RHD 348tb or LHD F355 berlinetta?

RHD 348tb or LHD F355 berlinetta?

Author
Discussion

CharlieAlpha66

Original Poster:

570 posts

234 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
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...

kippax

2,788 posts

248 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
CharlieAlpha66 said:
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...


Can't offer any advice i'm afraid but as I hope to be in the same position in about 12 months time keep us informed of your decision & why. I have spotted a 355 for £39k which is seriously tempting me now so I know what a difficult decision you have to make. (I have seen some 348's rebodied as 355 anyone have any opinions on these?)
I too have dreamed of owning a Ferrari since the age of 10 & despite my love for my Tuscan I would swap it tomorrow to fulfill that dream but get the feeling if I did it for a 348 I would feel short changed.

H

dj kam

177 posts

252 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
If LHD isn't an issue for you then the answer is simple - 355!!!!!!!

I had the same dilemma when buying my first fezza and opted for the LHD 355 over the 348 in the end. Best decision I ever made. The 348 is not a bad car by any means but the 355 is in my opinion a major step forward.

Resale isn't actually a major problem as there is a big market for LHD Ferrari's as long as they are competitively priced.

Only other advantages are that you don't get any pedal offsets in LHD cars compared to the RHD equivalent, 355 has power steering and roughly 80 - 100 BHP dependant on which model you compare it against.

I'd really suggest driving both to get a better feel for which suits you.

angelis

2,326 posts

235 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
Personally I would never buy LHD Ferrari as I just would'nt feel comfortable. that's one of teh reasons why i doi'nt purchase an enzo last week. That and I don't have any money.


kippax said:
(I have seen some 348's rebodied as 355 anyone have any opinions on these?)




Although I'd get a 355 and put the 348 front and side slats on it. Anyone changing their 348 into a 355 ....... well.....

NJW 77

17,062 posts

237 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
CharlieAlpha66 said:
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...


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

>> Edited by NJW 77 on Tuesday 18th April 12:20

CharlieAlpha66

Original Poster:

570 posts

234 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
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...

burriana

16,556 posts

253 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
kippax said:
despite my love for my Tuscan I would swap it tomorrow to fulfill that dream but get the feeling if I did it for a 348 I would feel short changed.


In that case, you REALLY need to drive a good 348. I looked at a new Tuscan, then realised for the same money I could get my 348 Spider. Fantastic cars, goes plenty fast enough, looks superb and sounds unbelievable with a Tubi and no cats.



I would suggest that if someone doesn't mind LHD, then get a LHD 348 and save even more money over the 355! i personally prefer the 348 over the 355. I prefer the baby Testarossa looks, the more aggressive stance ... the only think i can think of that the 355 has over a 348 is an extra 1000 revs, but mine still sounded pretty good at 7200!

NJW 77

17,062 posts

237 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
CharlieAlpha66 said:
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...


Of course you realise I 'give it some' past the end of your garden just to remind you Im still about

There are a few new Tiv owners about, not all on PH. Nice reflex Tam running about ATM and a greeny cerb I keep seeing. Dave has indeed got a Sag

Pop down to the meet and say hello. Defo expect to see more of you once youve got 'The Donkey'

burriana

16,556 posts

253 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
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]

thong

414 posts

231 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
here's the best one:-)
www.pistonheads.com/sales/69273.htm

and it's £33k not £35

Dale.

>> Edited by thong on Tuesday 18th April 20:18

CharlieAlpha66

Original Poster:

570 posts

234 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
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

Original Poster:

570 posts

234 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
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..?

burriana

16,556 posts

253 months

Tuesday 18th April 2006
quotequote all
CharlieAlpha66 said:
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).


Charlie .. what Dale means is that his car is the best condition 348 in the country ... bar none, trust me on this.

Although it is not necessarily best for your situation. It is a Ferrari Owners Club concourse winner and is probably cleaner than when it left the factory, including underneath! I personally would get the damn thing dirtier in one weekend than it has been for the last 16 years.

Dale! I think this is as good a time as any to show us your underside ... I haven't been on the Fcars for a while and I quite miss it

justinp1

13,330 posts

229 months

Wednesday 19th April 2006
quotequote all
Stratstones in Manchester have a 348 spyder, I know its not a TB but is *is* immaculate. It has done 10K, but I still thought that the £49,995 they were asking was a little too much...

burriana

16,556 posts

253 months

Wednesday 19th April 2006
quotequote all
Only £20k more than I let my immaculate one go for!!!

crikeymikey

1,093 posts

216 months

Wednesday 19th April 2006
quotequote all
Charlie, obviously a subjective decision on styling. Personally, I've always found the 348 a bit "fussy" compared to the 355, which seems purer somehow. Like I said, it's subjective.
The 355 is a VERY good car, though.
I'm sure you'll agree when you drive one.
Your heart will tell you which way to go after you've driven both.
The important thing is always get the best one you can afford. Don't cut corners and try and "save" money, whether it's a 348 or 355. Spend your whole budget and get the very best example of whatever you go for. A nice 348 will give you more pleasure than a ropey 355, even if they cost the same.
Good luck. It's a nice position to be in.

CharlieAlpha66

Original Poster:

570 posts

234 months

Wednesday 19th April 2006
quotequote all
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

thong

414 posts

231 months

Wednesday 19th April 2006
quotequote all
burriana said:
CharlieAlpha66 said:
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).


Charlie .. what Dale means is that his car is the best condition 348 in the country ... bar none, trust me on this.

Although it is not necessarily best for your situation. It is a Ferrari Owners Club concourse winner and is probably cleaner than when it left the factory, including underneath! I personally would get the damn thing dirtier in one weekend than it has been for the last 16 years.

Hi m8 how you doing long time no see on the otherside,thank's for the kind word's i guess IOU afree service now LOL :-)

Dale.

Dale! I think this is as good a time as any to show us your underside ... I haven't been on the Fcars for a while and I quite miss it

thong

414 posts

231 months

Wednesday 19th April 2006
quotequote all

crikeymikey

1,093 posts

216 months

Thursday 20th April 2006
quotequote all
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!