348's-how bad can they be?!
Discussion
Mate pointed a few out, pretty cheap way into a Ferrari eh?
So mid 20's, maybe a bit less after bargaining they're pretty cheap, but would it be money well spent? I know contempory road tests slag them off but what are we talking about? Figures suggest they're quickish, are they a handful? Are there any suspension mods or geo settings that can unlock their potential or are they best left alone?
So mid 20's, maybe a bit less after bargaining they're pretty cheap, but would it be money well spent? I know contempory road tests slag them off but what are we talking about? Figures suggest they're quickish, are they a handful? Are there any suspension mods or geo settings that can unlock their potential or are they best left alone?
I'd be surprised if there's not loads of similar threads here already and try www.my348.com for some background
This has been done to death... a quick search will give you all the threads you could want to answer the question. In a nutshell... fabulous cars, plenty quick enough, sensitive to correct geometry.... poor reputation down to issues now well known and understood, thus largely eliminated nowadays. Yes, they can be easily tweaked to further improve. Angry on the limit and you need to be very good to catch one you push too far... incredible value for money when you hear the noise they make! and still from the hairy chested era, no traction control etc. Plenty of nay-sayers still don't like them, but not many of them have actually driven one....
I've had 2 and love them. 5 years total ownership and the only thing that has gone wrong was a clutch slave cylinder went. Last year did a 3000 mile trip around Europe, not a single hiccup even some days driving for 10 hours, and as previously mentioned sounds fantastic with a sports exhaust (especially through the tunnels in the alps)
In my opinion well worth the money, 25k should get you a well sorted one (equivalent 355 would cost an extra £15k) with good history but beware....there are some dodgy ones out there. I cant see the values dropping either so shouldn't cost anything to own if bought wisely
Don't get me wrong it has some quirks, both had aircon with a mind of its own and feels a little unstable over 150 on the autobahn but remember they are now about 20 years old
In my opinion well worth the money, 25k should get you a well sorted one (equivalent 355 would cost an extra £15k) with good history but beware....there are some dodgy ones out there. I cant see the values dropping either so shouldn't cost anything to own if bought wisely
Don't get me wrong it has some quirks, both had aircon with a mind of its own and feels a little unstable over 150 on the autobahn but remember they are now about 20 years old
& then there's maser 4200's!
I'm not seriously looking just after reading H's story in this months evo about the Mille tribute I thought aye that'd be a laugh! Get a cheap but reliable itallion stallion & blast it down to Italy.
I don't really subscribe bucket list theory but maybe you should, if only for a brief financially crippling moment, own one of italys finest.
Which maybe kind of excludes 348's & 4200's!
But it'd be a laugh none the less
I'm not seriously looking just after reading H's story in this months evo about the Mille tribute I thought aye that'd be a laugh! Get a cheap but reliable itallion stallion & blast it down to Italy.
I don't really subscribe bucket list theory but maybe you should, if only for a brief financially crippling moment, own one of italys finest.
Which maybe kind of excludes 348's & 4200's!
But it'd be a laugh none the less
sambaman said:
mate they are s
t...i had one many many years ago...... one of the worst cars i have ever owned
May I ask why? don't get me wrong compared to your cars you've had or now have I would agree, they are no where near the standard/performance you now can enjoy. However for say £25k (and please remember this is the cheaper side of ferrari ownership) would you not agree certain aspects may give a certain amount of satisfaction? Without going to more modern cars I would say its a bit of a bargain at that price... for a 2 seater V8 after all.t...i had one many many years ago...... one of the worst cars i have ever ownedI don't borrow so this was my entry into Ferrari after Porsche.... and I will agree the 993 felt better built, more stable at high speeds but didn't seem to give me the grin of hearing the V8 or have the visual appeal when I open the garage...... but I will also admit a 355 won't be far away
I DO AGREE ON SOME POINTS BUT A 911 IS MUCH MORE USER FRIENDLY AND A LOT MORE CAR FOR THE MONEY..BUT LIKE YOU SAY IT IS A WAY OF GETTING ON THE FERRARI LADDER...JUST MY OPINION NOT A NICE EXPERIENCE....SAVE A LITTLE MORE CASH AND GET A 355..........................
OK PROBLEMS I HAD.......
A. Bodywork cracking over rear wings
B. Opened drivers door all wire broke
C. Went round a roundabout alternator stopped charging
D. Stone hit side lamp i think i paid £650 for it ...if a stone hit a side lamp on a 911 it would be iro £40 tops...... NO BRAINER REALLY.
AGAIN JUST MY HONEST OPINION....PERFORMANCE WISE ... SHOCKING !
OK PROBLEMS I HAD.......
A. Bodywork cracking over rear wings
B. Opened drivers door all wire broke
C. Went round a roundabout alternator stopped charging
D. Stone hit side lamp i think i paid £650 for it ...if a stone hit a side lamp on a 911 it would be iro £40 tops...... NO BRAINER REALLY.
AGAIN JUST MY HONEST OPINION....PERFORMANCE WISE ... SHOCKING !
Foundy said:
May I ask why? don't get me wrong compared to your cars you've had or now have I would agree, they are no where near the standard/performance you now can enjoy. However for say £25k (and please remember this is the cheaper side of ferrari ownership) would you not agree certain aspects may give a certain amount of satisfaction? Without going to more modern cars I would say its a bit of a bargain at that price... for a 2 seater V8 after all.
