Engine Out Service Done: 1994 Ferrari 348 GTS
When it comes to shopping used Ferraris, one of the most important details is the degree of maintenance the car has enjoyed under existing or at least recent ownership. The cost of owning any vintage Italian sports car goes well beyond the purchase price and premium fuel, as almost every mid-engined Ferrari built in the last few decades requires that the engine be removed for replacing the belts and other services. This particular 1994 Ferrari 348 GTS benefits from a bevy of must-do work over the last two years, and it looks sharp in a color other than red or black. Plus, it features the iconic gated manual shifter.
Ferrari rarely makes a car that it intends to sell to a lower threshold of consumers. I can’t imagine anyone at headquarters discussing the virtues of building a model to be its “loss leader”; that’s simply not how this company rolls. While Porsche may have agreed to sell part of its soul to churn our Cayennes and Boxsters in order to keep the 911 alive, Ferrari seems to survive on the ethos that its most loyal customers will pay higher and higher MSRPs and continue to fork over wads of cash in the service department – and they seem to be correct. This 348 may be an “entry level” Ferrari these days if there ever was one, but you’re hardly buying a lesser version of the marque simply because you didn’t spend over $300,000 for the privilege of ownership.
The 348 features a lovely and lively DOHC 32-valve V-8 that kicks out 310 horsepower, a 10 b.h.p. bump in the droptop thanks to some exhaust revisions. That power figure it hardly impressive today and you will undoubtedly lose to almost every Tesla and some SUVs in the stoplight grand prix. For anyone who remembers watching the original Fast and the Furious on the big screen, one of the most pivotal scenes features a Ferrari F355 Spider, and the story arc clearly intends to convey that it’s one of the fastest cars on the road. It’s amazing how in relatively short span, a car like this 348 (and that F355) are merely adequate by today’s standards. Of course, none of that matters when you’re rowing through the gears of a classic Ferrari gated manual.
The seller of this particular 348 has done some very important service work over the last two years, including the must-do engine-out belt servicing that likely cost him $10,000 or better when all was said and done. Listen to this laundry list: new timing belts, upgraded water pump and tensioner, new alternator, rebuilt top end, decked heads, new head gasket, new valve seals and seats. The list goes on to the point that you realize this is much more than $10,000 in service. This 348 may be a driver, but there in lies its appeal, and with the recent work done, you won’t hesitate to actually drive it. Find the Spider here on craigslist for $72,000 near Portland, Oregon and thanks to Barn Finds reader Matt H. for the find.
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Comments
Just throwing this out there, ( got 2 hours til Walletmart opens) as a member, I would hope our opinions matter, far as I’m concerned, it’s mostly why most of us are here. I think as a group, we would like to see more Diamond Reos, outboard motors, whirly-gig contraptions, heck, even a 10 speed Raleigh bicycle or an Auntie Allis tractor, stuff we can relate to. Things actually found in a barn rather than Lambos, Ferraris, jet aircraft, moldy old bones and such. Like I kiddingly said before, the site seems to be moving away from that, with an occasional actual barn find thrown in. I realize it’s a bit of an about face for me, but just a suggestion. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I think the staff may be overestimating its viewers. Are there really any Ferarri/Lambo buyers out there in BFs commentland? I bet most of us skip right over posts like these, although, I hope not, you won’t see my message. Happy Sunday, all.
Howard A., I both agree and disagree. There are many posts here I skip — or, at best, skim — because the subjects have no appeal to me. Most of those are mass-market rides I didn’t care about when they were new, and still don’t.
But the occasional shined-up, mega-dollar exotic, like this one, has some appeal even if a) it probably has never been near a barn in its life and b) it’s out of my reach unless I score a Lotto win.
Many of us — most? — can’t afford the tab for the really shiny exotic cars shown here, but that doesn’t mean we can’t/won’t press our face against the window and leave fingerprints on the glass when we stare at the treasure inside.
So MY suggestion, for what it’s worth, is for BF to change nothing. The supply of barns is probably drying up, which leaves us with some less-than stellar machinery to contemplate.
