| Author | Message | ||
| Scotty (Pzerowaster)
New member Username: Pzerowaster Post Number: 16 Registered: 10-2002 |
I once made a friend of mine vomit his brains out after some aggressive back road driving in my Pzero clad 348. He was white as a ghost. Funny stuff. Anyway, I love my 348, I feel one with it, and I know it's limits all too well. Part of the fun has been mastering the machine, and it didn't happen overnight. There was a learning curve for me. But it's just way too cool, and way too fun. And turns heads like crazy. 'Specially with the tubi and "euro resonators" (cat eliminators). I've never had the slightest inkling to turn on the stereo with that sweet music bellowing behind me. It's a raw sports car that makes me feel happy as an 8 year old in a go-cart. Nothing but love. The best money I've ever spent. Sorry, I just had to voice my pleasure with my red sled. So there's some of that praise you were looking for, Chris!  | ||
| Jim E (Jimpo1)
Member Username: Jimpo1 Post Number: 846 Registered: 7-2001 |
I can't believe you guys let Frank get away with saying that he's had 5 Ferraris. It's obvious he's had 3 Ferraris and 2 Dinos! | ||
| Racer 001 (Mr_0011)
Member Username: Mr_0011 Post Number: 272 Registered: 3-2002 |
I keep hearing that the 360 is the ultimate Dino, so I guess I'll say that. I have not driven anything like an Enzo or what not... | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
Member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 268 Registered: 4-2002 |
Ross, ah. I see, in that case, I agree with your comments. | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 421 Registered: 3-2002 |
my comments were made assuming that you would stay within the holy order and not stray from the fold, and go to the dark side....... | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
Member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 265 Registered: 4-2002 |
Ross, if price mattered (bang for buck) we would all be driving Z06 corvettes. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 1391 Registered: 9-2001 |
Regardless, the 550 or 575 is the best buy in the Ferrari market. And, it is a superior car to any of the V8 dinos whether it be a 308 or a 360. | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 415 Registered: 3-2002 |
think u need to involve price. best bang for the buck ? maybe. certainly much maligned which makes it well priced. in the uk, u can get one for about half the price of the (superior in my mind) 355, but is it half the car? no. so great value for those looking to enter cheaply. | ||
| Michael Yip (Mightyslash)
Junior Member Username: Mightyslash Post Number: 90 Registered: 4-2002 |
F355 is a lot better IMO | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 1388 Registered: 9-2001 |
Mitchell, The 330GTC is a wonderful old car that sounds great and is very comfortable. Mine had factory air that really worked. The car is hand man in the old world sense which can really be noticed when working on the car. The interior is covered with fine leather and wood and makes the driver feel special. The three two barrell Webers make all the right noises as does the Ansa exhaust. I owned mine a couple of years and drove it a little over 15k miles. I had no problems and although I did replace the tires and had all the fluids changed. A great older car for all round fun. | ||
| Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
Member Username: Jussumfastgi Post Number: 255 Registered: 4-2002 |
Frank, can you post some more about the 330GTC? I am interested to hear about how they drive in comparison to the "Gen Xer" Ferrari's. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2989 Registered: 5-2001 |
Art, nice posting there. This is a good point. Although cooking the brakes would happen in a 355 the same way as in the 348 due to my inability to drive properly. I hope I worked out that bug last monday at the driving school. BTW a Valvoline brake fluid for 500�+ does the job pretty well. The best Ferrari ever? surely not. That would always be the newest and most recent engineered model. A good one for $50K (TS & TB) or $ 70K (Spider) most definetely. | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Intermediate Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 1385 Registered: 9-2001 |
As I have previously posted, I have had five Ferraris including a 328GTS, 400GT, TR, 330GTC and now a 348Spider. They were all 90+ point cars and always placed in the top three at FCA concours. Out of those cars, the 348 Spider is my favorite. It is plenty fast, sounds great, handles well and is a blast to drive. I will keep her until i get a 550 in the next couple of years. | ||
| Marcus Mayeux (Mmayeux73)
Member Username: Mmayeux73 Post Number: 302 Registered: 4-2002 |
BObD, That's what he was saying when he was talking to me and my girlfriend's brother (we had asked him some questions about specific cars and this was one of them)...he said he would not own a 348 due to the service history-he also said this about early Lamborghinis-"Ferrari has always been ahead of Lambo"-his quote. I personally like the 348, I am just relaying what he said. He would personally take the F355 over most F-cars. -Not trying to start a flame-just telling you what I heard. Best regards, Marcus | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 709 Registered: 6-2001 |
