Ferrari 348 Test Drive

Yet another classic exotic owned by my father during the 80s/90s rolled into my local dealer.  This time a Ferrari 348 convertible.  Lately I have become more serious about moving away from the modern performance of the Porsche GT4 into something else that brings back the memories of growing up.  Basically Italian, Gated Shifter, V8 or such.  So I have been mulling where along the spectrum of "classic with no driver aids and limited electronics" to "somewhat newer but still memory with gated shifters" I want to be.  AKA for example between Ferrari 308 to a 360 or Gallardo and everything in between do I truly want less modernity, or do I prefer A/C that works... or both... 

Having previously test driven the 308s, 355 and a 360 as well as multiple Gallardos I have a pretty good feeling now for the lineage of both the Ferrari improvements and general progression of technology over time.  Basically increased reliability versus older classic mechanical cars.

The Ferrari 348 slotted in right between the end of the old 328 series and the newer 355.  As I was mulling the 355 my friend said he also had a 348 that I should check out.  Meanwhile I called yet a different friend to discuss the 355 who owns a 348.  Ends up it is his car that is potentially for sale.  Small world.

F348 Views - Plus a Ferrari 308 and a Ferrari 308 GT4 behind!

Styling

The 348 represented a departure from the 308/328 look but blended in elements from the Testarossa with its side strakes and popup headlights.  The car is still quintessentially 90s.  Classic edge shape.  Seeing it pull up brought up memories.  I still remember laughing that the radio is hidden behind a center console cover you have to lift to gain access.  This car red/tan is again what I grew up with although our car had been a targa or "TS" variant not a spider.  Most people will say the the cleaner lines of the 355 and return the round headlights vs the rectangle and black stripes of the 348 make it more pretty.  For me both are about the same, and I enjoy the retro feel of the 348, while also appreciating the 355 for its cleanliness.  I think they are just different.  I also think the front end of the 348 is more cohesive with the black center grill and rectangle fog lights vs the rounded look on the updated car.

Interior and Ergo

The interior of the 348 shares a lot in common with the F355 and is much roomier and more comfortable than the 308 era cars the predate it.  Most of the controls are in a central console with the very old school toggle switch style.  Two major gauges for Fuel and Oil temp also reside in the center above the gated shifter.  This car also featured the automatic seat belts that slide forward and back automatically.  Two issues I had here were those upper seat belts not retracting, so we just used the other lower set, and the side view mirrors not adjusting - probably a fuse somewhere.  But beyond that ergo is pretty nice.  Steering wheel can adjust up and down within limits.  The A/C controls are a bit funky but seemed to at least turn on - though it was unclear if it was "cold" or just warm air coming out.  The radio is stored behind a flap above the center gauges.  Seats are manually adjustable with a level for rake and a pull handle for forward/back.  Unlike the 355 which has automatic seats and issues that can come from that, this car is truly more old school.  I asked about power top issues - oh right this car was manual release up and down for the top.  No annoying hydraulics here to go bad.  Way less interference.

Driving

Speaking of no interference this is one of the last Ferrari's with no power steering.  Really amazing feel on the road cruising and at speed.  Definitely a bit of a chore in the parking lot but I haven't worked out for a while...and taking turns at stop lights etc seemed easy.  That is probably one of the coolest parts of this car.  On the flip side I personally found myself wondering if I actually liked that vs having some assist.  As much as I keep saying i want old feeling - it is more work and more to pay attention to.  Which can good and bad...but cruising on the freeway felt totally comfortable and relaxing.

Similarly the gated shifter feel fit right between the experiences I have had with the 308 and 355.  A bit temperamental about trying to spin the clutch too much while also not being too rough with the car.  I sadly burned the clutch a little trying to get my brain around it... oops.  But the clutch itself is easy to use and the gear level generally slotted in with a mechanical feel and some force.  One or two shifts seemed a bit harder to do but overall just the older have to learn how to deal with it feel.  I did pseudo-revmatch just doing blip while slowing down and it felt fine.  The 348 uses a cable linkage shifter vs the newer F355 rod.  So again differences and evolution.

