Ferrari's Biggest Mistake? Is the 348 TS Truly Terrible? First Drive Impressions

Ferrari's catalogue is not the lineage of perfection many make it out to be. There are a few cars in there which just misfired, even when new. One such car is the 348 - unloved when released, and unfavourably compared with the NSX ever since, the 348 has often been Ferrari's poor cousin.
Recently values have started to rise dramatically - but is that simply a result of the 355 and 328 dragging prices up, or is the 348 genuinely a car worth investing in? Let's take it for a drive and find out if there's promise.
Today is not a full review, but simply a taster of this unloved piece from Maranello.
#Ferrari #348
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[@hexgraphica]

Maybe that's because I'm a big fan of the 80s, but style wise that's one of the prettiest Ferraris ever made. I dream a lot about a 355 with 348 looks.

[@mat12128]

Thank god i am not alone, love the mini testarossa looks, the poster car of my teenage years....

[@tyvekhomewrap9164]

I don't even love the 80s and I think this car looks absolutely fantastic.

[@oliverlondon5246]

Agreed. It looks cool and sounds great

[@markhendry1]

Totally agree I think the 348 looks stunning, it improves with age.

[@sage11x]

Yeah I’m with you. I really LIKE the way this car looks. In terms of aesthetics, 80s ferrari = best ferrari. But that’s just me. Not *quite as pretty as the 328 but prettier than the 355. And J talks about the testarossa side strakes like they’re a BAD thing! The testarossa is one of the best looking ferraris ever. Right behind the GTO and the almighty F40.

[@Jesus_Iced]

Personally, I love it. It looks incredible to my eyes and I'd forgive everything else for that soundtrack.

[@alejandroperalta1982]

Indeed.

[@ianj929]

Totally with you. Love the 348s lines. Always have. 😁👍

[@motor_citymuscle288]

That sound is INCREDIBLE

[@piotrterpiowski8297]

Yes, it looks lovely, especially in black. And the noise is really quite nice.

[@samharper5881]

Yup. These are gorgeous to me, especially in black as the guy above said.

[@vincevassallo5385]

Being a 348 owner since 2002, including 3 different cars, as well as a past 355 owner, I can tell you that the car is a much better Ferrari model to own, drive and especially maintain. This is, in fact, why I bought my first in '02. It was professed to be the most bullet proof Ferrari model and has proved to be the case. Parts are almost universally available from non-Ferrari models, although there are Ferrari-specific ones that are either unobtainable, expensive or available as used parts - possibly working or not. 355's on the other hand are far more demanding of maintenance without giving you (me) a commensurate increase in Ferrari experience for the cost. Most importantly to me (and my 348 mates) is that the car is upgradable, unlike later models. There are a few things that can be done with the 355 in this regard, but the 348 is like an Italian version of a Corvette in that you can modify all sorts of things to make the car that much better. In fact, at certain speeds, my car pulls right along with a 355 despite a 63HP (original specs) difference. About the only 355 item I would have is the 6-speed gear box but retrofitting is pretty involved (it can be done). You want to make your 348 a challenger for a 355? Start with the wheels and tires upgraded to 360 or 355 versions. Replace the exhaust system with headers, cats and performance muffler. Add a free flow air cleaner and do some porting and polishing of the intake runners. Bore the throttle bodies and upgrade the injectors to slightly higher flow units. Source some late model or Challenge ECU chips or ECUs themselves and you are almost there. Larger brake rotors up front and/or performance pads make sure your track experience is safe and fun. Lastly, source a 348 Serie Speciale or Competizione front lip spoiler and you are golden. Make sure you drive the car with the top secured. TS's are much more rigid when the top is locked down. You wouldn't notice the difference without driving a TB back to back.

[@dm5374]

Kudos, finally an informed (an informative) post. Happy driving!

[@mattbudesa3038]

Thanks for the info. I've been back and forth debating whether I should get a 348 to add to the garage. You're starting to sway me in that direction.

[@dm5374]

@@mattbudesa3038 I say go for it while they're still cheap. Find the best one you can with low miles and FSH, you won't regret it.

[@hugocramez9042]

great feedback. Personally I have driven a few, the only 2 problem with this car is driving on the rain, 2 of my friends had near fatal car crash on the rain at average highway speeds, it seams it has to dot with the design of the sills that doesn't allow a proper air/water flow, 2nd is the starting of the engine. You never know some times is embarrassing to try to start the car. About the rest, the design for me is better than the 355 and the sound the car makes revising without the roof is pure car porn!

[@dm5374]

@@hugocramez9042 I never drive mine in the rain (it's a real pain to wash the car and keep the engine clean at the same time...) but I would attribute any excessive reactions to the suspension of the first examples, which was eventually corrected (and can be retro-coreccted today). Regarding starting problems, I've never had any since I bought the car, always starts on first try and the idle is perfectly balanced between the two cylinder banks. I guess problems depend on the mileage and condition: ECU, injectors etc are all Bosch and are known for their quality.

[@lewgoogle5530]

I can't agree on the looks; a 348 Spider is quite nice to look at, in my opinion. Better looking than the 355.