I've had two 348s, a 90 TS and a 94 Sypder. I now have a 355TB, and have put about 10k on the 355, and had put about 10k on the 348s. The 355's power steering is a negative, BUT it is the only negative to the car. In all other manners, the 355 is better. Not just a little, a whole bunch better. It's faster, it handles better, it stops better (how many of you 348 drivers have gone to the track and cooked your brakes? I bet more than a few), it quieter, in general Ferrari did their job, made the next model better. Last, but not least, is that the 355 seems to have much more clearance than the 348, and that means less trips to the body shop to get the nose fixed. If we're going to argue value, then lets compare the corvette against a Ferrari (hehehe). Sure the 348 is less money, but its also less car, and how you value that is dependant upon your economics, and that's different for all of us. Just my thoughts about this. Art | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
Junior Member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 74 Registered: 5-2002 |
Jeffrey, be warned....those are not minivans, if you look carefully they are Renault Clio RS Sport with a 172hp four banger, they can demolish the new Mini Cooper S and easily keep up with the Ferraris on those type of roads. It's a shame that Renault does not import them to the states, the Clio is the one to beat in the hot hatch category, it's just you never heard of them. | ||
| Jeffrey Caspar (Jcaspar1)
New member Username: Jcaspar1 Post Number: 32 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow. This is getting really specific. So the 348 is the best Ferrari to be stuck behind three minivans on a twisty road! | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Junior Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 60 Registered: 8-2002 |
"I'm just suprised that I don't hear more praise about the 348. I think it is one of the motoring world's best kept seceret. " You are absolutely right! It is also the most tuneable Ferrari for the track. Everything about it is cheap in dollars relative to any other Ferrari choice. You get the most bang for your buck with a 348. If I crashed mine on the track I'd go out and buy another one. So what if the electronics suck! For the price of a 355 I could buy two and one of them should have enough working parts. | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
Junior Member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 73 Registered: 5-2002 |
Guys, these are the type of roads which I think the 348 really shine, curvy very tight switchbacks where you're mainly running at 2nd or 3rd gear. The front end's weight transfer is excellent, especially how it sets up flawlessly when thrown into tight bends. And when you're powering through the turns the rear tires does a great job in communicating the onset of oversteer. Of course if you're talking about running triple digit speeds at a high speed track or the autobahn, a V12(550, TR512) or 360 would be ideal. I'm referring more to real world DRIVING, pushing it, working the gears and without the safety cushion of track conditions. For a weekend driver on these tight roads, I can't think of anything better suited.  | ||
| Modified348ts (Modman)
Member Username: Modman Post Number: 377 Registered: 11-2001 |
Ah, the 348 battle! common fellas give yourselves a break geez, you are never gonna have a real opinion till you try all of the late model Ferraris, my Lambo is better! he he....just joking but I do carry a flame shield..You want my honest opinion of Ferrari, I will do so, they are reasonably cheap priced exotic cars you can have fun with comparing to a Mclaren or Enzo. Bahhh not realistic for me. I'm gonna find me a challenge car in the future shelled out to take to the track and I can feel confident that if I wreck it at least it wouldn't be a big loss compared to a new one. | ||
| Stanley DiGuiseppi (Standig)
Junior Member Username: Standig Post Number: 72 Registered: 5-2002 |
Chris. I have had only 2 f-cars. A Tesstarossa and a 348. The t car was fast but hard to handle around town. The 348 makes you feel like one with the road. It always puts a smile on my face to drive...and IMO I think they are worth more then they are currently selling for... | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 261 Registered: 1-2002 |
I sold my 94 348 TB factory challenge car. Bought a 89 328 GTB. IMO the 328 is better handling on real roads hands down. On the track the 348 couldn't decide whether to oversteer or understeer, very tricky and unforgiving car near the limit. The 328, while not as fast in absolute terms is better balanced and easy to drift near the limit. Reviewers have written about the 348's "twitchiness" but I didn't believe it until I owned one. However, on real roads you can drive the 348 plenty fast enough to scare the pants off yourself and your passengers without getting near the limit. Dave | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 689 Registered: 3-2001 |