This car had a stock exhaust so it sounded good but not like anything aftermarket would.  People like the 355 for the sounds it makes but the 348 with a proper exhaust woud be near the same.  Power felt good.  Not modern car fast but unlike 308s where I felt like I had to floor it just to try to get to 35mph with traffic, this car felt usable.  Was totally fine in traffic, taking on-ramps etc.

Braking similarly felt right between the generations.  A fair bit improved over the 308s but I don't know that it was quite as good as the 355 felt.  Like the 308s I found myself wanting to brake earlier to make sure I would safely stop.  Not to the same level but not at all like a modern car.  I was imagining what it would be like on a mountain road.  Much more attentive and planned out.  Whereas the F355 almost instantly had felt like a normal "car" to me this still felt a lot more "old school".  If there was any upgrade to do on this car, brakes would be first I think.

Closing

The 348 was a bit of a curve ball for me.  It was exactly what I expected as far as "better" than a 308.  More usable.  But also was surprisingly still classic from and interior build quality, driving management sort of way which I kept telling myself I wanted - but found myself questioning?  Do I really want no power steering?  Really?  Do I really want older controls or A/C that may not work?  Would I get used to the nature of the clutch and shifter or be happy with the brake performance from early 1990s?  Maybe it is just more time with the car needed.  But I found myself second guessing the desire for "classic" a lot more.

I think this would be about as old as I would ever want driving wise.  And by comparison the F355 felt quite a bit more modern.  Perhaps that is more the blend I am after.  However both of these cars with maintenance costs and such are a concern, perhaps the F355 even more so.  Both would require engine out work and have their own issues.  So we will see.  At this point I am starting to really consider something more usable and newer yet still memory "related" perhaps just by marque and shifter style.  Not sure where I will end up.

To be honest in the "moment" out with the car I felt a bit like I was fighting the car or vice-versa.  Steering in the parking lot to messing up shifting and wishing I knew how the brakes worked a bit better.  It left me initially feeling like "nope this is too too old for me - something like F355 with power steering etc is better".  On the other hand writing out the review perhaps that would actually be the draw longer term.  The F355 by comparison actually felt near modern as an initial impression.  Hop in, drive around, felt natural almost Porsche like.  The 348 felt like something you would have to learn and get acquainted with.  Plus dated electronics and the rest of it all that comes with classic car ownership.  All of that against the backdrop of me mulling something as new as a Gallardo which is more usable and modern, probably lower maintenance and probably the most "numb" feeling out of any car.  Any comments feel free to share below!

Thanks for reading!

2015 Porsche Targa 4S Test Drive

Yes two test drive posts on basically the same day.  While I drove the Ferrari 308 yesterday I noted a lovely 911 Targa 4S for sale as well.  In reality land I have been mulling a few potential things related to my GT4.  The first is wanting something fun and classic - which as noted yesterday really needs to be an eventual "extra" car.  The second is for the a weekend car (Porsche GT4 currently) to perhaps allow not just me and wife but some back seats for the dachshunds.  Mix that something a little less stiff suspension wise and potentially PDK so my wife can enjoy as well.  Basically special and still fun but perhaps more usable and comfortable.

Obviously any car that replaces the GT4 981 with PDK and softer ride will likely be less "special" or "exotic".  So I am still mulling that.  It may be the right answer is just a new daily driver that gets used on weekend and is fun enough.  But one of the solutions would be to replace the 2 seater track toy with a 4 seater 911.  Variant is the question and I was mostly mulling Turbo (maybe out of range cost wise) and S and GTS.  Also a 992 version Carrera S or such... so a turbo car but with apple car play, and tune-options for power make it another potential. 

I always loved the look of the new 991 Targa's when they came out.  While not a true convertible guy it seems like the hard top look still works when up and it is fun to have top down at right temps and areas like coastal runs and forest rides.  I have driven a few 997 but never been in a 991.  Enter the Targa 4S currently for sale at Vanquish Motors in Concord, CA.

