I love my car. If 'they' say it's the worst F-car ever build, I can live with that.
I know the 348 is not the best Ferrari. And I can tell you the best Ferrari doesn't exist yet. We call this.. the progres! The 348 Pinifarina design is for me a piece of art... during the 80ties and 90ties, a lot of body kit builder used this design. A lot of european sport cars were modified with the Testarossa (348 ) style. That means it was known like one of the best design ! In my opinion, the 348 is the car between the past and the modern cars, that's why the technology is very close to modern cars but the quality is poor ! But for sure, it is a Ferrari and that's why I love it!
It depends on how you define "best". In terms of performance? Certainly not, it's 20 years out of date. In terms of beauty and proportion? Perhaps, but judgements on beauty are very subjective. In terms of the overall package? Again, quite subjective - some people's priorities differ and so have differing opinions on what a great overall package would be. In terms of value for money? Well, that's subjective too - it depends on your subjective judgement on it's relative beauty to other models compared to price disparities. It might absolutely be the best Ferrari for someone. And another might rate a completely different Ferrari (250? 308? 430? 575?) as "the best". As for me... even if I had virtually unlimited means and could afford a fleet of Ferraris, the 348 would still be the very first Ferrari I would buy - and I dare say there would be a fair delay between buying that first Ferrari and thinking about adding to the stable. All the best, Andrew.
There is always a pecking order established amongst any social group. The other day during one of our Ferrari Owners' Group drives up through Napa Valley, we had Ferraris and other Italian Exotics participate with our endpoint of the drive being a 5 star resort in St. Helena for breakfast. As with all our drives, the establishments that cater to us cone off parking for all of our cars. However, this time there were 3 prime spots right in front of the restaurant/ country club available as well when we all drove up. Accordingly the valet/ reception guy motioned 3 of the "newer" cars to take the prime spots (all 43O's, Scuds and Spider). The rest of us were banished to the "regular" lot where they still had reserved cone parking for us. One of the banished happened to be a 250 Cali Spider, worth more than all of our other cars put together. The point is, in social groups it's human nature to always group things in an heirarchal order, and other F-owners talking crap about the other "lower" car is to be e pected. These things are always so subjective. Performance, worth, rareness, etc. Taking things into perspective, any F-car would fullfill the dream of 99.9% of the population. Ferrari is one of those magical things that has become a true symbol of Luxury and Wealth, "making it in this tough world". Any true owner/driver of an F-car can tell you of the biggest reward of having the car is the way that driving the dream makes him/her feel. Outside of the F-car owner's world, everyone looks up to seeing us all driving a dream. A dream that each and everyone of us owner's, despite the model owned, has achieved. Be proud of what you have and what you've achieved.
I personally dialed that car in, and it really is quite good. The AC is actually a bit tweaked as well........ and you are the perfect new owner of 82589!
Andew, you are 100% right ! A Ferrari car ( 348 or other ) is a part of history, it is a dream! That is the most important thing to know!
Gotta comment about the title of the initial post here, noted above. If you think our bretheren are problematic, check this out. Was in Maranello this past May. Visited the museum and toured the factory. Yes!!! But, 348? We ain't got no stinkin' 348 . . . anywhere. Not in the museum, and not as one of the various models strewn around the factory floor. Ain't that the pits! Sure disappointed this 348 pilote.
I don't know how many times I have asked God why the 348 was built the way it was and have heard plugzit curse at the car and its Italian heritage, with me right behind him! "F**kin' Italians!!!
Once upon a time . . . (don't they all begin that way) I had a little Fiat 850 Spider and later an Alfa Romero Alfetta (something or other, see my signature). Both significant pieces of ****. Yeah, it's a FERRARI and all that's attached to that. The cache'. But, dammit, certain interior pieces are now sticky/melting and require recoating. What? Another $1600 to $2200 depending. I really need that. But then, let me take that Baby out . . . I'm afraid I do love it!
To all of you who cared to respond to this thread. I leave tomorrow am on a flight to go see the car I am likely to drive home. Its already at the service dealer for a thorough PPI and then a seat of the pants test will make the decision. I hope to be an "official" member of the most reviled club on Fchat! What was rodney dangerfields line? "I dont want to belong to any club that would have ME as a member?" Well Im glad i found Fchat and I really do appreciate those of you who publically and privatly talked me back off the ledge. Nd Paul b
I wonder if LDM's successor will cite building codes for fire safety and have LDM's currently-lauded masterpiece spirited away? All the best, Andrew.
Will it be a sleepless night for you tonight? Safe flight, have fun, and if it's not too premature... congratulations. All the best, Andrew.
Is the car in SoCal? If so, give me a call and you can compare 2 348's. Mines not for sale ...never will be....but you could drive them both and compare. Lou
Don't worry one bit...if the car is even 1/2 as fun as the one I ended up with (I'm sure it will be!), you'll be in love! I haven't been an owner for long, but I've been into F-cars and have been researching this game for quite a while. As mentioned here, in some ways, the 348 can be thought of as a great Ferrari -- the clacking of the gated shifter, the sound of the most powerful and highest evolution of the NA 4-valve V8 (which also happens to be quite durable), not much in the way of computer gizmos...if you like true, raw sports cars, you are in the right place. People can cry about the side strakes all they like -- I think they're hot! They offer a nice contrast to the otherwise understated aesthetics of the rest of the design...and no, I don't own a white blazer or a pastel undershirt. 348s may have had some issues, but, as you can learn here, there are a lot of things that can be done to correct any shortcomings, and thankfully, by now the BIG things have been tended to in most cases. Plus, show me a car, ANY car, that hasn't had some issues!!??!! If anyone wants to tell you that all other Ferraris have no expensive problems and nothing annoying about them, they are so full of crap it's not even funny. Bottom line -- NO exotic car is about practicality or frugality -- it's all about passion and the willingness to keep the car running because of what it feels like to drive the thing! The person (Ingenere) that I bought my 348 from had it for 20 YEARS and took meticulous care of it! And this guy has had an F40 and a slew of other F-cars! No one can tell me that he doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to Ferraris, and 20 years of ownership from such an individual is one heck of an endorsement! There are knowledgeable "Ferrari guys" who appreciate the 348. One last consideration -- even if I did a major service and a clutch, my gearbox exploded, THEN I threw a belt, I still would not be out of as much $$ as I was after buying "safe" cars that didn't require a lot of maintenance but also didn't scratch the itch. Hindsight... If it passes the PPI and scratches your itch, bring that sucker home and don't look back! Anyway, just the opinions of one owner who did not listen to bad press and the often unsubstantiated bias of others
I was there in early April and didn't see any 348 or any reference to the 348. Even on the mural on the wall inside the factory had lots of Ferrari's painted on it but no 348. And the Ferrari shop also had no 348 models for sale. It's a conspirarcy I' tell ya!!!!!
Paul - you are doing the right thing, I want to wish you luck and hope everything goes as planned, and that this one checks out and we can soon welcome you to the Brotherhood.