I don't borrow so this was my entry into Ferrari after Porsche.... and I will agree the 993 felt better built, more stable at high speeds but didn't seem to give me the grin of hearing the V8 or have the visual appeal when I open the garage...... but I will also admit a 355 won't be far away
I don't borrow so this was my entry into Ferrari after Porsche.... and I will agree the 993 felt better built, more stable at high speeds but didn't seem to give me the grin of hearing the V8 or have the visual appeal when I open the garage...... but I will also admit a 355 won't be far away
sambaman said:
mate they are st...i had one many many years ago...... one of the worst cars i have ever owned
+1t...i had one many many years ago...... one of the worst cars i have ever ownedI had one 11 years ago traded my 993 for it and this car nearly put me off Ferrari for life.
Bought from Graypaul with warranty (thank goodness!) had the car 18 months of which it spent more time at main dealer getting fixed than with me!!
Loads of problems no time to list them all.....
Sold the car and bought a F355 and enjoyed that car for 4 years with only servicing required. It was a much nicer car to drive than the 348.
Put in some more money and get a 355 well worth the extra IMHO.
Had mine 6 years now and I prefer it to a 355/360/430. Totally different driving experience to these cars plus for me I prefer the look of my 348 than the later models.
Remember, the oldest 348's are 22 years old now so things need replacing/upgrading and whatever you do.
Surprisingly, alternators stop working on 355's as well.
My Range Rover's alternator went when it was 7 years old.
My Honda Accord's alternator went when it was 9 years old.
My 348's alternator went when it was 14 years old.
Plus, the 348's alternator fix was the cheapest of all three cars.
Next!
Then again, there were only around 8,000 Ferrari 348's made and about 20,000,000 Porsche 911's, so you are bound to find cheap parts for them.
PS. I think 355's side lamps break as well.
Race suspension, AP Racing Brakes and a few engine tweaks all come in handy.
I feel my work here is done.
Ciao
Remember, the oldest 348's are 22 years old now so things need replacing/upgrading and whatever you do.
sambaman said:
SAVE A LITTLE MORE CASH AND GET A 355..........................
OK PROBLEMS I HAD.......
A. Bodywork cracking over rear wings
That happens on 355's as well. OK PROBLEMS I HAD.......
A. Bodywork cracking over rear wings
sambaman said:
B. Opened drivers door all wire broke
That happens on 355's as well. Years of opening/closing doors can do that to wiring.sambaman said:
C. Went round a roundabout alternator stopped charging
Surprisingly, alternators stop working on 355's as well.
My Range Rover's alternator went when it was 7 years old.
My Honda Accord's alternator went when it was 9 years old.
My 348's alternator went when it was 14 years old.
Plus, the 348's alternator fix was the cheapest of all three cars.
Next!
sambaman said:
D. Stone hit side lamp i think i paid £650 for it ...if a stone hit a side lamp on a 911 it would be iro £40 tops...... NO BRAINER REALLY.
Good point. if you can't afford a Ferrari, buy a 911.Then again, there were only around 8,000 Ferrari 348's made and about 20,000,000 Porsche 911's, so you are bound to find cheap parts for them.
PS. I think 355's side lamps break as well.
sambaman said:
AGAIN JUST MY HONEST OPINION....PERFORMANCE WISE ... SHOCKING !
All depends on who's driving it and what the modifications are. Race suspension, AP Racing Brakes and a few engine tweaks all come in handy.
I feel my work here is done.
Ciao
Edited by Angelis on Friday 24th June 12:42
I have had two, a Spider and a Berlinetta.
The Spider, in the first three weeks of ownership, was ragged 3000 miles across Europe and the Alps on the first PH Eurohoon in 2004... then a year later I took it to the south of Spain and back.
The Berlinetta went to Le Mans three times. Nothing major to report on either but granted, hard to get parts such as the light units can be expensive.
Fantastic cars... I now have a Testarossa... but will undoubtedly have another 348 again.
Simple mechanics, well put together, beautifully balanced and spine tingling fun and excitement to drive. The last of the raw Ferraris.
(Any make of car can go wrong now and again... I know a very competent driver and mechanic on here who will not go near VAG for example, after two bad experiences).
The Spider, in the first three weeks of ownership, was ragged 3000 miles across Europe and the Alps on the first PH Eurohoon in 2004... then a year later I took it to the south of Spain and back.
The Berlinetta went to Le Mans three times. Nothing major to report on either but granted, hard to get parts such as the light units can be expensive.
Fantastic cars... I now have a Testarossa... but will undoubtedly have another 348 again.
Simple mechanics, well put together, beautifully balanced and spine tingling fun and excitement to drive. The last of the raw Ferraris.
(Any make of car can go wrong now and again... I know a very competent driver and mechanic on here who will not go near VAG for example, after two bad experiences).
well done dude....but i still think there bags of ste............
te............Angelis said:
All depends on who's driving it and what the modifications are.
Race suspension, AP Racing Brakes and a few engine tweaks all come in handy.
I feel my work here is done.
Ciao
Race suspension, AP Racing Brakes and a few engine tweaks all come in handy.
I feel my work here is done.
Ciao
Edited by Angelis on Friday 24th June 12:42
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