Yuup car gooood Went to buy a 458 and MClaren several times just could not do it so I got another Challenge car instead. 95 355 Challenge should be in every Ferrari affascinato's garage
How does the nose clearance compare on later F-cars? Nose clearance is a big concern for me on the F355 (you have to pick your route carefully, avoiding some speedhumps and other abrupt changes in gradient). Are the overhangs on later cars F-cars more or less? My impression of the steering is that it has a big steering wheel and I have to turn it a lot to go around corners. I'm not comparing it with my daily drivers, but with my previous mid-engine car, a Lotus Esprit with no power steering and a nice sized Momo wheel. It felt just so much more alive and communicative). Of course, with the Lotus, I had to put up with muscle-building turns at parking speeds. Also, I'm 6'3" (190cm) and miss a steering column adjustment (I put a wheel boss on the Lotus, but couldn't find a legal one for an airbag Ferrari wheel). Do later F-cars have reach as well as tilt adjustments? Thanks
John I have to laugh when you say 355 seats are not that comfortable...try driving your 308 for a few hrs none stop, then tell me how comfortable the rock hard 308 seats are? or how your back feels.Its like sitting on a hard park bench...lol
The 308 fits me very nicely. It allows me to lay the seat back the way I like it. Over the years I've spend many long days (like 8 hours) in it touring northern New England during fall foliage time. But the 355 spider doesn't allow me to lay the seat back and I feel more like I'm riding on the car rather that in it. The seat is too upright for me. I like to slouch. I have a pad that I place behind the small of my back to push my butt forward. Helps somewhat. Oh, and I'm not a genetic freak. 5' 11", 175 lbs. 32x32 pant and 15x32 shirts fit me nicely. While I'm posting let me comment on "timeless beauty" and "dated styling". They are not mutually exclusive. Take a look at Sofia Loren from the 60s (left). Timeless beauty, but that style is very dated. I prefer her from the late 70s. Dam, that 70s picture can still get a rise out of this old dude. That's just hot in my book. Sultry little slut. On the other hand, the 60s picture reminds me of my mom. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Styling great, Sound great, Involving to drive, Long powerband, Still gets noticed & unmistakably exotic. Lots of little things to go wrong though and cost $$. I think it all comes down to budget and how much you can afford/want one to add to your stable.
Lonnie I know you said you prefer 3 pdals but i have driven 360 and 430 f1s as well as 458 last year and since your looking anyway i would try an F1 355 just so you know. In my experience it is quite a bit diff than the others. I think you will find it differant and enjoyable. I seem to get a lot of feedback from the car vs the newer ones. Thats not always a good thing but it keeps you on your toes. I have never driven a 348 but i expect it to be similar but differant.
RED BANK!! Brings back memories. 13 years with K.Hovnanian. Many trips back to the Molly Pitcher Hotel. Hadn't thought of the Molly Pitcher in a long time. -------- Sorry, I just slipped into a day dream. I'm awake now. Back to Ferrari's.
Lonnie, I'm a new kid here with only two years ownership. I owned a 330 GTC for several years in the late 80s, and I have quite a bit of experience driving and riding in a friend's 360. I have owned tons of other sports cars. I had a 914 at the same time as the GTC. At that time I found the GTC to be a great fast car, and the 914 was a great quick car. I find quick to be more fun than fast in most "real world" driving situations. Re: the steering. My initial impression was light and numb. While it is still somewhat lighter than I might wish, I'm very happy with it. (And it does make the car feel lighter, quicker, and more 'sports car' like.) You can get pretty good discussions about whether the 355 is the 'last of the old' or the 'first of the new' Ferraris, but certainly it deserves a large place in Ferrari history. To me, the 355 appears to be a "Goldielocks" car, i.e. not too big - not too small, not too fast - not too slow, etc. Additionally, it is a good car car. I bought my car on a sunny L.A. afternoon, and spent 1 1/2 hours in rush hour stop/go traffic with the top & widows up with the A/C keeping me cool. It ran like the pure bred that it was/is.
That's cool. I used to play squash with Ara. A couple times at his court at his home. They make a good product and I hope they can regain their position in the home biz someday.
