Ferrari 348???

[GruFFnuTT]

Any owners locally on this forum? I don't wanna get trashed when I post this on the Ferrari Forum

Please humour me on this. I've got Ferrari delusions again since parting with my Aussie Brute...
I've always wanted an F355 (I bloody love'em), but on reading up on them I've found myself looking more seriously (and realistically) at the 348...
Reasons for this;
1. Initial purchase cost is lower.
2. Running costs are 'supposed' to be lower.
3. It's been said that it is one of the more reliable Ferraris!? (The F355 being fragile - Not my words).

Does this all point to a recepie for achievable first time Ferrari ownership or will this idea turn out to be a practical and financial nightmare and my Ferrari dream left in tatters...???

I would be interested to hear your thoughts especially if you're an owner...

[TackMEU]

GruFFnuTT said:

Any owners locally on this forum? I don't wanna get trashed when I post this on the Ferrari Forum

Please humour me on this. I've got Ferrari delusions again since parting with my Aussie Brute...
I've always wanted an F355 (I bloody love'em), but on reading up on them I've found myself looking more seriously (and realistically) at the 348...
Reasons for this;
1. Initial purchase cost is lower.
2. Running costs are 'supposed' to be lower.
3. It's been said that it is one of the more reliable Ferraris!? (The F355 being fragile - Not my words).

Does this all point to a recepie for achievable first time Ferrari ownership or will this idea turn out to be a practical and financial nightmare and my Ferrari dream left in tatters...???

I would be interested to hear your thoughts especially if you're an owner...

I believe the F355 was the beginning of the "reliable" Ferrari era. It is a massive step up from a 348, hence the higher purchase price and worth the difference in my opinion. Club Scuderia will help and they will not take the pi55 about any Ferrari you may wish to buy.
http://www.fcars.co.uk/forum/

[BIRMA]

GruFFnuTT said:

Any owners locally on this forum? I don't wanna get trashed when I post this on the Ferrari Forum

Please humour me on this. I've got Ferrari delusions again since parting with my Aussie Brute...
I've always wanted an F355 (I bloody love'em), but on reading up on them I've found myself looking more seriously (and realistically) at the 348...
Reasons for this;
1. Initial purchase cost is lower.
2. Running costs are 'supposed' to be lower.
3. It's been said that it is one of the more reliable Ferraris!? (The F355 being fragile - Not my words).

Does this all point to a recepie for achievable first time Ferrari ownership or will this idea turn out to be a practical and financial nightmare and my Ferrari dream left in tatters...???

I would be interested to hear your thoughts especially if you're an owner...

I have a fellow Lotus Anorak called Colin who has restored his 348 (not sure which model) but he is very knowledgeable on them, we are due to meet up at our monthly venue at the Queens Head Wickham the first Monday of October, pop along if you like and I'll text Colin to make sure he is coming along. If it is a nice evening he will bring his car, forgot that another guy Simon is restoring an F355 which has been ongoing for the last 10 years.

Edited by BIRMA on Thursday 26th September 08:45

[ewolg]

Having had a 328GTS and others, I'd say go for a 328/ 308 as they are going up in value. Very easy and cheap servicing, still look and go brilliantly whereas the 348/355 era have the engine out scenario when changing the cam belts. That's expensive plus within the Ferrari world, the 348 was the unloved one for some reason. Still a nice car but you need to weigh up what its going to cost. Smart money at the moment is with 355 / 328 / 308's - I'd love a 328 GTS again as it did everything on the tin! Also, don't worry about too many owners - each new owner lavishes money and love on it!!!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

Edited by ewolg on Thursday 26th September 10:40

Edited by ewolg on Thursday 26th September 10:50

[R36vw]

I'm only 2 weeks into 348 ownership and have to say I'm loving every minute. There is a bit of a following with these cars and you love or hate them. . No power steering for start is not to everyone's taste, but it gives one of the best feedbacks of driving. Finding a 348 based on my search they vary from as little as£22 k up to £40k. at the bottom end tend to need work and top end should want for nothing. above all any car/version get a PPI done....costs about £350 but will save you buying a shocker.Cost compared to a 355? Intitially outlay yes it's more for a 355 and very good ones going to be around the 50k mark. but should be similar running costs. it's all down to personal taste and what you would really want in a car. They all have their own charms. As said don't be afraid to ask on club scuderia. IYou'll get both sides of the coin and like here, a bit tongue in cheek too. One of the main things to remember is they are not new cars......all will have something to address albeit trivial on some. Part of the fun in owning an old car.

