348 vs 355 any comparison???
Discussion
Hello all,
I've been in the market to buy an exotic sports car....in the USA that is.... Ferrari 348's are at great price point, but I'm afraid it won't have the performance I want. Where as the 355 is almost double the cost, but 0-60, hp, and engine noise are all improved........would you pay double to go from a 348 to a 355?
What are the major pitfalls of a 348 vs 355? Anyone have experience with both? This would be my first Ferrari.
Thanks
Jeremy
>>> Edited by theforce on Monday 10th November 13:37
I've been in the market to buy an exotic sports car....in the USA that is.... Ferrari 348's are at great price point, but I'm afraid it won't have the performance I want. Where as the 355 is almost double the cost, but 0-60, hp, and engine noise are all improved........would you pay double to go from a 348 to a 355?
What are the major pitfalls of a 348 vs 355? Anyone have experience with both? This would be my first Ferrari.
Thanks
Jeremy
>>> Edited by theforce on Monday 10th November 13:37
the 348 was a test mule for the 355 that was not as good as it could have been although many owners like 348s!!
In terms of comparison, the 355 is light years away.
In the 348 electrical problems abound, the gearbox is ackowldged not to be a ferrari great and in extreme had snappy handling characteristics.
I almost bought 348 2 years ago before the 355 and knowing what I now know I would not consider a 348 and either pay the extra for a 355 or buy some other marque.
In terms of comparison, the 355 is light years away.
In the 348 electrical problems abound, the gearbox is ackowldged not to be a ferrari great and in extreme had snappy handling characteristics.
I almost bought 348 2 years ago before the 355 and knowing what I now know I would not consider a 348 and either pay the extra for a 355 or buy some other marque.
The one thing to bear in mind on 348's is that they vary, a great deal. When I bought mine I looked at more than 20 and they were all very different.
A later 348GTS model or a spider is light years ehead of the standard car with many electrical problems, handling issues and other gremlins completely ironed out.
I drove my GTS on the track and its true, it didnt inspire as much confidence as the 355,but was still very well planted & grippy, but that was on a track.
Back to back on the roads the difference isnt that great. Indeed once my car had been decatted and had a sports exhaust & k&n filters the straight line perfomance wasnt much different to a 355. (I did a back to back comparison)
In summary I'd say it depends on your finances. I do prefer the looks of a 355 and it undoubtedly performs and sounds amazingly. However, in terms of actual ownership I'd prefer a well sorted 348 GTS to an early 355 (which indeed had their own problems), and is a 355 worth twice the price of a 348, hmm, I'm not too sure.
All IMHO of course gentlemen.
It might be worth you looking at www.ferrarichat.com also, there are some very knowledgable guys in the USA on there who will be pleased to help you.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
>> Edited by craigw on Monday 10th November 14:41
A later 348GTS model or a spider is light years ehead of the standard car with many electrical problems, handling issues and other gremlins completely ironed out.
I drove my GTS on the track and its true, it didnt inspire as much confidence as the 355,but was still very well planted & grippy, but that was on a track.
Back to back on the roads the difference isnt that great. Indeed once my car had been decatted and had a sports exhaust & k&n filters the straight line perfomance wasnt much different to a 355. (I did a back to back comparison)
In summary I'd say it depends on your finances. I do prefer the looks of a 355 and it undoubtedly performs and sounds amazingly. However, in terms of actual ownership I'd prefer a well sorted 348 GTS to an early 355 (which indeed had their own problems), and is a 355 worth twice the price of a 348, hmm, I'm not too sure.
All IMHO of course gentlemen.
It might be worth you looking at www.ferrarichat.com also, there are some very knowledgable guys in the USA on there who will be pleased to help you.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
>> Edited by craigw on Monday 10th November 14:41
You're a bit harsh of the 348, it's a pretty good car and on the road it's absolutely fine to drive. I've driven about 4 different cars and found them to be quite variable, but the best felt very good fun indeed.
