Blasphemy or good idea? 348 side strakes on a 355. | FerrariChat
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Blasphemy or good idea? 348 side strakes on a 355.

Discussion in '348/355' started by NeuroBeaker, Mar 7, 2009.

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  1. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
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    #1 NeuroBeaker, Mar 7, 2009
    I got to thinking the other day - and to be fair that's always a cause for concern. :p The 355 is overall a little more powerful, a little better handling, and a little more refined inside than a 348. But, I still can't get over those gorgeous side strakes on the 348. :D

    I know some 348 owners have fit 355 panels to their cars, so I got to thinking about the reverse... is it possible to fit 348 side strakes to a 355? Has anyone done it before? Are there any photoshop geniuses out there who can show us what it might look like?

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  2. JF308

    JF308 Formula 3

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    #2 JF308, Mar 7, 2009
    Somehow, I think it might look overly contrived and kit car looking. A bit strange in my opinion.
     
  3. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
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    #3 J. Salmon, Mar 7, 2009
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2009
  4. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

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    #4 cf355, Mar 7, 2009
    Why ruin the lines of a great car?
     
  5. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
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    #5 NeuroBeaker, Mar 7, 2009
    Oooh, lovely! I particularly like what they've done with the rear lights on that example. :D

    I should probably apologise at this point and admit that I'm playfully musing not actually in a position in the near future for an F-car purchase (I'm just completing my Ph.D. in neuroscience), but that is the eventual plan and I've already started saving for it. I estimate that if I set aside 10% of my annual salary when I get my first 'real' job this year, I'll have saved $65,000 in 9 years 11 months (conservatively estimating I am not promoted) and able to cash purchase an F-car before I'm 36. :eek:

    I can't remember where this information came from (my apologies, as a scientist it pains me not to cite references), but I recall hearing that the 348 does not do so well as a daily driver when compared to the 355 - particularly if you intend to put high miles on it (when I do get my F-car many years from now, I don't intend for it to be stationary for any great length of time). What do you reckon?

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  6. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
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    #6 NeuroBeaker, Mar 7, 2009
    Yes, that would be a little bit of a worry. :eek:

    Well, I realise it wouldn't be to everyone's tastes. :)
     
  7. Husker

    Husker F1 World Champ

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    #7 Husker, Mar 7, 2009
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2009
    I think the side strakes on the 348 are positively Ferrari, and was disappointed that they disappeared on the 355 lineup. I would do it in a heart beat if I had a 355.

    As for reliability and your repairs budget, the 348 wins that hands-down.
     
  8. NeuroBeaker

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    #8 NeuroBeaker, Mar 7, 2009
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2009
    Those were my thoughts on the side strakes too. I wonder if they'll ever make a return on future models... :)

    Ah - so, with advantages in reliability (even with daily-driver, high annual mileage?), it really sounds like a 348 instead of a 355 would be a better introduction for a first-time Ferrari owner?

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  9. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

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    #9 gothspeed, Mar 7, 2009
    Side strakes on a 355 will not look good. The 355 has basically a 'deburred' body of the 348 ............. the 355 cannot be improved upon appearance wise ......... only slightly 'enhanced' with wheels, wheel spacers, challenge grill etc .............. :cool:

    I agree a 348 is a better first Ferrari if one wants a little less 'volatility' ........... not to mention the horsepower difference is night and day ....... ;)
     
  10. Isobel

    Isobel F1 World Champ

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    #10 Isobel, Mar 7, 2009
    The very idea should be burned then bludgeoned then burned again. Right up there with an aero-kit for a Lusso.
    From the land of the Blue People, should have known....;)
     
  11. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
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    #11 NeuroBeaker, Mar 7, 2009
    'Volatility' in terms of what it's like behind the wheel (won't bite the head off an amateur driver), or as in what the ownership experience (reliability, maintenance/repair budget) is like? Or both? :)

    Many thanks,
    Andrew.
     
  12. saw1998

    saw1998 F1 Veteran

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    #12 saw1998, Mar 7, 2009
    Ah Andrew, my brother, delayed gratification is so very, very difficult. I can commiserate with you, I waited through over 18 years of "higher education" (M.D., Ph.D. and J,D.) before I bought my first Ferrari. You're going to have to do at least a 3 year post-doc stint before you land an industry position, longer if you're interested in academia. There has to be something seriously wrong (masochism, for a start) with us professional students! LOL

    Keep you eye on the ball, save up a reasonable down-payment and indulge your hedonistic impulses - finance the rest! You've earned it. When you finish-up, PM me. I have some great contacts at Pfizer, Genentech, BMS, et al.

    BTW, I'd leave the F355 alone and purchase a 348, if you like the styling. Also, don't overlook a 308/328 - great cars, comparatively less expensive, beautiful styling and very, very easy to perform your own work.

