Disastrous Designs ? | FerrariChat

Disastrous Designs ?

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by reggie, Mar 23, 2005.

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  1. reggie

    reggie Guest

    Just read today's Auto Express where there is an article about the worst desgined cars. Some debate will rage about the choices, especially about number 15 !

    20 Citroen C5
    19 Volvo 440/460
    18 Fiat Multipla
    17 Subaru Impreza
    16 Mercedes S Class
    15 FERRARI 348
    14 Austin Allegro
    13 Vauxhall Viva
    12 Morris Ital
    11 Nissan Primera
    10 Mini Clubman
    9 MGB
    8 Renault VEL Satis
    7 Citroen XM
    6 Alfa Romeo 166
    5 Ford Scorpio
    4 Honda Prelude
    3 Lotus Seven S4
    2 Morgan Aero 8
    1 Alfa Romeo 33
     
  2. 5to1

    5to1 Formula Junior

    Mar 15, 2004
    523
    Did they give reasoning? Or just a list.
     
  3. F328GTS

    F328GTS Formula 3

    Apr 27, 2004
    1,628
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    Nigel R
    Would personally put the Scorpio at #1.

    Re. the 348, I would have to agree. I know this will upset a lot of people, but I have never really liked it. I think it is the door slats that just don't seem to work.

    I have read 348 owners on here before saying that they dislike the 328, which I think is one of the best looking cars of all time. At the end of the day there is no right or wrong answer, it just personal choice (except for the Scorpio which IS a total dog).

    Nigel.
     
  4. reggie

    reggie Guest

    From the mag about the 348

    An ugly Ferrari ? Surely not! After the curvaceous 328, the 348 drew criticism for its simpler shape and Testarossa style side air vents - this is partly why this particular prancing horse offering often fetches less on the used market, despite being younger. However, with the release of the stunning F355 in 1994 it was business as usual for the Italian supercar maker.

    348 Sales (1989-1993) - 1,749
    F355 Sales (1994-1999 - 2,304

    348 Ugly factor - 24%
     
  5. Simon

    Simon Moderator
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    Aug 29, 2003
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    The 348 might divide opinion, but does anyone honestly think the 166 is a bad design? Its beautiful
     
  6. steve f

    steve f F1 World Champ

    Mar 15, 2004
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    well it says it all not any make of 12 cylinder on that list
     
  7. S11eps

    S11eps Formula Junior

    Dec 8, 2004
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    Simon Shepherd
    Can't argue with any of the above (even as a 348 owner) except your maths!

    Assuming sales per annum were equal per year of production, and the years of production were quoted as inclusive, then 348 sales were (1749/5) 349.8 per annum.

    Using the same formula, 355 sales were (2304/6) 384

    Thats a 9.8% increase in sales ((34.2/349.8) * 100)

    Bearing in mind the 355 offered equipment and options the 348 didn't (power steering, F1 g'box, power hood on spiders etc) its a reasonable argument to make that the specification alone attracted these additional buyers (that previously wouldn't/couldn't consider a Ferrari) rather than the 'improved' looks.

    It's funny how one mag can put the 348 in the top 15 'design disasters' yet Autocar can feature it in this week's issue as (Quote) "a 1990 348 is likely to attract as much admiration for its chisselled good looks as toady's 360 Modena".
     
  8. tomw

    tomw Formula 3
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    Feb 25, 2004
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    I bought Autocar yesterday in the vain hope that it'd tell me how to buy an run a 348 on £100 a week, like the cover suggested. I was let down :(.
     
  9. S11eps

    S11eps Formula Junior

    Dec 8, 2004
    254
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    Simon Shepherd
    Agreed. On the basis I have receipts for service/clutch/maintenance for £4k alone since September, I fail to understand how one can stretch £100/month to cover this, petrol, tyres, Insurance, tax and purchase price.

    Perhaps that £100/month is a loan that stretches 100 yeras??
     
  10. tomw

    tomw Formula 3
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    Yes, I'm sure that's what they meant. I guess you could get a 20k loan at a little over £100 a week, but then you'd not be able to drive the thing anywhere on that budget :)
     
  11. All ON U

    All ON U Formula Junior

    Feb 25, 2005
    334
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    Sonu
    Everyone has their own personal opinion. I love the look of a 348 especially the doors!! That is why I owned mine for 7 years.
     
  12. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    I cant believe there is only 1 renault in that list !! Also the MGF really needs to be in there as well (pile of cr@p).

    As for the 348..... that is just ridiculous !! The list in not relative to each other, but rather picking a spread across manufacturers.
     
  13. Steve_nero

    Steve_nero Formula Junior

    Nov 4, 2003
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    If we apply this same logic to 355 sales vs 360 sales then I'd imagine the 355 would have a higher ugly factor than the 348.

    It's stupid journalism.

    Totally agree with the Austin Allegro being on the list though!
     
  14. tommo

    tommo Formula 3
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    Nigel, are you saying that the 348 should be on the list or you don't like the design? Quite happy with your view on cars, but to agree that it should be on the list is quite ridiculous.

    Yep - I love the looks of the 348, and if they stuck the 308Gt4 on the list, I would say they were mad - even if I didn't like the design. C'mon Nigel being a Ferrari driver, surely you don't agree with that list !
     
  15. Andy hls

    Andy hls Formula Junior

    Dec 17, 2003
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    #15 Andy hls, Mar 23, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  16. steve f

    steve f F1 World Champ

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    the 348 was the last of the proper 8 cylinder cars made before the F1 girly gearboxs fitted to the 355/360 to me F1 means automatic the 348 was the offspring of the testarossa with the slats in the side before ferrari went to the fiat coupe styled 355
     
  17. F328GTS

    F328GTS Formula 3

    Apr 27, 2004
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    Nigel R
    Good point. I dont like the design, but you are right, it should not be listed along side the Allegro and Scorpio.
     
  18. OmegaSteve

    OmegaSteve Formula Junior

    Sep 18, 2004
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    Bollocks!.....I'm off to buy a 355 :)

    Car mags...they're all mad!
     
  19. Hud

    Hud F1 Veteran
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    Jan 26, 2005
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    Steve just put some filler in your slats and over inflate your tyres. no one will know.
     
  20. Stewart 430

    Stewart 430 Guest

    I Used to have a Scorpio with a 24v cosworth engine. Whilst is was not the best looking car on the road, thier were not many that could get near it performance wise.
     
  21. OmegaSteve

    OmegaSteve Formula Junior

    Sep 18, 2004
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    Steve
    I suppose it would save me £20 grand!
     
  22. acpes

    acpes Formula Junior

    Aug 11, 2004
    910
    west 12cylinderville
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    Andy
    One of my earliest cars was an Austin Allegro estate, for want of a better description. Words fail me to try and describe it, but here goes
    1. Sh*t
    2. Crap
    3. F**king Sh*t
    4. F**king Crap

    Please feel free to add any expletives of your choice in this section!
     

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