| Author | Message | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Advanced Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 2809 Registered: 6-2001 |
If you pay $67k for the 355 without the 30k, expect at least another 5, 6k for the service and perhaps as much as 12k more. I'd make sure that you get an extensive pre-purchase inspection before buying. I'd use the 355 as a driver, good reliability, the onlly expense will be the maintenance, including tires (I get about 7 - 9k per rears) and the service. I'm baised, but S4 vs. 355, what's to think about? Art | ||
| Robin Overcash (Robin)
Member Username: Robin Post Number: 306 Registered: 1-2003 |
I think that car is the steal of the year... $67,500 is a great price. I think I saw one of their ads that said they'll do the 30k on it as well. I'm going to be in Newport Beach in 2 weeks and if it's still there it might be too late for you to make your decision...  -R | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Intermediate Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 1523 Registered: 3-2002 |
If you can get a good-condition 355 for $67K plus major, I'd jump on that. If you're primarily driving yourself around, keep the Civic--it'll run forever. I'm personally partial to the 355 vs the 348, but opinions vary, of course. I love Audis, but I would focus my performance wants on one car. | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
Junior Member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 162 Registered: 5-2002 |
Buy the 348, used the $30-40,000 you saved and buy a brand new Audi A4 or BMW 330i with it | ||
| Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 582 Registered: 8-2002 |
I think you should buy the 355, if only to settle some threads here on 355 vs. 348 from first-hand experiences!! You can let us know in 3 months if you're happy with the 355 or if you wish you kept the 348. | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Intermediate Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 1160 Registered: 6-2002 |
Tim, because of the two dual-seperate intakes ('95 OBD-I only.) the '95s sound a little higher pitched, and better to my ears. Some mechanical issues actually make the later cars a more solid choice (switch to stainless valve guides in at least '99 but as early as '96, etc.) Though the guide problem is largely over-rated I would say. (in terms of number of actual occured problems I am aware of.) Best! Ben. | ||
| Tim Kinslow (Tkinslow)
New member Username: Tkinslow Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ben: Why is the '95 355 the year of choice? I would think the latest year would be the best? i.e., '99 | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Intermediate Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 1157 Registered: 6-2002 |
"I live in LA (hills) and frequently drive canyons and very little freeway." That SCREAMS F355 to me! **** image, though if you want a little more refinement swap the civic for an older 3-series. Or keep the honda and count on always having a car that starts (nothing wrong with a honda at all), and then on the other hand another car that stirs your soul! Best! Ben. | ||
| Edward D Yu (Fiercsm)
New member Username: Fiercsm Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks for the responses everybody! To answer a few of your questions, I currently put about 11,000 on my Civic Si and 2,500 on the Ferrari in one year. I live in LA (hills) and frequently drive canyons and very little freeway. I guess I may drive the 355 a little more than the 348 if I got one. I have Tubi, straight pipes and K&N on the 348, so the sound is incredible!! Test drove an S4 today and it was what I expected. Smooth, refined, fairly fast but not very engaging (poor sloppy gearbox). My Si is quite a fun hot hatch, very chuckable and practical but the image is a little young and not very presitigious or sophisticated. So... the 355 would cost about $67,500 with 18200 miles. The S4 would cost about $24000 with 30,000 miles. The bottom line cost difference for my changes would be about $15-17k for the 355, and about $10k for the S4. Decisions, decisions... Any other opinions out there?! Cheers, | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Intermediate Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 1151 Registered: 6-2002 |
Edward- depends on what you want out of life really. To help you out, how often do you drive the 348 and the civic? 348 and an S4 does NOT suck! The 348 is also torquier than the F355, and has the more connected (but bigger PITA) manual steering. But the 355 is awesome, one of the best sounding production cars EVER PRODUCED. Especially the 1995. So with the various issues, the only F355 I would consider is a 95. Hell, you pay $100grand for the sound alone, the rest of the car is free. Here's another thought, sell both and get a 355, and a '99 or '98 A4 with a stick for about what the civic costs. Best! Ben. | ||
| Dino Micalizio (Ingenere)
Junior Member Username: Ingenere Post Number: 89 Registered: 12-2001 |
I think it may depend on your budget. You can improve the 348 for not too much $$$ and you will run with 355's no problem....but you won't have the great looks of the 355. I think that the S4 would probably be a more satisfying daily driver anyway. | ||
| Edward D Yu (Fiercsm)
New member Username: Fiercsm Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks for the input. The 355 in question can be found at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2438813989&category=6212 I test drove it yesterday and it seems like a great deal, although it has not had its 30k service yet. Any further thoughts? | ||
| BILL CHIUSANO (My355)
Junior Member Username: My355 Post Number: 220 Registered: 3-2003 |
I say "if " you get the 95' 355 make sure its one with miles on it and ALL the issues done and of course records. I purchased my 355 and have put 12k on it in 6 months .The car is awesome .As a matter in fact I just got home from saturday night street playin'. I purchased my 355 w/ 30k on it now has 42 k NEVER a problem. I do know there were some issues w/ the 95 BUT if the miles were put on it someone else has dealt w/ the $$$ and you'l get a smoking deal on one w/ lets say 20-30k on the odo . I have 2 friends w/ 355's who have had some VERY expensive lessons learned by NOT following my advise. | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 1744 Registered: 9-2002 |
I say change to the S4 - while the 355 is a BRILLIANT car, I think your improvement in daily driver will be far more appreciated by yourself. Besides, do you want a first-year 355? --Dan | ||
| Edward D Yu (Fiercsm)
New member Username: Fiercsm Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hi all, I currently have a 91 348 TS (Grigio Titanium on bordeaux)which is fantasitic and a 2002 Honda Civic Si (modified) as a daily driver. I am looking at doing one of two things: 1) Keep 348 and change Si to a 2000 Audi S4 2) Keep Si and change 348 to 1995 355 Berlinetta. What do you think is a better option and why? Thanks for your input and for a wonderful Ferrari resouce! Edward |