Ferrari
348
Ferrari
F355
Ferrari 348 vs Ferrari F355: 1995 Comparison
The short answer
The Ferrari 348 offers fuel economy, while the Ferrari F355 excels at power instead. Choose the Ferrari 348 if you prioritize fuel economy in daily driving, or the Ferrari F355 if power matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
348
Overall
The sentiment among owners and enthusiasts is complex and historically divided. The vehicle is frequently described as an unloved or underrated model that has seen a recent reassessment as prices for more desirable Ferraris have risen. It is acknowledged for offering a relatively affordable entry into mid-engine, gated-manual Ferrari ownership with classic Pininfarina styling cues reminiscent of the Testarossa.
Best version to buy
The 348 TS (Transversale Spider) is noted as the improved variant, with a north-south engine placement that corrected the tragic handling of the original east-west configuration. The "Serie Speciale" limited edition is mentioned as a high-value variant.
Known issues
- ⚠Engine-out timing belt service: required every 5-7 years or 30,000 miles, extremely labor-intensive and costly ($8,000-$15,000 USD), cited as the defining characteristic of ownership. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Transmission reliability concerns: bushings known to work loose, general fragility, described as prone to grenading. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠High maintenance costs: described as a "bottomless money pit" if driven regularly, with average monthly costs reported to exceed a mortgage payment. Parts are expensive and labor is intensive. Frequency: very frequent.
F355
Overall
Extremely positive sentiment regarding the car's design, driving experience, and emotional appeal, but this is heavily tempered by a very strong and consistent consensus on prohibitively high and complex maintenance costs. The F355 is widely praised as one of the most beautiful and elegant Ferraris ever made, with its V8 engine sound frequently cited as one of the greatest of all time. It is described as the "best analog Ferrari ever," offering a visceral, rewarding, and nimble driving experience, particularly with the gated manual transmission.
Best version to buy
Manual Transmission (Gated) models are strongly preferred over the F1 electro-hydraulic semi-automatic transmission, with the manual cited as a key part of the pure, analog driving experience. The Berlinetta (coupe) and GTS (targa) are both highly regarded, with the Spider (convertible) sometimes mentioned as the least desirable body type, especially in undesirable colors.
Known issues
- ⚠Prohibitively expensive maintenance: Engine-out service required for timing belt replacement, cited as costing $15,000-$20,000+. Very frequent.
The verdict
The Ferrari 348 is the better choice for most buyers.
It has stronger reliability sentiment in owner reports than the Ferrari F355, based on the data above. If the specific known issues on the Ferrari 348 are a dealbreaker, the Ferrari F355 is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Ferrari 348 or the Ferrari F355?
Owner reports lean more positive on reliability for the Ferrari 348 than the Ferrari F355. See the known issues comparison above for the specific concerns owners report on each.
Which is better for families, the Ferrari 348 or the Ferrari F355?
Both seat a similar number of passengers based on our data. The Ferrari 348 is classed as a Targa, the Ferrari F355 as a Cabriolet, which affects cargo space and ride height for family use.
Which has better fuel economy, the Ferrari 348 or the Ferrari F355?
The Ferrari 348 is more fuel-efficient on paper: 12.7 L/100km combined versus 16.9 L/100km for the Ferrari F355, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ferrari 348 or the Ferrari F355?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but owner reports mention cost-related concerns more often for the Ferrari 348 than the Ferrari F355. See the known issues comparison above.