Sell my old 911 for a 348TB

[Matt Smith]

Anyone done this?
I love 911's but life is only so long and I'm contemplating change.
Mrs Smith says a resolute NO to any expenditure that doesn't involve adding storage to our home. I'm bored with that, and have had lots of fun with the 72. Reaching the big Five-0 next year and would like some analogue automotive inspiration that I can work on, and not go backwards $$.
Nightmare about to happen?

[WPOZZZ]

I'm with you. I'm looking for a 348 Spider.

[Bill Douglas]

My uncle had something that looked like that. It was a nightmare to get parts for. He would even phone Ferrari directly and they would say something like "Sorry, nothing like that in stock. Costa makes the distributor caps but he's away on holiday until the end of August..."

[DeRRis]

I say do it. Better to have owned a Ferrari than always dreaming about owning a Ferrari. 348TB is a great car. Worst thing that can happen is that you buy a Porsche after the Ferrari.

[billh1963]

Go for it. I've owned several (not a 348, though). If you haven't done so already, join Fchat.

[Fairview]

I jumped ship after 12 different air cooled Porsches and bought a nice 308. I am glad I did simply for the experience and the fun of trying something different. I bought a great car and enjoyed it, but after 7 years of Ferrari ownership, I’m back with a 911SC. It’s good to be home.

I would strongly recommend that you study the Ferrari Chat website for a wonderful knowledge base. There are lots of ways to go wrong buying your first Ferrari, even with a good background in sports cars and maintenance. It’s a different world.

The recently departed 308....

[zedsn]

Several years ago there was a black mondial convertible that was local at a used car shworoom that had changed hands several times and had no service history so I didn't buy it am to be honest I am glad that I did not buy it.

[Raceboy]

Having driven both and having repaired a late 348 Spyder I would not want to own it. Nice to drive occasionally but the ergonomics, build quality and reliability is just non-existant..
And that is compared to an aircooled 911..

[mreid]

When I was looking for a Ferrari, I spent months researching them and quickly found that the 348 is by far the worst. Unreliable, expensive, and hard to source parts. Better to find a 355 or better yet, a 360.

[Elombard]

Interesting, I have read on F Chat quite a bit about the 348. They had problems but they are mostly sorted out with "reasonably" priced solutions. The main positive about the 348 for me is they are DIY friendly. The newer F cars are not so much. I would like to try one too!

I think your biggest regret will be selling the 72 and then realizing the market value of same 72 in 5 years..never look back :-)

[SalParadise]

I have driven many 348s and worked on probably twice as many.

I can tell you this. Although the shape and design has aged well, it was never, ever one of Ferrari's best products or cars. It was made during a dark time at the factory, and it's design is not well regarded there.

You have many options including a 308, 328, and even a Mondial. As much as I do not prefer a Mondial (I would take a later one) - they are much better than a 348.

Problem is with Ferraris is that many problems are not "ironed out" as they should because people simply do not drive them enough.

The 348 was lagging for a long time, even compared to the 308 - but then when 308 went up they pulled 348s along with them.

I would do what you are thinking. I would sell the 911 and buy a Ferrari. I just would not buy a 348.

As someone said the 348 is DIY friendly - sort of. Compared to what? A 355 or 360 Modena? Maybe. But not compared to a 308, 328, Mondial or Testarossa. If I were you I would max out my dollars on my 911 and buy a mid-80s TR. These are very robust - and a very fun to drive and to work on.

[porsche930dude]

Sounds like you are asking the wrong forum. Why dont you do what the wife says and add storage to your home. In the form of another garage

[lvporschepilot]

There’s an outstanding brotherhood of 348 owners on fchat. Ernie is sort of ‘the guy’ with regards to them. 348s are great cars with nominal issues. I owned a 95 355 spyder which is fantastic and is my recommendation if you find a sorted example that has had the valve guides and headers already dealt with. 348 is great but the 355 is the evolution in every way.

[yelcab1]

My signature speaks for my experience.

The 348 gets me into a special group of Ferrari Stooges that own and work on them all the time. There is not a single problem on a 348 that has not happened to someone before and a solution always exists. Parts are available still with some much improved after market.

The 355 will have more issues to deal with. The 360 will have fewer issues to deal with but it is not an inspirational analog feel. The 308/328 is the easiest to own, with some quirks of their own.

