Dear freinds, Would like to get some feedback on a certain situation. A freind of mine picked up a 03 50th ann z06 in April of this yr with extended warranty until 2008. The car goes like stink,slams my TR all the time about the slowness. He was looking for a 328 at the time but was afrraid of the cost of ownership and it wasnt fast enough. Now after a joyful summer with our cars, he starting thinking about the 348 and how similar it might be in price and is starting to lean back to the fcar. I figure he's amazed at all the attention I get from people everytime we go for a run. They walk by the z06 and say nice, but flock the TR with questions and let me see the engine. I think its starting to bug him a bit, hence, maybe looking back to a ferrari. I for one think he would be making a mistake to making a switch, both financially(the hit on deprec) and a much slower car that will need attention. Im asking you on the board for honest feedback, would you trade the z06 for a 348? Personally, would have went for the 348 from the start.Feedback please.
I can't address the issue of trade-in value and how much hit he would take, but it would be a lot. Nonetheless, if he holds out a couple years, I expect 355's are going to drop significantly when the 430 comes out and the 360's take over the role of the "one model out of date" realm occupied by the 355 now. No doubt, I would rather have a 348 than a Corvette Z06 (and I love Corvettes) by a long shot. A friend of mine made a comment about how much more performance he gets out of his new Mustang than I do out of my old 308, but my retort is always "Yeah, but you're still driving a Ford!" That always shuts him up because he knows it's true. A 27 year old 308 will still gather a crowd but a new Mustang is barely noticed. (No offense to Mustang fans, I like Mustangs too!) I guess it depends which is more important to him, pure performance, or the classic good looks and style of a Ferrari (and the maintenance that goes with it!) Birdman
Depends what he is looking to get out of it. If he wants "attention" and speed, tell him to buy an Espada for half the price. He won't be able to go anywhere without everyone looking. He's going to take a hit on the Vette if he tries to sell it, but then again, if he holds onto it, its also going to depreciate. ZR-1's are going for low 20's now, right? No reason that the Z-06 won't make it to that level in a few years. If the car is going to be a keeper (read 5+ years of ownership), then I would go with a Ferrari. Which one? Tell him to drive as many models as possible and buy the one he likes best.
Another honest question he has to ask himself is can he really afford the car. The Corvette is very reliable and cheap(by Ferrari standards) to fix. The 348 is in another ball game altogether. He's looking at 3k clutchs, 7k services(with water pump) and various issues that will pop up in between. Not to mention the fact the the climate control panels are wanky at best and the interiors fall apart like knowbodys business. The car will not be as near as fast..in fact he maybe disappointed in it. It will not handel as well and is not as user friendly. With the Corvette if you get caught in the rain no big deal. With the Ferrari you have water leaks to worry about and an engine that sits under a hatch with plenty of areas were water can soak can get in and play havoc with the electrical. You also have that bimass flywhell to worry about loosing it's grease and catching the clutch on fire(rare but it does happen). A brake job with rotors can hit 4k (all around of course). In other words I hope he is prepaired to pay for the extra attention that an F-car gets, but settle for less performance.
Rick, Just wanted to share my thoughts since I have an '03 Z06 and can relate to his situation a bit. Right now depending on the mileage he should get about $35K-$36K for a relatively quick sale on the Z06 (maybe a bit more if he has Electron Blue or Millennium Yellow). With that money he can apply it towards the 348 but I agree with others that the initial purchase is only part of the consideration w/ the F-car. And that's already after taking a BIG depreciation hit on the Z06. Furthermore, he and I both have a year or so left on the Factory Warranty on the Z06 -- then still expect to be trouble-free. But the 348 even after assuming a great PPI (and also no stories, all service issues addressed) will cost substantially more than the Z06 in the years to come. That's just comes with the Italian territory as you know. Maybe fellow members who have a 348 can chime in but in my research came across these things about the 348, - weak gearbox in the earlier models - possible issue since one serpentine timing belt for all four camshafts - later model e.g. '94 Spyder seems more ideal I too was originally looking at the 348 but haved decided to hold off and get the 355 when the time is right. Planning on keeping my Z06 even then since just can't part with the raw power in it. I suspect your buddy may miss that a bit if he goes with the 348 and runs into any major repairs issues. If no issues than make the switch to the 348, shrug off the depreciation hit, and at least he could have pride in owning a F-car. Life is too short to contemplate too much. Be happy with your decisions and as they say "drive it like you stole it"! - Sam
Sometimes sarcasm doesn't always come across when writing... BTW, there was a Langonda on eBay within the last week. I think the reserve was met at $8k. Aren't the wheels worth that much?
No way, the Z06 rocks,got to give it to GM they built a winner there whereas the 348 was always a starcrossed Ferrari built when Ferraris qualtiy was pretty low. Anyways a 348 doenst get as much attention as a TR either. If he really wants out of the Z06 tell him to get a 512TR so he can get attention AND have a Z06+ level of performance
Frankly I just can't understand why anybody would choose a dime a dozen Chevy over a Ferrari. The 348 is a real "drivers car" with all the sensations screaming at you, the Chevy?....A passenger car.
