In 1993, Ferrari unveiled the Ferrari 348 GTS alongside the Ferrari 348 GTB as the second convertible model in the Ferrari 348 lineup after the Ferrari 348 TS. It offered an unaltered driving experience from the Ferrari 348 GTB but with the added luxury of an open roof, which not only enhanced the Ferrari 348 GTS' looks but also made driving more fun and engaging due to the connection drivers felt to the road with the top open. Built at the same time as the Ferrari 348 GTB, the Ferrari 348 GTS has all the performance and handling upgrades its coupe variant got aimed at enhancing the car's handling, something that buyers and journalists had complained about in early production Ferrari 348s. Additionally, due to its roof, Ferrari had to add chassis and body reinforcements to account for the loss of torsional rigidity. More power and better performance, complemented by a retractable top, made the Ferrari 348 GTS the best-selling Ferrari 348, and Ferrari would have made and sold more if they had produced it for a little longer. Along with the 348 GTB, it joined the lineup almost before Ferrari discontinued the Ferrari 348. The Ferrari 348 is remembered in Ferrari and automotive history for being the last car with an Enzo-designed and commissioned V8 engine, which in the Ferrari 348 GTS makes 320 horsepower. Today's market prices for the Ferrari 348 GTS average around $70,000, which is extremely good considering its historical value and rarity factor since Ferrari only made a few units during its one-year production run. However, as with most Ferraris, the Ferrari 348 GTS' value will likely appreciate in the coming years. Given that the Ferrari 348 GTS has a similar market value as the Ferrari 348 GTB, would you buy the convertible over the coupe?
The Ferrari 348 GTS debuted in 1993 alongside the Ferrari 348 GTB, still with the 3.4-liter V8 used across the Ferrari 348 range but with several upgrades resulting in a power output increase. Buyers needed that more than anything else, especially due to complaints in the 1980s that Ferrari made less powerful cars than their competition. The Ferrari 348 GTS had plenty of competition, including some notable cars from Japanese manufacturers that had started finding their way into the United States. Pininfarina's artistry in Ferrari cars endured long before the Italian coachbuilder parted ways with Ferrari in 2017. The relationship later turned into a partnership, producing the best cars with Pininfarina at the helm of designing and building bodywork for Ferrari and one of their best works in the Ferrari 'wedge' design that was carried onto the Ferrari 348 and slightly enhanced for functionality in the Ferrari 348 GTS. The interior of the Ferrari 348 GTS maintained the same layout and comforts found in other Ferrari 348 models, displaying exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail in every element and surface. How many Ferrari 348 GTSs did Ferrari make? Between 1993 and 1994, Ferrari made 218 units of the Ferrari 348 GTS, four more than the Ferrari 348 GTB's production numbers. The Ferrari 348 GTS and all Ferrari 348 models were crafted within the esteemed Ferrari plant in Maranello, Italy. This legendary facility has birthed some of the automotive world's finest masterpieces, a tradition that endures as Ferrari continues its legacy of car production at this very factory.
Thanks to an increased compression ratio, taller intake plenums, increased fuel pressure, altered camshaft timing, and a larger intake compensation valve, the 3.4-liter V8 in the Ferrari 348 GTS made 320 horsepower and 239 lb.ft during production, which almost a 10% increase from what older Ferrari 348s made. The Ferrari 348 GTS sends its power to its rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission, achieving an impressive 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 5.4 seconds. It parallels the Ferrari 348 GTB, despite the GTS adding a few additional pounds from its convertible top. This demonstrates consistent driving dynamics between the two models, maintaining a swift acceleration time of 5.4 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. Top speed also remains unchanged as the Ferrari 348 GTS boasts a top speed of slightly over 170 mph. With the new chassis construction and aluminum and steel bodywork, the Ferrari 348 GTS weighs 3,263 pounds, which is 22 pounds heavier than the Ferrari 348 GTB. The almost insignificant weight increase is the key factor allowing the 348 GTS to preserve the 348 GTB's driving characteristics.