Looks

Always subjective but the look of the 991 Targa I think is quite good.  It has the classic 911 shape and lines but with a really cool almost UFO looking rear window glass and roll bar.  That said there is no question the GT4 is in a different category.  The fact this car is black isn't helping define the lines well... but park it next to a bright green wrapped Cayman GT4 and well...hard to compete. However imagining the Targa in a bright color and or with different (gold perhaps) wheels or such and I think it could hold its own fairly well.  It's not meant to be a GT car.

The rear end looks really nice with the wide body hips that the Targa's, GTS and Turbos get.  I didn't bother to put the rear wing down but regardless the back view just looks meaty.  I dare say the thinner tail lights and wide body look better on the 911 than the Cayman.  Mix in quad exhaust ports and well... it's a classic.  All that said...the GT4 will always win the visual category unless next to another GT car I think.

Ergo / Interior

The benefit of Porsche is while cars change, looks adjust, and power increases every generation, there is always something familiar.  This was true of my 986 Boxster S as it was of my 981 Cayman S, GT4 and now this 991 Targa 4S.  Each of these cars had an instant familiarity and similar feeling getting in.  This is especially true being that the 991 and 981 share many interior bits and placement.  Everything from the button layout, Infotainment, storage in door pockets, etc is essentially the same.

Sliding into the seat I adjusted the seats - effectively the same as my 981 GT4 18-ways.  Instant comfort, feel and steering and pedal position.  On top of that this car has both heated and ventilated seats.  A must have for any sort of convertible and with temperatures today rising once again to over 100 I turned it on straightaway.  Adjust the temperature settings and mirrors and I was off to go.

Visibility is good.  While there is a spot at the roll bar area that is obviously solid - it's still decent.  Most of what is around you is glass.  And the rear B pillar is no worse than the GT4 and rearward visibility notably better than being blocked by a large wing.

A small gripe compared to the Cayman is the location of the air vents.  The right side one I usually point at my body.  But being a lower location on the 911 means it hit my hand more than anything else.  My biggest gripe would be the multifunction steering wheel. For me I would want the buttonless GT wheel and the usual "stalk" to control the multi function display.  I found myself accidentally hitting other buttons a few times.  The other big gripe is with the MF wheel and how the Up/Down shift buttons work.  More on that nonsense later.

Power / Handling / Transmission

One of the big questions I had was how would it drive. Being that the Targa is the heaviest variant of the 911 mixed with 4WD made me wonder how well it would go.  I also really wanted to see if I felt like I was missing the 6MT compared to PDK.  I wanted to test two parts of the driving.  How did it feel puttering around side roads, and secondly how did it handle on back roads and turns.

I started in sport mode and automatic as the car warmed up.  Top open and windows down.  Within minutes I was quite happy.  Gone was the harshness of my GT4 suspension.  Still a lot of feeling and slight bumps for sure here, but nowhere near as jarring.  Mix in A/C full blast and ventilated seats and I was actually enjoying the open top targa.  Windows up gets a bit of wind buffet sound much like having only a single window open in a coupe.  I found I could slide both windows almost fully up to remove wind noise... and get some A/C cooling.  But the real experience was windows half or fully down which gave more air movement as temperatures rose.  Still this is a Targa I could see enjoying compared to the 308 with older Italian 80's era cooling.  I imagine this would be great fun along Highway 1 coast lines.

Power was good.  Initially torque felt stronger than my GT4.  But I think they are close.  My car running stage 2 tune is probably closer to this and being that the 911 is heavier both are probably within a few tenths of each other with the GT4 likely faster 0-60.  Like the Cayman with the NA engine power is more at the higher end.  When you are not in the torque range it's more of a slow pull.  PDK does a great job of shifting for you.  I found Sport mode exactly what was needed for basic traffic street driving.  Shifting well before redline but giving you power when needed.  Off the line it tended to up shift a bit earlier than I would like but most people probably don't try to jet out of green lights.  Or switch to sport plus or manual mode and that problem is solved.  It was really nice to be able to just cruise and not have to manage shifting in traffic.  It felt like any other car except still special being a Porsche.

