My car is here! Finally

On a lighter note this thread just keeps commin round, I love it great read for anyone on F chat. Beejay keep them coming.

 

followed this thread since day 1. however, this is my first post.
this is the best thread ever, officially, and nobody is more deserving of the experience of ownership and the joy it has obviously brought you- than you.
inspiring is what i will call your story, as a 17 yr old who aspires to own one of these machines, i now aspire further to the happiness you share. this has been an enjoyable read!
i wish you a very happy and successful new year.
regards

 

Hi, it's me. How is everyone?
I've had the car one year now and I thought I'd give everyone an update. The car now has 29,600 miles on it now. About 5,000 miles since I bought it. I will probably click over 30,000 miles on Concourse Italiano/Monterey Historics weekend.
The car is great and I still love it. I've been wrenching and driving the Corvette and Porsche a lot lately, and I post on those forums whenever I have something constructive to contribute. So I'm not here three times daily like when I first got the car, but I lurk a lot. I'm an amatuer mechanic with a load of Craftsman tools, a lift, and an engineers desire to know how things work, and the hot rodders desire to make things faster, stronger, or lighter. Other than the gutted cats and tubi, the car is pretty much stock. This car is the most reliable sports car I own. I had to replace the alternator early on, and the Targa top latch broke. Another F-chat member sold me a new latch. The car is also surprisingly luxurious. It is the only sports car I own with air conditioning and it has really come in handy this summer. The woofer box and upgraded speakers makes the longer drives very enjoyable, but the gutted cats and tubi exhaust is still the prefered tune. At 30,000, I will do a fluid change, including oil and trans fluids, and I still have that trickle leak of brake fluid under the clutch that I need to look into. I still haven't bought 355 wheels or painted the bottom part of the car red, but I will someday. I would also like to replace at least the drivers seat with something that will allow me to sit lower and further back, even though I have adjusted to the current situation. After meeting PAP in person, I will not complain too much about the interior room. That dude is a giant and fits in his tb. I leave my top off as much as possible and I love top off motoring. It's been fun meeting other Ferarri owners, other F-chatters, and people that love Ferrari's. The guys here on this forum are especially great, generous, nice, and real brothers. I must admit that I bought this car as a starter Ferrari, but I don't think I will ever sell it. I understand now why some people are such 348 enthusiasts (nuts), this car is just plain fun. Cruising or hauling ass. If your are bummed about something, just take it out and redline 2nd and 3rd. There, all better.
I hope to see some of you at Concourse Italiano/Monterey Historics. Holler.
Bee Jay

 

Congrats on just over 1yr with the 348 Bee Jay! I've had mine since January, and it's been apart for 4months now on the major I'm doing. I'm also thinking of changing seats.. mostly to get manual belts so they operate like a normal car. I also have contacted Gothspeed and am in the queue for one of his FAMOUS EXHAUST SYSTEMS, and I've picked up a spare set of challenge wheels from a local friend and 17yr 348 owner! Hope to meet you one day, although I may not be taking the car far and wide to events. If you travel this way, be sure to let us know!! Here's a TOAST for continued fun and fortune with the 348 in the next year!
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Bee Jay, thanks to you I just spent a good chunk of my Wednesday night reading through your 16 pages. What a blast! I agree with others that have said this should be a sticky. Anyone thinking of taking the plunge should read your story and go for it. As with anything there are cons, but the pros far out weigh them and can at times be hard to express into words. It's those magical moments when you're carving through a perfect twisty road that make it all worth while.

I totally hear you when you say you have to give someone there money's worth when you give them a ride. This one experience could shape their dreams for decades!

Randy

 

Congrats BeeJay. It seems like you and I talked on the phone and/or email about your search for a 348 before you found this one, and it sounds like you found a gem!

 

Hi Bee Jay,

I remember reading how excited you were when your car arrived last year. I have had my 95 spider for 5 years and 2 months. I have had the major done, six fluide changes and 1 set of tires and almost 10k miles. I like the 348 so much I bought a tb in April. I am putting in a clutch and doing the major service. I just dropped it off at a shop for custom exhaust and 19 in wheels. I find myself driving my 348 more than my 99 Diablo. I will look for you at Concorso.

