Just doing a bit of research for an upcoming project I'm doing.... When you purchased your 348/355, what other cars did you also consider getting before making your final decision? I considered a Lotus Esprit and a Noble.... but I knew I'd always want a Ferrari.
A GT 40 replica I saw in UK. Impossible to legalize in my country...you said European Community...what's that?!
My friend was offering me his black/black 1993 512tr. I loved the drivetrain but thought the looks were too "miami vice" for my taste. I chose a 1997 black/black F355 spider for the ultra clean lines. My choice between these two was personal choice, not price.
Same here Sy, I looked at Lotus Esprits and Maserati Ghibli/Shamal but would have still wanted a Ferrari, after nearly 2 years with the 348 I'm happy with my choice.
A Porsche 993, but went with 92' 348ts (about 5 years ago). Cousin a Ferrari wrench, so the choice was made easy (could trust someone with service and maintenance). Got a little tired of the reaction and attention the car got, but now over it.
I was looking for a 355 berlinetta and stumbled across my 348. Never driven either one prior to my purchase. Bought mine sight unseen. It all depends on the dealer and their reputation. www.SportAuto.cc Simply one of the best!
You guys in the UK have so many more options than us govt protect Canucks. I cross-shopped an Esprit V8TT, a 993, and considered holding out for the Elise to maybe be allowed into Canada, and maybe holding out for the Shelby GT 500.
Knew I wanted a Ferrari when I was a kid. When the time had come and after some 'soul' searching, I knew the 348 was for me. Better performance than the 308/328 although more expensive, but 348 was cheaper than over priced 355 we have here. Also wanted my 1st Ferrari to be a "real" Ferarri experience behind the wheel. No p/s, traction control ect......with 355. Also could not afford 360 at the time. Could have stretched the budget for 355, but glad I settled for my 348. Awesome machine and will keep her for a while yet.
I wanted a Testarossa or 512TRnd ended up with the baby sister. One reason was also my uncle once had a 348TS 1990 red and I always wanted a yellow one. The Testarossa looks ridiculous in yellow so thats another reason. My 348 TS is yellow and just beautiful. Rgds, B
Was considering primarily the 348, 328, Testarossa, and 355. Just bought the first good one that I found. BT
In that order? If you looked at 348 and did not buy it, would you have looked at a 328 and if in good order, would have to taken that? So on and so on........
Wanted a 308 since I was 7 years old, bought a Testarossa as it was first Ferrari available when I had the money (I lived in Tenerife, Canary islands, spain back then, there is NO choise!). That broke, dealer gave me a 993 and cash back (no other Ferrari available!). Still wanted another Ferrari, bought the 348 I have now as I wanted the best I could afford at the time, tried a 308 briefly but wasn't that impressed. I understand why people would put a 993 on the same shopping list but the cars are totally different.
Well, the short version, the dealer was an as****e !! The longer one, I had the car a month but he hadn't hadn't changed the reg yet, so I left it with him to do that and fit an alarm. A magazine asked if they could use the car for a photoshoot up on the Volcano in Tenerife (amazing roads) so he took it, on the way back it rained, he spun and hit the Diff on a kirb (he didn't know but it had cracked the diff housing). It was being delivered back to me and the diff exploded. He had it for 3 months to fix it and never did. So gave me the Porsche instead. The Testa was a great car but far too big for a little island. I took it to an indicated (so you decide the real speed) 295kph once on the motorway, but almost wrote it off when I came round a blind bend to find a heard of around 100 goats crossing the road! Sorry you asked???!!!
Not really. Thanks for sharing your story. You own a 348 now, so it all worked out for the best anyways.
Your right there mate, I've never had a car this long before, I like to keep changing normally but everytime I think about gettin rid of her I just open the garage, stare at her curves, reach for the Handi wipes and .....Oh err, cough, cough, where was I , oh yes Shes great.
No, not at all. I was just looking for a really good example of any of those models within my price range. I first got the bug when I saw a really nice TR at Checkered Flag for $36,000 about three years ago. I thought I had found the right car when I saw an ad for a 1987 TR, but after talking with the owner decided against it. The car I bought showed up on cars.com and was located only about 30 minutes from home. As soon as I saw it I decided to buy it. I was not knowledgable about the whole PPI / car history thing. I was fortunate to get a car with a great service history and only minor electrical problems which I have worked out. Drove the 348 over to a car show in Naples (west coast Florida) last weekend, about 300 miles total without incident. I am a happy customer! BT
Always owned a procession of Jags as couldn't afford a Ferrari. When I could afford, I wanted a Testarossa initially but narrowed it back to a 348. I'm glad I did as the 348 is an awesome car to look at as well as drive - IMHO.
The first 348, I was looking at a TR since they represented a huge value for money. I also was shopping for a 308 QV, looked at a Lamborghini Islero S and considered a 1995 456GT. Luckily, Gary Bobileff took pity on me and counseled me to seriously consider the 348 Spider. He was right; that's what I was looking for all along. Then I got a Porsche. Mistake. Enough said. The second time, well I was after a TR until I drove it (how do those guys drive those things?!), then wanted a 355 until I could not find one and got sucked into a smoking deal on a 348 SS.
Hmm, it isn't what's wrong with it - that would be too presumptuous of me to make broad statements. It's more what I can't live with. The main criticisms in no real order: 1. It's too big and will not fit in my garage - width mostly. 2. It does not handle at low speed. 3. It has a big heavy car GT kind of feel, but really isn't a GT car. 4. Don't even think of drving this at low speed through the city or trying to park this thing. 5. The driving position is not so comfortable and you have "0" rearward visibility. I could have lived with everything else (maintenance costs, more dated appearance) What's good about it (to me anyway) is its presence, size (I know that sounds conflicting), sound, power once at speed and attention-getting.
I first considered a Ferrari 412 5-speed (cool car, but what a pig); then considered a Mondial t coupe; and then the 348 sparked my interest when I, by chance, bumped into one of the best examples known. Needless to say, I subsequently (2 years later) found and purchased a Mondial t coupe
