Tell me why I should 'upgrade' to a 348?

Ya gotta ignore the trolls under the bridge!

 

+1 And I must say I am quite satisfied with my 348 and 308. Two very different cars and that is why I own them. Don't want a 355 because of the extra electronic gizmos, etc.

 

I would if they didn't keep throwing stones at me when I drive over the bridge

 

Sy baby!!

Good to hear from you mate! Hope all has been well my friend.

And you're right, its a shame these threads always turn into pissing contest about the 348/355.

They are both wonderful cars.

 

I've owned both models for many years and had both models for daily drivers for over a decade. I'm not talking, driving it once a week, but daily driver as in my only car driven every day in every weather condition. I also used both extensively on the track.

The plus: The 348 looks modern, and exotic and is very beautiful in many peoples eyes. It has that low slung modern look.

The downside: The 328 is probably the most reliable and cheapest Ferrari to operate and has an outstanding build quality. The 348 is the opposite, they are very expensive to maintain and have terrible build quality. Anyone that tells you different about a 348 regarding service cost has been lucky.

Have you ever asked yourself why the 328 and the 348 are worth the same (actually a good 328 is worth quite a bit more)???? The market does not lie. The answer is the 348 poor build quality and cost of service. These are the reasons that a 328 and 348 are worth approximately the same money.

 

All well here mate. Got a full time job now so I have less time to spend on forums.

How's married life treating you?

Yep, real ugly car the 348.
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How old are you?

 

I have to wear dark glasses and keep my head low when I drive mine in public. So embarrassing.

 

Horrible just horrible. I only drive at night so know one can tell what it is. I guess the photographer who took this picture must have not known anything about cars.
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OMG! That's hideous!

 

Every time I see that image of your car I am astounded at how vivid and clean it is. Do you know what the photog was using for camera.

Edit - Car is just hideous however...

 

Just exactly what year is that Toyota MR2 in the picture?


(LOL)

 

That is one ugly SOB, ain't it?

 

Can anyone seriously debate this?

I was in the 348 camp, then I switched to the 512/Boxer/TR camp, and then the stock market took a dive and I chickened out, but I'm starting to think about it again.

 

You definitely don't see as many of those around, at least in the DFW area. Although there are quite a few 512M's in our local FCA chapter...

 

Sure for the 348 c/w Testarossa/TR,

Better looking (more delicate, better balanced look)
Better handling (post 93 changes)
Lower maintenance
Easier to drive (not as big or heavy)
Quicker than Testarossa (though not a TR or M)
Quicker on track (later 348 models)

Not comparing with the Boxer as its from another era entirely....and I want one as well.

 

These are some damn ugly cars; how do I live with myself......
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Not sure what he used. His name and website are on the picture, I'm sure he would tell you what he used. I love his work and he did shots of many more cars for the Foxwoods Exotic Car Rally last year.

--Mike

 

Ok you Brothers are getting ridiculous again. The 355 is the better car, there is no denying it. However, it does not reflect the better ownership experience, IMO. There are just too many expensive things that can break on that car. I just do not have the patience to deal with them. I don't like the power steering, but do like the rev happy engine and the 6-speed gearbox. Looks are both hot but for different reasons. My 348 is more viceral, more purposeful looking. It strikes me more of an Italian hot rod than the 355 which is better refined in design. The 355 actually looks more Ferrari to me than the 348. The 355 does have more creature comforts and is more Porsche-like compared to the 348, but really this is a ruse. There is nothing of the solid German engineered panzerwagen in the 355. The 348 doesn't pretend to be civilized. That's what I like about it. And the SS cars go even further down that road.

Man I love my car. I gotta spend some time with her now. Think I'll drop in on the garage.

Still, come on, the 355 is probably the apex of the Ferrari V-8's despite their issues. Frankly, I'd be just as happy with either car. Right up until the time I need to replace the headers and the valve guides in a 355.
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There are only 7 seconds difference at the Fiorano track between a 328 and a 348 ... to me is a significant difference !