Ray

 

I love my 348, but there is nothing like a good 914-6 for fun. My 914-6 will kick the crap out of any 348, 355, and most 360's. I love to see a garage full of different things....Enjoy

 

Forgot the pictures!!!
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BeeJay,

Here's to your anniversary....!

Enjoy, my friend.

Mike in Kuwait

 

Congrats on the first 12 months of Ferrari ownership Bee Jay!

GREAT to hear there are many more wonderful years to come.

I will have 3 years of Ferrari ownership on the 28th of August. I think its time to bake another Ferrari cake.

Time flies when you are redline in 2nd gear.

 

I just spent my morning reading this thread completely. Bee Jee congrats on one year and continue enjoying your 348 with family and friends. You deserve everything you have done.

 

Nice six. Is it an original or a conversion? Did you do it yourself? Link? I guess my 914 would be a lot more fun with about 100 more horsepower. Maybe I'll get started on the conversion this winter. But I will probably still enjoy the 348 most. Thanks for sharing.
Bee Jay

 

Congrats on the year of ownership Bee Jay, its great to hear you are still in love with the 348. May you have many more years of trouble free ownership.

 

This thread is a great example of the wonderful, psoitive, good side of FChat.

Congrats Bee Jay.

 

Just read this entire thread, and i have to say that BJ, you have a sweet 348!!

 

Glad to hear the car has been good to you!!! Let me know when your ready for some 355 wheels!!

 

Just got finished reading this, what a great story! Congratulations, hope you have a hell of a time with that car!

 

You got some aye??

 

I'm always ready, oh, you meant financially ready. Maybe close to April 15, or I should once in my life file early. I sure would like to upgrade wheels and tires, not only for the looks, but the car seriously needs upgraded rubber. I scared myself the other day on my favorite road. I gunned it in second comming out of a hairpin, and the car went into a four wheel slide. The tires gave no warning, and I don't believe the Porsche (Khumos) or the Vette (Big ass Summitomos) would have done that there. The 348 needs wider and stickier tires and 355 wheels would be the perfect host of those tires. So, what do you have? I do have a birthday next week. I already told Sylvia that I want the GMP 1/18th 330 P4. Man I want that car. Hot wheels is comming out with a 512s also. Boys and toys.
Bee Jay

 

One small note, I LOVE THIS CAR!!! I love driving it, I love waxing it, I love the attention from the guys and gals, especially the gals. But the little kids freak. I love working on it. I drove my wife Sylvia to play in it last night and cranked the stereo. Damn it sounds good. A night on the town, and cruising in the Ferrari with old school funk jamming. 3.4 liter, Quad cam, tubi, gutted cats, V-8 Ferrari engine singing too. And a very romantic night after that. I am trully blessed. Thank you Jesus!
Bee Jay

 

Awesome Bee Jay!

That is GREAT to hear!!

 

Bee Jay:

As a relatively new member of FChat I have only recently had the pleasure of reading your posts. Your incredible excitement, enthusiasm and gratitude provided me with a very rare experience in today's world - a heartfelt warmth. You seem like a truly wonderful individual and I only wish I could have the pleasure of meeting and talking with you in-person. I wish you and your lovely wife all the happiness in the world. You certainly deserve it! I think I speak for most FChat members when I say, reading your posts was GREAT and brought back the initial emotions I sure we all felt with our first Ferrari! Enjoy your F-car and may it provide you with many, many miles of trouble free driving. Take care!

Scott

 

Hey Home Slice! I'm from San Antonio. I graduated from Sam Houston High School in '74, and Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos in '78. Then I spent 22 years in the Air Force, and settled down here in Cali. I talked to my Mom in SA today, she has a house full of relatives from Houston and Port Arthur that had to evacuate for Huricane Ike. My nephew graduates from my alma matter (now called Texas State University) on Dec. 19th. I will be down for that. Maybe we can meet then. I've met a few F-chatters in person and for the most part, they are all great guys and gals. Welcome to F-chat Scott.
Bee Jay

 

Hey BJ - love your TS! - just noticed your thread on the subwoofer. Can you still get your roof back there? - I need to do something about sound and the only way is to add some bass.