Benzino & Chaa, c'mon guys, play nice now Anyway, I personally think the 348 looks *nothing* like the 355. Despite their similarities under the skin, the 348 is visually very different. As I said in my first post, it's very Testarossa, and that's what attracts me to it. I don't think the 348 looks any better or worse than the 355. They are such different looking Ferraris. One's a 90's look and somewhat angular, and the other is more modern and rounded to my eyes. I have a modern rounded car already and didn't want another. I personally think the 308/328 design is more pleasing visually, but that the 348 is most eye-catching (more than the 308/328 or 355). 355 looks most modern. What completely bemuses me is those owners who put 355 bodies on a 348..... Why not buy a 355 instead of ruining a future classic!! I chose the 348 spider primarily for its looks though, and not its performance, where I feel it is overshadowed by the 355 and many modern cars. It's driving feel is pretty good though - I'll reserve judgement fully on that until I drive one more though. Anyway, it's interesting to see that many comments echo my own thoughts on why I chose the 348. Jas
The side strakes are precisely what drew me to the 348 One man's meat is another man's poison I guess
I agree the 348 Spider is a great car -- and its very easy for me to do so since I have a '94 example with 16,800 miles and it runs like a top. Unfortunately, I am putting a bid in on a house this weekend that has a driveway too steep for my F-car to clear. Probably for the best since it would be a stretch financially for me to keep the car and get the house. Anyway, if the offer is accepted, I will be putting the car up for sale soon -- with my fellow F-chatters getting first preference. Pic is attached. I recently added a genuine Ferrari OEM Serie Speciale front lip (not shown in this pic as it is from a month ago). She also won Platinum at this year's Concours in Reading, PA (a big event in the northeast). Car is in the Philadelphia area. Looking for something in the $63-64k range. I can be reached at [email protected] for more info / pics. Image Unavailable, Please Login
The 348 is becoming more popular because it's the best value for a sports car. For around $50k to $60k you get an amazing car that is different from any other car in it's price range. You could talk new Corvette, slightly used Viper, Porsche, Lotus, or whatever. All of those cars would probably hand the 348 it's a**...But for the kind of money you're going to spend on a 348 you can make a Ferrari dream come true. Many people think of Ferrari as the leader in the sports car market. The entire package, performance and styling. It's what many other cars try to emulate (especially styling). And even if you can't win a race against a C5, C6, 911...you have a Ferrari in your garage - so at the end of the day - you win. The 348 does not look like sub $60K car. To the average Joe (non-car person) - it looks like a far more expensive car. The 348 also has a cloud over it in the Ferrari world because Luca di Montezemolo decided to make a comment about it being the worst Ferrari ever made. Only to turn around and give the world the 355. Which is also an amazing car, but has worst quality control problems than the 348. The 348's interior isn't quite up to snuff with an exotic Italian car. The 355, while has more leather and less plastic, Ferrari dropped the ball and filled the car with leather that was cut too small and shrinks in less than perfect climates. Melting plastic wasn't solved either. Worse over if you look at 355, and consider purchasing it, you will eventually hear valve guide and header comments. If you research to see how much it will cost to repair, the 80 extra horse power seems like and expensive option. As far as styling the 348 and 355 are almost perfect. Any 355 owner who claims that he or she does not like the 348, or say it's ugly - are full of it. The car's shapes are so similar, one may perfer a model over the other, but to say one is less beautiful than the other is a biased owner trying to cut down what they don't own. Bottom line - the 348 is a Ferrari. A beautiful, great sounding, loads of fun to drive Ferrari. Anyone who loves cars, most likely loves Ferrari's. How can you not want a 348 for about $50k?
I think you may re-consider that once you have the cats off and have driven it a bit Jas. I've never had a 355 leave me standing yet, SteveF's 512m did mind you! but I was also leaving a 348 TS in my wake at the same time. The higher powered Spiders and GTB/GTSs are pretty quick cars and will show the current crop of Evos, M3s and the likes a clean pair of heels given their head. And Chaa, these side vents you're looking for? They're about 6" below each door catch Just don't nick mine! ps. You're not down in Banus mid August by any chance are you? I'll have the car down in Nerja from Aug 8th - 21st... well, you know, any excuse for a drive out! al.
I have the choice of these two cars. The 348 is only one year older and over £16,000 cheaper. I can afford both, but decided to get the 348. Why? Because I love the side profile and with the money saved will spend less then half of it on tubi/decatt, new alloys, sparco sports seats and a few other discrete mods from Hill Enginering. (But I prefer the 355 rear ). Also beacuse it's less sophisticated than a 355, so hopefully less will go wrong. Love them both....but that black 348 makes my hair (what I have left) stand on end when ever i look at it. Besides.....no one will mistake it for an MR2 with a bodykit. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
this is pretty crazy, have you seen all the posts regarding 348s? ! 348 - the new daytona , cant wait for demand to raise the $ to 100k+ i think its because all of us owners talk about how much fun we are having w them...
i have also noticed alot more 348 driving around the city. After the 360, 348 seem to be the most popular by far more in numbers than the 355. I think for the money you get ferrari exotica and thats the big selling point. The car is just plain gorgeous,even after 15 yrs! timeless pininfarina!