[GruFFnuTT]

Thanks for your thoughts chaps...
I guess I should really get out there and take a look at a few cars in my price range to see what they're about... I'm not expecting perfection (I can't afford that) but I am definitely drawn more to the cars of the 90's.
I drove a 355 over fourteen years ago. It was a yellow GTS left hooker and I've never forgotten that experience! That was the last time I sat in a Ferrari. Since then, I've just admired them at the meets and when they buzz past on the rare occasion.
I do love the F355, but honestly the 348 is a more realistic option, although I never see them on the roads or at that many meets??? It's a shame, as the styling of them is AWESOME!!!

[LouD86]

One of my old friends who lives close to you (Porchester) has a lovely example of a 348, I think he has had it for near on 10/11 years. I can put you in touch if you want

[GruFFnuTT]

LouD86 said:

One of my old friends who lives close to you (Porchester) has a lovely example of a 348, I think he has had it for near on 10/11 years. I can put you in touch if you want

Does he ever bring it out? I've never seen it around here...
Since I sold my Monaro in August, I've not been going to any of the meets

[GruFFnuTT]

BIRMA said:

we are due to meet up at our monthly venue at the Queens Head Wickham the first Monday of October, pop along if you like and I'll text Colin to make sure he is coming along. If it is a nice evening he will bring his car

Hopefully I'll swing by and see if the 348 is parked up!?

[BIRMA]

GruFFnuTT said:

BIRMA said:

we are due to meet up at our monthly venue at the Queens Head Wickham the first Monday of October, pop along if you like and I'll text Colin to make sure he is coming along. If it is a nice evening he will bring his car

Hopefully I'll swing by and see if the 348 is parked up!?

No problem, I'll text him over the week-end and let him know you may pop by.

[LouD86]

GruFFnuTT said:

LouD86 said:

One of my old friends who lives close to you (Porchester) has a lovely example of a 348, I think he has had it for near on 10/11 years. I can put you in touch if you want

Does he ever bring it out? I've never seen it around here...
Since I sold my Monaro in August, I've not been going to any of the meets

If he is off work, its dry, the road isnt wet, then yes. Its a bloody clean example. Very clean. He doesn't take it to many meets I don't believe. Its garaged the whole time, so its hidden away. If you want, ill pass on your details if you PM me. Im sure he would take great pleasure in talking to you about it, and his experiences as an owner for 11 years

[HaylingJag]

BIRMA said:

GruFFnuTT said:

BIRMA said:

we are due to meet up at our monthly venue at the Queens Head Wickham the first Monday of October, pop along if you like and I'll text Colin to make sure he is coming along. If it is a nice evening he will bring his car

Hopefully I'll swing by and see if the 348 is parked up!?

No problem, I'll text him over the week-end and let him know you may pop by.

Jamie wont want to mix with us "commoners" Dave, not wi' a Ferrari on the drive
Personally J, i'd go with the 348 if its for a useable investment. No expert but I think the 355's will still fall whereas a 348 will remain steady if not increase in value. Did I read somewhere to "reserve" 10% of the purchase price for annual servicing costs? I always regret not buying a 308 some years ago when they were unloved and hovering around 8-10 grand.
keep us posted and lets see it soon

D

[GruFFnuTT]

HaylingJag said:

Jamie wont want to mix with us "commoners" Dave, not wi' a Ferrari on the drive

Haha, no chance of that Darren! Luckily I know where my head and arse are located and I don't intend for them to meet just coz a prancing horse is in the equation!
Although, you do raise a valid concern that I've heard with Ferrari ownership and that is that the great British public give Ferrari drivers/owners a bit of stick rather than the 'windows down' and 'thumbs up' treament that the Ro' often attracted!?