The bigger difference was suspension.  I tried this car with both PASM (Porsche's adjustable sport suspension) on and off.  The 911 just isn't quite as "tactile" as the GT4 which I knew was going to be the case.  Still the result was basically a slight numbing while driving.  While street driving was basically enjoyable and "more" than my current daily - I found myself having to look down at the speedometer to see that yes -  I really was going fast.  Like my previous 981S the modern Porsches make fast driving effortless.  Cruising at any speed often feels like you are going 20mph slower compared to any normal car. I found the soft suspension providing enough information on normal traffic.  Stiffer setting made it more akin to the Cayman.  So overall seating position, sounds, steering etc was exactly what I would want for a back road "chill" drive with the "family".  The next question though was how would it compare when pushed harder?

When I got to the start of a nearby back road I was able to push a bit more.  Sport Plus mode does a great job of holding gears more as you would want for aggressive canyon carving.  While I sometimes shifted up or down myself (getting stuck behind slower cars - waiting a bit then catching back up) I could see that you could easily drive in automatic and have fun.  The gear shifts at red line while fast provide a nice jolt into your seat when accelerating.  All that said the car felt a lot more numb than the GT4 on the turns.  Again I had to compare to how fast I was going to how fast I felt like I was going.  Turning the PASM setting to stiff mode helps.  The GT4 is so solid that "on" mode here was probably slightly softer still than the Cayman.  Still the car just doesn't quite communicate the same way.  The chassis of the GT4 really is "that special".

However it is fast.  I was able to push a few corners and never once did I feel any slide or rear bias.  Partly may be the 4WD.  And partly this car like every Porsche it just grips.  I did feel the weight but still it wasn't bad.  Brakes are still Porsche level good.  While perhaps not GT car still more than adequate for fun.  That said I wasn't quite pushing (not my car) to the level of GT4 partly out of respect for owner and partly because I wasn't quite sure of how the weight and 4WD would play out.  Would it be fun for canyon carving -  I am pretty sure the answer is yes.  Would it be as special/tactile as the GT4... no.  It makes me wonder about a proper 2WD rear 911 such as a S or GTS.  But still this thing will eat corners like any other Porsche just with less feedback than a GT car.

The other important factor with back road driving is transmission.  I already noted that the PDK was quite good.  In fact I daresay that the "engagement" factor between GT4 and the Targa had little or nothing to do with the 6MT vs PDK.  Both are great.  Both let you shift.  It was more the "feel" of the car and chassis. 

However my biggest griped is the way the MF steering wheel "triggers" or "buttons" work.  I fortunately discovered this at lower rpms and traffic light driving. But whereas the expectation was that the left side would do "down shifting" and the right side pull would do "up shifting" this is not exactly how it works.  For some reason Porsche decided that EACH paddle side would do both Up or Down depending on if you pulled it toward you vs pushed it like a button. The left side pull towards you does a down shift as expected.  However so does the right side "pull".  To Up shift you have to "push" the right side lever like a button from the front of the steering wheel.  This means you can also shift fully with just one hand.  Left hand push to Up shift to a higher gear, or pull back to do down shift.  Same with right hand.  For whatever reason my brain found this confusing.  I just wanted the left and right sides to work like practically every other car.  Apparently there are some wiring hacks you can do to the car (see this thread for example) that lets you disable the push and make the pull behave more as expected.  I also would have preferred larger actual paddles like the GT wheel gets.  Again I know that can be modded.

All that said I was quite happy with PDK.  Surprisingly.  While I can't say that shifting the GT4 isn't fun and special... when driving I still felt like I could do what I wanted as I wanted and it was really nice to not have to worry about it in traffic.  By the time I headed back to fill up I was driving in manual mode and suspension on stiff setting just because. 

Side view is arguably the best view of this car

Sound / Closing Thoughts

Driving the targa was surprisingly fun.  It felt great "around town" and could blend in quietly when needed.  Switch to higher revs and passing other cars was instant easy mixed with sound from the NA engine.  While not a GT4 wail it was quite good and I imagine an aftermarket exhaust would make it perfect.  This car had quite a few goodies from OEM backup camera (very nice) to the ventilated seats. 

