| Author | Message | ||
| Lou Papaleo (Papaleo1)
New member Username: Papaleo1 Post Number: 24 Registered: 6-2002 |
For you guys with wide backs, I unscrewed the back of the driver's seat ( 6 small-headed phillips screws) and inserted a high-density foam rubber square between the existing seat foam rubber and the strapping material. Effectively, it built out the center section of the seat so that I now have lumbar support and the seat fits my back perfectly. From the front, it looks as though the seat is firmer - but doesn't change the look overall. I'm 6' and 250 lbs and I haven't had a backache since I did the job. Total cost was about $ 20.00 in foam and 1/2 hour in time. Try it, it worked for me. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3326 Registered: 5-2001 |
Reliability: Great. Cranks every morning, not like my BMW (guessing game). Total maintenance cost is somewhere at 50c per Mile. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3325 Registered: 5-2001 |
6'4'' and 215Lbs (which I hope to bring down a little). Fit okay. Not really perfect but you can manage. Best without the top. Storing top behind the seat impossible for more than 30 Miles. As Allen said, your leg gets kind of odd after a long drive. Need to exercise it during the drive a little. | ||
| John J Stecher (Jjstecher)
Member Username: Jjstecher Post Number: 341 Registered: 1-2002 |
James, I am 6'4" 250lbs and I fit fine into my 348. You will love it!! If you have any questions on major services, maintanence, or any other issues or fears about getting a 348 just email me. | ||
| Chris Richardson (Boozy)
Junior Member Username: Boozy Post Number: 242 Registered: 11-2001 |
I've done an oil change and I will need to replace an ECU. (about $250) That's it for me with 1.5 years and 3500 miles. It is a fantastic car. I wish I would have purchased it years earlier. I fully agree with the 348 vs 355 looks. I think the 348 Spyder is one of the best looking Ferraris ever. | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Junior Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 106 Registered: 6-2002 |
I just came out of a 2000 lotus esprit tt. I differ on the comfort opinion of the 348 and lotus, on a long trip the lotus is more comfortble. I drove the lotus from georgia to arizona in just over 24 hours straight with no problems. I drove the 348 yesterday and my leg was about to fall off from the way you have to position your foot to operate the gas pedal, and my other leg from the weight of the clutch, this was on 200 mile trip. On a whole the 348 is much harder to drive, steering, clutch, shift effort are much easier in the lotus. The lotus will also fit a larger bodied person much better. I am 6ft, 200pds. The Lotus is miles faster and the brakes are also better. I didnt have any problems with the car either. The Lotus did pose a problem for my wife to drive, she couldnt see over the dash, shes 5ft. | ||
| Scotty (Pzerowaster)
New member Username: Pzerowaster Post Number: 41 Registered: 10-2002 |
James, I'm 6' 2" and 220 lbs. and I fit fine in mine, exept my back kind of bridges the gap over the side bolsters in the seats. I'm into bodybuilding, so I'm a big wide across the the back. But I'm still quite comfortable in the car. I have to move the seat a little foreward, and lean the seat all the way back so my head doen't hit the roof, but I hardly drive it with the roof anyway. I have a ts, and the only down side is that if I stow the lid behind the seats, its way too cramped. So the lid is either on the car, or in the garage. If I had to do it again, I would have picked up a spider. But other than that, I absolutely love my 348. No complaints, nothing but love, baby! | ||
| ross koller (Ross)
Member Username: Ross Post Number: 583 Registered: 3-2002 |
i think it depends on the year and the model that you get. the bad rep came from the early ones (89-92), whereas the later ones had most of the issues sorted out (aside from the lemon i had). it also helps to buy it from someone who has already sorted everything out. | ||
| Dave Penhale (Dapper)
Member Username: Dapper Post Number: 378 Registered: 4-2002 |
Reliability comparisons of a 348 and a Lotus Esprit are worlds apart. In the UK we don't refer to Lotus as 'Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious' for nothing | ||
| Andrew (Mrrou)
Member Username: Mrrou Post Number: 390 Registered: 3-2002 |
348's are more comfortable then an espirit.  | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 615 Registered: 12-2001 |
In the Forza Mille, a couple years ago, two guys drove from Michigan in a 348 spider. One was normal height but probably weighed 250; his co-driver was probably 6'4" and easily 300lbs. As others have said, fit and finish on the outside is better than on the inside. I particularly disliked the cheesy console with the cheap digital clock. I had a major done on the 348 i bought, and put a fresh set of p-zeros on it. Other than replacing the foglamps and then fixing the electrical system after the guy who fixed the foglamps screwed it up, i had no problems whatsoever with the car, and traded it in for virtually what i paid for it. | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
New member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2002 |
A real easy question.... I'm ~6'2 and 230lbs. Am I going to fit? LOL Seriously.. is it going to be like a lotus esprit? James | ||
| Andrew (Mrrou)
Member Username: Mrrou Post Number: 387 Registered: 3-2002 |
James not to deter you but you can find a lot of information about 348's very quickly by contacting 348 owners via e-mail. All 348 owners on Fchat would love to answer any questions you have. Ive spent some time in a 348 and its a great Ferrari. If you purchase the right one it will be a good decision. Andrew | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 304 Registered: 1-2002 |
James, It's hard to figure an average yearly maintenance cost because you don't do major services that often. For instance, I bought my car with 1500 miles on it and drove 3 years selling it with 16K on it. I paid for fluids, alignment and tires. The new owner just spent about 10K for service with belts, new clutch with rebuilt flywheel and sorting out an ecu malfunction. But, he should be set for several years now. If you keep a car for many years and miles, you can probably figure 35-40 cents a mile on average for maintenance and repairs as long as nothing major breaks. I thought the panel fit of the 348 was excellent for a low production car, but the interior was a disappointment with ill fitting panels, leather pulling away on the console and a generally cheaper feel to it than earlier or later cars. I also found that it showed wear and tear more quickly than 308/328 series. Prices for most Ferrari models have softened lately, including 348's. It's likely that 355 prices will continue to decline putting more pressure on 348's. I think the 308/328 series prices are safer because they are being bought now for reasons other than performance. 348's have been promoted as the most bang for the buck among Ferraris but over the long term that will be less important and the high service costs compared to other 8 cyl. cars will be a deterent, at least in my opinion. Dave | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 401 Registered: 12-2001 |
James I found that the 348(my experience was with a 94 spider) was pretty easy on the wallet, especially doing the kind of mileage you are talking about. Fit and finish is fine, and I agree the 348 is better looking than the 355. Most of the bad stuff you here about 348s are old wives tales. | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
New member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ok, so i've found some good info on the 348. I still prefer it's style over the 355 (just my opinion ). I'm actualy suprised in a way of the maintinence costs. The stereotype makes them out to be outrageous (like drive it for a day and it stays in the shop for 2 months), but not nearly as bad as I thought. Granted, 3g's for a flywheel and some of the parts are steep, but overall it seems reasonable for the type of machine it is. On avg, what does one spend on maint in a year of regular driving? Figure under 6K miles per year. Also, the fit and finish issues. How bad is it? is it sub Gen1 viper quality (which isn't THAT bad, but it's no 02 GTS..) or?? What sort of aftermarket is there for the 348s? Thanks James | ||
| Anonymous |
poker casino poker 368 |