[@user-dn3yk2qu7f]

Funny that people who have never driven one buy into the myth they’re no good when they’re bloody brilliant things. Same with the Mondial, the T version in particular is an awesome car

[@oscoe]

Yup. Owned both. Totally underrated. The engine is a peach and i actually prefer it to the 355 and 360 engine.....

[@standandeliver8376]

Personally, I really like the mini Testarossa looks.

[@Charlie-Charlot]

In my eye the Testarossa is an obese 348

[@tsvetelin6556]

Exaclty!!!

[@acoisiglis]

Exactly lol as a non-Ferrari fan I find it so strange that Ferrari fans (including Jay) complain about the looks considering it shares 90% of its looks with the Testa

[@benzinapaul7416]

I always remember EVO getting all the regular mid engined V8s together and the 348 was the biggest surprise in a positive way, the steering was picked out as the best of the bunch.

[@alfexsinosystems9205]

Nearly bought one in 1991 as my first car but ending up getting a 10 year old Austin Metro 1.3 Great times.

[@jd-py5nm]

nearly did the same thing but a 308gt4 we probably did the right thing but damn talk about a "one that got away" story

[@saraw6446]

Great choice! 🤪 I went for a red MG turbo !

[@dazbrowne4984]

Had a classic beetle myself still got one now

[@anthonyxuereb792]

Very funny

[@mansonaty]

LOLOL

[@Zsword92]

Even if the dynamics aren't the best, it sounds wonderful and looks nice.

[@stuchly1]

@S K you sound like someone who's got three ferraris in the garage already. 🤣

[@alfexsinosystems9205]

@S K I think if they coughed it up it would be Phlegm. You mean the biggest shit that Ferrari have ever pooed out of their bum bums.

[@alfexsinosystems9205]

@S K now you are making me feel bad :(...have a good Christmas stay safe x

[@th3b0untyhunter]

@S K the 348 tb/ts might not be that good handling, but the facelifted version aka 348 gtb/gts/spider is excellent. oh and the Mondial 8 is probably the worst Ferrari

[@stuchly1]

@S K Bburago? 🤔

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

I'd take one in a heartbeat. As it happens so often, too many people repeat what others said.

[@Orcawhale1]

That don't make it any less true, though. The 348 simply isn't that good, hence why people keep repeating it.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@Orcawhale1 It's true, but I'd take a less good Ferrari over pretty much everything else. For many people, it is envy more than anything to repeat such statements.

[@Orcawhale1]

@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X Yeah, in the spur of the moment. But when you actully stop and think about it, or look at the maintaince bills, i think you'd regret it.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@Orcawhale1 Fair point ;)

[@chrisdavidson911]

@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X it's envy when people say something is terrible, but you know that it really isn't, or a pre-determined opinion based on their preference of something else. However, if something actually is terrible, and people say it's terrible, it's still actually terrible.

[@discogodfather22]

It was designed by Leo Fioravanti and was his last Ferrari. He never gets any credit from most for being one of the best auto designers in history, let alone Ferrari. The 348 was a beautiful, sounded amazing, and was generally an awesome car. The haters came from uneducated internet trolls. It's nonsense that the car is much different from the 355.

[@julianevans9548]

A lot of it stems from 'Clarkson said...' like so much cliched car-related drivel.

[@dm5374]

You can literally swap doors between the 348 and the 355, that's how similar they are.

[@discogodfather22]

@@dm5374 Yes! And a few did. It was a popular thing to do, especially if there was some kind of damage done to the door.

[@discogodfather22]

@@julianevans9548 Process seems to have been 1) Be a teenager 2) Watch Top Gear 3) Never drive or own anything and go straight to the internet to pass your expert opinion on everything gained in step #2.

[@paulallen8109]

"and was generally an awesome car." That was NOT what Ferrari's OWN CEO Luca di Montezemolo said. He even returned his to the factory and never wanted to drive one again. If Luca di frickin' Montezemolo said it was horrible and made a list of things the engineers had to remedy for the next model I don't know what other evidence you need. "The haters came from uneducated internet trolls." And ALL car journalists who tested the 348 in the 90's. Autocar even said it was a travesty to ask the price for such an outdated product which was killed by the Porsche 993 and the Honda NSX. " The 348 was a beautiful" That is subjective. No car designer today will consider it anywhere near the 20 best looking Ferraris ever made. "It's nonsense that the car is much different from the 355." Really? Then ask the Ferrari engineers. And the educated car journalists when they first tested the 355. It was like from another galaxy and was refined and balanced where the 348 was poorly sorted. Qualitywise it was a vast chasm of difference too. You're a cretin. A silly fanboy. And a CLOWN. Car journalists slated the 348 unisonly. Ferrari owners sold their fast. They dropped in prize on the used Ferrari sales. LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO HATED IT. Ferrari's OWN CEO. "One of the first things Montezemolo did as newly minted Ferrari CEO was order wholesale changes to the 348. The 355 that replaced it was a vastly improved vehicle in every respect, and you can trace a direct line, in terms of improvements in performance, handling, durability, and driveability, from that car to today's 458 Italia, the finest mid-engine sports car in the world right now." MotorTrend, dec 2011 (state your "sources" - if you have any) What are your qualifications clown since you think you know anything? Muppet. Stop being a cult-member chimp. Even a great brand like Ferrari has produced duds. Fanatics like you are too extreme to realize this.

