Crocket

Freakin awesome, thanks for the Supra vids. Sonny

True, EBC are much better at managing the boost curve, but if I recall correctly wasn't the trade off slightly slower boost ramp up as compared to the MBC? Hmm, curiousity is getting the better of me, I may have to find that magazine article and read it again. Sonny

+1 That thing sounded mean as hell, congrats. Sonnny

Congrats on the nice 348. I hope to join you within the next six months or so as I am currently looking at getting either a 348 or 355 myself. Sonny

There was one for sale in Toronto not that long ago. Doesn't seem to be listed on Autotrader anymore though? Sonny

What was it about the 348 that made you like it better? You would think that the 355 would of been the superior car? Sonny

Interesting you should bring this up. I've noticed various exotics (both Ferraris and Lambos) in the Ontario section of autotrader.ca doing the same thing. After a few months of being on the market, if they don't sell they increase the price?? Weird. And after two or three increases, if the car doesn't sell, they trade them to other auto dealerships to try their luck with it. I've always wondered if it was just bad luck/timing, or if there were things wrong with the cars? Sonny

I've researched this car in depth, as I too was also looking at possibly picking one up. A few things you have to look out for: 1) Pre-mature valve guide wear on models upto 98 (factory defect) 2) Burnt out exhaust manifolds (factory defect) 3) Sticky dash and centre console plastic (due to wrong type of cleaning products being used) 4) F1 transmission is real expensive to repair, but I have not heard of any "real" issues with them. F1 tranny in 360 much improved apparently. Regarding performance, it's relative. If you re-read any magazine article written on this car, they all applauded it's performance, handling and feel. The sound, as some have already mentioned, is amazing. Some opinions here have indicated that it is a slow car, well compared to 500-600hp super and hyper exotics, well yes maybe it is. But for most people the performance should be more than enough (fyi, performance is on par with later gen Countachs. So it can't be all that bad). It won't be a cheap exotic to own, but for what it provides might be worth it. Try some of the Ferrari sites for more information, good luck. Sonny

Well, I can't speak from experience, but since I too was looking at possibly getting one of these cars, most of my research seems to point to the fact that the 348, although not exceptionally fast in a straight line, did handle and brake quite well (especially if you got one of the higher end models like an SS or Challenge model). Compared to newer Ferraris (and newer cars in general) they seemed to be more of a "drivers" car due to the fact that it had a decent manual shifter (no F1 tranny), did not have any drivers aids, and lacked certain creature comforts such as power steering etc.. . Also, as far as expenses go, they were one of the "cheaper" exotic cars to keep running and maintain (although this too is all relative). Check out one of the popular Ferrari sites such as Ferrarichat.com, they have quite a bit of info on there regarding these cars. Sonny

I've only ever seen one kit car (replica) in person, and the owner ended up being kind of a prick. It was about 15 years ago in Ottawa, Ontario. I looked out our kitchen window and saw what I thought was the real deal in a neighbours driveway. I got excited, ran out to have a look (I was a teenager after all). I made sure not to get too close to his car, or touch it as being a car guy I knew that these are all things to be mindful of and respect when looking at another persons car. Anyway, upon closer inspection I discovered it wasn't a real one, but it still looked kind of cool. Anyway, buddy (who was visiting his GF) comes of the house with her in tow. He was dressed like a preppy, thinking he was all that (based on his slow swagger to the car). Anyway, I decided to try and strike a converstion with him, so I said "nice car" as genuinely as I could. He proceeds to give me this "I ain't got time for you" look, stops, turns around and walks back into the house, without ever responding. His poor GF just stood there, kind of embarrased, not knowing what to say, gave me a "sorry" look then followed him back in. I couldn't believe how much of a dink this guy was, and he didn't even own a real one. I was going to say something snide to him as he was walking away from me, but I decided against it as I did not want to upset his GF anymore, and in the end he was a pompouse prick who wasn't worth the effort. I never saw him again, so I can only assume he was given the boot, serves him right. Sonny P.S. His car had one of those real corny talking alarms too.......the one that would tell you, you were standing too close to the vehicle and to step back. Ha, the younger neighbour hood kids thought it was hilarious and had it going off every few minutes for most of the day.

Word, that car has issues, especially looking at it from the rear. What's going on with BWM styling as of the past couple of years?? Sonny

Definately better looking than the Pontiac Solstice, although for some strange reason does not come equipped with the hi-po engine (2.4L turbo vs. 2.4 N.A.). Sonny

If I'm not mistaken, Dot 4 (which I used in my Supra) is synthetic based, therefore ya, not hydroscopic (moisture absorber). Note that DOT 3 and DOT 4 are not compatible and should not be mixed. If your switching from one to the other you have to have the system properly flushed out to remove all remnants of the previous fluid. Sonny Edit: Do'h! Brain fart..........as already mentioned below it's DOT 5 that is synthetic based, not DOT 4 as I mistakingly wrote above.

God that sounded so good. I can only imagine what it sounds like first hand. Congrats =D> Sonny

Gordon Murray's point of view is mighty interesting though. I cannot believe tehre is THAT much lag as he stressed. I mean, it's a 8L engine for God's sake. That alone should be enough to take care of any turbo size, even if there are 4 of them. -Olivier I read Gordon's take on the car too, and although insightful I can't help but wonder if part of his opinion is slightly biased? After all, the Veyron is more outlandish than the F1, and dethroned it in every single acceleration test there is, plus top speed, plus braking and arguably even handling (I have yet to read a car review on the F1 that had it handling as good as everyone expected. The North American variants were getting in the low 0.9g range if I'm not mistaken). Anyways, an interesting read none the less. Sonny