which model makes an ideal first ferrari??

[big hair]

Is there a particular model that would make a good "first ferrari"? Something which is fairly reasonable to buy (30-40k) and isn't prone to disasters or huge servicing/repair bills??

Also I'd be interested to hear which your first ferrari and why??

[Need For Speed]

My first Ferrari was a 355F1 which was two years old when I bought it. It never went wrong and was a hoot to drive. Go for the latest model within your budget and try to avoid the 348.

[big hair]

The 355 was the one I was considering. A 360 would be nice but I fear that it would stretch my budget to the point that if something did go wrong then I'd be in serious trouble!

How come you say avoid the 348??

[judas]

Here we go again...

There is so much st written about the 348 by people who've heard it from a mate whose cousin once read an article from some embittered journo saying they could be a bit better.

I've got one. It's great. There you go. Now can we make this an *informed* thread please?

[andrew.]

...348 values are so compromised by the "twitchy handling, skateboard ride, iffy quality" twaddle that i would be tempted to use this to my advantage

[big hair]

Hey Judas
Tell me about your 348 - how much is servicing and has ownership been straightforward??

[F308 MAN]

big hair said:

Is there a particular model that would make a good "first ferrari"?

mine !

£20k

[judas]

I've had mine for nearly two years and it's the best car I've had. Not the fastest (that was the Tuscan until it lunched its engine).

A lot of the 348's poor reputation in handling stems from the very early models. Later models revised the suspension mounting points, which improved the handling. This problem can also be allayed by fitting wheel spacers or 18" wheels. Bearing in mind that most cars on the market will have been sorted by now.

In the time I've had it I've spent about £4.5k in servicing and parts, which includes new discs and pads all around, four new tyres, one oil service, one cambelt service (engine out), diff rebuild, heater pump, decat pipes (an absolute must - the noise is ).

So far it's been very reliable. Only let me down once when a worn bearing in the diff caused the drive shaft bolts to vibrate lose and let go.

Insurance is £400 a year limited to 3000 miles.

Handling wise, I've yet to have any problems and I don't usually hang about Acceleration and top speed are more than adequate, but if that's all that matters to you then look elsewhere - there's always something quicker. For me it's all about the whole experience - the looks, the noise, the feel.

Best bet is to have a search through this forum, particularly for posts from Angelis who has posted some very useful stuff about the 348.

Edited to add: as always, find yourself a good independent to look after it - they'll be *much* cheaper than a main dealer and the service will be just as good, if not better. I use Shiltech in Loughborough and I cannot recommend them highly enough. They went far beyond the call of duty in doing my diff rebuild

Edited by judas on Tuesday 23 September 23:34

[big hair]

I checked your trip photos - looks pretty cool. Incidently, is the white murcielago the same one that is in one of the car magazines - Evo or Car???

[steven f]

F308 MAN said:

big hair said:

Is there a particular model that would make a good "first ferrari"?

mine !

£20k

still got the uprated suspension on it FATTY

[Need For Speed]

judas said:

.......There is so much st written about the 348 by people who've heard it from a mate whose cousin once read an article from some embittered journo saying they could be a bit better....

Each to their own but I HAVE driven two 348's and agree with Mr. Luca Di Montezemolo:

"“I was utterly disappointed. This was the worst product Ferrari had developed for some time."

And that's from the horses mouth.

No offense intended, just stating a fact.

Edited by Need For Speed on Wednesday 24th September 09:12

[ross-456]

308 or 328, then move on to a 355 after a year or two.

[judas]

Fair enough. But it would be more helpful to everyone if people just stopped with the "don't get a 348 - they're crap" statements and actually substantiated their argument. What didn't you like about it?

[atomicpunk]

Depends on what you'd be using it for I suppose (i.e. everyday use vs. weekend toy).

From personal experience, I'd go for a 308 and put some of the money saved on the purchase price aside for servicing etc.

[Need For Speed]

judas said:

......What didn't you like about it?

Build quality, heavy steering at parking speeds although better once rolling a bit, brakes, gearbox, electrical gremlins (the car I drove had many warning lights albeit only 1 year old), rattles, felt nervous and unstable, brakes, brakes, brakes, did I mention brakes?

Edited by Need For Speed on Wednesday 24th September 11:06

Edited by Need For Speed on Wednesday 24th September 11:06

[judas]

Need For Speed said:

judas said:

......What didn't you like about it?

Build quality, heavy steering at parking speeds although better once rolling a bit, brakes, gearbox, electrical gremlins (the car I drove had many warning lights albeit only 1 year old), rattles, felt nervous and unstable, brakes, brakes, brakes, did I mention brakes?

That's odd because for normal road use the brakes are something I have no complaints about. Not tracked mine yet so I don't know how they hold up on that front. Being nervous/unstable can be caused by geometry being out - they're very sensitive to changes. Also, a small lip spoiler on the front can sort out high speed lightness. Steering is a bit heavy as slow speed - the same as most cars without power steering, but the counter to this is the wonderful undiluted feel and feedback on the move. As for rattles, build-quality and warning lights - sounds like either a very early car or a Friday afternoon special. What year was it?

[Need For Speed]

Going from memory, the first 348 was a 1991 and the second a 1992/3. I've heard from many other 348 owners that these "features" are common to cars even made on a Tuesday!

[big hair]

I'm looking at something just for "fun" ie weekend and occasional use - prob no more than 5k miles per year

[944gav]

I chose a 348 for my first. Pick it up next week For me it was betwen a 348 or 355 - really love the styling of them both! I have read a lot of negative things about 348's but did not let that put me off. I thought it was great to drive - quite different to the 355 but no less special for me. My budget could only stetch to about £35k so I thought it better to get a really nice 348 and keep a bit in reserve just in case rather than stretch to a not so nice 355 and have difficulty looking after it properly.

[ross-456]

944gav said:

My budget could only stetch to about £35k so I thought it better to get a really nice 348 and keep a bit in reserve just in case rather than stretch to a not so nice 355 and have difficulty looking after it properly.

Well done that man, very sensible!