[@crawfordbrown75]

I actually love this car and the way it looks. I dream for a future where I can get a nice NA manual ferrari V8 mid engine.

[@grahamsmith2022]

Back end looks fantastic,front end looks good,engine sounds great,I'm not seeing anything here I don't like.👍✌

[@cvaninger]

I have one w 20k miles on it and absolutely love it....great car, great sound.

[@neilpatching7443]

That noise is definatly wonderful. Thank you

[@benzinapaul7416]

It sounds epic love the gearbox whine. Way cheaper to maintain than a 355 too.

[@Tonygarageuk]

I find it funny people behold the F355 as being one of prettiest Ferraris there is & put the 348 at the bottom of list. It's the same chassis!

[@minatormyth]

We all have the same skeletons, but there are some ugly fuckers 😂😂

[@LOTPOR0402]

And looks more or less the same , with the slats on the rear lights the biggest difference.It has more or less the same silouette

[@ian7675]

@@minatormyth that’s a great comment, I’ll remember that one 😂

[@Tonygarageuk]

@@minatormyth 😂 well in this case it's a 348 with a less 80s body kit

[@Charlie-Charlot]

The F355 looks like a microwaved 348, with the side that melted.

[@cameronhall6733]

That interior looks amazing. So simple and I love the way the dash wraps round. New interiors seem to try a bit to hard.

[@gregmarking6716]

As a former 348 owner i was not too worried about your review before i watched the video, as you always give honest, impartial and fair opinions. After watching it, i doff my hat to you for getting it pretty much spot on. Keep up the good work.

[@TheApana]

"More than you can afford, pal. Ferrari."

[@rhysgriffiths9269]

unfortunately that was a 355!

[@jamesstaggs4160]

"Smoke him..."

[@minatormyth]

And have you seen how much supras are today😳 Some of them are more than I can afford.....and I am a 355 owner😂😂

[@robbiemac5990]

Hey, what's the retail on one of those??

[@johnpick8336]

Lol

[@retardray5701]

I've always had the impression that people view it as either "the worst V8 Ferrari", or "the last proper old school V8 Ferrari", depending on what they value in a Ferrari.

[@dm5374]

Let's get this straight. The "worst V8 Ferrari" was undoubtably the 1980-82 Mondial. Ferrari costs and 214HP - for the European version. The catalyzed US version must have been dreadful.

[@paulallen8109]

@@dm5374 Oh, some make a case for the infamous 2,0 liter (Italian car tax system) V8 models like the Ferrari 208 GTB (*not* the turbo model) and the immediate predecessor to the Mondial - the 308GT4, or even worse the 2,0 liter version the 208GT4. The 208GT4 supposedly had 170hp but tests and owners all concluded that was quite some exaggeration and the number was closer to 130hp. The thing is that the 208GT4 was no match even for a 70's Volkswagen Golf GTI which was a quarter of the price and could run rings around it. The original Golf GTI could do the 0-100km/h (0-60mph) sprint in 9 seconds dead and well run-in version could hit close to 200km/h (125mph) on the German autobahn. People just prefer the 308GT4/208GT4 over the Mondial because it has aged better in the looks department. The Mondial wasn't very well received even in the early 80's and had it not been for the U.S. market - where people always liked a 2+2 seat car - the Mondial would have faced the axe after a few years. But mechanically and performance wise the immediate predecessor to the Mondial was worse. Fact is in the mid 90's the 308GT4 was so cheap on the used car market they were affordable for people who wanted a "second car" for weekend drives. Anyways, the 348 was utterly outdated and fell apart in the early 90's and it was returned by many customers and sold cheap by others.

[@paulallen8109]

""the last proper old school V8 Ferrari", No, that would be the 360 Modena. That was the last one to use the old V8. The 360 Modena was universally liked. The 348 most certainly was not. No way.

[@dm5374]

@@paulallen8109 If you want to take this to it's Kantian extreme, the horse was slower than the motorcar.

[@vincevassallo5385]

@@paulallen8109 This depends on how you wish to define "old school". Both the 355 and 360 heavily rely on computers to keep things running, which I guess is what is needed when you push your compression ratios up, run at 8500 rpm and want to employ 5-valve cylinder heads that don't interfere. Let's see, oh yeah, adjustable suspension, power steering, stability control, possibly an F1 transmission, power tops for the convertibles, OBD II compliance, diagnostics and there you go - 6 times as many computers as in a 348. No, to me, the 348 is a far simpler machine and is, consequently, the last old school Ferrari V-8 model. And don't get me started on a conversation about how freaking hot those two engines run. Did you know they run rich at high RPMs as part of engine cooling and knock avoidance? Why do you think those bypass valves were put in the exhaust? Not to argue, but the 355 and the 360 are miles ahead of the 348 in technology. Unfortunately, the 355 was the test bed for most of what's in the 360 and if it were me, between the two, the 360 is clearly superior in design and refinement. Still, as a card carrying Luddite, my preference is still for the retro-tech 348. :)

[@BillyBoy444]

I was 13 in 1993 and remember the first time I ever saw a 348 in Auto Express Magazine Super Cars Edition and wow it just looked amazing like a baby testarossa with perfect proportions and 13 year old me just wanted one so bad.

