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348 drivers seat question

Discussion in '348/355' started by Durpen, Feb 10, 2006.

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  1. Durpen

    Durpen Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
    109
    South of Boston, USA
    Full Name:
    Kirk N
    #1 Durpen, Feb 10, 2006
    I want to buy some type of Ferrari convertible. A 355 is out of my budget, I have around 60K to spend. A 348 or a Mondial T are options. A 348 would seem ideal but I have never even sat in a 348 before. Awhile back I sat in a 355 Spyder and thought it was comfortable. I recently sat in a Mondial (89 T Cab) and the drivers seat was too narrow for my butt. I thought that it was perhaps a custom done seat, they all can't be that narrow can they? Well, I just read the seat section in the "348 Primer for New Owners" and it states that anyone larger than a 32" waist may not be comfortable. I read the section discussing differences between 348s and 355s but there is no mention of seat width. I do not know of any 348 Spiders in my area (Massachusetts USA) so I can't sit in one.
    My question is, Assuming all 348 Spider and Mondial T seats are the same width, has anyone modified the seat for width? In the case of a 348 Spider, If a 355 seat is wider, would it be a bolt in replacement? If so what (roughly) would a used 355 seat cost?
    By the way, I am 6'2" tall and 195 pounds so a diet isn't needed!
     
  2. spider348

    spider348 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,273
    MA
    Full Name:
    John
    #2 spider348, Feb 10, 2006
    Hello Durpen, I have a 348 spider but at 5’7” I am not much help with your fit question. On the other hand I am located in MA, about 20 miles north of Boston. You would be more than welcome to sit in my car. I will have the spider out Saturday AM before the expected blizzard!
     
  3. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
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    #3 BT, Feb 10, 2006
    The 1989 model year 348 has a different seat than the later model year cars. I believe it is a little narrower on the early 348ts although I fit with a 36" waist. The later model 348 seats have a different bottom cushion that seems wider to me, but I have only ridden in one twice so I don't recall exactly. It did not bother me though. The earlier mondial T may have the same seats as the earlier 348 models, but again I don't mind it in my 1989 348.
    BT
     
  4. chrisx666

    chrisx666 Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2004
    562
    YorkshireUK
    Full Name:
    Chris B
    #4 chrisx666, Feb 10, 2006
  5. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #5 BT, Feb 10, 2006
    It looks like the seat in the first picture has less of a side bolster or bottom cushion bolster to hold you in compared to the 348 pictures. To me it would seem larger than a 348 even if it is dimensionally smaller than a 348. It appears to be more of a comfort / sport seat than the 348 which is almost purely there to hold you in on the corners.
    BT
     
  6. CTM

    CTM Karting

    Aug 5, 2004
    194
    New York, Catskills
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    Craig
    #6 CTM, Feb 10, 2006
    Listen, I can not tell you what seat is wider etc, but what I can tell you is that if my fat ass can fit fine in a 348 spider, you should be ok width wise. I am 6'0 265lbs. Although you would not know it to look at me, I am 265. Long trips can be a little painful. I did like 600 miles in one day and the legs were hurting by the end, but you should be fine. Go with the 348 over the Mondial.
     
  7. Michael Everson

    Michael Everson Karting

    Nov 5, 2005
    224
    Norton, MA USA Earth
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    Michael Everson
    #7 Michael Everson, Feb 10, 2006
    Where in MA are you? I just got my 348 if youo want to try
    it
    Mike
     
  8. 348_Spiderman

    348_Spiderman Formula 3

    Feb 16, 2004
    1,416
    Cumming, GA
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    Mike
    #8 348_Spiderman, Feb 10, 2006
    I've driven an '89 Mondial t and I have a 348 Spider. I also have a, ahem, I can't believe I'm putting this on here, larger than a 32" waist and I find the 348 seats quite comfortable. I also found the Mondial's seats comfortable as well.
     
  9. Durpen

    Durpen Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
    109
    South of Boston, USA
    Full Name:
    Kirk N
    #9 Durpen, Feb 10, 2006
    Thank you everybody for your responses. I am getting an education.
    John, I would really appreciate a chance to sit in your car. It would also be great to talk to you about your car - not to mention meeting someone with the same taste in cars!
    I live about 20 miles south of Boston but wouldn't mind a drive up to see you in the morning tomorrow.
    If its OK, can I call you? Can you email your phone number to me? I use my wifes email address: [email protected]
    I will be home after about 8:00 this evening.
     
  10. spider348

    spider348 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,273
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    #10 spider348, Feb 10, 2006
    Durpen, no problem. May be meeting another F’Chat member at Starbucks in Beverly, MA at 10:00 if you are interested. Location is on Rte. 1A not too far from the Hamilton-Wenham line, about 5 minutes, plus or minus, from Rte. 128. I will email my phone number.
     
  11. Durpen

    Durpen Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
    109
    South of Boston, USA
    Full Name:
    Kirk N
    #11 Durpen, Feb 10, 2006
    I have to check in with the boss who has some plans for later tomorrow am... I'll call you tonight!
     
  12. Durpen

    Durpen Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
    109
    South of Boston, USA
    Full Name:
    Kirk N
    #12 Durpen, Feb 12, 2006
    John (Spider348) was nice enough to let me sit in his car yesterday and the drivers seat was fine, about perfect really. I have run out of reasons not to buy a 348 Spider.
    Thank you for the responses everybody.
    Kirk

    PS; John is a great guy!
     
  13. Durpen

    Durpen Karting

    Sep 6, 2005
    109
    South of Boston, USA
    Full Name:
    Kirk N
    #13 Durpen, Feb 12, 2006
    John (Spider348) was nice enough to let me sit in his car yesterday and the drivers seat was fine, about perfect really. I have run out of reasons not to buy a 348 Spider.
    Thank you for the responses everybody.
    Kirk

    PS; John is a great guy!
     
  14. spider348

    spider348 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,273
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    John
    #14 spider348, Feb 13, 2006
    Kirk, great to meet you! I apologize for being, as in the old Jethro Tull song verse, Thick as a Brick! I should have offered a drive, or, at the very least, a ride! Perfect opportunity gone! Good luck in your search. Too much talk, not enough thought! John.
     
  15. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    #15 jwise, Feb 13, 2006
    Yep- John's a great guy. He gave me a ride almost to Maine to meet my wife when I had a "slight" problem with my car while in MA. So, I've also been in his beautiful 348 and am just waiting for a time he wants to drive my car, so I'll be driving his- and then just go home with it and disappear forever. :)

    That's my plan anyway....
     
  16. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #16 BT, Feb 13, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017

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