need info on 348/355

The 355 has some "issues" but the performance and apearance more than make up for it!!

 

348 is the answer.

Both cars are awesome. The 355 is a refined/less raw version of the 348. Read up more on thes cars - lots of info on this forum in the archives.

 

We get this post about once a week. The best advice I have is USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION.

 

Agree and welcome to Ferrarichat.

 

WELL........

PAP has a 348
Gothspeed has a 355




It's a toss up

 

But we all know that 348's rule the roost around here.
Double thumbs up all round.
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Cmon Pap! Show him the "real" you and why you get chicks is because of the car, not your sexy boddddy!
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LOL! You took the words right out of my mouth.......

 

I would say man up, skip the newer softer Ferraris and get one of these:

(not my car/photo...)

But back to your post - you've mentioned reliability a couple of times, and the fact that money is an issue. The 355 Spider has quite a few expensive things that can or will go wrong, with valve guides and a complicated power top/seat mechanism foremost. The 348 gives up some power, but the Spider version of it was the best of the lot. If you like the looks, I'd go that way.
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I think you'll find from the search function that the 355 is the "better" car - easier to drive, faster, 1,000 more rpm, 5 valves vs 4, easier to use with hydraulic top on the spider, 6 speed, and a lot more electronics.

The 348 is definitely simpler - although it too does some dumb things, the shift linkage is crap, imo. The single cam belt on the 348 does raise blood pressure a bit when considered logically (don't - what's the point).

A member on the board said it well: the 355 has fewer things to go wrong but more expensive, the 348 has more little things to go wrong and less expensive.

End of the day - they can all cost a lot of money if they go bad, so best to buy the one that you don't mind opening your wallet for each of her indiscretions.

For me, that was the 348 spider - with the right tires and suspension setup drives like a go-cart. there's some belief that the 348's have a hint more torque 1-3k rpm for city driving - but your seat-of-pants meter may differ. I have to live with computers every day at work - I didn't want to deal with them in my hobby, that pure mechanical feel - ahhhhh

If cost is a concern - how you maintain the car is critical. If you're doing your own work, you'd probably find the 348 simpler to work on. If you're a chequebook mechanic like me, finding a quality mechanic is more important than 348 vs 355 decision. He decides if you're ever retiring.

PS: add your state/country to your profile so we can point you in the right direction. And compared to a GSX-R, any of these cars will seem very very slow.

 

Why are there so many potential Fcar owners concern about reliability???
It's a Ferrari for crying out loud. You buy a Ferrari for the passion not if it would tick like clockwork or not. You buy a Ferrari for the joy of driving it and also not-driving it (ie just staring at it in your garage at 3am with the biggest f@&king grin on your face for knowing that it's YOUR Ferrari). If it breaks down...you fix it...simple as that. Of course fixing a Ferrari takes $$.

Ok, here we go on the issue of $$.

If yor're for real, you know you'll have a Ferrari at ANY COST. You either save money, save money or save more money until you have enoug to afford one. Or you could "downgrade" to a less expensive model. For example, if you don't have the money to buy and properly maintain a 348 then maybe you outta consider a less expensive model instead. But if it's 348 you really really want, then perhaps just wait alittle bit and save until you have enough $$ to support a 355 perchase plus maintenance budget before you go buy youself that 348. This way you'll be very comfortable owning that 348 with enough $$ saved for maintenance. That's what I did. I saved and waited until I have enough to support a 360 purchase and maintenance then I went to get my dream 355. This way, I know for sure all my operating expenses for my 355 is covered plus any unexpected repair cost if there should be one and still have enough left for some mods down the road.

So...in the end just figure out what's your budget and which car sets your heart on fire then just pull the trigger. Next thing you know it's 3am and you're in your garage with this big stupid grin on your face looking at YOUR FERRARI.

Good luck on your search and purchase.

 

LOL !! Paps only got tinted windows so the girls will come closer to the car before spotting the freak behind the wheel! (note to me... get tints!) .
Anyway, it's good to see there is someone in OZ that doesn't look ridicul-ass in denim shorts (apart from Kylie, obviously), of course I'm refering to the little guy in the Red T-shirt not the Rex Hunt wannabe!
Steve.

 

I have put almost 6k miles on my 355 since June of last year, drove it 1500 miles back from Texas in 2 days also. I will say the 355 is the most reliable Ferrari I have had, its had absolutely zero problems not even a hiccup, my 512BB thats a different story don't ven go there, my 328 which is touted as one of the most reliable Ferraris had several minor problems such as the wp tensioner failing, fuse box problems with the fuse box board heating up to almost melting, ignition problems one coil having issues, extenders having issues, water pump weeping and a/c compressor issues and some other things I am forgetting I am sure.

The 355 was the first new generation modern Ferrari