Actually, A 355 is nothing more than a refined 348 which was performed by the factory. Plain and simple. Again... 348 = diamond that needs polishing 355 = polished diamond
I carefully considered both and bought a 328 then a 308. But, I did see a black/tan 355 F1 at Bobileff's today and have to admit it has quite a presence (and the asking price is comfortably lower than the 328s on the floor). Hard to imagine a sexier post-1990 car.
Smart man. I have no desire for a 360 or 430 for that matter. A 458 is a different story, style and performance.
hahhaa..the comparison was between the beige 355 interior I posted and the same interior but in 348 form a few posts above mine.
I must be strange, because the 348 interior is the thing I like the least about the car. Love the exterior, but inside it looks dated to me. I think the 355 looks nice inside, but of course it is also starting to look old. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Either one can be considered to be old or dated , because ......they are old . But they are old in a good way , turning into classic old cars , soon to be , ..... Antique . Of course they are going to look old, but thats not a bad thing , does anybody look at a daytona and say it just looks old , hell no , its a beautiful classic car . I've also seen in this thread " they look too 80's " or "90's" , well guess what , thats what they are , what should they look like ? To me , thats not a bad thing , those were fun times , has anyone ever said " oh that 427 cobra looks so 60's ? I wish it was 1980 again , i'd be living at home with the parents ,pumping gas at the gas station and getting stoned every night , zero responsibilites , good times ! When i worked at said gas station a local doctor would come in at night with his testarossa , he was so cool , would carry on with us young guys We'd drool over the car and so on . Thats when i got the ferrari bug . Great thing is , last summer i was at a car show with my 348 , i saw him coming , guess what , he was admiring my 348 , then i told him who i was , we had a nice reunion , said he still has the testarossa , along with others , and yada yada yada ... Lol 1994 ferrari 348 spider , third owner purchased may 2013 w/ 27804 miles
Test drove a 348 after I sold a 328. Driving-feel wise, I simply preferred my old 328. I eventually bought a Euro 308 and then back to a 328. During my 3x8 ownership, I drove various street, Fiat/Luca era Ferraris in various configurations. The one car that I bought (and gladly sold my pristine 328) is a 355 Challenge. The feel, feedback, trackworthiness, balanced handling, engine responsiveness are what I was looking for. This car ticked all the other boxes for me. Other than the 288 GTO and unlike the 348, it's one car that I can't find much fault aesthetically compared to other Fiat and Luca era cars. Provenance-wise, I value more significantly its race history. A 348 Challenge with race history may be interesting as I may likely prefer its steering feel, but I doubt that I'll prefer its cable-actuated gearshift over the more direct 355 shifter. Every other 355 feature gets my nod over the 348. Regarding mechanical or electronic complication, I find that things are complicated until I take the time to further understand how things work and why. Both the 348 and 355 models are not as complicated as I thought they once were. Whether it's the 348 handling or the 355 valve guides, all cars have issues that can be addressed. Even the 308 was heavily redesigned by Michelotto to make it track worthy. Lastly, coming from the world of racing where engine out major service is on par and headers are a wear/time-tracked item, the 355 is just fine.
You're just right . The unpolished diamond can become the most beautiful diamond in the hands of a crafted cutter . Uncut, most people don't see the true beauty underneath. That's what makes the 348 so special to me, only understood by owners who actually drive them. I don't have to explain, they know.... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ask again in then years when problems start arising. 348 is, if not the first, the last true Ferrari sports car
I agree with what has been said. I flew out to LA and test drove both cars and feel that is the best way to choose. The 348 (I bought 94 spyder) was simple and felt like a classic. The 355 (tested 2 different 99's) we much faster, much newer feeling and they handled better. They just didn't give me the feel I wanted. If you want to feel like you are back in time it's the 348, no air bags, no shoulder belt (its there but separate from the lap belt so i don't use it), no power steering or top. Great cars, but like they are like colleges, the one you pick will probably be the one you fall in love with.
I grew up wanting a Testarossa. When I could afford one and actually drove it I didnt like it. Plus it looks a bit outdated. I like small cars and the 348 was just perfect.
zakeen, I'm a 'small car' guy too. I never liked the TR because of the huge butt, and I found the 360/430 line too big for my taste too. I find the 355 "not too big, not too small, jussst right", like Goldylocks said. (I also find my Karlovy Vary raised wife jussst right too.)
I'm in the market for a 348. I was VERY tempted by a 355... but for me, "raw and maximally engaging" trumps "better".
Not to mention "better" is subjective. What may be the "better" car for someone else is not the "better" car for you....or what is a "better" fit for you.
I was looking at both. The F355 I wanted came first and secretly it was the car I wanted. I like the way 355 rolls off my tongue.
I grew up around the 355 being my dream car. I drove my first Ferrari which was a 348 rental in Vegas at age 26. It was then I knew I had to have one, so I bought a 355 2 years later. I recently turned 40 and the car is still in the garage 12 years later.
The 355 is faster, 6 speed, a little more advanced as it should be... it is newer. Superior NO it is not superior
Yep!!!!! Dream car for life. Now I own one...AND PUT 5100 MILES IN IT IN THE FIRST YEAR. Im on month 14 and cant wait to get a second one.
