MGW-Fla

The guy that sometimes works on our 928s is also a Ferrari guy. He always has some kind of Prancin Horse car there at his place when I stop by & sometimes they are really rare ones too. He told me once when I asked his opinion of the difference between the 348 & 355, that for the little difference in the prices, the 355 was well worth it for the improved car you're getting.

shmark

I find that this



goes well with this.



Two really different animals, but complimentary. FWIW I seriously contemplated a 348 (I know where an amazing '94 challenge is for sale) but in the end it just didn't make my pulse jump like a 308GTB. Maintenance is also a concern, and the 308 is much simpler and cheaper than the 348. Here's what I wrote in a different thread.

I was completely surprised at how the 308 drives. I was anticipating it to be a little nervous and harsh and boy was I wrong. Completely stable, fingertip driving on the highway no matter what the road conditions - bumps, grooves whatever. I think the new tires also helped that - I put the Dunlop Star Specs on it and so far I am really impressed with these tires. And the ride is a lot more comfortable than the 928, just absorbs bumps like they weren't there. I was seriously amazed. Of course my 928 has an uprated suspension which definitely skews the picture, but the 308 was just so easy to drive. The 928 seats are far more comfortable compared to the shells in the 308 and it feels more planted and heavy, while the 308 feels very light and fluid. High-speed GT versus lightweight sports car, very different animals. The 928 a/c is far superior though, definitely the best of any car we own including the moderns. The 308 a/c is decent and worked ok for the trip home, but in bright sunlight it was struggling.

I was always impressed with my 27 year old 928 and how tight and solid it feels, but if anything this 308 GTB feels even tighter. Not one rattle or squeak anywhere, very solid feeling. A GTS will flex and rattle a lot, which is why I wanted a GTB and that was definitely the right move. Once I get a little work on the 928 done, it will be really interesting to drive them back to back and do a real comparison.

There are a couple vendors out there (much like the 928 vendors) and a big parts cross reference with other brands, which definitely helps with parts cost - buy "Bosch" parts and not "Ferrari" parts if you know what I mean. If you can care and feed a 928, chances are you can do the same with a 308 as long as you are smart about it.

VehiGAZ

You LIKE blue 928's?? To each their own, James! Yes, I like the tacky little 348 way more than the 456, and I like anything over the TR!

550's are way out of reach still.

The goal of this ownership experience would be to buy, hold for 2-3 years, maintain as needed, then resell - hopefully at minimal depreciation loss.

shmark

Nobody ever accused James of not speaking his mind. But the 348 is a beautiful car, amazing performance for the money, and cheaper to maintain than a 355. Yes I LIKE them too! Of course the 308 is prettier and easier to maintain than either one - CIS injection, 4-cam V8 with TWO timing belts.

[edit] If your goal is to enjoy the car and then upgrade in a few years, you want to buy one that will hold and even possibly appreciate in that time. 348 is flatlined, unlikely to go down much more, but unlikely to rise either. Special editions like the Challenge and Serie Speciale will be worth the most, figure $40k tops. An '89 348ts with >30k miles is a $25k car at best. A 355 is still in a depreciation fall and likely to go down over the next few years. Really good ones are just sitting at $50k and there have been some sold in the $30's. 360s are still coming down and you'll see one sell in the $40's before too long, 550s in the same bucket.

Best option is a 328. Those have actually ridden out the economic downturn without depreciating at all and have actually risen in the last year. I'll bet good money they will appreciate in the next 3-5 years. 308s are not far behind, being a very similar car, and will also likely appreciate in the next few years (one very good reason why I bought one). Best bets from a financial perspective in order: 308 'glass car, 328, 308QV, early 308 carb ('76-77). Avoid the middle years '78-82 for various reasons.

VehiGAZ

Mark, thanks so much for the point/counter-point! That's exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for.

I'm gonna have to drive some of these models to see what I really like.

shmark

Feel free to ask any questions, I've been deep in f-car land since I was 9. I've driven most of the V8 models and a couple V12s. The 308 is light, almost delicate to drive, beautiful steering feedback and a real "fingertip" driver. The 928 is much more, grab by the scruff of the neck and wrestle by comparison. As you go up the V8 foodchain, they get faster and less scalpel-like to drive, but still not the machete of a 928. I've driven a Boxer and a Testarossa and those are much more 928-like to drive, but different.

pcar928fan

Gaz, I like Blue, red, white, black, silver, green........whatever color 928's! I'd like to have one (or more) in EACH color! LOL!