[@zippy963]

They made a lot of improvements to it throughout its production run (suspension geometry, stiffened chassis etc) by the end it was a vastly better car. Always looked fantastic though.

[@Zepherian]

By the time they got to the GTS and GTB they even got reliable. Late 348's are rare as hens teeth though.

[@JamesGadbury]

"...and the noise is wonderful" - an understatement to my ears! 🎼

[@dm5374]

The 348 was the first Ferrari V8 with a monocoque body, ABS, brakes by Brembo, dry sump lubrification, anciliaries by Bosch and Nippondenso, radiators behind you so they didn't cook you alive, a modern-looking interior, A/C that works and digital climate control. It was also the last Ferrari designed by Fioravanti, the last with the classic gated 5-speed, and the last developed under Enzo's watchful eye. That alone makes it a piece of history. Motorweek clocked it zero-to-sixty at 5.8 seconds and at Nardò it did 285.6 kmh (178 mph). By contrast, the 328 it replaced was old-school inside and out as it was based on the 1975 308, had the same declared zero-to-sixty time, and a lower top speed. As Enzo himself said, when asked which was the best Ferrari, he always answered "the next one". Hardly Ferrari's biggest mistake, let alone a terrible car! And it's damn reliable, owner speaking here. But here is what Motorweek, arguably the automotive version of CBS' "60 Minutes", had to say: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIaWnWCAh81ghZo

[@AranenDen]

I dont really like (modern)Ferrari's in general, but this design is beautiful!

[@mattevans4377]

I think the 360 and 430 work, as they are very clean designs. After that, they just seem to add more and more bits to their cars, so they look like they drove backwards through a Halfords.

[@user-dn3yk2qu7f]

355 was the last Ferrari I really wanted. Love the 348

[@mayormccheese761]

Don’t worry, you will never AFORD one anyway .

[@minatormyth]

Very nice to see a 348 review 🤗

[@alasdairkerr258]

Not being a child of the time, I think it looks great. Actually prefer it to the 355 and looks more squat and racier than the TR

[@dario-cadalystarchitecture7712]

Rapper : 348ts is simply a F355 with grillz on the side yo! Me : word up!

[@Dan-wb5uc]

Love the Intro Jay! Reminds me of 90's racing games. Also love the content! I hope next year is a great one for yourself!

[@SDK2006b]

Thanks for posting your videos - keeping me entertained during lock down 👍

[@NoImpres.]

Awesome video! had to subscribe when watching what cars you’ve reviewed! Cheers mate

[@adeelakram494]

What a great review that turned out to be btw. Your content really has to be on a car enthusiasts list to watch. The 348 just seems such a good package right now with the end of new combustion production on the horizon / rise of electrification. A useful amount of power, glorious soundtrack and proportions that seem to work.

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Nice review! 348 vs F355 has been an agonizing choice for me. I want the F355 engine, but I also want the side strakes. And I much prefer the unassisted steering. So it was 2-1 for the 348 and so far I did not regret it.

[@dm5374]

I bought my 348 a few years ago with only 37K kms on the clock and a one-year warranty. How many other 25-30-year-old cars can be bought with a warranty??

[@TheOmniscientAtheist]

THAT is one of the best sounding cars I've ever heard! I've always wrote it off as a less good 355 but actually after watching this I think I was wrong. I also really like the looks.

[@oscoe]

Take a listen to the same engine on my channel........

[@spamcrud5639]

I'm against death penalties, but in the case of the barbarians who fly-tip by our roadsides, as at 7:26, I'm prepared to make an exception.

[@Fee.1]

What’s the issue here? I don’t spot it at a glance. What’s fly-tip?

[@rivenmotors7981]

@@Fee.1 It's British slang for people that dump a load of garbage roadside and expect other people to deal with it.

[@Fee.1]

@@rivenmotors7981 I thought that was everyone after seeing the Side of dual carriage ways or whatever it’s called there. It’s more regional? If so that’s great.

[@R-Tap]

Those people are scum.

[@psions555]

Death penalty might be a tad harsh 😂 I think their punishment should be hundreds of hours of community service cleaning up rubbish from lay-bys and roadsides. A good few weeks to backbreaking work should make them appreciate the problems they cause for others

[@SharpblueCreative]

You really need a polarising filter on your camera - may help with the bonnet shots to get rid of the windscreens reflection. Great video and I really like the car. I think it looks pretty good too.

