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Ferrari 348 buyer

Nosevi

Nosevi

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Hi all.

Am new to the forum but joined as I'm finally in a position to buy my first Ferrari so wanted to do a little early research. To be honest I've hankered after a Ferrari since about when I could say the word and origionally fell in love with the 308. Since deciding to finally take the plunge I've been looking at the 348 which I think looks stunning and sounds great. I've looked at the 328 and 355 (very different cars, I know) but keep coming back to the 348. My problems have really come since I've been doing a bit of reading on the forums. I think I've probably read just about every '348s are great, no they're not they're rubbish' thread on just about every Ferrari forum and certainly don't wish to start another. I don't think I've ever come across any model by any manufacturer where the views were so polarised. The view that the 348 is the worst Ferrari ever (GT4 and 400 included I'm guessing which just don't do it for me, I confess) and the last of the true drivers cars Ferrari made are a little hard to accomodate, particularly when coming from 'knowledgeable' Ferrari owners. I realise some of it is banter but a good deal doesn't seem to be so I think these views are really held by those who have written them.
So here's my question. Is it just all a matter of personal taste/opinion? Is the 348 too raw for some so they put it down because it doesn't fit with their idea of a modern sports car with power steering and all the other gizmos they expect to have? Is the 348 really as good as I've seen Jeremy Clarkson descibe it and as bad as he's said it is?
I've only had one 'toy' before and that was an early 70s MGB Roadster. British Racing Green, wire wheels, chrome bumpers, walnut dash. Not everyone's cup of tea but I loved it. I could take the engine to bits (normally when it decided to stop working) and put it back together. It had no bells and certainly no whistles but you really had to drive it. 4 gears with overdrive is not a performance car setup by any stretch of the imagination but it was great fun. And driving close to the limit, well lets be honest, it wasn't exactly fast but it was a blast.
When I started looking for a new toy I thought about something fast and had a brief look at the TVR Griffith 500 (I know, plastic car etc etc) but have you ever seen a Griff with the SC500 C38 Supercharger in? Pushing 500hp in a plastic car. If you're currently sitting in a 355 and thinking 348s are really slow, try going off the line next to one of them. When your ears stop ringing I think you'll find it somewhere ahead of you. That said, performance isn't everthing and staying alive is one of my goals. That and I just couldn't help but get drawn back towards a Ferrari which is the only car I've ever REALLY wanted.
I recently witness a race between a new Mustang GT500 and a brand new BMW M3. The owner of the M3 was as proud as could be of his ride - kevlar roof, launch control, flappy paddle shift - talk about gizmos. Unfortunately the gizmos didn't work and the Mustang won, albeit while finding out he was limited to 173mph (life's hard, isn't it). My opinion of the M3? Looked like a family car and did everything in it's power to stop you from actually driving it. Went pretty fast, though but really not my thing.
I've wanted a Ferrari pretty much all my life and have some understanding of the passion that is behind some of your comments re the 348. I want a car that I can really drive. I want to feel as involved as possible and if it takes a while to really get the hang of it, so much the better. 355 owners, your cars are great - fast, stunning and a complete evolution of the 308-355 line. 308s wow, what a classic Ferrari shape. But I'm looking at the 348. Unbiased, first hand knowledge only if possible. the 348, a great drivers car - a true Ferrari?

Thanks for your time.

p.s. From a potential buyers prospective the negative comments have dropped the price nicely so I'm not complaining but I'd like a slightly more rounded view if possible. (Yes, I know. Its a Ferrari, people aren't meant to be rational about it but in this case I'd really appreciate it.) Cheers.
 
348s polarize opinion - some really like 'em, some don't. But then the same is true of just about every model.

Short answer is therefore, buy what you like and enjoy it. But don't expect it to be the best car it can without proper maintenance & attention to detail (suspension geometry etc). Properly setup and maintained a 348 is a very capable thing indeed - but then so are pretty much all Ferraris.

The youngest 348 is now maybe 16/17 years old - so don't expect to compare it to things like recent BMW M3s - such a comparison means nothing really, it is what it is.
 
It's an old car so in modern performance terms, not that quick - but quick enough in the right hands as a road car.

Owned mine for four years, loved every single minute of it. What a fantastic Ferrari for the money. Buy one, you'll not regret it. The only regret i have.....is selling mine:thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the comments guys. Re comparing to an M3, my expectations are very different especially ss fast saloons are not my thing. Really didn't like it much but don't tell the owner. Think he spent £68k with all the extras. Setting up wise, I've been in contact with a guy called Geoff at Shiltech and will probably be looking there for both an inspection and setting the car up if it needs it. Anyone had experience of Shiltech?
 
Siltech, acording to other posts - Great and rubbish. New to forums. Is there any time you get a straight answer or is it generally both extremes? Anyway back to the 348, any more unbiased, first hand experiences?
 
Thanks for that. Actually was talking about threads to do with Shiltech but goes for the 348 as well it seems. Do I remember right from a thread a while back that you drive a 348?
 
HI Nos,

We have 328, 348, 355, 360 and 550 in stock, pop around and have a chat and a side by side comparison, its easier that way! :thumbsup:

Tim.
 
Actually just checked your profile. Really Like the red GTS. Guessing you fall down on the 'great driving car side of the discussion?
 
For me 348's are very difficult, I love driving them, they are nimble and kart like, but finding a good one is a challenge, they do have some faults, some minor...some quite costly if you buy unwisely.
The condition of the car is key, it must have an impressive service record by someone who understands the 348.

T.
 
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Cheers Tim, looks like you have the car for me in the 92 TS on your site. Unfortunately I'm a few months away from buying but will keep you guys very much in mind. Thanks for the advice re inspections, I was thinking of using your friends over at Shiltech though that may end up being a tad insestuous if I buy from you. Anyway, cheers and don't try too hard to sell the TS this summer. Nos
 
Will be looking for a red late model TS (preferably about '92) with Crema leather, low milage for under 30k. You never know, I might not have to look at all that many :) Thanks for the advice though. So wish this was a few months down the line....
 
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