Given the choice - 348 or 355?? | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Given the choice - 348 or 355??

Discussion in '348/355' started by gated_shifter, Oct 26, 2016.

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?

Which do you buy - 348tb or 355 Berlinetta

  1. 348tb

  2. 355

Multiple votes are allowed.
Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. MalcQV

    MalcQV F1 Rookie

    Oct 11, 2004
    3,292
    Manchester, UK
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    Malc Holden
    +1

    I like both 348's and F355's. I like most if not all Ferraris though :D

    I looked at both 348's and F355's, I read stuff first like any sane person should. My first Ferrari was a 1983 Mondial QV and at the time I decided on a car the F355 was just coming to the end of it's manufacture (about 1998/99). It was the latest Ferrari and prior to my decision to have a Ferrari I was never really that much interested (more an American Muscle car fan and British to boot) in Ferraris other than the obvious petrolhead might be.
    I loved the shape and as such that profile came from the 348 so I liked that too.
    Any would have done but a lovely (needed some work though) F355 in one of my favourite colours (yellow) came up and I bought it.

    The problems I read about on here, manifold cracks, valve seals etc were never a problem with my 1998 5.2 car. However like the 348 the engine out belt change did seem to be expensive for me, though I know others whom it wasn't/isn't.

    The major issue I had on mine over a two/three year period was failed emissions on the annual MOT (Ministry Of Transport) test. The specialist had so much trouble locating the cause (a faulty component? new lambda and an earth issue ) and I ended up sharing the diag cost with another owner who's Spider was there with the same problem as mine at the same time.

    Anyway my belief is simply down to how the car has been looked after a few years prior to your ownership and also how and who looks after it under your custody.

    Ultimately buy the one that excites you the most and buy as good as you can afford (said so many times unfortunately).

    I now own a 360 which I never liked as much as the F355 when it came out. I like it better now, probably at least in part because I own one!
     
  2. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #27 Wade, Oct 27, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. bikz

    bikz Formula 3

    Mar 2, 2012
    1,043
    Malaysia
    there's only one thing i like about the 355....the round tail lights........

    besides that, 348 alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll the way...........

    ps: that 75+ extra horses.......you'll never feel the difference......go give them both a try back to back..........they're both duds below 4k rpm.......
     
  4. 97 Spider

    97 Spider Formula 3
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    Dec 15, 2012
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    As someone who was lucky enough to have owned both at the same time for about three years I have to cast my vote for the 355.

    I live in a very rural area so usually when I take them out it is for a 4 to 5 hundred mile round trip to get anywhere worth going. The go kart feel of the 348 can be great for the track but it really gets tiring on the open road.

    Of course I sold my 355 earlier this year and kept the 348. The main reason being I found I like the TB(348) much more than the spider(355). Even though I like the look of a 355 spider there was no point to it in Montana and I put it down less the a dozen times in over 4 years. The road noise etc. just wasn't worth it.

    The perfect car for me would be a 355B and I hope to pick one up in the future even if I have to trade off the 348 to do it. (althought it is a great car and I'd like to keep it and have both again)
     
  5. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    #30 Steve355F1, Oct 27, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2016
    It's a bit of an odd question, given that every 348 owner is going to say "348" and every 355 owner is going to say "355".

    So, obviously the answer is: 355 :D

    Having said that, for me it was the 348 (and Testarossa) that first made me fall in love with Ferrari. And I still love both of those cars, and get a thrill when I see one on the road.

    But, it's difficult to see why you wouldn't buy a 355 unless you were so completely in love with the styling of the 348 that you just didn't like the 355.
    And if that's the case, fine, that's fair enough.

    Otherwise, the 355 is faster, sounds better, is more comfortable, newer, more likely to continue to appreciate (because it is universally accepted as one of the very best V8 Ferraris), and in virtually every respect a "better" car.
     
  6. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 10, 2007
    6,488
    Lake Villa IL
    I have, easy to feel the difference IMO.
     
  7. gated_shifter

    gated_shifter Formula Junior

    Aug 5, 2015
    537
    Plano, TX
    agreed - one for one. this is exactly why i specified the price difference. to me, the question is, in this scenario, is the 355 worth the $24k premium?

    some great replies!! loving the information and perspectives. much appreciated. i love both cars for slightly different reasons.
     
  8. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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  9. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Agree
     
  10. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    When I was shopping around for my first Ferrari, the horror stories about the 355 scared me away.

    I went with a 348 and have no regrets.
     