[@iddles2o]

Have to say Jay in these uncertain times your videos are comforting and a little ray of sunshine! Merry Christmas

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks, Merry Christmas

[@mjbcswitzerland]

Lots of people say the 348 is a bad car but I have always enjoyed driving mine since 1996. I also have a 458 Spider which is way faster and better in almost every way but I still love the look of the 348 (at least from the front) and if you want to feel like you melt into the car and it becomes an extension of your own body it does that better. It is very robust and quite trouble-free and can even be maintained by an experience hobby petrol head (I wouldn't even dare disconnect the battery of the 458) - although the 355 was a big step up it can cost an arm and a leg when something goes wrong (and often things do go wrong); this and the fact that I found its new throttle lost feeling set me against ever actually owning one. And young people adore the 348 - I have been at many meetings where young people just walk past the 360s and 430s and want to look at it because they find it cooler! It is a bit timeless too - recently some one asked me whether it was the latest model (!! - showing that most people can't really see any difference anyway and a Ferrari is is simply a Ferrari to them (and they crave after it) - !!) By the way - when driving it makes sense to get some really cool roads - this is in the Spider in September: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHy3nWWmbMhmh5o

[@dm5374]

My words and feelings exactly! Greetings from Italy... maybe we can chase each other on the Furka Pass road one day in our 348s!

[@bunter6]

Lovely but I prefer the bus seat fabric interior on Hoovies Black 348 🤣

[@vitalys5395]

🤣

[@HerbsmanRevs]

Godda say I love the look and sound of this car. Stunning!

[@Christian---]

Nice timing, I've been drawing a little 348 for a while.

[@markdoyle6414]

Absolutely love these and the 355. Not bothered by the newer Ferraris.

[@staceymcgrath3376]

Tbh I think the arse end of the 348 tops the F355 in every way...if only it could be slightly infront of it's time in terms of technology and power. The black really sets it off too...a very rare colour option which is hard to find now

[@badger748]

I've owned both. If I ever revisited the Prancing Horse, I'd hunt out a mint 348 over a 355 every time. It might be technically a bit less competent, but it is such a lovely car to drive, own and look at. Possibly the only car I ever owned that i would go into the garage just to look at for no real reason!

[@Gavin-oq5tt]

I would second that!

[@darrellsimpson6966]

I still do that with my 328. The 348 looks good in black.

[@dm5374]

I have one with 24k miles on it and no it's not for sale!! :-)

[@sportzntouring]

I used to lust after these! If I remember correctly, the early cars brakes weren't the best. The later cars got a brake upgrade to match the subsequent 355. Black was my favourite colour for these... I fancied the Spyder for a while but concluded that the targa like this one was the one to have. Great video. Made me want one again!

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Biggest difference between early and later 348s is the weight distribution and stability/suspension. The battery was moved from the back to the front, the shocks were changed and suspension struts reinforced. Then there are a bunch of smaller updates, but I actually don't think the brakes were uprated.

[@ahmadelmir39]

beautiful work! stay safe and keep it up!

[@roostfezza7563]

Love the intro and ending credits there. Think the colour helps the looks quite a bit.

[@richarddarsa6353]

Looks fantastic in Black, and that sound!! I never rated it in the day, but today I would love one!! Its the sound, and quick enough to scare you still!!

[@huntersofpembury]

AT LAST!!! A good quality, honest review of a 348 without jumping on the worn out bandwagons. Of course it's not as good as a 355... the 355 replaced it, that'show life works! But it's a better drive than the Ferrari V8s that came before it. Chris Harris is currently telling everyone we don't need 1000hp cars that you can't use anywhere, we need small, light, rear drive, normally aspirated sportscars with an LSD and LOTS of pure steering feel. Look no further! For a weekend toy, I wouldn't swap it.

[@kb9072]

Not awkward looking at all. Stunning I'd say, especially in black with the yellow fog lights.

[@paulbianchi7877]

Having owned my share of Ferraris, the 348 was still one of my favorite cars. No real issues, cold AC nice steering in my opinion. It was very comfortable on long drives. Yes, there were a lot of 80's details but it was a good step up from the 328. The BAD Ferrari attitude was created by magazine test drivers who complained about snap oversteer, balky shifting mostly. Would I buy one, yes in a heart beat and park it along side my 599.

[@a1tony01]

I really want a 599 to go with my 348 at some point (this is my 348 btw...). Seems the perfect combination!

[@dm5374]

The balky shifting pretty much goes away once the oil is up to temp. Except for the reverse gear, which is a pain in the butt, but then who decides whether or not to buy a Ferrari by going backwards?

[@pluxauag7555]

Ferrari's perfectly shaped car. The Perfect Ferrari. Popularly agreed across the internet as awesome.

[@04dram04]

a lare majority of people that say the 348 isnt a good car. Have never driven one.

[@chrisdavidson911]

that doesn't make any difference.

[@Sebas_Mendez_Kinoman]

@@chrisdavidson911 well if you daily drive a normal Toyota it would make the difference

[@chrisdavidson911]

@@Sebas_Mendez_Kinoman how? a completely stock fiat 126 is not a fast car, the fact that i have never driven one doesn't change this. Lotus Esprit V8 has a fragile gearbox, that i have never driven one doesn't change this. Ducati motorcycles are lacking in reliability, that i have never owned one doesn't change this. If i had or hadn't driven a 348 makes no difference to what it's like

[@Kidsinamerica]

I've driven one - they're very good, but the car needed a LOT of work to sort-out issues with the gearshift mechanism, the wheel/suspension correctly set, etc. Ferrari 348s in 2020 "hopefully" have been to the shop enough times to get all of these things sorted-out by NOW....but when they were closer to new, they were maintenance nightmares.

