355/348

There are plenty of threads discussing the differences between the 2 but I wouldn't say the 355 is that much more complicated in regards to electronics.

What pushed me to get the 355 is the beautiful shape and engine noise. Yes you have some expensive items that you'll have to address (headers, cats, guides?) if they haven't been addressed yet. However, since you wrench yourself it will cost you mostly time (OK parts won't be cheap but it will be a lot cheaper than taking it to the mechanic).

The 348 is probably the best first Ferrari if maintenance and diy is a concern. Maybe start with a 348 for a few years then if you're comfortable with the costs, get a 355?

 

Just realize that sooner or later you have to drop the engine out of both the 348 and 355 to do timing belts. Have you considered a 360?

 

the 348 is a beautiful car! it's definitely a Testa Rosa era car. It seems like the Montezemolo comments have really held it's value back. I sure hope to acquire one some day. they also are the last Ferrari that I know of that has the push to 2nd transmission... I am not sure how common that was prior to the 348 either.

the 355 seems to be ridiculously (high) priced car while being somewhat undistinguished. I missed out on a nice blue/creme spider manual. it could have yielded a big premium today but I am glad I got the 360 instead.

the 360 styling is truly unique (interior and exterior) in the modern Ferrari era. I obviously skipped the 355 for the 360.

you definitely want to get a manual transmission! surprisingly, the 360 is a BIG car...

BMW
Porsche
Maserati
Ferrari

no doubt, they are each unique and a wonderful experience. and if you have the means, I would love to buy a new Bently if/when I win the lottery...

 

Why, on Gods green earth would a guy want a 360? Ick.

 

Because all of the good low mileage Rosso Corsa on Tan cars are taken or wrecked (Dammit!). Oh and three words, "Challenge Stradale TCU!"

 

Yes, ick, ick, ick, Exactly what my friend who races a 355 challenge says every time a 360 challenge car passes him of the track. It sound ick, it looks ick, and ICK, it just passed me.

 

Yup. Ick. But I don't drive a challange car so I don't care about all of that stuff.

It looks like a jelly bean. Ick.

 

I'm glad you are enjoying the 360. I think plenty of us here (even in the 348/355 forum) can appreciate some (or many) of its characteristics.

But I'll have to respectfully disagree with your take on the F355. What about the car is undistinguished?

un·dis·tin·guished
adjective
lacking distinction; unexceptional.
synonyms: unexceptional, indifferent, run-of-the-mill, middle-of-the-road, ordinary, average, commonplace, mediocre, humdrum, lackluster, forgettable, uninspired, uneventful, unremarkable, inconsequential, featureless, nondescript

When compared to pre 1994/1995 Ferraris, Definitely not the gearbox, engine, or styling. I'm sure others can name other less obvious attributes that are exceptional as well.

Why would you consider it a "rediculously high priced car?" No more or less than any other Ferrari in the current climate / 360 stick included...

We don't need another VS thread but come on...

Robb

 

A good 355 DIY site? Why, you are on one right now. There is nothing about a 355 that has not been discussed, fixed, documented, and even improved up on right on Fchat.

There are at least a dozen deep wells of DIY knowledge on this site.

 

No disrespect to any 360 owners but IMO a 355 is a much greater looking car. And John, I'd rather drop a motor out of a 355 that try to replace belts by wedging myself behind the seats

 

I suggested the 360 only because the OP said he wanted to DIY and the 360 doesn't require an engine out which may be beyond what the OP wants to get into. The 360 is a great car. Styling a little on the mild side but it does have a lot going for it otherwise. Same for the 430.

Hey, don't jump down my throat for making the suggestion. After all, I bought a 355 over the 360/430 too.

Now, I would have recommended a 3x8 but coming from a 930 I assume the OP wouldn't be happy with the level of performance it offers, though also great cars and iconic in their own right.

 

here is the dedicated f355 website. as per OP could not find.

www.the355.com

 

I find the design of the 348 more aggressive, but also more "of its time" (i.e., the 80s) and therefore polarizing. The 355 is beautiful but I think less striking and also less controversial. Calling it undistinguished though is just trolling imo. The stance and presence of any 3x8 makes them quite distinguished to me.

I'm also not sure where all the hate on the 360 comes from. I personally think history will show it as a classic design that melded the old and new (at the time), right now it's still a little too new for that though.

I don't think the difference in maintenance costs between a 348 and 355 is much of a consideration. The standard engine out maintenance is going to be comparable. Either car can have expensive gotchas, and you can get lucky or unlucky with either car in this regard. Although everyone stresses having maintenance records, they don't mean much imo. Maintenance records don't protect against misuse and bad driving practices, which for these cars includes puttering around at low rpms all the time "babying" them. Knowing the most recent maintenance is really what's important.

My opinion: buy the one you like best. Drive both if you can. Got with your gut, buying a Ferrari is a highly illogical decision anyway

 

I'm in a similar situation and chose the 355. I love working on cars and the 355 gives you plenty of opportunities lol. Its not bad at all. most parts are reasonable considering the brand, with the exception of a few "un-obtanium" parts like the F1 tcu, pump etc.

I was talking to a long time owner/ challenge driver that was a neighbor of mine about these cars and his advice based on his experience was to drive them everyday. The more you drive them, the less they break.

348 vs 355. thats up to you. I love 355s, dont like the looks or lack of hp of the 348

 

I like the suggestion of a 348 to test the Ferrari ownership waters. Upgrade if ownership sticks. Either car, 355 or 360 is not a bad choice, as long as you take the right measures to insure and wise purchase.

 

They're both great cars, and they're both great first Ferraris, and eminently DIY-able for the mechanically inclined. Variants on a common theme, spend some time close to both, and see which one speaks to you with their combinations of feel/power/looks. IMO, cannot go wrong with either, provided you find a good example and do your homework with having the car adequately vetted pre-purchase.

 

very sorry to all those I offended! looks and colors are very subjective.

I would have actually bought a 355 spider had it been available.

I just think they de-slated the 348 looks. you either love hate the slated 348/Testa Rossa look.

 

Let's test this theory shall we. You have a choice between Scarlett Johansson and Rosey O'Donald. Who do you want to play strip poker with? Yes, looks are subjective but there is a common understanding of what beauty is. Tell me that you prefer to play strip poker with Rosey over Scarlett and I'll buy you two a dozen donut and a deck of cards. Don't worry I don't think she's any good in poker. Enjoy! LOL

 

Not sure how that translates exactly, but I don't think Rosie is residing in this corner of fchat at any rate...