348 has some period ferrari niggles that were addressed by the 355 :
not enough room for large drivers, except in TB. I couldn't fit in a TS with the roof panel behind the seats and I'm only 6'2"
Gearchange 2-3 is pretty ropey on many cars.
Having said all that the 355 is a thoroughly modern sports car, it has driver aids, airbags (on later models) far more power and space and everyday usability. Subsequently it costs a lot more.
In the end though, if you're looking for a really sorted 355, you might find that an early 360 then becomes a possiblilty, and that is another step change.....
In summary 348 not a bad car at all for the road, just the 355 is a better one. If you're going to the track a lot though a 355 is a must, the on limit handling in the 348 isn't particularly great by all accounts, whereas the 355 is still regarded as a benchmark of brilliance in this respect.
348 has some period ferrari niggles that were addressed by the 355 :
not enough room for large drivers, except in TB. I couldn't fit in a TS with the roof panel behind the seats and I'm only 6'2"
Gearchange 2-3 is pretty ropey on many cars.
Having said all that the 355 is a thoroughly modern sports car, it has driver aids, airbags (on later models) far more power and space and everyday usability. Subsequently it costs a lot more.
In the end though, if you're looking for a really sorted 355, you might find that an early 360 then becomes a possiblilty, and that is another step change.....
In summary 348 not a bad car at all for the road, just the 355 is a better one. If you're going to the track a lot though a 355 is a must, the on limit handling in the 348 isn't particularly great by all accounts, whereas the 355 is still regarded as a benchmark of brilliance in this respect.
I'm afraid I've only got experience with 355's, so my advice could be slightly biased! 
I used to be quite a fan of the 348's, they are a lovely looking car and sound good too.
However I know that they aren't as well built/reliable as 355's or even 328's, it's been said that the 348 was the worst built out of the '3 series'.
The 355 would be the most reliable of the 3, with the 348 coming last. The cost of part's is also more expensive on the 348's.
This is all based on UK prices tho, and could be completely different in the US.
Whatever you choose to buy, make sure you get a warranty!
That's about it for the mo, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask away and I'll see what I can do!
Foxy x
I used to be quite a fan of the 348's, they are a lovely looking car and sound good too.
However I know that they aren't as well built/reliable as 355's or even 328's, it's been said that the 348 was the worst built out of the '3 series'.
The 355 would be the most reliable of the 3, with the 348 coming last. The cost of part's is also more expensive on the 348's.
This is all based on UK prices tho, and could be completely different in the US.
Whatever you choose to buy, make sure you get a warranty!
That's about it for the mo, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask away and I'll see what I can do!
Foxy x
craigw said:
The one thing to bear in mind on 348's is that they vary, a great deal. When I bought mine I looked at more than 20 and they were all very different.
A later 348GTS model or a spider is light years ehead of the standard car with many electrical problems, handling issues and other gremlins completely ironed out.
I drove my GTS on the track and its true, it didnt inspire as much confidence as the 355,but was still very well planted & grippy, but that was on a track.
Back to back on the roads the difference isnt that great. Indeed once my car had been decatted and had a sports exhaust & k&n filters the straight line perfomance wasnt much different to a 355. (I did a back to back comparison)
In summary I'd say it depends on your finances. I do prefer the looks of a 355 and it undoubtedly performs and sounds amazingly. However, in terms of actual ownership I'd prefer a well sorted 348 GTS to an early 355 (which indeed had their own problems), and is a 355 worth twice the price of a 348, hmm, I'm not too sure.
All IMHO of course gentlemen.
It might be worth you looking at <a href="http://www.ferrarichat.com">www.ferrarichat.com</a> also, there are some very knowledgable guys in the USA on there who will be pleased to help you.
Best of luck whatever you decide.
I agree absolutely, that if I was in the market for either a very early 355 or a late 348 I would buy the 348!!
