What to start with?

Hi...

I have a Corvette Z06 and enjoying doing 3 or 4 Open Track events a year. I am not into racing but into performance driving etc.

My dream has always been to own a Ferrari. The 355 looks to be right up my alley but it will probably take me another year to 18 months financially. I can probably swing a Testarrosa or a 348 in the next couple of months.

Any ideas/suggestions/comments?

Thanks!
Mark

 

welcome to the board.
If you want to get into a ferrari it all depends on what type you want to have.
360's are easy to drive while the testarosa is more of a "drivers car"
I would suggest a 355 because it's more my style. what specifically are you looking for?
-convertible?
-6speed/f1
-driving difficulty
-etc.

 

Mark,

First off , Z06, wonderful car....all the track ability most people would need for decent money.

My take on it is this...the Z06 will outperform all 3 Ferraris mentioned on the track. So what you need is a Ferrari for Ferrari's sake

My vote would be 348 or TR, with an edge towards TR here since you have the out & out sports car. I think the 355 is wonderful as well, but the controls have gotten softer compared to the 348, and the extra performance is not worth it value wise, IMHO, esp. coming from 405 hp/400 lb-ft of daily driving.

Decisions on looks you'll have to make yourself but if you need help, I prefer 355s for coupes & targa style, and 348 for spyders. Testarossas on modern rims are HOT.

Testarossa is the definitive highway Ferrari, while the 348/355 are the agile track and backroads car. A good friend who owns both 355 spyder & TR, has more emotional attachment to his TR.

Very tough decisions!

ps - you might want to consider a 348 challenge car for the street....I heard those things have amazing handling, that'll knock your socks off

 

Thanks guys...

Yes...i want a Ferrari....something i have always wanted since i was a kid...and i am getting close to the point i could pull it off......(will sell the Z06 in the spring...)

If i wait till i can afford a 355, it will probably be the Berlinetta.

I appreciate the input on the T vs the 348.....looks like the 348 is probably better for my track days....

Cheers
Mark

 

Whats the maint cost on a TR vs. a 355 ? anyone ?

As for a track/daily driving/ looks I don't think you can beat a 355.

but if budget is an issue then the 348 would be my 2nd choice, you can get a really nice 348 and have several thousand left over for maint. for the cost of a 355.

You really should DRIVE all three and then you'll probably answer you own question.
Good Luck, and get a car with known HISTORY (VITAL on these things)

 

Just a note of caution for hotzos.

I have owned, driven and restored a variety of Corvettes. I restored a 66 big-block convertible. Great car. Beastly fast in a straight line. Also owned a 2001 coupe. Had others. Very reliable and easy to drive. And cheap to maintain.

In comparison, owning a Ferrari can be somewhat expensive. Not so much to purchase, but to maintain. My maintenance costs for the Ferrari are 5 to 10 times what it cost for the Corvettes.

Owning a Ferrari is fun and is a different experience than the Vettes. But be careful; you need to have a big budget to keep one.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Mark (just coincidence)

 

well it seems you want a 355....
save up for it, if it is what you truly want (which is what it seems like) you will probably be happier with it.
Try one out. if you're in the new england area i can let you try out some of my collection of a few f-cars.
I'm in new hampshire so if interested pm me.
my 355 is also for sale.
good luck in your search

 

Replace "but" with "and" so you get:

"The 355 looks to be right up my alley and it will probably take me another year to 18 months financially."

If you nod in agreement, then you answered your own question, and in so doing, you won't second-guess yourself... at least until confronted with bills... but that's what you'll be saving even more of that dough for.

 

The 348 is affordable. It's much easier to drive than the TR, which many people have said drives like a truck. Sorry TR owners--I'm only communicating what I've heard over and over again. The TR is probably not a good first Ferrari.

The 348 is the best starter Ferrari!

Do a search of the archives and you'll find plenty of debate. Just go to the advanced search and search the titles of threads--search for titles with the query "starter AND ferrari" and queries of the like.

 

Well, I love my 348 spider, but it ain't really a track car. Based on my research etc I'd go for a 355 Challenge car for track work, if that was all I was using the car for. I THINK there may be a 1995-only street-legal 355 Challenge but I am not the expert there.

Otherwise, if you wanna drive it on the street too find yourself a 348 Challenge car.

Having said all of that, I reckon WILLIAMH here will tell you go for the TR....

Cheers
Kevin

And echoing another post - put some dosh away for maintenance. Don't ask...

 

Wow....great feedback...THANKS Everyone...

I do expect to spend quite a bit more on Maint than with the Z06.

sh4m...i may PM you if i happen to be heading your way for business. I am in Colorado.

I will keep dreaming....and reading.....not sure if it will be a 348 Challenge or a 355B.....will depend on my available income and car i find when i decide it is time....looks like the T is really not for me....i want a car i drive to the track 3 or 4 times a year and then drive it on weekends and the occasional day to work...

Anyone looking for a 2001 Z06 -- one of only 80 made in White with Mod Red interior? hehe....

Cheers
Mark

 

compared to modern sports cars and 348, 355s, the tr does drive truck like,although that is a bit of an exaggeration....the tr feels like a heavy car and not very nimble, the shift linkage is not that great and repair costs are very high...this is part of the reason the price has dropped so much on the trs...the 512 tr is a big improvement, much better car in all aspects...really day and night compared to the tr.....

 

I spent some time at Ferrari of Denver today....mulling over a getting a 348 vs a 355. I have made up my mind...i will go with a 355B.

 

Congratulations you made what i think is the better choice. The 355B is a great car and tons of fun on the track.

Kevallino -I THINK there may be a 1995-only street-legal 355 Challenge but I am not the expert there.

Factory made challenge cars can't be converted to street use in most states, but most challenge cars aren't factory built, but built from street cars by private shops, these cars can be registered and used for the street.

 

Where about's...do you know Steve?