Midlife crisis - 348? where to look?
Discussion
Well, I'm approaching 40 quicker than I'd like!!
I'm setting myself a goal of having a Ferrari by this time. I've already had the rolling eyes from the Wife (and the wide-eyes from my eldest daughter!!)
As much as I'd love to go for a 360 or something like that, the harsh reality is I'm in 348, maybe 355 country. As a weekend toy.
(I can remember drooling over a DB9, and saying to Wifey,"One day, I'll have one of those"...... to which she responded in a wholly supportive manner, "and how the fook are you going to afford THAT then?!" ) Wimmins eh?!
Anyhoo, I digress. I'm in Herefordshire. North Herefordshire to be precise. Can any of you wise people recommend places where I can try one (or both) of these desirable exotica?
Are there any owners in the area who I can buy a drink in exchange for a brain-pick? Someone to give the real ins and outs of both (there's a lot of bad "press" about the 348, hence my approaching people who actually know what they're talking about)
Thanks in advance,
Dan
I'm setting myself a goal of having a Ferrari by this time. I've already had the rolling eyes from the Wife (and the wide-eyes from my eldest daughter!!)
As much as I'd love to go for a 360 or something like that, the harsh reality is I'm in 348, maybe 355 country. As a weekend toy.
(I can remember drooling over a DB9, and saying to Wifey,"One day, I'll have one of those"...... to which she responded in a wholly supportive manner, "and how the fook are you going to afford THAT then?!" ) Wimmins eh?!
Anyhoo, I digress. I'm in Herefordshire. North Herefordshire to be precise. Can any of you wise people recommend places where I can try one (or both) of these desirable exotica?
Are there any owners in the area who I can buy a drink in exchange for a brain-pick? Someone to give the real ins and outs of both (there's a lot of bad "press" about the 348, hence my approaching people who actually know what they're talking about)
Thanks in advance,
Dan
You'd be better off asking on this forum:
http://www.fcars.co.uk/forum/
I seem to recall there are several Ferrari specialists near to you that might have one for sale and a possible test drive.
The 348 was my second choice and from certain quarters had a bad press, but several owners on the above site sing their praises.
http://www.fcars.co.uk/forum/
I seem to recall there are several Ferrari specialists near to you that might have one for sale and a possible test drive.
The 348 was my second choice and from certain quarters had a bad press, but several owners on the above site sing their praises.
What about this one? Owned by a club member and looks great...
www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3541...
www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=3541...
Great site, I have been looking and checking prices for about a year as I wait, patiently!, for a house sale to happen. There is loads of info on here, fgear , and clubscuderia. One thing I did notice is the 348 asking prices have , in general, creeped up again. Good luck with the search.
Hi Dan,
The car on the link is mine. It will be at Auto Italia on Sunday if you want to see it.
All I would say is that I do use the car quite often and at the minute it could do with a service, a few bits of paint and the seats re furbing.
Also I cracked the bloody screen playing with my mate in his Caterham.
All the above will be included with the sale so it will be mint - I've just not bothered doing it yet cos I still use it.
Did 200 miles on Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FifYSclMRZk
The car on the link is mine. It will be at Auto Italia on Sunday if you want to see it.
All I would say is that I do use the car quite often and at the minute it could do with a service, a few bits of paint and the seats re furbing.
Also I cracked the bloody screen playing with my mate in his Caterham.
All the above will be included with the sale so it will be mint - I've just not bothered doing it yet cos I still use it.
Did 200 miles on Sunday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FifYSclMRZk
Edited by simonigrale on Wednesday 2nd June 11:47
If you want a very rare & special 348 (1 of only 8 RHD examples), then my GTC is available through Rardleys:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1735972.htm
Whatever version you go for there's loads of information available online and whilst obviously being a little biased, would definitely recommend one!
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1735972.htm
Whatever version you go for there's loads of information available online and whilst obviously being a little biased, would definitely recommend one!
Are there any owners in the area who I can buy a drink in exchange for a brain-pick? Someone to give the real ins and outs of both (there's a lot of bad "press" about the 348, hence my approaching people who actually know what they're talking about)
I read all the bad press before I bought mine and guess what, its all b
ks.
I'll take you for a spin and you can see how slow, twitchy and bad to drive they are. I've heard the early cars aren't as good so can't comment on those.
I wouldn't have done 9000 faultless miles in 18 months if it was a bad car, 2 good mates run 355s so we are out a lot. The 355 is no doubt a better car but not 15k better.
I bought my car for 32k expecting it to be rubbish but I didn't care because it was a Ferrari. Its by far the best and fastest car I have owned and the noise is to die for along with the flames on the upshifts.
We have just got married and my Mrs is talking babies, plus we have 2 dogs so I'm trying as hard as possible to keep hold of 'Ferrari Ownership' as long as I can.