[@04dram04]

@@chrisdavidson911 Not fast, doesn't mean not good, you idiot. Technically a Honda NSX, Mazda Miata, and Lotus Elise, are not very fast. But are legendarily good cars. The 348 is one of them.

[@adrianflower3230]

Thank you, Farmer Hoggett! Nice review 👍

[@bundy26]

One of my favorite cars. Great review as usual.

[@Gavin-oq5tt]

Jay - I was ready to pounce, should you say anything bad about the 348 - but you didn’t. I own a 458, a 991.2x51 tuned and a 348. In my opinion, the 348 is the most fun to drive. Pedals allow for heal and toe, the steering is superb and the ride is excellent. I would highly recommend everyone trying a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4. With these, it is as sure footed as any modern car. Not the fastest, and not so comfortable above 80mph, but it sounds great and gives the most involving drive. The size also makes it ideal for country lanes. PS. I am also a fan of the 80’s look (make of that what you will).

[@dm5374]

Well said, my friend and brother 348 owner!

[@olliefinlon]

I've really loved this V8 Ferrari series, thank you! Is there any plans in the pipeline for the two earlier cars to round it off?

[@robsmith1a]

A friend hired one of these for the weekend in 1990 and took me out for a short spin. From the passenger seat I thought it felt like an Toyota MR2 on steroids.. Ten years later I bought a 328 (the 348 was about the same price as a 328 at the time but I wasn't tempted by it).

[@nickgallucci8117]

Just made Me a Fan again of the 348 ... Looks & Sounds Fantastic ... Thanks For sharing Jay ... Cheers

[@wimdepril6920]

Thanks for that great vid James! It’s about time someone does an objective review of a 348. My ownership experience (since 2008) has been absolutely wonderful. As with any preowned Ferrari, you need to buy a good car to begin with and then keep on top of the maintenance. And most importantly: drive it!

[@georgecaceres880]

What about tht engine out service bulshit?

[@wimdepril6920]

@@georgecaceres880 I have it done every five years at a cost of about 2500 euros all in. Yearly maintenance is about 500 euros.

[@georgecaceres880]

@@wimdepril6920 that seems very low.. 2500$ must not be the norm. If it were nobody would complain about it

[@georgecaceres880]

@@wimdepril6920 I just got quoted for 348 belt change in Sarasota FL 7,500$-9,500$ depending. The shop is Luciano Master auto. This is the reason these older Ferraris are a No No. even if you can swing the purchase price. The upkeep will destroy your pocket

[@petei3972]

@@georgecaceres880 You lot are totally conned by the shops in the US. I’ve had 3 engine out belt changes done by both specialists and Ferrari main dealers in the UK. Base price is normally under £2000 although there’s always a few extras that’ll take it up to £2500ish. Look at the official book time for the service, work out the labour charge (I pay less per hour on the Ferrari at a main dealer than my local VW dealer charges) add in the parts costs and you’ll see just how stupid the prices your garages charge are. They know most people can’t do it themselves so they charge completely barking mad prices for it. This gives an idea of the sort of prices we pay in the UK www.jmhauto.co.uk/ferrari-fixed-price-servicing-menu/

[@jeremiahcurry4875]

Love the 348. Almost bought one with some of the body panels switched out for 355 bits, but ended up with a 308 GT4. Would love to see you review one of those.

[@jeremiahcurry4875]

@@isutrikanda no, it was in LA

[@R-Tap]

I've seen plenty slum it in a Mondial, beardy Brian, talking in part numbers! Tyler Hoover has done a lot to promote the 348 on his channel.

[@BionicRusty]

The 355 is my favourite as well. Next to the Dino that is. Good advice re the parts availability and I agree, just imagine that beast, all shiney, at night cruising around Tokyo. Excellent call. 👏👏👏👏

[@petei3972]

Not Tokyo but still works in red I feel. Slats over the rear tail lights certainly make sense at night: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3_OZ3arnsuZj7M

[@ducatikawasaki1290]

How could you say this is awkward looking?! Masterpiece.

[@broyout3586]

I was never a fan of the cheese graters, not in the testarossa, nor in the 348, but they always did look best in black or white (or maybe grey). And they've aged wonderfully. Plus, the side profile is still beautiful.

[@johnevered9640]

I saw that car outside there!! Rather surprised to now see it on KZbin

[@byronmills5952]

These a huge amount of difference between an early and late 348 in the way they drive - the later 348s are chassis and geometry wise 355s in waiting and there is nothing suspension wise you can't do whilst refreshing a 348 to make it as dynamically adept and forgiving as a 355. Looks???..Well a 355 is just a facelifted 348 in that regard and I don't really count the deletion of the side strikes and the addition of round rear lamps as a major factor in the looks either - the silhouette and the shell are identical - and I've worked on enough of them. With a few chassis tweaks the 348 is great car - it doesn't have the grunt or some of the sophistication of the 355 but by no means is it a poor relation.

