348 handling

Very interesting. It's a complex topic. Different cars can understeer or oversteer in different situations. One I don't find intuitive (but it doesn't apply here) is the understeer you can get in some RWD rear engine cars if you apply too much gas leaving the front axle unloaded because the engine is hanging behind the rear axle. The same car can oversteer if you approach the same corner differently on the gas pedal, losing the rear end. Sometimes it's not like a particular car is oversteering or understeering, it can be both (or none, of course).

I remember having seen a 348 made to look like a F355 for sale in the past. It made sense to me because personally I like it old and simple but the looks of the F355 are very appealing. But yes, looking at your car again, it looks too exactly like a F355 not to be one.

Wow, this is really interesting. It says a number other things. One I found odd is they didn't like the sound of the 348 that much and they seem to find the sound of the NSX engine almost as good as that of the 348. Considering what each of them have under their hood, that is so unlikely.

I love it.

Thanks, all!!

 

I was driving the old lady this morning ('60s Renault 8) and I like not only unassisted steering, also unassisted brakes. The best braking car I've owned (that's this Ultima with superb AP Racing brakes all around) had unassisted brakes and they were dependable, reassuring and powerful.

I would've never thought otherwise, I was shocked to read these odd considerations ¿?

Oh, thanks so very much. You guys make it valuable, I can only be grateful. I know from years of being a car enthusiast that first time impressions can be misleading and, in the end, most articles and videos are based on test drives (other than factual figures). In that respect, comments from enthusiasts who have spend many hours behind the wheel of a particular model (and often times other similar enough models too) are very valuable to me. From that perspective, you specifically are a gem, ha ha! Thanks and I wish you enjoy the awesome rides for many years to come.

These cars are expensive and their market is narrow, you wouldn't want to buy one and then realise it's not the car for you

 

Yes! A great example related to the point I'm trying make. On the track, people do that all the time in front engine, FWD cars. And the thing is, these cars are considered naturally understeer cars in the sense that their front weight will try to keep going straight as you try to steer. But making them oversteer is easier than with other cars because the rear axle has little load.

It's a complex topic. Plenty of desirable and not so desirable effects. My Ultima for example was very good and very neutral in most situations, but it did have significant lift-off oversteer.

Wow :O I presume that was long ago. Is it available at all?

 

Any track use I may do would be a track day from time to time, but it's really interesting to read your race experience because race is the only situation where you don't really stay away from the limits with good margin.

Thanks, but I can't find your details on your profile page and I can't find private messaging on the forum either.

I was about to write my contact details here but then I remembered that this particular forum allows editing for a short while only... I wouldn't want that to stay there forever

I've written my mobile number (Whatsapp) and email on my profile page, field "About You", can you see that info? Thanks!

 

I loved the picture and your words.

I don't even have plans to take it to the track, let alone drive hard on the road in terms relative to the car capability, so I'm not concerned about losing its back end. I take it easy these days, even on the track, for which I have a bike engined Sylva Striker (one of these Seven-esque kit cars).

I concur that the 348 is among the most beautiful cars ever made. I'm very attracted to simplicity too. In fact it's my motto in life, professionally and personally.

Anyway, thanks for your post, it was nice and inspiring.

Then it seems to me that the latter is better for the road and, if anything, the former may be better provided that racing is what you do. I totally get your explanation. One thing I love about my humble MX-5 mk1 is how progressive and forgiving it is. It will allow a degree of stupidity, which on the track enables progressive improvement of your skills with minimum frustration. The 348 is a different thing altogether, but I get the idea.

 

Yes, recovering grip is very interesting too. I learnt that many years ago as I totalled a car in a roundabout. I was in control with much oversteering and then bang, the back caught grip suddenly which made the car go where the steering wheel was telling it to go. I felt very ashamed of myself, so that was a turning point for me.

Re. your words on the F355, I think what you're describing is what's known as good handling. Ultimately, it's not to do with how capable the car is.