There’s a characteristic of old sports car that keeps getting tossed around, much like the “patina” word in muscle car circles. And that’s the idea of a car being “analog”, or “pre-driving aids.” There’s this tendency to push the timing of when driver aids became the norm back farther and farther to the point that anything made after 1995 is no longer sufficiently analog. Compared to what passes for normal now, the last truly analog cars came out in the early 2000s, so models like this 1992 Ferrari 348 are the last of the preceding era of sports car building, which I more associate with Porsche 930s and Buick Grand Nationals. This 338 is listed here on eBay for an asking price of $62,500.
I also think there’s a generational gap happening where people below a certain age consider anything that doesn’t have a touchscreen interface “analog.” Let me tell you, when I bought a 2003 BMW 330i ZHP in 2010, I found that car’s electronic stability control so intrusive I sold the car and bought a 1995 BMW M3. The difference between those two models were night and day, especially with the M3 relying on a traditional mechanical limited-slip to keep it straight when it got slippery. The 348 shown here is much the same, with little in the way of corrective software to save you if the rear end snaps out.
The 348 may not be the true last of the analog Ferraris, but it’s definitely one of the more affordable V8 mid-engine cars on the market today. Interestingly, the 348 was never as maligned as the Mondial which was forever seen as the lowest of the low on the Ferrari totem pole, but the 348 has stayed reasonably affordable compared to other manual transmission Ferraris. The transmission is really the catch here, as a Ferrari with three pedals and a gated shifter is indeed an extinct species when looking at the modern lineup. The 348 offers all of the classic Ferrari qualities in a slightly less exclusive wrapper compared to the likes of the F40 and Testarossa.
Like most mid-engined Ferraris, these cars require an expensive engine-out service to replace belts and other consumables. The seller confirms he had this work done about 5,000 miles ago, with the 3.4L V8 showing just under 50,000 miles today. When new, it pumped out a healthy 300 horsepower and can reach 60 in about 5.6 seconds. The seller has added a Tubi-style exhaust and aftermarket wheels, but I’d swap the original alloys back on before too long; these look too big for the short wheelbase car. The 348 will someday be a six-figure car, in my opinion, so get one now while prices are safely below $100K.
Jeff you had a small slip up, not a 338. This looks great with a good price, most of the 355’s are now over $100k. This should sell, it even has a make a offer.
Located in Hickory, NC
220,221… whatever it takes.
(Reference: Mr Mom)
They went 308, 328, 348 for some reason
They went from 308, 328, 348 for some reason
It went from 308, 328, 348 for some reason also there was the 208
It went from 308 to 328 to 348 and 208 at some point.
The screen showed blank so i repeated the comments. Now it shows them! I tested the stability control of my 911 Carrera 4 in a wet empty road. It allowed the car to do more than 90 deg. and i had to correct towards the 360 deg. Maybe the s.c. is good in a dry pavement but then the driver can react efficiently!
This seems a little out of range of the typical Barn Finds viewer. We’re more accustomed to vehicles on the lower price scale. This belongs on BAT!
Lets see, you car pay for your sick car hobby upfront and buy this ready to go , or you can buy that rusted out swamp rat 69 Camero listed on BAT and put 65 K into that paying along the way on a 5 + year restoration. Choices ….Hmmm…
The lineup went 308, 328, 348 for some reason. Also the 208
I don’t know if any other readers have this thought but I would love to have this as my daily driver. I mean going to work on Monday – Friday with this car and then stopping to get pizza on the way home. Saturday it would be a run to the grocery store for milk and eggs and dinner in the evenings. I mean actually use it as a daily driver since my kids are out of the house. Need to run to Dunkin Donuts at 7am before church because you forgot to get coffee? Yup! Now obviously I would have a RAV4 or Crosstrek or something like that ready to go (just examples, spitballing here) but just head to the local strip mall to get a coat at Dick’s Sporting Goods parking as close to the front as possible would be the Ferrari. Not to showboat although I know the perspective but I wonder how long it would take for me to decide to take the Honda before driving the Ferrari? And money no object here but let the car get its fair share of licks and knowing the cost of maintenance. How long until I decide to just drive the Passat? I would love to test this idea but I also fear that I will appear snobbish or something. It’s just a car…
This listing sold on Sat, Mar 21 at 12:39 PM.