[@Gavin-oq5tt]

It is interesting what you say about upgrading the suspension. I have a very early 348, with spacers on the rear. I drive it with Michelin Pilot Sport 4. I was looking for a later car - but couldn’t find it in the TS body. Since purchasing, I have driven well over 1000 miles and the ride is great - provided you keep the speed below 80mph (which is of course easy to do). Interested to hear what could be changed and how that might make a difference?

[@byronmills5952]

@@Gavin-oq5tt Upgrading to factory spec Challenge suspension combined with increased offset 355 rims is very much worthwhile upgrade. As a start I'd be looking at full geometry check and perhaps the addition of some spacers on the front.

[@staceymcgrath3376]

The grilled rear lights look way better then the hideous rounded lights IMHO

[@dm5374]

@@Gavin-oq5tt Hi, I have a '91, my mechanic says to take up some of the damping in the front shocks and it will make a big difference at higher speeds. Maybe I'll take him up on the suggestion, the car's there right now the the belt service.

[@Gavin-oq5tt]

@@dm5374 That’s interesting - will certainly look into that. Have you found the same? Interested to hear if you go ahead with any adjustment.

[@bullseye63]

Finally, someone who doesn't simply follow the lazy journalist view of the 348. How refreshing. Thank you. I've been lucky enough to own my 348ts for almost 8 years now and I think it's a brilliant car. Admittedly, it can be a little skittish on some poor surfaces but this adds to the fun of driving it and it never feels like it's going to punish you. Oh, and yes, it sounds absolutely fantastic!

[@MoparTechWill]

I have no aspirations of owning a ferrari and no real reason to prefer one or the other but ive always found my self fancying a 348

[@alastairfaulds8184]

How can you not like the looks ??? It looks a lot sharper, more rakish than the 355 even though the basic shape is the same. Park them next to each other and it's the 348 that arrests your eyes. It's so neat and compact compared to so many bloated modern designs.

[@brianpara1407]

“That will do, pig. That will do.” - awesome

[@JoseAutomotive]

Touch up paint on the side mirror and yellow vinyl on the fogs. I love special cars that get driven.

[@a1tony01]

It gets driven, trust me... ;-

[@jeffreyb.1657]

Always saw it as a mini-testarossa...just how it looks (to me). Nice review. Followed one once in my 2019 STI...same power....it sounded great and was smaller than they look in video/photos...the smallness sort of was great. All the new cars seem to have gotten fat. Not weight....size.

[@maxmoughal5183]

Maybe im biased because i like black cars, but i fail to see what people don't like about the looks of this car, its another stunner in my books.

[@stevenhaas9622]

I think some scoff at the fact that the styling borrows so heavily from the Testarossa. I think it looks sexy AF

[@scpromark]

Totally love your reviews. 😎👍🏻

[@ColeSai]

As far as more ‘attainable’ or modern Ferrari’s go, the 348 and the 550 will always be my 2 favorites. Nothing beats a pontoon-fendered testarossa for me though 👌. Great review! Beautiful car!

[@jimnielsen9299]

Fairly new follower here, just came across this review of the only Ferrari model ive ever driven and while i tend to agree with you Jay....not this time im pretty much dead opposite, i love the looks and was very excited when one came into the shop (i was a mechanic apprentice at the time, and big surprise....older italian car with electrical issues lol) but after testdriving it my first thought after parking it was: im glad i driving my Alfa home 😀

[@bretthouslop5461]

Got to take one of these for a spin over the weekend and absolutely loved it, it's haunted my dreams since!

[@darrenmcphillips4706]

I love the styling of the 348 at the he time and I only think it's improved with the passage of time

[@8iker]

I loved the styling of the 348. It's short and compact with slightly oversize wheels (in the same way a TR6 is), giving it a bit of a cartoon-ish look. They sit well on the road visually.

[@richardwintle1020]

That two-tone paint appeared even earlier than the 512 BB - it was on the 365 GT/4 BB too.

[@alfamale9555]

I like the break from tradition on the rear lights, be8ng grilled rather than circular. Still looks cool

[@markhumberstone7068]

Brings back memories of my Rosso Corsa 348Ts I had 20 odd years ago, back then they were good value for money👍...we did have to dry the passenger seat every morning on our Scottish trip but then that’s what they call character😎

[@iztokfajfar9766]

are runing costs for this car exstremly dangerus and brutal?...i wanna buy one for 50.000.but i dont wanna spend another 50.000 over 10 years on maintainence...bad eng sorry...im from slovenia

[@gentnextdoor]

It looks and sounds gorgeous and let’s be honest that’s all that really matters.

[@_B.M_]

I used to have one of the rarest versions of this car. It was a 348 GTB of which there were only 14 RHD versions made in Red. Also had an extra 20 bhp. I loved it as it was the last of the less technology driven cars. No traction, no PAS .... it felt like an honest car! I sold it when the prices were dropping and wish I had kept it now as it would have been worth almost double what I sold it for. Hindsight!!!