>> Edited by craigw on Monday 10th November 14:41
mr_tony said:
You're a bit harsh of the 348, it's a pretty good car and on the road it's absolutely fine to drive. I've driven about 4 different cars and found them to be quite variable, but the best felt very good fun indeed.
348 has some period ferrari niggles that were addressed by the 355 :
not enough room for large drivers, except in TB. I couldn't fit in a TS with the roof panel behind the seats and I'm only 6'2"
Gearchange 2-3 is pretty ropey on many cars.
Having said all that the 355 is a thoroughly modern sports car, it has driver aids, airbags (on later models) far more power and space and everyday usability. Subsequently it costs a lot more.
In the end though, if you're looking for a really sorted 355, you might find that an early 360 then becomes a possiblilty, and that is another step change.....
In summary 348 not a bad car at all for the road, just the 355 is a better one. If you're going to the track a lot though a 355 is a must, the on limit handling in the 348 isn't particularly great by all accounts, whereas the 355 is still regarded as a benchmark of brilliance in this respect.
I think the 348 is a nice car if the budget only allows that and as to track use I think ive seen more 328 loosing it than 348s!!
Of course the interesting point comes when one discusses about the 'step-up' from 355 to 360.
Whilst there are many areas that excel in the 360, notably brakes and more low end grunt it seems the 'improvement'is not quite such leap forward. Certainly, i know of many who have had both and the 355 seems to win more friends
Ok well.......buying a 348 is easily done right now, and a 355 might be a little longer just to make sure we have the correct financial situation. None the less I'm very interested in buying one of these cars. I would love to track the car, Road Atlanta is only 2.5 hours from me and it is a great track.
The 355 is the car of choice to me no question, but for my first Ferrari should I buy a 348 or even a 328? Or just jump right into it and buy the 355 right off? Also just how un-reliable are the 348's? I would like to make this car a weekend driver, but it sounds like I would only have it 2 weekends a month. Is there a 348 specfic website detailing the car?
The 355 is the car of choice to me no question, but for my first Ferrari should I buy a 348 or even a 328? Or just jump right into it and buy the 355 right off? Also just how un-reliable are the 348's? I would like to make this car a weekend driver, but it sounds like I would only have it 2 weekends a month. Is there a 348 specfic website detailing the car?
craigw said:
I used mine every day virtually, in all weathers.
Personally I wouldnt want to invest in a Ferrari that was only going to be used twice a month.
What aspects of reliability are you thinking of?
Yes that is my point as well....i want to be able to use that glorious screaming V8. However above in this thread someone stated the 348 has lots of electrical niggles...
I have a 348 spyder and its been a great car. I have never had any problems with mine. my 348 has got 365 Bhp and moves fast. The car handles great, The car feels like a go-kart. The back end can snap out, but with practice the car can be driven to its limit. The 348 is not as forgiving as the F355 at its limit. The sound of mine is has good as the F355 with straight pipes a a very, very samll back box. it really does howl. The 348 is a driver's car........
Here are mine performance fiqures..
F348 Performance Data
0-100 km/h - 4.7 sec / 0-60 mph - 4.6 sec
Top speed is 295 Km/h / 183 mph
Max Rpm Limit - 8200 rpm
Max Power Output – 269 Kw / 365 bhp (PS) at 7,800 rpm
Max Torque – 375Nm / 278 lbs/ft at 5,200 rpm
I think the 348 is more aggressive looking with side grate vents and sharper front end. The rear of F355 is nicer though. In Italy they call the F348 the baby tessa in terms of looks. Its got that classic ferrari appearance where the F355 to more rounded. I love the F355 but its the mass production model for Ferrari where the F348 was a limited run being rarer.
252 made - GTS
137 made - GTB
109 made - Spyders
50 made - GTC
The 348 late 1993 to late 1994 are the best ones. All sorted. Wider track, better electrics, more BHP, better body styling.
