| Author | Message | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 752 Registered: 10-2002 |
George, Welcome to FChat... A used 348 would be a great way to get into a Ferrari. My first ferrari (and current one) is a 348 Challenge, and I love it! For much less $$ than it would take to get into a 360, I think you would definitely enjoy a 348. The "raw" mechanics of a 348 makes it easy to work on and fun to drive - the "go-kart" feel that people refer to is totally true. On the road, I feel very comfortable pushing the car a bit with ease and confidence. I have yet to take it onto the track, but just based on the number of threads I've read through, 348's aren't too bad in terms of parts replacement. Many will argue that a 355 Challenge would be the way to go, but if you want a car that can go on and off the track, AND be streetable/street-legal, I would recommend trying a 348. The shift cables aren't as refined as the shaft driven shift linkage in a 355, but the brakes are very similar. Rotors and pads are not cost-prohibitive, provided you do some of the services yourself. Bleeding the brake/clutch system is fairly straighforward as well. There are many guys on this site with extensive experience with tracking 348's and 355's. Hopefully someone else will chime in and provide some feedback - Rob, Carl, Jonathan, anyone? Hope this helps! | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 596 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jeff, I wasn't offended. If I sound like I am I appologise. I don't get offended by what people say, it's all just opinion anyway. BTW I also like the look of the Mondial. They have one really nice advantage of a back seat. When I was looking at cars my wife wanted me to get a Mondial because we have a 4yo son. She thought it would make it easier to cruise because we would not need a babysitter. I looked at several t-models but as soon as I drove the 348 I was hooked. | ||
| Jeffrey Wolfe (86mondial32)
New member Username: 86mondial32 Post Number: 37 Registered: 5-2003 |
Charles... I will take an owners word for it any day. It was not a shot at you or your wonderful car. I was only reflecting what has been said by people in positions of respect in the community. I believe that all Ferraris have some problems that need to be tended to from day one. Thats part of the joy of ownership of a jewel rather than a jap made, mass produced piece of junk. Other than the rear lights I think the look of the 348 is wonderful. As for the handling issue I can not speak from much experience. I have only driven one on the street and found it to be a little too refined for my tastes, but i feel the same about the 355. But I am biased towards the 3.2 motors ( wink) | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 595 Registered: 11-2002 |
BTW I have driven mine pretty close to the limit and I can tell you there are probably very few people out there with enough balls to take it to its limit. IMHO most of what you hear about 348's is just bull. I would suggest you get in one, push it hard, and find out for yourself! | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 594 Registered: 11-2002 |
I don't care what Forza and the so called mainline reviewers say. The 348 is a fabulous car. I think a more objective opinion would come from someone that drives one everyday like I do. All you need to do is get behind the wheel of a 348 and you will see what I mean! | ||
| Jeffrey Wolfe (86mondial32)
New member Username: 86mondial32 Post Number: 36 Registered: 5-2003 |
If you can sort the handling on the 348 ( they are known to be very wicked and not very stable at the limit) and can adapt to the Nissan 300 tail lights It is not a bad car. Better to split the difference and get a 355. Forza and Most of the mainline reviwers did not think much of the 348 for overall quality. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 739 Registered: 4-2002 |
Re: tracking a street F355B Over the last two years of owing my F355B, I have been on the track 27 days. Other than the regular gas, oil, brake fluid and tires; I have burned up 3 axle boots, and 2 sets of brake pads. And (after getting the suspension sorted) I have had absolutely no issues with the car on the road or on the track. I am currently running times in the 2:12 range on the 2.9 mile TWS course on S03s. In my opinion, these cars will stand up to track use quite well as long as you do not try to undermaintain them. Consider each and every mile on the track to be 3 to 10 miles of road driving and schedule maintanence accordingly. I currently figure that my 18 days/year at the track is costing a total of $7000/year including maintanence, tires, brakes, gas, oil, lodging, food, and entrance fees; or roughly $380/day at the track. At this cost structure, all of the road driving is free.....except for the gas. | ||