Have him get a clean 348. Look at it this way, the 348 market is just about as low as it will go. Sell the Z06 for $35K, then get a 348 spider. The spiders hold their value the best of the 348's. Then if he likes it he can keep it. But if he doesn't like it he can sell the 348 for what he paid for it, minus maybe a grand or two, then get another Z06 for $25K. So he got paid to drive a Ferrari. However a Vett will never be a Ferrari. What would you rather pull up in to your 20 year high school reunion in, a Vett or a Ferrari? A Ferrari has more class than a Vett. As a matter of fact the older the Ferrari gets the more class it has. My 348 is 14 years old and it still gets way more attention than my buddies brand new C5. When I was shopping for my Ferrari I was also looking a Vipers. A Viper will smash my 348 all day long. In the end I went with what I wanted as a kid. The FERRARI is the correct choice.
Potential for 0-60 in 3.9s Potential for 1/4 mile in 11.9s on street tires bone stock Hardly a mere "passenger car" IMO. As far as being a driver's car- I'm not sure you can't call the Z06 that when compared to a 348... Stock for stock, the ZO6 handles better (statistically) and is much faster. The things you don't get with the Z are the attention, the smell of the leather, the exclusivity (obviously), or the wail of the engine at speed. If equal performance doesn't matter, the 348 should be fine. Personally, I think that your friend should consider a 512TR- he gets all the attention, and doesn't have to give up much in the way of performance (the Z06 is still probably faster as you said.) I don't have anything against the 348- any average 348 will get way more attention if it were next to the Z06, but that Z is a genuine rocket. Chris, your new resident LS1-owning rabid Ferrari enthusiast
Potential for 0-60 in 3.9s Potential for 1/4 mile in 11.9s on street tires bone stock Hardly a mere "passenger car" IMO. Yeah but I just hate Corvettes.
I like the 348 very much..in fact it is one of my favorite Ferrari's...But I'm not one to pull punches when sombody asks about them. I may be buying one very shortly to replace the 308, but the difference between me and most other guys out there, is the fact that I know what the problem areas are and I can go directly too them to fix before they let me down. I'm just trying to inform a fellow who wants out of a zo6 to get into a slower and less performing car,just because he likes the attention it draws. To me it is a very high price to pay for some oos and awws
I have to agree with what Tom said. Especially if they guy doesn't know how to work on his car. Then it really is gonna get expensive.
348 more expensive? A classic (> 10 a) Ferrari is IMO a cheap way to own a sports car that gives you some emotion. Higher maintenance cost but less depreciation (if any ... ) compared to a new car with similar performance.
Test drive a Z06 nail the throttle & feel the 420 hp or so smashing your back against the drivers seat Then tell me the Z06 is not a drivers car I test drove 1 & the power is addictive, even made me forget about the silly back window
Ultimate top speed the 512TR is considerably faster than the Z06. In the real world or on the track they are pretty close
Something about a car worked on by Mr. Goodwrench that just leaves me cold. I've got a Diablo so 420 HP doesn't impress me.
Good for you!! But were not talking about a Diablo...And a z06 will hang with a Diablo no problem in street light to street light races. On the highway forget about it..the lambo will walk away from the Vette...
Question: Will either of these two cars be the sole mode of automotive transportation? If yes, then Vette. If not, then Ferrari. That's the short answer It would be really nice to have both. Many people only say that the Z06 is impressive in Performance/$, but even more important, is that there is probably nothing close to performance/usability tradeoffs. The only true weaknesses of the Vette are its ubiquity, low level interior, and perhaps quality of its ride. Performance wise, I think the vette might not be very stable at high speeds like an M3 or F-car. This is what I've heard, maybe someone can clarify....but I've never heard great things about vettes above 120mph. Tell your friend to get a 348, and try to squeeze an early model C5 in as well. Could probably do it for around $20k if lucky.
In defence of the z06 it goes like stink....I mean its fast on all levels, its light in feel which is a drawback, and its hard to keep on the road if you hammer full out. Its your standard GM easy to operate car. He feels the same way, the problem is he does not have the means for a 512, but for a 348 and add a few bucks he can get one. He would use only on weekends, as I do.I think the problem really is that the performace is great but its in the worng car.I think he would be disappointed in a 348, and the cost of ownership would be much more. This is why I think it would be a step back. The ones that would help answer more clearly are any z owners, or 348 owners who have been around the block in faster cars than the 348 but still picked the 348.ANd or people that have worked on the 348 and or the z06. After reading the responses I think he might be better off to stay with the z06.Thanks for the responses.
The Z06 is my favorite track car. It is very stable above 120 mph and all the way to 155 mph (ran out of straight to go any faster). In fact, the M3 is a tad unstable at that 150 mph. It's not what I expected and I was somewhat disappointed as the M3 is one of my faves as well. Back to the Z06, Big Red. I highly recommend it if your friend is looking to access speed and performance readily. A 348 is a more subtle experience. The two cars are really polar opposites in the sports car realm. Personally, I'd buy a 328 for the street and a late C4 Corvette for the track with the same $.
Fair enough. I equate "fast" with acceleration just because it is so much more usable than the 175 mph and 192 mph top speeds for the Z06 and 512tr respectively. I agree with that- they both do 60 in 3.9... That would make for a pretty good tollbooth blast. Above 150, the Diablo would walk the Z06. Another thing, I don't think you can do all that much for a 348 in the way of additional performance mods for a reasonable cost aside from an exhaust or something. Mods for the Z06 are plenty, cheap, and increase the power big time.
