Driving a 348 for long distance

Have done this on multiple occasions in my 348 Spider with 40k+ miles on it. No hiccups. I pack a small toolkit (ie: 90+ piece socket set, a wrench set, various screwdrivers, various pliers). Thats about it. I believe space saver tire suggestions can be found on the forum. Happy travels.

 

The car will be fine. But take a Costco-sized bottle of Aleve for your back and splitting headache that will surely follow!

 

Done that a fair few times. Tool kit, jump leads, foam tyre repair, and breakdown cover.

Alternator let me down once; otherwise all good.

Enjoy your travels.

 

I just did a 900 mile trip in my F355. It was amazing! You won't regret it

 

As was said earlier: from the mechanical standpoint the car isn't the problem - it'll take the miles without complaining (if properly maintained). The issue is the other half of the equation: comfort. Wind noise + road noise + skinny seats don't make for a pleasant mile-eating experience.

 

Drove mine from Los Angeles to Texas and back (over 3000 miles of driving) with zero issues and I have over 60k miles on my car.

 

I think most of 348 owners, we have done this, and we have enjoyed a lot driving long distance journeys.

The Ferrari 348 is almost a perfect GT car for long distance trips: Enough boot space for two, roomy and cozy interior and high fuel capacity tank that a legal speeds, that means an acceptable range autonomy.

Any cons? Well, maybe the noise in a long travel, and the narrow seats / driver position, that can be uncomfortable for some people, but nothing important to overshadow the virtues of this car.

 

I love driving the 348 for long distance. As others have stated, seats are not built for endurance rides! I have contemplated building in a hidden cruise control, for those long highway drives, but can't convince myself to do it. But, halfway through a long haul, that itch comes back.... Yes, I'm getting older, and the foot doesn't wedge the console as well any more, lol. Make sure your alternator is in good shape!

 

Have to say, I found the 348 seats to be the most supportive, and comfortable seat of any car I have ever owned!

I've done long trips in my BMW's, some with Sports seats, some with standard seats, and pretty much all of them have left me with a slight ache at the base of my spine (non of the BMW seats had lumber support)

Did the same journey in my 348 a few times - No lower back issues whatsoever!

(Getting in and out of the BMW's was a damn sight easier than the 348 though! )

 

I agree, I love the seats and driving position of the 348. I put 300 miles on it (150 per day) a few weekends ago. The thing just drives fantastic.

I rarely if ever drive with cruise control, so not having it is fine by me.

 

I wonder if some of those who complain about the "narrow" seats have the early seats and those that don't mind as much have the later seats. Hmmm.

 

The seats aren't necessarily "narrow": well, they aren't for a 5'.9" slender frame like mine. The issue I found is that they are neither sufficiently padded nor adequately supportive. They are great for quick jaunts on the back roads but not so much for long distance driving.

This said, I drove 600 miles from Toronto to Virginia (most of which were in a snow storm, but that's another story), but I ended up with a butt bruise that took a few days to heal

For the sake of disclosure I own a 1991 348: perhaps later years had better seats?

 

My first drive ever with my 348 was from Los Angelas to San Francisco. I bought it and brought it straight to fast cars in Redondo for the engine out service. Once it was done i had to be in San Francisco for work the following day. So no choice but to literally have my first real driving be that.

It was good for the most part.

I took it up the 101 A: Bc it’s a nicer drive but also B: Bc it’s a more tempered climate with more nicer places to stop and sleep if i did break down.

It handled well for most the ride, but one of the throttle position sensors died about 50 miles outside of San Francisco, but i still made it.

To peoples point about comfort, it wasn’t the most comfortable after the two hour mark (with no stops). I’m 6 ft with a relatively athletic build. The narrowness of the seats was problematic and my thighs were pretty sore. Also, the wind noise on roads like the 101 where you’re on the ocean…oh boi, it beats on your ears a bit for sure. I put in my noise cancelling headphones for a good chunk of the ride.

Nonetheless! All in all it was still one of the best experiences of my life. Driving your first Ferrari up the California coast for the first time driving it, pretty dang cool.

 

Does your car have the early or later seats? Single piece vs dual piece bottom section?

 

They appear to be single-piece.

 

I regularly drive 1000 miles a day from Bay Area to SoCal and back in one day. Stoogefests ...

There was only one time when the alternator broke and I arrived in style on the back of a tow truck. Other than that one time, it has always been trouble free.

 

When I bought my car I drove it home the length of the north island, 700km / 440mile. The car handled it no worries! as people have said it gets pretty uncomfortable at points, but relax and have plenty of time up your sleeve and it will be a great experience.

 

Look for a small lower back lumbar pillow the kind that hooks around the back of the seat. I found after driving the 348 two plus hours there really is no support there and it makes the ride a lot more comfortable. Have a nice drive! Image Unavailable, Please Login

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I meant to post pictures.

Here is an early seat. (from a 1990 US car)
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Here is a later seat (my 92 euro)
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