348 - Road trip/ away from home considerations? | FerrariChat
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348 Road trip/ away from home considerations?

Discussion in '348/355' started by Whopper71, Apr 10, 2023.

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  1. Whopper71

    Whopper71 Rookie

    Apr 8, 2023
    2
    Phoenix, AZ
    Full Name:
    Jack M.
    #1 Whopper71, Apr 10, 2023
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2023
    Hi everyone! I just recently bought my 1991 348 TS. It has just over 10K miles and had its belt service done in December. Every month I have to go from Phoenix to San Diego to do my drill for the Navy reserves and pretend I still fly helicopters full time. This time, however, I have to go for a little longer and I figured this might be a good time to get to know the car better. I am by no means an automotive novice, but this is my first Ferrari, so I’m very much a neophyte where this is concerned. The drive will be in May, taking highway 8 most of the way, so it’ll be hot and very desert-y. I will be in San Diego for a week, then turn around and come back. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or things to think about for this ~700 mile round trip? Any idea what to look out for, or any weird quirks I should know about for long distances? Absolutely anything would be helpful! Thank you so much for everything! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  2. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,614
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    The Bad Guy
    #2 ernie, Apr 10, 2023
    You’ll be fine.

    Several years ago I drove my former 348 over 2200 miles, in 5 days. Ran brilliantly until the alternator belt popped. But that was my fault because I forget to properly tighten down the retaining nut for the tensioner. Anyway, the car ran great.
    If you don’t already have AAA Premiere is suggest getting it. We have had it for decades. I get four 100 mile tows a year, and if needed one tow up to 200 miles per year, along with other benefits. We will go years between needing to use it. However the times we have needed to use AAA it has been been there for us. So driving long distances is no worry.
     
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  3. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,665
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #3 greyboxer, Apr 10, 2023
    When the gas light begins to come on (flash not solid) you may have 100 miles but do not rely on it & remember your phone charger - maybe get a couple of aerosol tire inflators
     
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  4. carl888

    carl888 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Oct 31, 2003
    6,933
    Melbourne, Australia
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    Carl
    #4 carl888, Apr 10, 2023
    Congratulations on the purchase Jack.

    Assuming the age related items were attended to at the belt service such as the cam belt tensioner bearing, hoses and water pump, just drive the ass off it. I'd probably throw in a spare alternator belt (The one in the tool kit will be well past it).

    If it makes you feel better, I dove a 308 GTB as a daily some years back and put 32,000kms on it in 12 months. Ran great, no issues, but it was amusing to do the valve adjustment 10 months after the last one.

    We'll all be dead soon, enjoy!
     
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  5. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 20, 2015
    14,277
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Ian Riddell
    #5 Qavion, Apr 10, 2023
    Tow hook? Maybe some manuals/wiring diagrams on a flash drive in case you need to help the AAA guy or local mechanic look for fuses, relays and other components.
     
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  6. ChoonHound

    ChoonHound Formula 3

    May 13, 2022
    2,221
    Saint Michaels, MD
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    Lucas
    #6 ChoonHound, Apr 10, 2023
    Just have a plan. If I lose a tire here, I’m gonna call this place. If I get a CEL here I’m gonna call this place. Put together a list of shops, numbers, and addresses so you have it on you. Maybe call them first to establish a relationship. Get AAA. Have fun.

    oh, maybe put some track wrap on your front end.
     
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  7. malcolmb

    malcolmb Formula 3
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 17, 2002
    1,209
    San diego
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    Malcolm Barksdale
    #7 malcolmb, Apr 10, 2023
    This is a favorite road trip of mine. Leave early before it gets REALLY hot. stop in Yuma for fuel and lunch at Black Bear Diner. Fuel stops are sparse after Yuma. stop in Dateland for a date shake. this is mandatory.
    when your AC starts to work really well and cool the car it means you are almost to San Diego.
    Malcolm
     
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  8. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    #8 Texas Forever, Apr 10, 2023
    “Former 348” [emoji41]


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
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  9. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
    6,895
    Richmond
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    Pete
    #9 bobzdar, Apr 10, 2023
    I've taken a few long (thousand mile or so) road trips in my 355, never had an issue on them. I always try to fill up at top tier gas stations, keep an eye on the gauges and check fluids and tire pressures before taking off, much like any other older car. The good visibility and comfortable standard seats make for a pleasant trip, only thing I'd change if I could would be to add cruise control for the highways. On one of the trips I purposely avoided highways in favor of back roads, it was a lot more fun but also added a lot of time, which I was fine with. If you can avoid more than two hours of straight highway, it'll be a lot more fun as that's the point it starts to not be as fun for me and more like a regular trip.
     
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  10. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,991
    socal
    #10 fatbillybob, Apr 10, 2023
    The 348 brotherhood is strong in SoCal if you get in trouble.
     
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  11. watkinsgt

    watkinsgt Karting

    Feb 4, 2008
    215
    #11 watkinsgt, Apr 11, 2023
    The Sunrise Hwy off of 8 and lunch at Janet's in Alpine are both fun.
     
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  12. rodscher

    rodscher Rookie

    Feb 16, 2015
    46
    MUNICH/GERMANY
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    Joschi R.
    #12 rodscher, May 13, 2023
    do it!
    have fun!

    the 348 is a GT
     
  13. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    Nov 4, 2003
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    Clyde E. McMurdy
    #13 ClydeM, May 14, 2023
    I haven't take the 355 far, but for the 308 which I've driven a few long hauls:
    Have it checked out first. Fluids, brakes, belts. Most you can do just fine
    Have a phone & charger
    I have a list of parts suppliers on my web site with their phone numbers.
    I had a list of any Ferrari accredited shops along the route
    and as suggested above, AAA+ membership

    Sadly my348.com seems to have disappeared
     
  14. Aerosurfer

    Aerosurfer Formula 3
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    #14 Aerosurfer, May 18, 2023
  15. audi_328

    audi_328 F1 Rookie
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    #15 audi_328, May 18, 2023
    Be sure to have a tow hook (with clear threads!) as others have said, and consider having a backup to AAA...my 355 stranded me once (fuel pump) and AAA wouldn't touch it, because it's a Ferrari. I know others have had no problem, but it was a problem I had. Hagerty roadside assistance for the win (I do still have AAA premier or whatever their top tier is).

    Be sure and drive it around locally a bit before going on a big roadtrip. If the first time it's been out in 6 months is when you leave for your big trip, that's not so good.
     

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