have some experience catching slides without shitting themselves and shouting for their mummies.
I don't think the 348 is going to feel as fast as your Maser, but you'll have a lot of fun in it.
There's a lot of rubbish been written about the 348. I have a problem with this, since all these stories aboutrust/handling/repair costs kept me out of Ferrari ownership for several years before I pulled the trigger. My fault, I listened to it, but still pisses me off.
The 348 established it's reputation with the early cars, and that's stayed with it. That means a bargain for anyone prepared to push aside the bullshit. Later cars are the ones to go for. Handling on a 348 has nothing, and I do mean nothing, on a contemporary 911 in the surprising handling department. A 355 will handle better, but handling is probably the strongest suit of the 355. This is a car nut site, so most people here have some experience catching slides without shitting themselves and shouting for their mummies.
I don't think the 348 is going to feel as fast as your Maser, but you'll have a lot of fun in it.
I'm fascinated by the defence of the 348's reputation. I don't know what model year the one I drove was, maybe it was an early one. It had a FFerrariSH and was shod with decent Pirellis and had about 25K on the clock. The owner wasn't a fart-skinner by any means so it had wanted for nowt. It wasn't a car I'd describe as a nail.
I gave it a proper leathering over roads I know and found it to be slow by my reckoning. It was certainly not supercar quick and, having driven recent Masers, I doubt the 348 could keep up in a straight line. Handling-wise, the 348 was an understeerer and it wan't responsive to feeding in more power to neutralise it or induce oversteer. All I got was more and more understeer followed by snap oversteer. I ended up using left foot braking to try and pull the nose into apexes. Up until the point of snap oversteer I guess the 348 might be considered a safer handling car than a Maserati but, jeez, what a frustrating and lack lustre drive.
It left me with a distinctly low opinion of Ferrari. I don't have an axe to grind by the way, I've also driven a 355 and that was much, much better to drive (and to look at too IMHO). I'd suggest looking for an early 355 (even LHD) to anyone sniffing around 348s.
I gave it a proper leathering over roads I know and found it to be slow by my reckoning. It was certainly not supercar quick and, having driven recent Masers, I doubt the 348 could keep up in a straight line. Handling-wise, the 348 was an understeerer and it wan't responsive to feeding in more power to neutralise it or induce oversteer. All I got was more and more understeer followed by snap oversteer. I ended up using left foot braking to try and pull the nose into apexes. Up until the point of snap oversteer I guess the 348 might be considered a safer handling car than a Maserati but, jeez, what a frustrating and lack lustre drive.
It left me with a distinctly low opinion of Ferrari. I don't have an axe to grind by the way, I've also driven a 355 and that was much, much better to drive (and to look at too IMHO). I'd suggest looking for an early 355 (even LHD) to anyone sniffing around 348s.
BossCerbera said:Actually, it's not so much a defense of it's reputation, it's counterbalancing the poor reputation it has, in my view undeservedly.
I'm fascinated by the defence of the 348's reputation
It doesn't sound like you drove a great one, but I have no way of judging that. From your profile, it seems that you like the idea of racing cars, and for sure the 348 is NOT going to ring your bells. Not everyone will have the same criteria though, so it's important to get some balance; for example the idea of owning a Cerbera or any other TVR doesn't appeal to me at all- not saying they're bad cars, they just don't ring my bell.
The 348s ace card is how it sounds- the absolute benchmark for road cars when Tubi/decatted. I could listen to it all day.
Yes, the 348 is going to feel pretty crude by modern standards - it did come out nearly 17 years ago. Not sure comparing a 348 and 355 is particulary useful in this case though - one costs 50% more than the other. If we are going to add 15K to the budget we may as well add another 15 and get a 360.
I've not driven a 348 so can't comment on their drivability.I considered going into a 360 after my 355 but to quote an earlier post 'it didn't ring my bell'.I do of course accept that the 360 is a technically superior and faster car but for me it wasn't worth the (then substantially) extra money.Anybody on here go from a 348 to 355? - that would be an interesting personal comparison.Got to agree however with the effect of a Tubi on any of these cars 
PS Chrisx666 .Great pic of your car on your profile - particularly as it's surrounded by some of my current favorites
>> Edited by tiny on Saturday 17th December 21:18
>> Edited by tiny on Saturday 17th December 21:23
PS Chrisx666 .Great pic of your car on your profile - particularly as it's surrounded by some of my current favorites
>> Edited by tiny on Saturday 17th December 21:18
>> Edited by tiny on Saturday 17th December 21:23
Naturally owners are going to praise their own car (obviously), while other people will always try to comparing it to modern day cars, therefore finding it somewhat lacking.
