| Author | Message | ||
| Edgar Repko (Sonicmedia)
New member Username: Sonicmedia Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2003 |
My fiance claims its not practical and that she doesnt like the way any ferrari looks blah blah blah, dont buy one. pssh... she said the same thing when I bought both mustangs and the porsche, and she loved all of those cars. I make the money so I get what I want =) I enjoy driving the Porsche, hitting those curvey roads at frighteningly high speeds, I always have a smile on my face when I push down on the clutch and shove it in to gear, the kick of the turbo and the sudden, quick, heart pounding acceleration are amazing. I'm hoping for something similar =) Byron: SHHHHHHHHHHHH I dont want to hear about the car I missed out on ;) | ||
| Mister Jones (Davey_jones)
Junior Member Username: Davey_jones Post Number: 53 Registered: 9-2002 |
Put it this way....driving will be fun again! My wife keeps asking me "why are you smirking?" :/ I now get up earlier and go to bed later  I have to push it out of the garage when I start it because it vibrates the whole house! | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 987 Registered: 10-2002 |
Like heaven, Edgar. | ||
| Edgar Repko (Sonicmedia)
New member Username: Sonicmedia Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2003 |
whats the actual driving experience like? | ||
| Mister Jones (Davey_jones)
Junior Member Username: Davey_jones Post Number: 52 Registered: 9-2002 |
I second Jeff's post - TONS of info in past threads. Same info I used to find mine last week You will be rewarded with patience however... | ||
| J R K (Kenyon)
Member Username: Kenyon Post Number: 525 Registered: 10-2002 |
Check out the archives. Always buy the latest year of the 348. Later the better. Needs to have fully documented service history... | ||
| Jeff B. (Miltonian)
Member Username: Miltonian Post Number: 456 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi, Edgar: I hope you are able to find a worthy 348 to purchase, it's a fun car! For your test drive, just sit in it, look around, get a feel for how the controls are laid out. You'll find that the steering wheel obscures the upper part of the instruments, even if it's raised all the way. There isn't a lot of headroom in the tb, or in the ts with the top in place. If you are looking at a ts with the top stowed behind the seats, you can't push the seats all the way back. If you're tall, that may be a concern. Visibility is quite good for a midengined car. Steering is heavy at low speeds, but not enough to be a problem. The shifter, which draws bitter comments in magazine reviews, requires more effort than the usual car, but it's a pleasure to use when you get comfortable with it. One of the articles gave a good hint: the lever may be thin, but it won't bend - use a firm hand, move it smoothly, you won't even notice the exposed shift gate. Forget it's there. There is strong spring pressure into the 2/3 gate, so the lever naturally goes into that position. You may have a tendancy to forget the shift pattern at first, so don't accidentally shift into reverse when you want first. It's happened to me. Make sure the steering wheel is centered, and that the car doesn't pull. It should track like on rails. Handling at very high speeds is tricky, so don't be tempted to overdo it until you learn the car. Brakes should be very powerful and shouldn't squeek. The body should feel very tight, with no rattles and squeeks. Make sure ALL of the electrics work properly, this is a weak area on 348's. Watch for the presence of "slow down" and "check engine" warning lights. The motorized seat belts often are not working properly. The climate control should work in all modes and blow cold. Check for a rattling sound from the engine bay when starting and shutting off the engine - this can point to an expensive problem with the bi-mass flywheel. Difficult hot starts also point to a flywheel problem. Check for any sign of moisture residue in the oil tank, indicating gasket leakage or failure to change oil regularly. Watch for abnormal wear patterns in the tires, and make sure the wheels haven't been curbed. All Ferrari parts are expensive, so make sure nothing is missing or damaged. Raise the headlights and check for glass dings in the lenses. Bad windshield? Figure on $3000 for a new one. A new muffler is over $1000, so make sure it's in good shape. Check very carefully for oil leaks. Ask to see service records. There are some nice ones out there, have fun looking, and ask again if you have specific concerns about a car. | ||
| Edgar Repko (Sonicmedia)
New member Username: Sonicmedia Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2003 |
I'm looking to buy one, so I would like you all to share your driving experiences with me before I go for a test drive. Tell me what you love about it and what you hate, if anything ;-) |