    All the best,

    Scott
     
  13. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
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    #13 J. Salmon, Mar 7, 2009
    That's an SS, and that is one of the distinguishing features. It's arguably the best of the 348s. That's why I sent you the link :)

    You absolutely have the right idea. Study and work and plan, it will all come around.

    BTW, I am a bit of a hotrodder myself, much less opposed to "non-stock" mods than many. But I don't much like messing with the outside of Ferraris. I think their designs are pretty cohesive and probably one of the main things that really distinguishes them from the rest. Of course, I have a challenge grill and different steering wheel and a non-factory stripe... so I guess that makes me a hypocrite!
     
  14. ferraridriver

    ferraridriver F1 Rookie

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    #14 ferraridriver, Mar 7, 2009
    One of the styling touches I love about the 355 is how the side vents mirror the curve of the grill opening.

    But that's only my personal opinion.
     
  15. cf355

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    #15 cf355, Mar 7, 2009
    No , your mods are quality upgrades to the car
     
  16. saw1998

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    #16 saw1998, Mar 7, 2009
    +1! You have excellent taste and a beautiful F355.
     
  17. 348SStb

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    #17 348SStb, Mar 7, 2009
    My opinion is that the 348 is more exotic looking than the 355. I don't say it's more beautiful -- I say it's more exotic. It's more... striking.

    I really think the door strakes on the 348 make the car look dazzling. Especially on the Spider -- I think the 348 Spider is much more exotic looking than the 355 Spider.

    Remember: current 355 owner here :) (And proud former 348 owner :) )

    Original poster -- I say that those who accept the idea of puttng 355 pieces on a 348 have to accept the notion of putting 348 pieces on the 355.
     
  18. vvassallo

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    #18 vvassallo, Mar 8, 2009
    Oh you are such a liar!
     
  19. angelis

    angelis F1 Veteran
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    #19 angelis, Mar 8, 2009
    You mean it's a "blurred" body of a 348. :D
     
  20. JazzyO

    JazzyO F1 World Champ

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    #20 JazzyO, Mar 8, 2009
    It's (going to be) your car and if you drive around in the dark or on another continent so I don't have to look at it, I don't mind. Because I can't imagine it would look good.

    But in any case, I cannot fathom why do people have to go DIY on Ferraris. Just buy the model you like best and leave it as it is. They all have little things that are not perfect - it's life. Leaves me to wonder: has anyone of the 348 brotherhood put side strakes on their wife yet? :D


    Onno
     
  21. NeuroBeaker

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    #21 NeuroBeaker, Mar 8, 2009
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2009
    Ah, always nice to find someone who appreciates the toil and patience required of 'prolonged' (seemingly interminable) higher education - good to hear from you Scott! :)

    Thank you very much for your kind offer of professional introductions - I may very well take you up on that! My Ph.D. Studentship is in Scotland, but I hope to return to the United States upon completing my formal education. A component of my scientific training has been supported by a pharmaceutical corporation so I have had a brief introduction with industrial working environments and believe I'd prefer an industry career over an academic one. I realise it'll be difficult to obtain an industry position straight out of a Ph.D. but presumably it wouldn't hurt to express both my desire for a long-term career within a company and my eagerness to get started. Even if my prospective employers choose a candidate with more experience, I would at least have called myself to their attention and received feedback on the precise experience I would need to acquire to support their specific business aims. Anyway, I digress... :eek:

    The 308 and 328 are indeed beautiful cars; in fact the 328 was the first Ferrari I ever saw in motion. But there was something about those bold Testarossa-style side strakes that really captivated my imagination for the 348. I once followed a 355 on a winding country road and, although I wasn't in earshot for very long, the soundtrack was simply awe inspiring. Although I've never heard one in person, I do quite enjoy Gothspeed's internet-posted 348 videos. :D On balance, it does sound like the 348 would be a better car for me to aspire to own for my first Ferrari... I'll have to continue to be patient for now though. ;)

    Thanks, it's good to hear I'm on the right track. I'm not counting on a sudden windfall to land miraculously in my lap to enable Ferrari ownership, so I decided a good education combined with a well-conceived savings/investment strategy would be far more likely to get me what I want. ;)

    I've currently got a MINI ONE that I've improved slightly with regard to the driving experience (brakes, strut braces, Koni shocks, etc) - but I was very cautious to avoid discernible changes to the exterior as I didn't want to look like a failed extra out of The Fast And The Furious. I had initially thought the matter of side strakes on a 355 wouldn't be too out of place, as they're still Ferrari parts - but I'll bow to the collective wisdom and leave that idea to one side.

    At the risk of instigating new controversy :)eek:)... has anyone ever fitted Serie Speciale-style rear lights to a standard 348tb? It does seem the SS models are rare and difficult to come by, so there's no guarantee there'll be one on the market by the time I'm ready to buy. I'm off to trawl the forums on that one...

    All the best,
    Andrew.

    PS:
    My apologies for my verbosity - I got carried away. :eek: lol
     

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