  11. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    You obviously don't know BLAMPEE then, because it cost him $20,000 to make it right before he even drove it for the first time after acquiring it.
     
  12. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
    Considering the number, degree, complexity, and expense of the 355 problems discussed on these very pages that's highly debatable.
     
  13. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    Frankly, that is a shame.

    I edited my original post on this thread which included my opinion on the point you have raised. But, since you have raised it, here is my opinion.

    Most of the "horror stories" re the 355 come down to a few basic facts:

    If you buy a cheap, poorly maintained 355 and you think you can continue to maintain it "on the cheap", prepare to be disappointed.

    A properly maintained 355 is a very reliable thing, considering it is, after all, a '90s Italian supercar.

    Some of the people on this website have a lot to answer for, IMO, and I'm glad I had the good sense to ignore them.
     
  14. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    You cannot be serious. That's like saying you can't tell the difference between a 430 and a 458.

    I love the 348, but a properly sorted 355 is a much faster car by any measure.
     
  15. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Baskin Robins has 31 flavors of ice cream for a reason.....

    No correct answer - buy the car YOU like better :)

    And, I won't make it personal if you don't agree with me ;)
     
  16. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
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    Oct 1, 2008
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    No prizes for guessing which way I voted. :D

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  17. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    One or 2 of each never settle
     
  18. jgriff

    jgriff Formula 3

    Jun 16, 2008
    1,125
    Houston, TX
    I would pay the extra $24k for the 355. I would also pay more money for a 355 than a 360. You have to get the car you want, don't compromise.

    It's been said on here a few times that if you are going to buy a 355 get one that has been taken care of. I've done both, I bought one that was not taken care of and it had issues. The one I bought that was taken care of (by Rifledriver) has been problem free.

    I love the 355 but a 348 that's been take care of well is better then a 355 that hasn't been.
     
  19. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    I agree with Dave: buy the one you like the most.
    They are both beautiful Ferraris.

    I just think it's sad when someone who wanted to buy a 355 doesn't because of some of the rubbish they read on here.

    To the OP: If your budget allows you to buy either, and you like both of them it's difficult to see why you wouldn't buy a good 355.
     
  20. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    #45 SoCal1, Oct 27, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Yep looking for one of these also

    Wife wants one as a grocery giitter


    Point is like he said dont read to deep here lots of paranoid penguins :)
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  21. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
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    Apr 13, 2004
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    As far as this goes, I dont didlike a 348 I just ended up getting a 355.
    No idea why I should have bought a 550 at the time haha
     
  22. flat_plane_eddie

    flat_plane_eddie F1 Rookie
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    #47 flat_plane_eddie, Oct 27, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2016
    As others have said, ultimately this comes down to you and what you prefer but I'll tell you my story.

    Initially I was looking for a 348 or 360 because of all the 355 horror stories. To me the 348 was always a second or 3rd best option, in essence, what's the cheapest Ferrari I can own that I like? I think the TBs look good but ultimately the 355 is drop dead gorgeous. Literally every time I drive mine I get at least 1 compliment about how beautiful it is. When I was trying to decide between the 348 and 360 the beauty of the 355 kept calling me back and I did more research and realized they're just like any other Ferrari.

    I think the 355 is not only way prettier than the 348 but it's also one of the prettiest Ferraris ever made and you'll find many share that opinion. Then there's the noise, to me NOTHING compares to the sound of a 355, especially with a Capristo exhaust (except the F50). The 360 is pretty close but it doesn't have the same level of F1 wail and has more bass. If the sound alone doesn't convince you I don't know what will.

    Both the 348 and 355 have that go kart feel and the seating position is very low (even compared to the 360 and 430). Looking at it from a numbers point of view (75 hp more, 6 speed vs 5 speed, etc.) won't help you much because buying one of these cars is an emotional decision.

    When I bought mine I wanted a dream car, not just a Ferrari and the 355 is definitely a dream car for me. You can offer me a 360/430 stick shift or even 458 on trade and I don't think I'd take it simply because they just don't do it for me the same way.
     
  23. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    End of story.
     
  24. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    I have to admit, I don't get the "go cart feel" aspect of either of these cars. To me the Mazda Miata and Porsche Boxster I have owned are go cartish. Point and shoot if you like. Both of those car are way more responsive (quicker) to steering input. The 348 is a little more raw w/o power steering. The 355 feels more like a my old (96) 328is BMW to me. To me the 355 is very much a touring car in that respect.
     
  25. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

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    lol
     

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