Fiorano Circuit Record Lap Times
Ferrari F2004 (2004, Michael Schumacher) 0.55.999
Ferrari F2003-GA (2003, Michael Schumacher) 0.56.33
Ferrari 248 F1 (2006, Felipe Massa) 0.57.099
Ferrari F2007 (2007, Felipe Massa) 00'58.360
Ferrari F2005 (2005, Michael Schumacher) 0.57.146
Ferrari F2002 (2002, Michael Schumacher) 0.57.476
Ferrari F310B (1997, Michael Schumacher) 0.59.00
Ferrari F399 (1999, Luca Badoer) 1.00.226
Ferrari 412T1 (1994, Jean Alesi) 1.00.31
Maserati MCC (Andrea Bertolini) 1.11.711
Ferrari 333SP (slicks) 1.11.90
Ferrari 333SP (slicks & restrictor) 1.13.00
Ferrari FXX (Andrea Bertolini) 1.16.20
Ferrari 360 GT 1.17.00
Ferrari 360 N-GT (2003) 1.18.90
Ferrari Enzo (2003) 1.22.30
Ferrari 360 Challenge (2003) 1.22.40
Maserati Trofeo 1.23.848
Ferrari 355 Challenge 1.24.40
Maserati Trofeo 1.25.00
Ferrari 575 1.25.23
Ferrari 355 Challenge (1997?, wing, slicks, Nicola Larini) 1.25.40
Ferrari 355 Challenge (1995, no wing, streets) 1.26.50
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (2006) 1.26.500
Ferrari F50 1.27.00
Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale 1.28.00
Ferrari F430 1.28.50
Ferrari F40 1.29.60
Ferrari 360 Modena 1.31.00
Ferrari 550 Maranello 1.32.528
Ferrari 348 Challenge 1.33.00
Ferrari F355 F1 (1997) 1.33.00
Ferrari F355 (1994) 1.34.00
Ferrari F512M (1995) 1.35.00
Ferrari 512TR (1992) 1.35.00
Ferrari 456GT 1.35.00
Maserati 4200 GT 1.35.00
Ferrari 288 GTO 1.36.00
Ferrari Testarossa (1984) 1.36.00
Ferrari 348TB (1989) 1.37.00
Ferrari 288GTO 1.37.00
Ferrari F512M 1.37.00
Porsche 959 1.37.00
Ferrari 456GT (1992) 1.40.00
Ferrari 328 GTB 1.44.00

 

Good to hear man.

Married life is GREAT!

Just need a few baby Pap's now to give me a full time job also.

Your car looks amazing............as always.

 

Without the benefit of having owned a 12 cylinder car, but after similar deliberation of my own years ago, I would say you're talking about a vastly different experience. Kind of comparing apples to oranges in my opinion, especially with the Boxer -- high COG, big V12 car with it's roots in the mid 70's. Not knocking it at all, it's a beautiful and quick car. I'd have one in a heartbeat. The differences among the 3 more GT oriented cars and something like a 348 are just so vast that I personally can't imagine cross shopping them all that much. I guess it just comes down to what kind of F-car experience you want. If you have to have a 12 cylinder car to scratch the itch and can live with slightly less agility but more straight line grunt and can stomach the bigger maintenance bills that come with the older 12 cyls, there's your answer. If you want a toss-able, nimble car with a little less power that you will still dump plenty of money into think 348.

Anyway, figured I'd take a serious stab at it for you!! Just my 2 cents, take it or leave it You'll win either way

 

In my early days of FChat membership, the question has been asked...

Blasphemy or good idea? 348 side strakes on a 355.​

...of course, I've since wizened up and resolved to aim for the Ferrari I want rather than trying to convert the journalists' favourite into my own.

Ooh, ooh, my eyes...











...they can't cope with such beauty without prior warning!

All the best,
Andrew.

 

because driving an appreciating asset, with such timeless lines, can lead to a sense of guilt.

 

I would keep the 328, and I used to own a 348. The 328 is a true classic.