348 in UK LHD, TB, TS and Spider

Hi,

Having decided that the 348 is the car I'm after, I'm wondering what experience people have of a LHD car in the UK?

Additionally, is the lure of the convertible Spider in the summer a bad idea if you're wanting to use the car throughout the year?

I would appreciate any advice on what might be the best way forward.

Regards, Jon

 

I tend not to use my Ferrari in the wet just because it isn't so much fun, but still use it all year. Can't beat a run on a cold crisp clear day with the roof off.

A GTS is a good compromise between open top fun and coupe style and security. I'm sure a spider would be fine, but in my 355 owners manual it is at pains to point out that you should expect some water ingress...

I believe Kenyon of this site is selling a nice late LHD 348 Spider.

I've only ever had RHD Ferraris, so not able to give you a proper steer as to the pros and cons of LHD. I'd imagine only overtaking on a narrow twisty road would be difficult, but can't see any other downside. There are those that say the LHDs drive better...

Good luck in your quest!

Robert.

 

I used to own a 348 ts and its probably a good compromise for all year use.

Pains with LHD are tolls and car parks as you are on the wrong side. And sometimes pulling out of junctions.

Overtaking was never a problem just hang back a bit there is plenty of power there to get you past

 

am a lhd 348tb owner with nothing but good things to say about it.I now swap from rhd porsche to lhd tb as though it were second nature - although in the beginning I just took things carefully.Go for it.The 348 is looking inflation proof at the minute as do 355's.

 

A good choice in my biased view - however,

They do leak (mine is a TS) if using in the wet.

I would not suggest that it can be used as a daily driver.



John

 

As this is probably the one and only Ferrari I'm likely to own, I went 'nuts out' on it. £25k budget, so thought that an H reg 348 LHD was what I would end up with. However, after doing a bit of investigating and deciding 'in for a penny, in for a pound', I've ended up with a P reg 355 Spider LHD. Oh, and I went £22K over budget.

On the plus side, the car is brilliant, and I am pleased I went for the Spider. I appreciate the 'compromise' of a GTS, but there is really nothing like a proper convertible if that is what you want. LHD is no problem at all. I'm used to driving LHD cars when I'm in Germany / Italy for work, so changing gear with my right hand isn't such a big deal. The main concern of driving a LHD car in the UK really hasn't materialised. Even my grilfriend doesn't find it a big deal. Yes, it makes overtaking on single carrigeways more challenging, but for me, this isn't the sort of car that you're going to cane around country roads.

Made a trip to Bournmouth over May bank holiday and it pissed down. Not one leak! Very surprised. When I got home, the driver's seat had given up moving backwards and forwards though, so the concerns everyone has over the 355 electric roof system are spot on. Not sure what the 348 Spider roof mechanism is like, but it's something to investigate.

My car is also a bit weird in that, apparently, it was imported to the UK from new with a MPH speedometer fitted. Unless it was going to the US a lot, I couldn't really understand the benefit of that!

Good luck!

 

The 348 Spider's roof is operated manually so no worries re electrics.

 

I don't know if this is true for all LHD cars, but recently (while looking for a quote) I've found insurance to be a lot higher... obviously all situations are different, but it might be worth checking. Has anyone else found this?

Ade

 

Fair point about the insurance, but when I approached Footman James (who I'm insured with now for £1350 all in), they didn't indicate any preference. No mention of LHD appeared on the certificate so I made a point of writing it on there myself and returning it to them so there's no quibbles later.................................

PS: Any electric to manual roof conversions for 355 Spider on the market!?!?!?!?!? (other than disconnecting the switch and using the tools by the driver's seat....)

 

Haven't heard of one, but you wouldn't want to use the emergency tool every time...it'd be a nightmare ! ;-)

 

Cheers Tony - I'll pack an angle grinder next week then................d;-)

 

I have a LHD 348 ts. No issues on insurance at all. I've had it 4 years and it hasn't affected the premiums. I'm currently with Liverpool Victoria. No issues on the roads either. Just be a bit cautious to start with and you soon get used to it. Can be mildly inconvenient if you're stuck behind a truck on a windy road, but otherwise no problems at all. Go for it! I have never regretted buying mine for a second and would certainly go LHD again.