I read all the bad press before I bought mine and guess what, its all b
ks.I'll take you for a spin and you can see how slow, twitchy and bad to drive they are. I've heard the early cars aren't as good so can't comment on those.
I wouldn't have done 9000 faultless miles in 18 months if it was a bad car, 2 good mates run 355s so we are out a lot. The 355 is no doubt a better car but not 15k better.
I bought my car for 32k expecting it to be rubbish but I didn't care because it was a Ferrari. Its by far the best and fastest car I have owned and the noise is to die for along with the flames on the upshifts.
We have just got married and my Mrs is talking babies, plus we have 2 dogs so I'm trying as hard as possible to keep hold of 'Ferrari Ownership' as long as I can.
pdavison said:
If you want a very rare & special 348 (1 of only 8 RHD examples), then my GTC is available through Rardleys:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1735972.htm
Whatever version you go for there's loads of information available online and whilst obviously being a little biased, would definitely recommend one!
Dan should buy mine and I'll have yours http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1735972.htm
Whatever version you go for there's loads of information available online and whilst obviously being a little biased, would definitely recommend one!
To the OP
I can't speak volumes on the 348 but I can add a little on the 355, having owned mine for the past 2 years and done the vast majority of the work on it myself. I use mine regularly and quite hard. Once the fluids are hot, it gets a proper hammering. Much like you would a girlfriend.
Up until recently, its been very reliable and my recent spate I would simply put down to bad luck more than anything else. The 348 and 355 are architecturally quite similar and probably the last of the breed that are relatively easy to work on yourself (looks intimidating, but in reality a lot of things are doable).
I can't comment on the 348's particular foibles, but I can PM you a fairly comprehensive list for the 355. They're both cracking cars and I should think you'll be chuffed to bits with whatever one you purchase. They shoudl also be fairly free from depreciation so that is a plus. Bear in mind that like any car, they need to be driven and maintained so don't be necessarily wooed by a low mileage garage queen or put off by something with higher miles, so long as there is supporting evidence (and by that I mean bills, receipts, photos if relevant and other supporting evidence). A stamp in a book is worth about as much as the ink used IMHO.
Either way, go drive them then buy one. You definitely won't regret it.
If you have the means, this Sunday is supercar day at Goodwood if you've a mind to pop down for breakfast...
I can't speak volumes on the 348 but I can add a little on the 355, having owned mine for the past 2 years and done the vast majority of the work on it myself. I use mine regularly and quite hard. Once the fluids are hot, it gets a proper hammering. Much like you would a girlfriend.
Up until recently, its been very reliable and my recent spate I would simply put down to bad luck more than anything else. The 348 and 355 are architecturally quite similar and probably the last of the breed that are relatively easy to work on yourself (looks intimidating, but in reality a lot of things are doable).
I can't comment on the 348's particular foibles, but I can PM you a fairly comprehensive list for the 355. They're both cracking cars and I should think you'll be chuffed to bits with whatever one you purchase. They shoudl also be fairly free from depreciation so that is a plus. Bear in mind that like any car, they need to be driven and maintained so don't be necessarily wooed by a low mileage garage queen or put off by something with higher miles, so long as there is supporting evidence (and by that I mean bills, receipts, photos if relevant and other supporting evidence). A stamp in a book is worth about as much as the ink used IMHO.
Either way, go drive them then buy one. You definitely won't regret it.
If you have the means, this Sunday is supercar day at Goodwood if you've a mind to pop down for breakfast...
simonigrale said:
pdavison said:
If you want a very rare & special 348 (1 of only 8 RHD examples), then my GTC is available through Rardleys:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1735972.htm
Whatever version you go for there's loads of information available online and whilst obviously being a little biased, would definitely recommend one!
Dan should buy mine and I'll have yours http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/1735972.htm
Whatever version you go for there's loads of information available online and whilst obviously being a little biased, would definitely recommend one!
I looked at 348's and 328's when I was in the market, the main two things that put me off the 348 were firstly the TR strakes diwn the side, which did grow on me and were not a deal braker.
Secondly and the clincher at the time for me, was finding a good one was not easy. If they have obviously been looked after, don't worry about mileage too much and go on current condition and recent history and get it PPI'd, Verdis, Walkersport, Grimaldi, KHPC etc will help you out on that front.
If it all checks out, there is no doubt they are great value for money in the current market, oh yes if its a Spider or (G)TS check for water ingress as some (not all) tend to leak a bit.
Secondly and the clincher at the time for me, was finding a good one was not easy. If they have obviously been looked after, don't worry about mileage too much and go on current condition and recent history and get it PPI'd, Verdis, Walkersport, Grimaldi, KHPC etc will help you out on that front.
If it all checks out, there is no doubt they are great value for money in the current market, oh yes if its a Spider or (G)TS check for water ingress as some (not all) tend to leak a bit.
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