The F348 Ferrari Spyder was launched in 1993, running alongside the evolutionised F348 GTB/GTS. It was the first two-seater spyder sportscar made by Ferrari since the 365 GTB/4 (Daytona) Spyder last sold in 1974. It was the first mid-engine two seater Spyder produced by Ferrari.
There have been many engineering developments and design refinements to F348 series that have improved its Performance, Handling and Comfort.
In addition to the modifications to the body configuration of the F348 Spyder, there had been significant technical changes that enhanced the performance and road stability.
Engineering developments included a transverse gearbox with revised ratios for quicker acceleration and a free flowing exhaust system for higher power output. The wider rear track with an improved suspension system assured better handling and manoeuvrability.
In 1994, the evolutionised F348 GTB/GTS cease production with the all new F355 GTB/GTS. The F348 Ferrari Spyder’s were still produced alongside the F355 series.
The late F348 Ferrari Spyder’s were further evolutionised by introducing the F355 characteristics onto the F348 Spyder’s as a development platform for the all new F355 Spyder that was to be released in 1995, when the F348 Spyder cease production.
Here are mine performance fiqures..
F348 Performance Data
0-100 km/h - 4.7 sec / 0-60 mph - 4.6 sec
Top speed is 295 Km/h / 183 mph
Max Rpm Limit - 8200 rpm
Max Power Output – 269 Kw / 365 bhp (PS) at 7,800 rpm
Max Torque – 375Nm / 278 lbs/ft at 5,200 rpm
I think the 348 is more aggressive looking with side grate vents and sharper front end. The rear of F355 is nicer though. In Italy they call the F348 the baby tessa in terms of looks. Its got that classic ferrari appearance where the F355 to more rounded. I love the F355 but its the mass production model for Ferrari where the F348 was a limited run being rarer.
252 made - GTS
137 made - GTB
109 made - Spyders
50 made - GTC
The 348 late 1993 to late 1994 are the best ones. All sorted. Wider track, better electrics, more BHP, better body styling.
The F348 Ferrari Spyder was launched in 1993, running alongside the evolutionised F348 GTB/GTS. It was the first two-seater spyder sportscar made by Ferrari since the 365 GTB/4 (Daytona) Spyder last sold in 1974. It was the first mid-engine two seater Spyder produced by Ferrari.
There have been many engineering developments and design refinements to F348 series that have improved its Performance, Handling and Comfort.
In addition to the modifications to the body configuration of the F348 Spyder, there had been significant technical changes that enhanced the performance and road stability.
Engineering developments included a transverse gearbox with revised ratios for quicker acceleration and a free flowing exhaust system for higher power output. The wider rear track with an improved suspension system assured better handling and manoeuvrability.
In 1994, the evolutionised F348 GTB/GTS cease production with the all new F355 GTB/GTS. The F348 Ferrari Spyder’s were still produced alongside the F355 series.
The late F348 Ferrari Spyder’s were further evolutionised by introducing the F355 characteristics onto the F348 Spyder’s as a development platform for the all new F355 Spyder that was to be released in 1995, when the F348 Spyder cease production.
:P What is the point of owning a Ferrari if you do not drive it...
If you drive them you do not have trouble with the Ferraris and you will have fun. A ferrari is to be driven not just to look at.
I lot of people that want to buy a ferrari rather see some avergae mileage then hardly any, because that's when you have problems.
If you drive them you do not have trouble with the Ferraris and you will have fun. A ferrari is to be driven not just to look at.
I lot of people that want to buy a ferrari rather see some avergae mileage then hardly any, because that's when you have problems.
I love this article:
https://drives.today/articles/792/comparison/1989-...
I don't want to start another new eternal debate...
It is simply to share this nice article and to show that time is finally going, little by little, being fair with the Ferrari 348.
https://drives.today/articles/792/comparison/1989-...
I don't want to start another new eternal debate...
It is simply to share this nice article and to show that time is finally going, little by little, being fair with the Ferrari 348.
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