RHD 348tb or LHD F355 berlinetta?

[CharlieAlpha66]

The time has come (having passed my 40th birthday) to realise my life's ambition and step up to Ferrari ownership - having unwaveringly wanted one since I was 13.

Ever since it came out, it has been an F355 berlinetta I have yearned for - but with low mileage RHD prices still holding steady in the mid £40K's, I've started to think about a LHD model (high £30K's being as much budget as I can run to).

My mate Rick in the Sussex Ferrari Owners Club has a LHD 348 and swears that the cars are actually better balanced - as they were designed & built that way, before being converted to RHD for the UK (and other) markets. Does he have a point? Comments are welcomed on this.

I'm not overly phased at the thought of owning a LHD car - they are a lot more common than they were even 10 years ago, I don't believe insurance companies bat an eylid anymore and resale does not seem a problem either. The indie Ferrari dealers sites have plentiful stock of them (I have my eye on two....)

I'm sure the LHD/RHD debate has been done plenty on here, so if anyone wants to point me in the direction of an old thread, please do so.

It's either that, or compromise on a RHD 348tb - good ones of which are fetching high £20K's from what I observe. Compromise however is not something I normally handle very well!! The price of 348's must have bottomed out - with good 308 and 328 prices now coming up to meet it. Plus, I could have a RHD 348 for £10K less than a LHD F355 - leaving me with a comfortable cash stash for (if?) when problems arise.

I drove Rick's 348 last Friday and could certainly live with it. I am due to drive a 355 this coming Friday and suspect it's going to be a very different animal and will reinforce my wanting one.

Words of advice/wisdom/shared experiences would be gratefully received...

[CharlieAlpha66]

NJW 77 said:

Colin. Funny, I looked up your profile yesterday as I hadnt heard from you for ages and I had just seen a Chim turn down your road (a blue one, not your (old?) one)and noticed the Fezza profile pic. How's it going? As one of the uneducated, I say 355. Had a manager work for me a few years back who sold his house and bought a 348. Silly bugger tried to tap me up for petrol/mileage for it even though I provided him with a diesel van Safe to say he didnt stay employed too long. (dont flame me chaps) Didnt 348s have a rep for spinning off the road? (or was that the 328?) Dont forget to let me know when youve purchased so we can go for a local blatt

Hello Nick. Yeah it's been a while. How are you?
Although I've not seen you, I know you've still got the Cerb as I often hear you popping & spitting up and down the A281 past the village!

Dave Pearce (X1 DVP?) rumbled through the other week too - looks like he's got a Sagaris these days. Is there another Griff like Derek's in town too? I'm seeing that on the Guildford road quite a bit (black with a red hood).

I see on the TVR forum that there's a run this coming Sunday. I'll try and make it down to have a crack with you all. For sure though, once the Fezza is in the stable you'll be seeing a lot more of me again...

I've not been on here much since I parted with the Chim. Not really had a lot to talk about, PH-wise. However, as you have gathered, the hunt for the Prancing Horse is now on. My heart says F355 (even in LHD guise) but my head says 348. Decisions, decisions...

[CharlieAlpha66]

thong said:

here's the best one:-) www.pistonheads.com/sales/69273.htm and it's £33k not £35 Dale.

Perhaps.... but yours is clearly a 348ts, whilst I have stated my decision is between a RHD 348tb and a LHD F355 berlinetta - so thanks for the thought, but no (leaving aside that £33K is pretty pricey for a 1990 car IMHO).

[CharlieAlpha66]

burriana said:

here you go ... just in ... though why they don't put the pics in the ad if it is a good one I don't know. [url]www.pistonheads.com/sales/73998.htm[/url]

Thanks for the spotted here Al - this one is more realistically priced (and is the right car). Will wait to see if any pic's materialise by the morning.

Does anyone know of, or have, an early low mileage LHD berlinetta about to come to the market..?

[CharlieAlpha66]

Thanks for this Mike. Exactly the sort of input I was hoping for.

You are quite correct, it is a nice position to be in. It has been a long time coming (and saving) though. 27 years to be exact...

The F355 is the car I have always wanted (and I agree completely on it's styling) but the 348tb is an easier route to getting onto the ownership ladder.

I was figuring if I buy a late model, low mileage example, that I might be able to sell it on again in 12-18 months without taking too big a hit on the depreciation (nothing like the £7K loss in 16 months I took on my TVR anyway!!). Is that a realistic view do you guys think?

By that time, I would hopefully be in a position to not worry about F355 entry level costs.

The trouble is, I am driving a 355 at Goodwood this Friday and I already know it's going to make me want one over a 348tb...

Head? Heart? Wallet? Head? Heart? Wallet? Oh Bugger...


>> Edited by CharlieAlpha66 on Wednesday 19th April 19:39

[CharlieAlpha66]

Quite Nick.

Couldn't drive it anywhere around our locale 'cos of all the horse shit on the roads!

[CharlieAlpha66]

crikeymikey said:

CharlieAlpha66 said: Head? Heart? Wallet? Head? Heart? Wallet? Oh Bugger... >> Edited by CharlieAlpha66 on Wednesday 19th April 19:39 Charlie, you're doomed.! We both know you're going to go for a 355. I actually think having a left hooker isn't a big thing. You have a much greater market to sell on to, which means prices won't be dictated by British economic conditions. And, should you ever take it abroad, you can make the most of being on the correct side of the car for the road. And a Fezza is a Fezza, regardless of where the steering wheel is. Go on. You only live once!

Well.... I drove a LHD 355 F1 GTS around Goodwood for 3 laps earlier this afternoon and you're right Mike - I am doomed.

I knew it would pan out this way - it really is a very different car to a 348tb and I have to have one (not an F1 though thanks). Looks like I am going to have to up the ante and go for an early LHD 355 for around £35K, if I can find one....

Maybe going for a non Rosso car is going to make that more possible? I gather that non red cars are a couple of grand less (and Verdi's green one another couple of grand less still (not that I'd entertain a green Fezza f'r goodness sake!!)).