For what it’s worth, I once found a Studebaker Scotsman abandoned and baking in the Arizona desert, and that grabbed me. I wish it were still extant, and could one day be a BF entry. The seller of the Ferrari would turn up his nose, I’m sure, but would probably also ignore a “patina”-encrusted Volvo Duett, which I’d avidly read about. In my Dream Garage, the Duett could sit right next to a perfect Ferrari 275.
I could do without the occasional snowmobile or tractor, but keep ’em in. If that’s the price we pay for the Fun Stuff, I’m willing to pay.
Oh, and finally: I wanted to upvote Howard A.’s comment, but once again, can’t. When are the BF Boffins going to fix that?
Howard. If my like button worked you’d have one more. Im not much of a Ferrari guy. Theyre nice to look at, but was never anything obtainable for a guy like me. I’d live to see some Olivers, Poppin Johnnies, hit and miss engines, Macks Brockaways Freight Shakers and Petes on here. ( And GMC Crackerboxes as you can see from my profile photo lol). I second that vote. I like ALL cars and trucks. So seing a Ferrari is fine, but if I scroll down and see a vintage Olds 98 4 door hardtop, Im more likely to click on that first.
That being said, I appreciate all the hard work and time that goes into this site. Thats one of the main reasons I joined in order to support them.
Oh and boats. I’D LOVE to see more old boats. Especially Mahogany ones.
Thanks, Dave
“Moldy old bones”- Howard, leave me out of this conversation…
If you have nothing to say you REALLY don’t have to respond to every thing posted.
Great point Howard A. 2 hours to wait until Wally opens? Am i missing out on an early bird gets the worm deal? Just kidding with you. I stopped viewing another site for this very same reason. It became a catch all for everything.
But of course “Barn Find” could literally mean anything from Grandpas suspenders to Grandmas dentures but I get your point. Must be slim pickens at the office.
You maybe surprised how many Ferarri owners actually enjoy this site also. Personally , I enjoy a mix of all types of vehicles. I have learned a lot reading the backstory of a car , plus the comments that bring more insight to me as a reader. I enjoy older trucks along with unusual older luxury sporty cars. Use to have a ‘62 T bird , ‘65 Mercedes and drove a ‘71 Road Runner in college. At 70 years old I still enjoy taking my family out in our ‘84 Toro convertible. My favorite vehicle is my ‘82 Chevy farm pickup truck that I bought new in ‘82. But , it is still fun to take out my gated Ferrari spider and work thru the gears. My point is, everyone has their own interest and this is one reason I enjoy this site to bring back all the memories and learn even more as we move forward.
Wrong color (it isn’t red) and $72,000 may keep it in the family for more years to come. Also it’s 30 years old and not a classic. What is he pretending it is? A 308?
I have to disagree. $72k is a very fair price for this 348 – in line with the current market (given service history, rarity of the spider model, condition, etc.). And Grigio rather than the usual Rosso is in many minds a preferable departure from the norm. Me? I prefer the black (Nero) ones!
On this matter, I agree, the price might be slightly aggressive but if the seller has receipts/records/manuals, it’s probably on the money.
It is a bit odd that the seller doesn’t know his car is not a GTS.
He did manage to obtain an “SP” plate- a big advantage in Oregon. No more registration fees.
Not a GTS – it’s a Spider. The GTS or its predecessor, the ts, was what we in the US refer to as a “targa top.” The convertibles are Spiders. Btw, ’94 is the only year the 348 was available as a Spider.
The Spider was sold from 1993 through 1995. Here’s a ’93, there are plenty of ’95s to look at as well.
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa24/lots/r0070-1993-ferrari-348-spider/
It may be that the Spider was sold in the US in ’94 only, but they were made for three years.
