348 Went to purchase a Lotus and left with a 348

What an utterly fantastic story. Having owned both I’d say you’ll never regret your choice. Congrats and enjoy in good health!

 

Its not a 1960's MG. People are so funny. 348's are quite reliable, there are issues, I'm dead sure your steering rack is shot and the passenger tire toe varies as you drive making it feel strange, various electronic sensors wear our after 10+ years but all that is a is DIY thing and all normal consumable part wear that is expected.

Generally they don't leave you stranded due to horrid engineering and baked in design reliability issues. There are a few key things to address but easily addressed.

 

Congrats!

Wait till you're a couple years down the road and really comfortable with it!

For a better driving position, get the Hill engineering steering wheel spacer. I'm 6'3" and got the 2" one, and it's perfect. there's also a 1" one available.

sjd

 

I've had both as well so I can tell you that you made the right choice. The Esprit is a cool car, but the 348 is just so much better.

 

1. find a gravel road, drive slow...it'll clunk like crazy from the right front. I just did mine.
2. on left turns on a twisty road, it won't feel planted, you'll have to correct as you're turning
3. it'll vibrate or feel vague on the highway.

@Ferrarium had a great thread on taking the rack out, just searching here on "348 steering rack" should turn up a wealth of know how.

sjd

 

I have never checked one that did not do this to "some" degree. Mine was exactly like that one, BAD and and you could hear the clunk in the car as well which is a dead giveaway. Some cars just have play but it will only get worse over time.

So I did the whole front end and other things like shock bushings etc and it is amazing now, like factory fresh steering. Reminds me of my sons Rotax race kart.

When the rack is worn (the bushing disintegrates over time its plastic) when your driving and you turn the wheel to change lanes it seems to not want to react and then it over reacts and the faster you go the scarier it gets. On the highway that is windy and changing lanes it feels like a death trap. Once fixed the car is like a g8d damn go kart its So fun around the suburbs even at 30mph, just toss it around a corner and kick the back out. Its good fun even at slow speeds. The newer cars lack that.

I have read people buying 348's and hating how they drove so they sold them. I am dead sure this is why so every time I see a new purchase I mention it. All the front end stuff is quite easy to DIY any auto parts store or HF has the pullers needed.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/started-348-steering-rack-rebuild.591467/

 

Great story, beautiful 348. Pound for pound, the most rewarding Ferrari (if setup right).



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Congratulations and great story.

white is rare! Enjoy in good health!

(not sure what all the chat about steering is. Mine is lovely, one of the best attributes of the car, but I have fully rebuilt the suspension and had the ride height and tracking done at my main dealer as they can be sensitive.)

 

Pfft, they're meant to be driven, from my experience with owning my 348 for 10 months, they seem to be a very reliable car as long as they are serviced and well maintained....
And, they don't melt in the rain either!!

 

How good are S2000’s! I have owned 3 over the last 16 years. Amazing cars very hard to beat for the driving experience at the price point and well above it too! A perfect companion to the stallion.

 

Post up a pic of the interior? PM the VIN or post. Still wondering if this was owned by me. I sold mine in PA nearly 29 years ago.

 

What, it doesn't show up as MeestahBig? haha.

 

Ok, cool... was not my car! Love the white! Good luck with it. I've had my yellow 94 348 20 years. Absolutely rock solid. Car drives like new.