On the scale of desirability for a 348, this is the generally accepted list:

348 Factory Challenge
348 Serie Speciale
348 Spider
348 TB/TS

later years are better than earlier years.

Good luck. There are several Auzzy 348 owners that are very good with their tools. Look them up.

[philly1963]

I just swapped my 348ts for a 356b coupe ...I'm happy w the 356 but miss the 348 ... Contrary to many folks repeat what they heard opinions my 348 experience was fabulous - very reliable but I fix little stuff when it breaks - way more power than my 308qv - I like the strakes - I put 360 wheels on it instead of stock saw wheels and it looked much better IMHO ...last of the Enzo is alive cars ... Last of the no power assist cars ... I expect an increase in valua in the near term - especially since I sold mine;(

[onboost]

I've owned several and have had access to a number of different Ferraris models over the years, along with numerous Porsches.. so my thoughts below are not based on what I've read or heard, nor am I trying to be "the" authority;

1. It’s very hard to beat the air-cooled Porsches with regard to usability and bang for the buck/dollars spent for maintenance

2. If you are adverse to people pointing, and taking pictures of you, or asking lots of questions.. not the car for you! And yes, you have to worry/be more cautious with your Ferrari, than with your Porsche in traffic or parking as body reapair will usually be a lot more painful than with your Porsche…

3. The used parts network for Ferrari is nothing like what you see with Porsche.. hell this goes for new parts too depending on what you need!

4. As others have stated, there are some well documented issues out there with the 348. However, a number of the cars of course have been fixed, and are now very usable, but then there are enough of them that haven’t been sorted as they were not used enough by the various owners.

5. Everyone wants a super low mile car.. most of these cars don’t have true miles shown. Personally I prefer one that has miles on it as you know its been used, and records should show service with that mileage.. and hey, it may even be sorted.

6. So you want to DIY? You will need to get yourself a lift. The engine sits North/South, it has timing belts, and no way to access them from the interior. It requires you to remove the engine/trans/rear suspension as a unit.. as does the 355, and the TR. Where-as on the 308, 328, and Mondials, 308GT etc.. the engine is transverse and a number of your repairs can be manipulated on jack-stands.

7. There were only a couple of models before the 348 that used EFI (we won’t talk about those cause most of us clearly can’t afford them at this point), so I like to consider the 348 as the one where the switch was made to Motronics, and the cars began to get more complex, not so much because of the this, but because of the direction that the company was headed in with the newer models coming down the pike.

Granted, the 348 is a sexy car, it has aged well.. but if I were moving toward anything newer, like others have stated it would be a 355 or 360. Early 355s (95)had valve-guide issues, and some had header issues. Again, some have been sorted, others have not.. you need to check.

Lastly, see if there is some way to get the wife to make some concession.. in essence get your Ferrari too! I like the fact that she in for adding storage.. sounds like a nice garage edition to me.

I mean even a kid knows you can never have too many toys!

Good luck on your decision!

[Nader]

I have an '87 Carrera, then bought a '91 348ts about 18 months ago. Love it! I've commented on the model extensively on BaT. Find their most recent 348 auction, then click on my user name in the comments. It may be helpful.

The 348 used to sell for $25-30K about 6 or so years ago. But since last August, every 348 on BaT has sold for a $50K minimum. Enthusiasts and Gen-Xers looking to live the dream are catching on.

[JMS935]

May I recommend trying to find an F car at a dealership you like and then trading in your 911 for it. Not only is that a much easier transaction, but it’ll save you on taxes as well.

[manbridge 74]

Sort of interesting that the first models were known for excessive oversteer which led to later revised suspension and alignment settings. Maybe the first ones are more lively. (This from Wiki, I’ve no 348 experience) They seem sort of heavy compared to the 911...

[Nader]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

Sort of interesting that the first models were known for excessive oversteer which led to later revised suspension and alignment settings. Maybe the first ones are more lively. (This from Wiki, I’ve no 348 experience) They seem sort of heavy compared to the 911...

Steering on these is legendary. Very quick with incredible feedback. Lively is a good term. Very much a driver's car. Those accustomed to regular cars and power assist may find it darty or squirrely. The biggest improvement in handling/stability came from widening the rear track. Factory did it with thicker wheel hubs. I did it with aftermarket wheels. You can also buy spacers, but I prefer different 18" wheels. Better tire selection, too.

Compared to my Carrera, the Ferrari's ride is lower and firmer, definitely need to pay more attention to road condition, dips, curbs, etc.