Given the choice - 348 or 355?? | FerrariChat

Given the choice - 348 or 355??

Discussion in '348/355' started by gated_shifter, Oct 26, 2016.

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?

Which do you buy - 348tb or 355 Berlinetta

  1. 348tb

  2. 355

Multiple votes are allowed.
Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. gated_shifter

    gated_shifter Formula Junior

    Aug 5, 2015
    537
    Plano, TX
    since we're all here in the same 348/355 forum, i want to pose a question to everyone. this is my current dilemma and i'm looking for some insight. the choice is between 2 vehicles that are in similar condition, both up-to-date on majors, both gated trans, same color combos (red/black), and virtually the same mileage, would you a) buy a 348tb for $58k or b) a 355b for $82k?

    i love the design of both cars and would be happy with either. i like the lack of electronics on the 348, but i like the 75hp bump of the 355 also. all things equal, what would be your choice, and if you care to contribute, why?
     
  2. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
    I like both cars and I absolutely fell in love with the 355 when it first came out. Always swore I'd buy one when they hit $60k, but a knowledgeable friend warned me that they were more problematic than their forbearers. In the meantime I'd spent a ton of time driving the various V8 cars on the track, especially a friend's very nicely prepped 348TS, and I really came to appreciate the 348's honest, raw feel. So much so that when the 348 owner bought a 360 I would often still choose to drive the 348, both on the road and on the track. I didn't even like 348s when they first came out, but after several years of comparing it to earlier and later V8 Ferraris it became my favorite.

    I seriously considered a 355 when shopping for my 348 since there was a very nice one being offered at a great price very near me. But my sage friend's words kept coming back to me as I read these pages-- many of the problems 355 owners have to contend with would frustrate me no end. I like a simple, straightforward design-- no extraneous electronics or systems. For me, the 348 fit my needs/wants perfectly and I'm quite happy with my decision.

    That said, the 355 is a lovely car and I always enjoy driving them. There's nothing like ripping down a straight right up against the wall with that V8 singing at 8500 RPM. So I can see why people choose them, just as I can see why people choose 308s. But I like 348s so much that if I were looking for another V8 car it'd probably be yet another 348.

    Just had to weigh in, since I'm pretty sure this poll will come out in favor of the 355...
     
  3. Nader

    Nader Formula Junior

    Feb 12, 2011
    990
    East of Seattle
  4. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
  5. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran
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    Aug 4, 2006
    8,281
    Palos Verdes
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    Vince V
    The 348 is for me. 355's would try my patience too much.
     
  6. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    I never considered a 348. Didn't care for them when they came out and still don't. 355 all the way.
     
  7. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
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    Wade O.
    #7 Wade, Oct 26, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2016
    348tb without a doubt. There's nothing else worth having, in the entire world*. :)

    Looking for one as well...

    Granted, the 355 is prettier, but the 348 is edgier... which suits me perfectly.

    Speaking of World, I'll go with a Mondial t Coupe as well. Sort of a 2+2 348tb.
     
  8. Rpin

    Rpin Karting

    Aug 24, 2016
    76
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Rpin
    #8 Rpin, Oct 26, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2016
    Coming at this from more a design perspective. The 355 design is still based on the 348 package, as opposed to the 360 which is more of an evolution. Ultimately the 355 is a restyling exercise of the original so not as pure. Everything on the 348 was designed for that car when they introduced it. The design changes for the 355 were limited to the platform they were using as opposed to starting new as with the 360. That's why I went with the 348. Plus if you have a more modern track focused car, the analog feel of the 348 is pretty special. Would be nice if it was lighter and faster, but that's not really the point. Which makes the TS even cooler.
     
  9. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    #9 Dave rocks, Oct 26, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Nice accurate analysis. Thanks.
     
