New to the 348 Brotherhood | FerrariChat

New to the 348 Brotherhood

Discussion in '348/355' started by indytech, Jun 8, 2006.

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  1. indytech

    indytech Guest

    May 24, 2006
    143
    Winchester Ca.
    Full Name:
    Ken
    I Just wanted to share a few real world observations about the Ferrari 348.
    I’m new to the brotherhood, only owning my personal 348TS for about 3
    Weeks now and feel the need to share the following few thoughts. It’ rough
    Riding, has very poor electrical components, (in general) and shifts crude and
    Stiff, the manual steering really does take quite a bit of adjusting to. Generally
    it can be brutal in busy city traffic. Being 6’2” and weighing about 280, I find it
    a little cramped and it can be uncomfortable at times. I hear it’s also
    under powered as other Ferrari’s go. I also here it is very lacking in
    refinement of newer Ferrari’s. Personally in the user friendly category on a
    scale of 1-10, I would rate it a 3. I could go on but everyone that owns one,
    and may desire on some day pretty much gets the picture, O yea it also
    is very expensive to maintain.

    But for me personally, I wouldn’t trade my 348 for any other model available
    Today, except maybe an Enzo. I personally think, it truly is one of the best
    Looking Ferrari’s ever to roll off the drawing boards, bar none. In my opinion
    There is only 2 others that even come close, a Boxer, or a 308GTO.

    When I look at my 348, I can only imagine the dismay many newer Ferrari
    Purchasers must face when they come to the realization that they can’t buy
    A newer car, with that same great look. This is evident by the Continuous
    bashing by the owner of later model cars.

    My point is they will never be the best Ferrari, just one of the best looking.
    Mine is a brut, but I’m a brut. I will always feel privileged knowing when I
    Go to my grave I will be one of the very few owners of one of these cars.
    I’m looking forward to being a long standing member of the 348
    Brotherhood, and making mine perfect.

    Best Regards Indy
     
  2. Janzen

    Janzen Formula Junior

    Oct 25, 2005
    420
    Oklahoma/Texas
    Full Name:
    Janzen
    Very well said.... I agree with your observations- I too have a 348TS and I love the car for all those reasons. To me it's a challenge to drive smoothly and it seems the more agressive you are, the more "right" it feels.

    To me it's the last of the Ferrari's that had a bit of that race car feel- I'll probably be flamed for that, and I'll qualify my statement by saying I've driven newer Ferraris (355, 360 and a 550) and although undeniably faster, the 348 (IMO) is one hell of a fun ride- way different than anything since...
     
  3. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    Welcome to the brotherhood Indy. Your post was pretty much on the money. Im a life member of the 348 brotherhood now and I intend on taking my 348 to the grave with me. :D
     
  4. No Doubt

    No Doubt Seven Time F1 World Champ

    May 21, 2005
    72,740
    Vegas+Alabama
    Full Name:
    Mr. Sideways
    All that you say above has more than just the ring of truth to it, but there's more to the story.

    As you've already learned, there's fchat (congrats on subscribing, btw). The internet changes Ferrari ownership if you use it.

    For instance, if you go here: http://webpages.charter.net/aircover/348/1994Ferrari348Spider.html#postprep then you'll see that there are a few cheap, easy-to-do things to your 348 (post purchase prep work). These fix many electrical problems and prevent far more...fix the notchy shifting with better gear oil...and improve things like lights with LEDs and other problems with new relays, etc.
     
  5. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,614
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    Oh yeah he has the sickness alright, welcome to the brotherhood.
     
  6. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
    15,291
    FL / GA
    Full Name:
    Bill Tracy
    Welcome, enjoy the new ride!
    BT
     
  7. davey_jones

    davey_jones Formula Junior

    Sep 28, 2002
    781
    wherever it's sunny
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Congrats!
    You wouldn't be in Indy also would you?

    -dave
     
  8. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,776
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    Congrats-welcome to the institution-it's kinda like the Hotel California-you can check out, but you can never leave!
    I'll give up my 348 when they use the jaws of life to pry me out of it!
     
  9. henkie

    henkie La Passione...
    Lifetime Rossa

    Apr 13, 2005
    10,516
    Deil,The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    henkie
    Another enthousiastic familymember...

    Welcome mate.
     
  10. vegas1

    vegas1 F1 Rookie

    Jul 28, 2004
    4,202
    Australia
    Have you informed Mt Isa City Council of this ?
     
  11. vegas1

    vegas1 F1 Rookie

    Jul 28, 2004
    4,202
    Australia
    Welcome to the 348 brotherhood Indy. I take it you are in the US of A.
     
  12. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap

    Sure have. :D I have already paid for 6 spots in a row for the 348. :p
     
  13. johng

    johng Formula 3

    Oct 23, 2004
    2,298
    northern va
    Full Name:
    john g
    pics!!!!?????
     
  14. indytech

    indytech Guest

    May 24, 2006
    143
    Winchester Ca.
    Full Name:
    Ken
    I'm Actually from San Diego, And yes I am in the USA. I'm taking my ride in for belts, hoses, and a new water pump on monday. I'll post pict when I get it back. Best Regards Indy
     
  15. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    Another new San Diego 348 guy. Man, we need a San Diego 3x8 get-together... bad.
     
  16. SFchallenge

    SFchallenge F1 World Champ

    Jun 28, 2004
    11,945
    Sgp, KL, HK & London
    Full Name:
    Jon Wijaya
    Hey Indy, welcome to the family. Your 348 was designed in the 80s & built in the 90s which makes it almost twenty years old now. If we look at a lot of cars from that era, they don't hold up as well. Anyway, the 348 is a fraction in terms of price of a 360 & higher so don't feel so bad about it & the plastic in those cars don't hold up very well either. They are a lot more expensive to fix as well. Go read up Nodoubt's site & do some upgrades & you'll feel it's a lot of bang for your money. It's a raw car & it started the Challenge series so don't think too much about the comfort level, you can leave that to a Lexus or BMW for that. Get the suspension right, change the fluids, wheels & tires, brake upgrades, maybe even tweak your ECU & slap on a sports exhaust & you'll be smiling.
     
  17. indytech

    indytech Guest

    May 24, 2006
    143
    Winchester Ca.
    Full Name:
    Ken
    Naturally the first thing is the basics. It runs and sounds great. I was being a little jestfull in my original post, I actually love it's race car feel when I drive it.
    After the belts & hoses next week, the next thing on my list is to get rid of those stupid seat belts. I intend to do a little research, and mayby upgrade to 355, or 360 seat belts, and remove that monstrosity mouse trap. I bet if you could corner the guy that designed those, he would turn red with emabrrasment.
    I understand all the purests desire to keep things original, But I actually do think these belts were an original @?uk up, required by the feds in that day.

    The next thing on my list is to do some more research and replace the original window, and rear view mirror switches with something newer and more robust that matches the decor well. I'm thinking maybe newer stuff, once again later model or maybe german switches.

    You know I would like to install those really nice looking 355 wheels I also have also seen on some other cars.

    You know I can't say enough how much I really love the car, and something like seat belts might seem petty, but I really do hate them.

    On a San Diego note, it really is a beautiful place to motor with the targa down.

    Bests Indy
     
  18. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 21, 2005
    15,291
    FL / GA
    Full Name:
    Bill Tracy
    My mechanic will be selling his 355 wheels (with new tires) shortly. If you are interested send me a PM and I will get you in touch with him. They will be flawless when he goes to sell them. He offered them to me, but I think I might stay with the 348 wheels.
    :)
    BT
     

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