But the fact is, for 25-30K you can get a relatively fast fun Ferrari that is 15 yrs old. Looks are subjective but everyone agrees its sounds awesume with a Tubi. Like no other make of car, the sound will just blow you away.
If you want a modern car with more speed and better build quality then a 348 is never going to push your buttons, but that is no reason to unfairly criticise it.
However if you want the sound, looks and passion of a Ferrari for 25-30K its a bloody amazing car.
>> Edited by ade355 on Sunday 18th December 17:26
But the fact is, for 25-30K you can get a relatively fast fun Ferrari that is 15 yrs old. Looks are subjective but everyone agrees its sounds awesume with a Tubi. Like no other make of car, the sound will just blow you away.
If you want a modern car with more speed and better build quality then a 348 is never going to push your buttons, but that is no reason to unfairly criticise it.
However if you want the sound, looks and passion of a Ferrari for 25-30K its a bloody amazing car.
>> Edited by ade355 on Sunday 18th December 17:26
ade355 said:
Naturally owners are going to praise their own car (obviously), while other people will always try to comparing it to modern day cars, therefore finding it somewhat lacking.
But the fact is, for 25-30K you can get a relatively fast fun Ferrari that is 15 yrs old. Looks are subjective but everyone agrees its sounds awesume with a Tubi. Like no other make of car, the sound will just blow you away.
If you want a modern car with more speed and better build quality then a 348 is never going to push your buttons, but that is no reason to unfairly criticise it.
However if you want the sound, looks and passion of a Ferrari for 25-30K its a bloody amazing car.
>> Edited by ade355 on Sunday 18th December 17:26
very Good Points ade.
Hi Pete,
I looked into buying a 348 before I got my 3200. I think as some others ahve said you won't be as impressed by the interior as others might be coming from the luxury of the 3200. The 348's dated a bit inside to IMHO. Its fun to drive though, and feels low, quick and very special with the 8 cylinders blaring away behind you (budget for a tubi!). I would echo burriana here though and warn you that coming form the 3200 you'll find it a little slow, and the handling is a little scary, I test drove a fair few and found wide variations though so keep looking. As others ahve said if you can get a GTS/GTB/Spyder then you're getting the best of the line - obviously they cost a little more though.
Cheers,
Rich
I looked into buying a 348 before I got my 3200. I think as some others ahve said you won't be as impressed by the interior as others might be coming from the luxury of the 3200. The 348's dated a bit inside to IMHO. Its fun to drive though, and feels low, quick and very special with the 8 cylinders blaring away behind you (budget for a tubi!). I would echo burriana here though and warn you that coming form the 3200 you'll find it a little slow, and the handling is a little scary, I test drove a fair few and found wide variations though so keep looking. As others ahve said if you can get a GTS/GTB/Spyder then you're getting the best of the line - obviously they cost a little more though.
Cheers,
Rich
mr_tony said:
I would echo burriana here though and warn you that coming form the 3200 you'll find it a little slow, and the handling is a little scary...
Not me that said that Rich ... mine was fast enough to keep up with most things except the big Porsche Twin Turbos on the road and the handling was superb, never any surprises, and when we were hammering round the hairpins in the Alps on EuroHoon-1, deliberately trying to get the back ends out, if ever it did snap out too far it came back in very quickly and neatly.
I also loved the interior, very simple and plain, but very well put together.
One of the mods over on F.Chat went out for a ride in mine with it's new owner last week. He has a 355 and is thinking of upping to a 360 ... he is apparently now seriously considering a 348 Spider
>> Edited by burriana on Monday 19th December 08:53
burriana said:
I also loved the interior, very simple and plain, but very well put together.
I agree. I really like the 348 interior. It's minimal and compact. Sitting in a 360 made me feel like I was in a luxury saloon. In the 348, you know you're in something sporty and serious.
burriana said:
One of the mods over on F.Chat went out for a ride in mine with it's new owner last week. He has a 355 Spider and is thinking of upping to a 360 ... he is apparently now seriously considering a 348 Spider
I'll believe it when I see it.
angelis said:
I also loved the interior, very simple and plain, but very well put together.
I agree. I really like the 348 interior. It's minimal and compact. Sitting in a 360 made me feel like I was in a luxury saloon. In the 348, you know you're in something sporty and serious.
burriana said:
One of the mods over on F.Chat went out for a ride in mine with it's new owner last week. He has a 355 Spider and is thinking of upping to a 360 ... he is apparently now seriously considering a 348 Spider
I'll believe it when I see it.
hope the drugs start working for tony soon
>> Edited by F355SPIDER on Sunday 18th December 21:58
F355SPIDER said:
I also loved the interior, very simple and plain, but very well put together.