  11. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Mar 31, 2006
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  12. Enzojr

    Enzojr F1 World Champ

    Dec 12, 2013
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    Tomy
    Years ago when I got my 328 I thought this is the bomb.
    I will keep this forever, so went to the track day put on by the local F car dealer.......
    ....and going down the straight stretch is a guy with a black B 355, aftermarket exhaust.
    Pushing it hard, redline in every gear and I am behind, watching and listening........
    Today you get 3 guesses what is sitting in my garage, first two guesses don't count ;)
    The banshee screaming coming out of the back of that thing set the hook, right there.
     
  13. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
    Bugtussle
    +1.
     
  14. itsablurr

    itsablurr Formula 3

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    #14 itsablurr, Oct 26, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2016
    It was a question that I wrestled with myself between the two, with price and maintenance projections never considered as major factors. Situating the two alongside one another on a few occasions, the more aggressive stance and features of the 348 struck me, conjuring up childhood Ferrari memories and mystique. Driving, the more raw and old school feel gave a more dramatic departure as a special experience, the last of a breed, and having the chassis set up by a competent specialist really makes it shine, and the ripping shriek that one can get with a nice exhaust setup is heaven clad in steel and rubber. The 348 is what I had to have.

    Ideally, I would put both in the garage, and would jump at the chance without a second thought. They are both seriously good exotic sports cars. The F355 is more classically beautiful, with a softer presence. A benchmark model without a doubt. However, I'd recommend to the OP to get a chance to drive a prime example of each and see which feel resonates.

    There is a certain purity to the 348 design, described by Leonardo Fioravanti as combining themes of the F40 and Testarossa, and it certainly has pedigree as the final design to come from his work as chief stylist (288, 512 BB, F40, Daytona, etc...).
     
  15. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
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    I voted with my wallet...

    But I love both models. Hard to go wrong with either. Really just depends on your budget and preference for steering / edges.

    Robb
     
  16. buddyg

    buddyg F1 Veteran
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    Sep 20, 2004
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    I think the F355 is just drop dead gorgeous. Don't get that feeling looking at the 348. Of course the only thing that matters is what floats your boat. For me it's the 355 all the way!
     
  17. ///Mike

    ///Mike F1 Veteran

    Dec 11, 2003
    6,097
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    I hope 348 owners will remember this post when it comes time to have their sticky parts refinished.
     
  18. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
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    Feb 18, 2008
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    Grant
    I generally have tended to like the latest editions of the model. I feel the 328 is nicer looking than 308, the 430 is nicer than 360, and the 355 is nicer looking than 348.

    If i was to buy any more i would likely get the last edition of the one i was looking at. It seems they always tend to look better at the end of the run and you get the added bonus of more power.

    This would also follow suit with the limited edtions of each model becoming almost as desirable as the new model comming out.
     
  19. albert328gts

    albert328gts Formula 3
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    Oct 31, 2003
    1,618
    California
    So, while I was shopping around a few years ago I had the pleasure of driving several 348's and several 355's from Spiders to B's and TS's. I truly love both but hands down the absolute winner was the Go Kart 348. Nothing compares, and this is not a flaming contest. To me the feel of the 348 cannot be compared to a 355. 355's are great cars but again not as in tune to the road, steering and go kart feel. Again IMHO and both cars are great.
     
  20. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    One of each, done,
     
  21. Yellow Compass

    Yellow Compass F1 Veteran
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    #21 Yellow Compass, Oct 26, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    Jun 11, 2004
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    John Kreskovsky
    One thing I have to say is with all the 355 horror stories I have read about on Chat, none of the guys I know who own them has had any. Other than the standard 355 issues of guides and header, of which many cars have been sorted, there is little difference between the 348 and 355 engine management electronics, particularly if both cars are of the 2.7 monotonic era.
     
  23. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
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    #24 PAP 348, Oct 27, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  24. aec

    aec Karting

    Jul 28, 2011
    138
    Weston, MA
    I like the older 'analog' style interiors like in the 308GT4 and early 308. So I would choose a 348 for the somewhat less modern interior that it has compared to the 355. The interior of the 355 is too modern looking for me.
     

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