Unchanged from the Ferrari 348 GTB, the interior of the Ferrari 348 GTS embodies a combination of sportiness, comfort, and luxury. During production, the seats were available in multiple color leather options, but most we've seen have tan or black leather, which is not only on the seats but also on the center console, door cars, and half of the dashboard. Still on the seats, they closely resemble modern bucket seats with minimal stitching but provide maximum comfort and support as they are well padded and bolstered. The center console features a myriad of controls for the car's different functions, but what will catch your eye first, even before you settle into the driver's or passenger's seat, is the chrome-plated gated manual transmission shifter. It enhances the Ferrari 348 GTS' enthusiastic driver appeal by providing a more engaging driving experience, fostering the connection between the driver and the car. The only notable difference between the Ferrari 348 GTB and Ferrari 348 GTS interiors is the compartment behind the rear seats. In the GTB, it's designed to act as extra storage space, whereas in the GTS, it houses a compartment in which the roof retracts when you want to enjoy a sunny drive to the coast during the summer. Everything else, such as the AC vent positions and steering wheel design, remains similar to most cars in the Ferrari 348 family.
Like the interior, the Ferrari 348 Exterior remained virtually unchanged from the GTB, with the only difference being the black top which beautifully contrasts with the paint, especially if you get a 348 GTS in a bright color. Undoubtedly, convertible cars look better with the top retracted, and the Ferrari 348 GTS is no exception, especially in sunlight, illuminating the car's interior and making it beautifully visible from the outside. The front end features only a pair of pop-up headlights, a minimalistic grille, and auxiliary headlights/fog lights on each side of the grille. One thing you'll quickly note, though, is that Ferrari used two emblems at the front, one at the top of the front bumper and another on the grille, which in most cases is chrome plated. Additionally, on the left side of the bumper, a vent directs air to the AC compressor. On the side, you can't fail to notice the fins behind the doors that direct air to the radiators behind the cabin. Moving on to the rear end, which has a minimalistic look like the front end, you'll only get a pair of headlights that integrate the turn signals and reverse lights with a chrome Ferrari emblem in the middle of the lights. Some owners remove the taillight cover, but it's said to have functional aerodynamic purposes. On each side of the rear bumper, there's a dual exit exhaust, and with the top down, the engine behind you and the exhaust tips sing in harmony, encouraging you to press the gas pedal harder.
We'd have loved to see the Ferrari 348 GTS with an electric roof, but since it was a mid-range supercar during its time, we'll take the manually retractable top. However, electrification was implemented in almost all Ferrari 348 GTS interior controls, including the door locks with central locking to enhance the car's security. The window controls are also electric, and the instrument cluster is highly illuminated. Minute technology features by today's standards, but they were deal breakers in a car that drivers and passengers got to enjoy due to the convenience they got.
Despite low production numbers, Ferrari 348 GTSs often pop up on car listing websites, with most selling for around $70,000, an absolute bargain for what the car offers. It's among the best early production modern Ferraris, benefitting from revolutionary powertrain and drivetrain engineering. The Ferrari 348 GTS also looks good and offers comfort that you might not get in some modern sports cars. If you'd like to buy a Ferrari 345 GTS, you might find one listed on Exotic Car Trader, so ensure you watch out for our Ferrari listings. Also, we list all sorts of classic cars, so give us a call if any of Exotic Car Trader's classic car listings entice you.
The Ferrari 348 GTS caters to drivers who not only want a fun and engaging driving experience but also to those who would love to combine those qualities with the thrill of open-air driving. Its roof doesn't compromise its driving dynamics; it drives and handles excellently, delivering unaltered performance from its coupe variant, the Ferrari 348 GTB, widely known for its wild driving characteristics. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! The Ferrari 348 GTS, with its unparalleled blend of performance and timeless design, is primarily sought-after by enthusiasts looking to get into Ferraris as one of the most affordable Ferrari classics. It's still relevant today, like most cars produced in the 1990s, and it will likely retain its place in automotive history for a while.
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