I've been told the 348's quality went way up with the intro of the Spyder. Marcus, now why would Bob Norwood say early 348s are great? He makes his living servicing F-cars. I LOVE 348s. | ||
| Bak-a-lack-a Bak-a-lacka-lacka ! (Chris_n_chicago)
Junior Member Username: Chris_n_chicago Post Number: 101 Registered: 3-2002 |
348 Spyder with a Tubi......love it, love it, love it. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 186 Registered: 3-2001 |
Also, I guess that I was lucky when it came to my 348.....I respectfully spanked the absolute S*IT out of it on the track, and I NEVER had any mechanical problems. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
Junior Member Username: Squidracing Post Number: 185 Registered: 3-2001 |
My 2 cents: They are not skittish when at the limit. I extracted everything the 348 Challenge Car was engineered to give on the track, and it was perfectly responsive and predictable at its limits. WHAT LOW END TORQUE? | ||
| Marcus Mayeux (Mmayeux73)
Member Username: Mmayeux73 Post Number: 301 Registered: 4-2002 |
That's not what Bob Norwood said on dyno day')... | ||
| John J Stecher (Jjstecher)
Member Username: Jjstecher Post Number: 321 Registered: 1-2002 |
I agree with Bob 100000% I like them even better when I dont have 200 parts from them laying all over my garage floor! However I do agree that for the money there is not a more rewarding feeling than driving a 348! John | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 688 Registered: 3-2001 |
348s are some of the best cars in the world (when they're not in the shop). Sorry, couldn't resist! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 2354 Registered: 12-2000 |
Martin, don't make me bring out the 328 army again! LOL | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 530 Registered: 12-2001 |
I really liked my 348 spider; it was more involving to drive than my 355 paddle car (which also had power steering) and alot gutsier than the 328 i briefly owned. You are right that the car is very slingable, and it only got squirrely at triple digit speeds, where the front end felt like it was lifting. The only other F car i have owned so far that was more involving to drive was the boxer, which is the same money, and honestly, i would rather have a good boxer than a good 348. But you are right, it is a much maligned car, i drove mine for a year and a half with few real problems (though i had a major service done right after i bought the car, used, with 6 thousand miles on it, and put on a fresh set of P zeros, all the way round-oh yeah, went thru those tires pretty fast). Only real complaint, that cheesy plastic console and radio shack style digital clock. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2962 Registered: 5-2001 |
Thanks Chris! Exactly what I have been talking about for the past years! So underrated! Let them all believe their 328s are the better cars, we know better! | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1473 Registered: 6-2001 |
I heard they are skittish at the limit, an owner also told me that the shifter didnt have as good of a feel as it should. i suggested that this was becaus it was a cable shifter, whicih he agreed with. i guess they couldnt use rods because of the transversely mounted tranny. | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
Junior Member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 71 Registered: 5-2002 |
I hope it's not only me thinking this, but I come to the realization that the 348 maybe the best driving Ferrari for the roads, or even the best sportscar made. I have never driven anything as responsive and with such a perfectly balance feel. I really feel directly connected with the car, the gear change is direct, the clutch is smooth, the steering delivers the right feedback, it has the right sounds, the upright driving position is perfect, excellent low end power (torque), the handling dynamics are predictable and ideally suited for the power output. I've driven many other ferraris, exotics and sportscars, and none of them delivers the same balance of feel, handling and power as the 348. The car feels very go-kartish on curvey roads yet gives a more comfy ride than a porsche 911 for everyday driving. I'm just suprised that I don't hear more praise about the 348. I think it is one of the motoring world's best kept seceret. Disclaimers: -Not bashing other ferraris or sportscars, I think they are all great, just like the 348 more -the 355 is a great car, just prefer the more back to basic non-power steering feel of the 348 and its supposedly torquey lower end. -360 is great also, just a bit too modern and refined for the back to the basics sportscar feel I'm referring to -TR/512-another incredible car, but I prefer the 348 for tight cuvrey switchbacks, plus the torque is unlimited in the TR, I love having to work the 348's engine to stay in the powerband -328/308-have't driven one, but from what I read, they are great handling cars also, just think the 348 does a great job in bridging the gap between traditional sportscar feel to contemporary standards -F40, F50-we know they are great, just too damn good, wrong fruit tree |