I am by no means a Ferrari expert, (for that matter, I know next to nothing about them) but given the money that the current owner just dropped on it, I have to believe that it isn’t all that poorly priced. Concerning all the negative critique of this site, I think all the busses, big trucks, airplanes, bicycles, etc. need to be in your local shopper. (If you don’t think there are enough “barn finds” on this site, take a peek at the Camaro and the 4 door Bel Aire listed today)
I’m happy to see something like this pop up once in a while. I’m not interested in it and only read it because of the number of responses. I don’t care about a lot of vehicles featured on this site including semi trucks, scooters, fire engines, etc. When that’s the case I just don’t read that feature, something else comes along the next hour that might be interesting. No one ever gets 100% of what they want, if you get most of what you want you should look at that as a win, that outlooks makes for a much happier life.
Steve R
Get with it! Two hours for Walmart …….someone once said “Doesn’t he have anything else to do’? Love all that Barn Finds brings to the table! If you are a true Gearhead, you love all that has to do with the issues at hand.
Yes , Walmart does sell cognitive supplements for the “Howards” of the world! Just have to get there two hours early!!
Sonny most people have to work to live. Others live for the enjoyment of a life.
I don’t disagree with you, Howard, and I rarely have. But when I read this one, my old accountant brain just started doing math. I could buy this, drive it across half the country to let my brother and a few close friends have a go in it, and re-sell it, and it might cost me a few thousand bucks. Which is not much more than renting a Camry for the same trip. Or, I could go out and buy a loaded Jeep Rubicon Wrangler or a new Wagoneer for about the same (or more) money, lose $30 K in depreciation over a few months, and have less fun. I’m not saying I’d actually follow either course, but I enjoyed the 10-minute thought exercise this posting brought on. And at least the photos were nice.
I think the point Howard was trying to make was one size doesn’t fit all. If you are selling and advertising titled burger joint then go inside and see chicken fish tacos pizza and burgers buried in the menu then burgers were the draw to. But once again semantics come in to play here. The burger joint example might be better suited with the name restaurant or diner than the aforementioned. My vote is still for Howard.
WTF???? How does one go from automobile’s to burgers?
Great comments on a great write-up of a great car! Barn Finds is one of the only sites I actually subscribe to because of the quality of the content. Keep it up!
My point Charles my man is this Ferrari is not a “barn find”
If you say so.
After looking at some of the other “missed the trash day” cars being featured on barn find I’m counting my lucky stars I’m not inundated having to look at nothing but eye pollution. Editors are probably thinking there’s just no satisfying everyone.
Located in Tualatin, OR
I like the variety of vehicles shown here.
Don’t change a thing.
Keep up the good work people!
Russ
Okay, I was wondering where this would go, and most were cordial, got you all talking, and oddly, not much about a Ferrari. I too enjoy the variation, but for a site to feature a ’61 Anglia and then jump to a Ferrari, 2 opposite ends of the spectrum. A dinosaur was the utmost. With all respect to the site, I just don’t think someone looking for a Lambo,( or a dinosaur display) is going to visit a site called “Barn Finds”. Maybe, but grandmas 18,000 mile Valiant is what most come here to see. I too am concerned for the authors, who spend a lot of time researching “subjects” and nobody reads the post.
Far as Walmart at 8am, I try and beat the masses( with cheap sunglasses) and I’m home before they are done in the bathroom.
Have a safe week everyone.
I like seeing the Ferrari here, and everything else. It’s the variety that keeps this site interesting. If you dont like it, just scroll through. It’s not hard.
Censoring content is not cool. Curating is.
I’m glad I got to see it here, otherwise I would have never known it was available for sale and been given the opportunity to buy it.
As for the car, it looks like a fair deal on a nice car.
I enjoy the variety of hardware that comes across these pages. If I don’t like – I just skip on by. But – these prices – geeze.
I myself love interesting things so l say change nothing. Even if I can’t afford it I do like reading about it and maybe learn something new. A classic motorcycle even though I’ve never owned a bike. As a musician I’m not saying start showing guitars and amps but keep the variety. I can’t afford a Ferrari but I love looking at them and reading about them. I love learning something new.keep up the good work.
I agree completely.
ditto