348 - change of perception?

Think the GTCs were fairly successful on the big stage, too. Havn't got a link but saw the racing results for one of the cars set up by Michelotto. 1st in class seemed to feature a lot although they did come second or even (shock, horror) 3rd now and then! Must have really ballsed up in those races. My point is when tuned properly the basic design of the 348 can be made to handle extremely well. Fall slightly outside the envelope of stability and you'll have a fight on your hands. Road car designs tend to have a wider envelope inside which they are stable but to get a car to handle really well you'll always have to push the limit a bit.

 

Thanks Dazzling. I think that's pretty much it. 348 - worst Ferrari ever? Don't be daft, its not even close. Most under rated? Almost certainly. The worst Ferrari ever does not win races, with or without handicapping. When it does it consistantly with handicapping, it shows its under rated. When it does it without (albeit in GTC guise) it shows it can be set up to handle extremely well.

 

Absolutely. BTW mate, few pics of the work they're doing on my car at this link:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=140874944#post140874944

Only just starting to do the detailing etc but already starting to look pretty tidy.

 

All,

Surely whether the NSX is better is a matter of debate. For everyone that said it was better there was someone who said the Ferrari was better. The only thing is its become 'common knowledge' that the Ferrai 348 is worse than its peers. This 'common knowledge' is rarely based on having driven a well set up 348 along side its peers. Its just a case of 'but everyone knows its worse'.

Please have a good read of the below articles. The 348 was driven along side its peers. In one the 348 came out on top, the other has the NSX out on top performance wise. Read to the end of that article, though, and it has an interesting conclussion.

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/S4_autocar_July93.html

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/ERoadtests/SEv911v348vNSX_Car90.html

Everytime there's an article when the 348's competitor comes out on top people say "see, told you so." Everytime the 348 comes out on top it's "Oh, I'd take that with a pinch of salt."

Truth is driving a sports car is a subjective experience. When it's a car that's tuned for the track it's a very subjective experience. One thing that's interesting is that the majority, not all but the majority, of the people who put down the 348's handling haven't driven one that much, if at all. Many people who say the NSX was better havn't driven an NSX and 348 back to back. Its just 'common knowledge'. I drove a 328, 348 and 355 in quick succession. I was looking to buy one of the 3, and all were comfortably inside budget. I went for the 348 because I enjoyed the driving experience more, also personally like the looks. Some would have gone for the 328, some the 355, but it would have been based on fact, not hearsay.

Read the above articles and pay close attention to how they assess the 348's handling. Don't see many complaints about instability at speed, lack of poise, or handling worries. I'd be interested in comments but be warned, comments of "I'd take that with a pinch of salt" should be backed up with "I've driven an NSX, 911, Esprite and properly set up 348." Just having driven a properly set up 348 would be good. Cheers.

p.s. Can see loads of 'pinch of salt' responces coming.

 

To be honest, though mate, not trying to stir, just amazed at how many people quote handling issues with the 348 having never driven them. Also, you can't deny that articles about the 348 go both ways but many people choose to ignor the ones where they rate the 348 highly. One of those articles rates the 348's handling above the NSX, 911 (from that year), and Lotus Espite but many people will say to ignor that. Why?

 

Sorry, new to forums, what does Bump mean?

 

Thanks Andrew. Maybe the Bump was just a general agreement with all the good points I had made. (I can at least dream, can't I?)

 

Good point, just me being dull.....

 

That said, I guess I'm trying to be a stirer in a way. Kind of helping people to see that there are 2 sides to this argument (sorry discussion ) Only difference I often see is people who fall down on the side of the 348 often know the car quite well. Just occasionally people who say that it handles really badly have never driven one much, if at all. Whenever someone makes these comments I'm willing to listen but I always politely ask what personal experiences those people have of driving a 348 fast. Often I don't get a reply. No problem but why not say you have absolutely no personal experience of driving a 348 if you don't have. Over to you Aircon. Ever driven a 348 on the track? Ever driven an NSX? Honestly not trying to catch you out or be clever but many of the opinions about the 348 are second hand at best. Where do you come from?

Undoubtedly some owners have issues with handling. But some don't and the fact that these cars have had a great deal of success on the track, points to the fact that they can be set up to handle well.

(still waiting Aircon )

 

Sorry, mate. Did bide my time till I'd bought mine but I think the time is fast approaching when the Brotherhood should start to set the record straight. One thread at a time, maybe, but there is so much rubbish out there about the 348 (personal opinion there) that it's high time people started to be told another side of the argument.

Can opinions change? I remember a 6 cylinder car once that some said wasn't a true Ferrari, didn't deserve to wear the badge etc. Check out the price of a spotless 246 now. A 348 may never rise to the dizzying hights of that fantastic little car but lets start moving it in the right direction. Want to avoid the rush, buy yours soon.....

 

BTW Andrew, if you're ever down Lincolnshire way and would like to crawl over my 348 to have a good look at one, feel free to send me a PM. I learnt a lot about this particular model during my search and quite a few owners passed on some great top tips.

p.s. Not 100 percent serious with the 'call to arms' regarding restoring the 348's reputation, that sort of thing takes years, not just the odd thread, but every little helps. Regarding getting one yourself, they are currently a very under valued model (again IMHO) and if you have any way of fulfilling your dream I'd do it. They might not always be viewed in this way.

 

Sy's 348 is continuing to develop, he's in the process of having a Le Mans 348 engine rebuilt (hopefully) for it so it'll be quite a machine by the time he's done. I've chatted to him on and off line about his progress and all seems to be going ok. He is having the odd handling issue though, so I do conceed that some 348s seem to. Mine's a little more tame. I am making the odd change/update, mostly just as stuff has worn out there's better aftermarket options available, but generally she's staying pretty much the same. Most of the things that wear out due to milage, rather than age (seals, hoses etc) are ok on my car as she's pretty low milage (24k backed up with MOT check etc) but things like the fuel lines etc have needed to be replaced so I've gone for updated ones. Sorry, my serving thread spilling over here a tad....

 

Hi Kai. See you're a 348 owner so not entirely sure what angle you're coming from with this. All inputs welcome, though. Was this more of a comment about a relaunch of the Dino? How do you find your 348's handling? Does it live up to the bad press or is it ok?