Somewhere in the mid-80’s, I decided I had to have a Ferrari.
After many Triumphs, an Alfa, and a bunch of motorcycles, it was time. Lots of research, based strictly on looks, I decided on a Ferrari 250 SWB. It was everything I wanted in a sports car; beautiful bodywork wrapped around a racing chassis and a front engine V12.
Gobsmacked to find out that a 250 SWB, at that time, was $150,000, I settled instead on a 250 GTE at one tenth of the price. How three little letters could so drastically affect price was shocking, but SWB became GTE and I loved the car anyway. The GTE was a rather unloved 4 seater, resting firmly at the bottom of the V12’s, but you always remember your first.
I made some money when I sold the GTE, then replaced it with a 348 Berlinetta, another rather unloved Ferrari. The 348 series had replaced the 308/328 series that owners and automotive journalists were gaga over.
Disdained for decades, the 348 series, as well as the 250 GTE, has suddenly found prices rising not just because they are relatively affordable, but because they have both aged very well. Now the Ferrari 348 is seen as analog but fun, more than capable of showing the driver a good time, and though relatively expensive to maintain, certainly returns a lot of bang for the buck.
I did a story on a 348 Spider a few years ago and realized how much I missed the 348 experience. It has its shortcomings, but like owning a Ferrari, you realize a bit of pain comes with each and every Maranello machine, but it’s almost always worth a few headaches for the incredible experience of driving one of the Italian cars.
First things first. If you want to buy a Ferrari 348, or any Ferrari for that matter, your first step is to quit looking at pictures and instead join the Ferrari Club of America. I tell this to people without fail as the FCA will let you meet people that will talk cars with you, invite you for rides, and will mention owners who may be looking to sell their car. More importantly, they will also tell you who takes care of their cars, and who doesn’t. Going to Ferrari events also lets you see cars you are considering, close up. I liken this to today’s dating in the digital world, only to finally meet in person, realizing this isn’t what you want. At all.
The market for the Ferrari 348 series has changed as people have to started to appreciate it for what it is. Cheap no more, perusing bringatrailer.com or another of your favorite sites will surprise you on how much the prices of the 348 series have risen in the past few years. What use to sell for $40,000 is now $75,000 with really good later cars and spiders well over $100,000.
WHAT TO KNOW
- 3.4-liter naturally aspirated V8, transversely mounted behind the driver, producing around 300 horsepower. Ferrari’s introduced the transverse V8 layout with the 348 series.
- Comes in different flavors, 348 tb (berlinetta/coupe), 348 ts (targa with removable roof panel), 348 Spider (full convertible, introduced in 1993), and finally, 348 GTB/GTS (updated versions from 1993 with a wider rear track and a bit more horsepower.
- 0-60 mph in about 5.6 seconds, top speed around 171 mph.
- No power steering in the the 348, which can be a workout, but how often do you parallel park your Ferrari, and once over 20 MPH, the steering lightens up and is wonderful.
- While some routine maintenance, like oil changes and brake fluid flushes, can be performed with the engine in the car, accessing timing belts often necessitates removing the engine which is expensive and why Ferrari moved away from the transversal mount. And replacing these timing belts is absolutely critical, regardless of engine layout. Skip replacement, destroy your motor and your car becomes a beautiful display of Italian art, just no longer a car.
Not the next Dino, but certain to appreciate, if you’ve got your sights set on a 348, now’s the time to act. I would opt for a spider; great looks and top down lets you hear that V8 better. I hung a Tubi exhaust on mine, had it chipped, and it was a great little machine. The 348 bridged the gap between the 328 and the F355, and was a part of Ferrari’s learning curve. The 355 is a much better car, and what I bought after enjoying the 348 for a number of years. A good deal more expensive, the 355 comes with its own set of problems but is a serious, albeit more expensive, entry into the Italian fun.