I like F-cars too and will have one some day. I just don't care for the Testa or its little brother look alike the 348. To each his own though and if you like the way they look I think you have your best buy f-car!

I agree w/ Mark that the 308's and 328's are going to hold or slightly appreciate over the years, they are just BEAUTIFUL cars! No doubt about it! One of my favs is the 288 GTO! YUMMY! Never see them here, but you could do a nice rebody on a 328...YOWZA! I can't believe I suggested such a thing!

I can't wait to see what you end up with!

Also agree with Mark that the 550's and 360 are still on a slippery slope.

M. Requin

Mark, sure wish you hadn't made these two last posts about the 308 - I know it's not the darling of the f-car crowd but I've always found something appealing about them. I feel a "drool" coming on, which is usually followed by "fool"..., but maybe it's just the heat!

Catfood

Ive driven a 348 and a Testarossa. The Testarossa may be beyond your price range, but neither of them felt good to drive like my 928 does. They're body style is amazing, but their interior and driving feel leave me somewhat unimpressed

Marine Blue

Timely topic. Gaz definitely post your opinion on the Ferrari after a test drive or two. With F40 right nearby it should be easy!

I've always been interested in Ferrari's but have steered clear since I typically don't do my own maintenance. Love the exterior of TR's abut can't stand their interiors. With prices as low as they are I could actually afford to buy and maintain!

Just out of curiosity; other than the looks and sound; do 80's/90's Ferrari's really offer more performance and or are they really more fun to drive? To me a car that requires more effort to enjoy doesn't really cut it.

Also, my impression of Ferrari is that they weren't really ahead in technology until the 360 was introduced and a modern day Porsche would be more fun and easier to drive.

polecat702

If its looks your after, and something that will eat just about anything from Italy alive, get a GTS Pantera. Wicked fast and cheap to fix.

pcar928fan

Gaz I hate you and Mark from bringing this WHOLE thing up! I LOVE 360 Spiders and want one SO BAD I can hardly stand it! I would prefer a 599, but those are still STUPID expensive! Some day maybe though! LOL! Fingers crossed...now where is my lottery ticket?!

Polecat I like your thinking too! ALWAYS loved the Pantera's!!!

shmark

Oh but it is the darling, at least of the enthusiasts. Everyone loves them, just some with means prefer the newer models.

Hmmm...I've always found their interiors to be wonderful, and it's one of the reasons I love the 308. Lots of leather with beautiful vintage toggle switches and the quintessential sport car instrument pod. Porsche interiors are a bit clinical in comparison. Driving-wise, they are different no doubt. Definitely a German vs. Italian thing and I love them both. Closest Porsche is probably the 914, equally light and tossable, but the Ferraris are more sound and fury.

Careful of TRs, there's a reason the prices have fallen - big time maintenance bills. I think it was really the NSX that made Ferrari raise its game, starting with the 348. It was really a quantum leap above the 308/328, but along with the 355 had some teething problems. The 360 is where it all came together and they are fabulous machines. Performance-wise, pretty much on par with Porsches of the day, year for year - some better, some worse. I wouldn't say more effort at all, in fact in many ways Ferraris are LESS effort. But the manner they go about it is very different, again German vs. Italian really sums it up - calculation vs. passion. I like them both!

LiveFromNY

As another Porsche/Ferrari guy (F430 and 951 right now and multiple other 911's over the years) I'd have to vote for the 355 in that price range. And, right now, they can be had.

I've been thinking about adding one to the garage at some point and I've been watching the market. Pay no attention to the dealer prices or EbayMotors. If you really want one, post a thread on Fchat saying you have $50k cash and want to buy the best car possible. I'm aware of several nice cars that have traded hands at this price point (and lower) over the last few months.

All the cars here being discussed are great cars but a well-kept 355 is really something special.

LiveFromNY

That is it EXACTLY.