I hope that this doesn't apply to the 'classics'!? (Not that I'd really be that bothered anyway)...

I think you're right, that the 348 is the way to go. I'd like to find a modestly priced one that needs a bit of TLC that will be fun to tinker with without breaking the bank with major mechanicals. There's one on the classifieds for not too much dosh and it's in a nice gunmetal grey (Titanio ) Mmm

[BIRMA]

Slightly off topic, but Darren I had a word with my mate with the big collection of older Jags and he said we can pop by some time to have a look. He knows I think they are all rubbish and that my Porsche is better than any of his old e-types but I said you are a dedicated (blind enthusiast) like him.

[HaylingJag]

BIRMA said:

Slightly off topic, but Darren I had a word with my mate with the big collection of older Jags and he said we can pop by some time to have a look. He knows I think they are all rubbish and that my Porsche is better than any of his old e-types but I said you are a dedicated (blind enthusiast) like him.

nice one Dave, love to look at that collection, Let me know when you/he are available. cheers D

[HaylingJag]

GruFFnuTT said:

Haha, no chance of that Darren! Luckily I know where my head and arse are located and I don't intend for them to meet just coz a prancing horse is in the equation!
Although, you do raise a valid concern that I've heard with Ferrari ownership and that is that the great British public give Ferrari drivers/owners a bit of stick rather than the 'windows down' and 'thumbs up' treament that the Ro' often attracted!?

I hope that this doesn't apply to the 'classics'!? (Not that I'd really be that bothered anyway)...

I think you're right, that the 348 is the way to go. I'd like to find a modestly priced one that needs a bit of TLC that will be fun to tinker with without breaking the bank with major mechanicals. There's one on the classifieds for not too much dosh and it's in a nice gunmetal grey (Titanio ) Mmm

Good man, thats the PH spirit. just had a nosey at that, 1000 miles in 6yrs...why? Though it does have some good history, Foskers etc, but limited mileage on belts................just doing the sensible devils advocate bit!!
Out of interest, why no 'Ro?

D

[HaylingJag]

GruFFnuTT said:

Haha, no chance of that Darren! Luckily I know where my head and arse are located and I don't intend for them to meet just coz a prancing horse is in the equation!
Although, you do raise a valid concern that I've heard with Ferrari ownership and that is that the great British public give Ferrari drivers/owners a bit of stick rather than the 'windows down' and 'thumbs up' treament that the Ro' often attracted!?

I hope that this doesn't apply to the 'classics'!? (Not that I'd really be that bothered anyway)...

I think you're right, that the 348 is the way to go. I'd like to find a modestly priced one that needs a bit of TLC that will be fun to tinker with without breaking the bank with major mechanicals. There's one on the classifieds for not too much dosh and it's in a nice gunmetal grey (Titanio ) Mmm

Good man, thats the PH spirit. just had a nosey at that, 1000 miles in 6yrs...why? Though it does have some good history, Foskers etc, but limited mileage on belts................just doing the sensible devils advocate bit!!
Out of interest, why no 'Ro?

D

[GruFFnuTT]

HaylingJag said:

Good man, thats the PH spirit. just had a nosey at that, 1000 miles in 6yrs...why? Though it does have some good history, Foskers etc, but limited mileage on belts................just doing the sensible devils advocate bit!!
Out of interest, why no 'Ro?

D

Why no Ro!? Well, it was my daily but my commute was only 3 miles each way. Job is relocating so I've now got a bit of a trek on my hands (and a 6 litre V8 is not a sensible commuter) so I decided to sell and get good money during the summer. We had a good final blast for Le Mans... Now I've got my commuter wagon sorted, I was going to reinvest the dosh on a supercharged Monaro or VXR8, but these are very hard to come by at the moment and so I've been browsing and flirting with my Ferrari dream. A 348 might even fit in my garage!?

Edited by GruFFnuTT on Friday 27th September 21:13