[@a1tony01]

Autofficina have a red GTB for sale at the moment for a very reasonable price. The black car in the video is mine 😁

[@Lukec4ge]

Nice review. Not a car to be driven very hard/fast, so more relevant now as a classic than ever

[@pereldh5741]

The 355 always looked like the facelift it is, the 348 has the edge styling wise to me. Post-92 cars are the best of course. And with white front foglamps, not yellow... 😄

[@soul1984vic]

beautiful car any on the cars from that era, with the wedge shape is amazing 348, nsx, 300z, mr2 🤤

[@1970boggy]

Very nearly purchased one before my 430 Spider Unreliability scared me senseless. I actually really like the look of the 348, one of my favourite looking Ferraris

[@wimdepril6920]

I own a 348ts since 2008. Never had any issues.

[@dm5374]

@@wimdepril6920 I second that - I have a '91 tb for several years now, costs less to keep on the road than my Mercedes CLS.

[@Bobajobbob007]

The 348 has always looked fantastic. Proportions and styling are perfect and of the era. It was the driving dynamics that let it down at the time but that's irrelevant now.

[@chrisbaker121924]

I always liked the 348 but I do like the 80s look. Maybe part of the reason it’s become more desirable is the 80s boxy look is quiet fashionable at the moment.

[@Fioravanti.80]

I am not sure whether the 348 was received with mixed feelings when first introduced. I once seriously considered buying one and did an enormous amount of research on these, including reading contemporary magazine reviews and whilst I can only speak for the leading UK publications I read (Car, Autocar being the two at the time) both at least were very complementary about the looks of the car. I like the look of some of the original cars with the black lower sections, however these early cars especially were, as you allude to, twitchy at the limit (Davide Cironi's video of the on the limit dynamics best demonstrates the issue). The best of the 348 cars are 'the end of the line' GTB and GTS models that had the early handling issues mitigated to a degree, by having the suspension geo changed (I am speaking only of the Euro models here, and won't go into the Competitzione version). These are very rare, as by the time these were introduced to the market, the NSX was considered a real contender and the early desire for the 348 had all but disappeared. Then the 355 came in, and the rest is history. :-)

[@petei3972]

The GTB and GTS had all the upgrades that were made during the 348 production run but the vast majority including an update to the suspension geo was changed on the line in Nov 1991. Later 1992 UK registered cars and 1993 cars will have this update. I'm told you can tell if a car has by looking at the top of the suspension towers in the engine bay - early cars have 4 bolts, cars with the update have 6 (double bolts on one of the diagonals). If you look at vid at 2:40 you can see the double bolts, look on an early car ( wobcars.com/the-tiny-testarossa-1990-ferrari-348-ts-auctioning-now/ ) and it's single all the way round. If you want the 'updated' handling just go for a car with battery up front and check it has the updated suspension.

[@Fioravanti.80]

@@petei3972 Interesting. Not disagreeing with you about the susoension changes being imolemented throughout the 348's life span. I have read however, for example at Auto Evolution, that the significant changes (including geometry that made effective changes to handling) were implemented for the later GTB/GTS cars, which I have read, also had structural rigidity worked into the chassis. The GTB and GTS as well as the Competitizione cars are closer in their handling characteristics to the 355, although how close? I cannot say.

[@petei3972]

@@Fioravanti.80 a lot of what has been written about the 348 isn’t entirely accurate :) It’s true there are a lot of changes from the 1989 cars to the GTB/GTS but very few of those were made at the point of changing the name, the paint scheme and a few engine mods. The vast majority (including weight distribution, suspension, rigidity etc) were made at the end of 1991. LdM ordered the changes and although I don’t hold with everything he said I think he got them spot on. There are several lists of updates with dates kicking around that you can look up.

[@petei3972]

@@Fioravanti.80 There are more exhaustive list out there you can find but this lists some of the updates to the 348 along with the dates they were implemented on the production line. Essentially if you want the 'handling updates' (geo specs, suspension and weight distribution) then you need a car which was on the line after the dates they were implemented but all later TS/TB had them. www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/348-running-production-changes-data.433741/

[@Landshark928]

The F355 is my favourite, but the 348 is also very tasty looking. The thing that the 348 lacks is a nice sound, but this is easy to fix thanks to Tubi or Capristo

[@rudolfvanderven]

When I was 5, my mom's best friend dropped by with her boss' 348 and took me for a ride. At the time I had very little knowledge about them of course ("oh wow, it's a Testarossa!"), but it's been engraved in my mind as the "original Ferrari" ever since. Now I just need to find one and drive it myself. I still prefer the 355 though.

[@vomErsten]

No car that sounds this good can possibly be terrible. And I find the looks extremely hard to resist.

[@jimd385]

I think it’s a classic..........but then again I love the Ferrari 412, so what do I know? (it’s the classic Ferrari I’d buy if money was no object)

[@ozeskiman]

412 is a great looking car. Fabulous lines.

[@jonnowocky8179]

I watched all the videos on these, took the punt and bought one. It’s incredible - not a single bit of the criticism holds water - it’s smooth for cruising, sharp at pace, sounds absolutely insane, smells of pure nostalgia and not even a 720S got so much positive attention. Absolute joy of a car, think they’re still currently undervalued. Where else can you have a manual, unassisted go kart with a n/a v8 that screams like a superbike?

[@mariomuller4421]

My grandfather has one.... Sometimes I can drive it. It's an incredible car to drive really thrilling.

[@simonjago9611]

What a noise!!! Loving the back catalogue 😀