I agree. I really like the 348 interior. It's minimal and compact. Sitting in a 360 made me feel like I was in a luxury saloon. In the 348, you know you're in something sporty and serious.
burriana said:
One of the mods over on F.Chat went out for a ride in mine with it's new owner last week. He has a 355 and is thinking of upping to a 360 ... he is apparently now seriously considering a 348 Spider
I'll believe it when I see it.
hope the drugs start working for tony soon
Nope ... wasn't Tony
>> Edited by burriana on Monday 19th December 08:52
burriana said:
I would echo burriana here though and warn you that coming form the 3200 you'll find it a little slow, and the handling is a little scary...
Not me that said that Rich ... mine was fast enough to keep up with most things except the big Porsche Twin Turbos on the road
my bad then!
Not driven a GTS / GTB / Spyder only Ts's and TB's and they all felt rather slow compared to the 3200 I'm afraid! Of course a lot of that is the difference in power delivery between the two - 348 is linear and 3200 is nothing nothing everything when the turbos crash through 3krpm... Just saying pete might miss the 'wallop factor' thats all!
mr_tony said:
I would echo burriana here though and warn you that coming form the 3200 you'll find it a little slow, and the handling is a little scary...
Not me that said that Rich ... mine was fast enough to keep up with most things except the big Porsche Twin Turbos on the road
my bad then!
Not driven a GTS / GTB / Spyder only Ts's and TB's and they all felt rather slow compared to the 3200 I'm afraid! Of course a lot of that is the difference in power delivery between the two - 348 is linear and 3200 is nothing nothing everything when the turbos crash through 3krpm... Just saying pete might miss the 'wallop factor' thats all!
Hi Rich,
Thanks for your advice also mate
Rich are you comming to the Maranello Event in Jan at egham ?
Would be a good place to catch up .
Re : 348 - Im looking at buying the car as a 1st entry into Ferrari ownership. the 3200 has superb power delivery but the main problem with it IMO is the ability to hold all that power down.
Even my M3 feels tame in comparison (which I guess it would not have felt this way if I bought the M3 before the Maser!)
Will email you shortly rich.
Cheers
Pete
mr_tony said:
Not driven a GTS / GTB / Spyder only Ts's and TB's and they all felt rather slow compared to the 3200 I'm afraid!
The later 320bhp Spiders/GTBs and GTSs are quite a bit quicker than the 300 bhp TBs and TSs.
Handling is supposed to be a lot better too.
Buy a good one and they really are a great first Ferrari and they don't half turn heads ... especially in yellow
TVR cerbra's is quick in straight line, sorry but do not handle around corners like a ferrari the same with the Maserati 3200 GT. The 348 Ferrari is a very special place to be likewise in any ferrari. The build qaulity is better on the ferrari then TVR. I have partly owned a maserati 3200 GT Corsa and Cerbra. The 348 spider is a good car, lokks well, handles well, and sounds well. A great car to start off in ferrari ownership. The only downside is the service (engine out) is a little hard on the pocket, but only 30,000 miles or three years.
The maserati feels quicker beacuse of the turbo surge you get. Remeber with the TVR's and maseratis you get low down grunt / torque and the ferrari comes alive after you have reved the hell out of the engine. The ferrari engine is like a bike engine mor power with more revs.
The maserati feels quicker beacuse of the turbo surge you get. Remeber with the TVR's and maseratis you get low down grunt / torque and the ferrari comes alive after you have reved the hell out of the engine. The ferrari engine is like a bike engine mor power with more revs.
I've driven most Ferrari models, and they've all got their quirks/features. The 348 scores in its lack of power steering, and hence better feedback than newer cars. Parking is heavy though.
The handling is very progressive, and can be slid or oversteered at will. Eaasier than a power steered 355 in fact.
348 is slower than modern Ferraris, including the 355. A decat Tubi sounds better than all of them though (only the F50 sounds better).
If you prefer newish cars, avoid the 348 as it feels pretty basic. I prefer that feel though.
Jas
The handling is very progressive, and can be slid or oversteered at will. Eaasier than a power steered 355 in fact.
348 is slower than modern Ferraris, including the 355. A decat Tubi sounds better than all of them though (only the F50 sounds better).
If you prefer newish cars, avoid the 348 as it feels pretty basic. I prefer that feel though.
Jas
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