| Scott A. B. Collins (Scott)
Junior Member Username: Scott Post Number: 154 Registered: 6-2001 |
The 360 is a hoot at the track, and I have had no issues so far. Runs cool, brakes are holding up, car is easy to heel and toe... But the experience of any Ferrari (or if you are Frank any V12 Ferrari) screaming at the track is worth the price of admission, regardless of model. | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 516 Registered: 4-2003 |
My gearbox seems to work fine, especially once it's warmed up a bit. You have to be slightly more deliberate than some of the other cars I've owned, but that's about it. The car definitely handles!! A lot of fun.  | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 575 Registered: 11-2002 |
I don't have any trouble with my shifter either. It's just a matter of keeping it adjusted properly. | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
Junior Member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 135 Registered: 5-2002 |
I have zero complaints about my 348 shifter, it's very direct with a good mechanical feel..... don't expect it to be like a honda....toughest shifter I ever used was in a 84 porsche carrera..now that was truly searching in the dark.. | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 241 Registered: 4-2003 |
348 half the price of the 360? Oops haven't kept up with prices of the 360. That should read "Well less than half the price of a 360". But alas he meant 355. So it is moot point. | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 571 Registered: 11-2002 |
If you are looking for a track car you should consider a challenge car. They are built at the factory as a race car so you will not have to do anything to it to put it on the track. I have seen 348 challenge cars for as little as $40K. I don't know what the 355 challenge cars go for. | ||
| George Williams (Porsche_owner)
New member Username: Porsche_owner Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2003 |
I should have said 355- not 348- easy to tell I'm a neophyte, eh? I did drive a 348 and found the shifter notchy and quite stiff. Loved the car though. I haven't driven a 355 because I'm afraid I'll fall in love- and the only 360 I've ever driven had the F1 transmission. Thank God. I probably would have bought it (or tried to) no matter how much was in the bank if it had had the 6 speed. Does the 355 require the diagnostic setup for simple service that the 360 does? | ||
| Kuzi (Kzma)
Junior Member Username: Kzma Post Number: 194 Registered: 3-2003 |
Unfortuntely, hard to put Ferrari and discount in the same sentence or thought  | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 566 Registered: 11-2002 |
The reason they prefer the 355 is because it has about 75 more HP and it has a 6 speed tranny with a much better shifter than the 348. The 348 was effectively the test bed vehicle for the 355. Ferrari changed everything they did not like about the 348 when they made the 355. At least that is what I have been told. | ||
| Chris A. (Asianbond)
Junior Member Username: Asianbond Post Number: 133 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi George, so far I have heard that 360s are very expensive to track, it appears that all repairs and adjustment must be done alongside with a factory computer diagnostic unit. I'll forward you a thread on this point. Love the 348, extremely go kart like, half? the guys on this site prefer the 355 though. | ||
| Craig A (Milo)
Junior Member Username: Milo Post Number: 240 Registered: 4-2003 |
Bob Snow on this board tracks his 348 guite a bit I think. He might be able to help you in this regard. I second Charles comments... The 348 is a great time. A lot of people don't care much for the shifter in the 348 and since you are going to be tracking the car you may want to look at this carefully. You will get in a 348 for half the price of the 360 leaving you plenty of capital for rotors and pads. | ||
| Charles Barton (Airbarton)
Member Username: Airbarton Post Number: 562 Registered: 11-2002 |
I don't know about track stuff but I can definately say the 348 is a hoot on the street! | ||
| George Williams (Porsche_owner)
New member Username: Porsche_owner Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2003 |
I'm a long time Porsche owner (and Ferrari lover) who is considering a 348 or used 360. My current Porsche (a 993) is used primarily on the track (I'm a DE instructor and avid DE participant). Do Ferrari clubs have similar DE programs? If so, where and how often- esp. in Washington DC area?- I hear of one or two Summit Point events per year but that seems to be it. Will a 348/360 stand up to repeated track use without costing me an arm and a leg? Are parts (esp. rotors & pads) readily available at a discount? Any information and suggestions would be greatly appreciated! |