22nd Jun 2006, 12:55
I have been reading all of the comments and find that if you own one of these cars, and it is fast enough for you - then there is none better. Besides, as a life long worshipper of the Ferrari history, I think the car is probably the most beautiful Ferrari ever made.
Just my two cents. I am about to buy my first exotic car and it will be a 348, Cheerio.
James Henderson, United States.
9th Jan 2007, 12:59
Thanks for the advice. I ended up buying a '91 348 TS. So far, I drool each time I see/drive it. It's really a very nice design. As is written in one previous comment; it’s not a macho design like the Testarossa. I love the subtlety of the design and the size of the car. Of course the sound can’t be beat, especially with the Tubi exhaust upgrade.
The one thing I need to tend to right away is the light switch on the steering column. The lever is loose and pulls right out. I found a replacement, but I wander if I can fix the original. Any advice?
1st Jul 2007, 14:56
I have an interesting 348 scenario. I agree with the above; a "sweet looking" car. However, Ferrari is a new venture for me. I've been a Porsche driver for years. I am in the US; California to be exact. A friend is in trouble, and to help him out, I will get his 348. A mechanic acquaintance familiar with this car claims that it is really clean. Here's the challenge, the car is from Europe. It is here in the States, however I don't know if it has been registered here or made street ready. What does it cost to get a Euro Ferrari street ready in the US? What steps will it take? Will US changes compromise this car? Should I just sell the car to someone in Europe? With about 25k miles, what is this car worth? I'd love to keep it as a weekend driver, but I'm concerned that it will cost me a fortune to get the car street ready for California. Any advice? By the way, the sound is amazing (I agree).
28th Aug 2007, 09:18
I drive a 1992 model 348ts and it is an amazing car. I have read previous comments and would like to point out a few things.
The car was originally designed and built 18 years ago, so it may not be the fastest vehicle on the road, that said it is still incredibly quick and will hold it's own against cars like the BMW Z4 and Mercedes Benz SLK350. I know because I own A SLK350.
I agree that it is a very expensive car to maintain with a cam belt change costing me in the region of $3500.00 and a clutch change around $2000.00. That said it is not a car to drive every day so the costs are not an every year occurrence.
It remains a beautiful car and age has not detracted from the modern look it has. Not something that can be said of some other vehicles of that age. Something to consider that may actually be a let down is the cabin space and specifically the tiny seats especially if you are a big person. Those seats can pinch your hips pretty hard.
Would I recommend it as a first sport car? Yes, not only is it a fantastic driving experience, it also has a soul and the feeling of pride in ownership that no other brand of sport car can match.
2nd Oct 2007, 09:18
Great comments and insight here from current and previous owners of what I refer to as the ”beauty and the beast”.
I have to say I love this car and I cannot stop thinking about owning one. I am currently looking at a 1990 GTS GTS with 28K miles for 37,500. This is in fly yellow with tan interior, the car as a whole looks pretty much stock. I know the maintenance cost are high in the range of 8K for clutch, cam belts and timing belt change. I am wondering a few things, how often should these 3 items be changed? With this asking price I suspect all of this maintenance needs to be done, so I should tack another 8K to this price which would bring me to 45-46K. This still seems low to me. Is there anything special I should be considering ie year, spider vs GTS vs GTB etc… I do love the spider which car would give me the biggest bang for my buck? Any ideas? Thank you in advance. Brian G. WDC..
18th Oct 2007, 15:44
Hi Brian,
Since you're looking for an oldie, why not consider a Mondial? Performance is obviously not the same, but neither are costs. You can drive it more often, worry less about costs, and it handles much better and has half the problems that burden the 348. We are talking about half the buying costs and a fraction of the maintenance costs.
Timing belts can be done by removing the tire, avoiding the engine removal, and it's a four seater. Same prestige at half the costs and a fraction of the problems.
8th Dec 2007, 01:13
I own a 348 ('92) and the cost (labor) to change the clutch and belts were 400Euros (roughly 600$)... the lucky part is we are in Romania ---
Perhaps we should open up a business, shipping all these Swiss and German cars over here to do the maintenance.
Oh yeah, liability insurance is LESS than 300$/year.
I was upset about the yearly registration cost of 1200$ until I read all the above comments. Good luck to everyone.
2nd Apr 2008, 17:25
Hi. Does that mean it is a good idea to drive to Romania, say, to get the work done? Are there any reliable Ferrari servicing outlets over there (or Bulgaria etc?) I am looking to buy a 92 onwards 348TS for use in France and Spain. Thanks for the info.
9th Dec 2009, 01:33
I own a Ferrari 348ts 1992. It's not comfortable driving it, but hey ho, life goes on. There are no Ferrari agents nor part or accessories suppliers in my country. All mine are bought from abroad or through the Internet.
One thing that I notice about Ferrari is it's overrated. The workshop I send for servicing or replacement of parts does not charge like what most Ferrari owners mentioned in websites or forum. I recently changed the timing belt and it cost me just total Brunei $800.0 (US$1.00 = B$2.74) that is inclusive of labour charges etc etc.
22nd Dec 2009, 04:54
After many years of Alfa ownership, I have now moved to my first Ferrari. A 92 348ts replacing my much loved Alfa Montreal after 15 years. It is living a dream, and the 348 ts is all that I had expected of a Ferrari.
They say you don't buy a car, you buy folklore, and this is so true of Ferrari.
A 348 will give you exactly what Ferrari is famous for, at what I think is a very affordable price given the newer alternatives. It's a rear engined 320 bhp Go-Kart, which gives you raw feeling of power and speed with a bit of unrefined mongrel in it.
It demands that you take control, that you must drive the car not just sit in it and enjoy the ride. It's not luxury, yet the quality is there. It's not comfort, yet you can drive it comfortably. It is a true Ferrari, which has that wild feel about it. Treat it harshly and it will bit you and you will end up wrapped around a tree.
But if you take control and drive it with calm authority, it will give you a thrill on the road that only a Ferrari can.
It will cruise gently and comfortably in traffic, yet will willing scream down a freeway at a speed most of us would not have the balls to maintain, and turn through corners fast enough to give your unsuspecting passenger whip-lash if you wanted.
Can anyone say the same of a Porche, BMW or Merc? I doubt it, and that's what Ferrari is all about...!!!
5th Jul 2012, 10:01
No doubt this is why you see so many low mileage Ferraris out there.
Here's another option; park it and look at in your garage, or let the last owner do the timing belt, and drive it to shows and get 3 years of light usage out of it.
No wonder so many new Corvettes are sold. Turn the key, drive cross country, and still do 0-60 in under 4 seconds.
The Corvettes have bulletproof drive trains. I do my timing belts at 50,000 miles.
2nd Jul 2014, 22:20
I own a 1989 yellow 348 TB.
I don't give a s#*t how much it costs to fix. I drive it every day as it was meant to be driven. I adore my car.
I'm 6 ft 3in, 275lbs, and look like a body builder. People always ask how do I fit in it, and I answer just barely. Enzo made them for normal size Italians, not big ones like me, but either way I'm glad he built it and that I have one.
And for the people who talk bad about the 348 or other Ferraris,
go buy a Lambo or a Tesla; we really don't need you in our cars or lives.
Oh yes, in case you don't get the drift, there is really only one real sports car, and its fathers name was Enzo.
Tommy Gun. CT.
4th Apr 2006, 12:00
You are absolutely correct. The 348 is a good performer, but does not keep up with today's current performance standards. Even lowly M3's will easily outrun a 348.