I put the top up at the gas station before driving the rest of the way back.  Both to cool off and experience the closed top state.  Like many reviews state you have to be at a complete standstill for the 19 second ballet to move the top either direction fully.  Watching it was quite amusing.  Also as many reviewers said there are some creaks and sounds when closed and driving on normal roads.  Maybe something that would be annoying.  Still with the engine noise at higher revs the sound was great traditional Porsche flat six.  If anything it sounded purer without wind noise.

Overall the Targa surprised me in a few ways.  It made me remember the comfort of my 981S suspension but with the cost of more numbness.  It also made me a bit of a PDK convert.  I wouldn't say no for my next car.  It is still enjoyable to drive and would let my wife experience or help out on a longer road trip.  It also sounded quite good.  Having been in 911 with the engine in the rear you miss the engine type sounds of the two seater, but it was nice having room behind me be it for dogs or road trip goodies.  And the speed and cornering ability is still pure Porsche.  However I am concerned it wouldn't be quite as engaging as the GT4 which was one of the reasons I purchased that car.

What does all this mean for me long term?  Would it be better to keep the exotic GT4 for more solo or shorter drives and limited track time?  Or would it be more enjoyable to have a special weekend car that isn't quite as unique but can be used for longer day trips but is perhaps more special than whatever the next daily driver is?  Time will tell.  I probably need to test drive some GTS and perhaps 992 generation cars to really see. 

I will say the GT4 with green wrap is still special.  With sport headers and green wrap it turns heads everywhere.  Perhaps a fitting end to the days test drive was a mom coming over when I pulled up in the black targa.  I got out and was taking pictures.  She came over and told me her son had been walking around my Cayman for 5 minutes before.  She wanted to let him sit in it and get some pictures.  I of course obliged and revved it for him.  He was wide eyed and ecstatic sitting in the leather and alcantara seats looking around the GT4 cabin.  I don't think this would happen in a Targa.  Well perhaps if it was wrapped in 3M Gloss Green Envy.

I headed back home with all the above swimming through my mind.  The GT4 is still amazing and arguably the best car for me still for fun rides.  The next step is likely a daily driver change and seeing if that fills the gap enough for weekend fun or if I miss the frequency of the 981.  I am not quite in a rush to lose the "GT" feel - that would be a loss - but I can also see a benefit to a switch too.  Either way: Porsche - there is no substitute.

Thanks for reading!

Ferrari 1985 308 QV Test Drive

Yep it is time for yet another test drive!  You may not realize it but when I test drove the F355 posted about previously I also test drove the 1979 Ferrari carb car on the left in the photo below.  Vanquish recently acquired a 1985 Ferrari 308 quattrovalvole on the right.  Time to review the newer 85 car.

This car was much more updated and more comparative to the 82 and 83 cars my father owned.  Despite mileage it looked and was quite clean.  So I really wanted a chance to test this car more.  Just to compare to a second 308 and with the initial excitement worn off to really see how the car felt.  I always find a second test drive is usually more informative as you can focus on the car and not just initial jitters.

Looks

There is no question the Ferrari 308 looks are classic.  Just a timeless design that holds up.  Factor in the Targa roof and you get the best of both worlds for convertible vs hard top.  Anyone who has watched a lot of Magnum P.I. or just grown up in the 80's will recognize this car. 

While the car sits fairly high on its suspension it is the correct look for the period and vehicle.  This vehicle had red carpet interior (not my favorite would prefer matching beige to the seats) and someone added non-period Ferrari "shields" to the front fenders.  Despite that the car looks great.  It garnered attention on the road and thumbs up from multiple people.  I actually had a small conversation with a FedEx truck driver next to me at a stop light - because the targa top plus FedEx trucks have no doors meant we were practically right next to each other.  "Looks like an amazing Ferrari for the age" was the comment along with "how much are they asking for it?". 

Ergo and Interior

As mentioned this car has red carpet.  Despite some wear/dirt on the drivers side the car interior was quite immaculate and seemed to be likely reupholstered if not well kept.  While there was some usual age showing on the dials and such the interior was quite good.  The owner appeared to have added red stitching to the steering wheel (again I don't think that was factory) and Ferrari logo floor carpet but it looks quite nice. 

I managed to get a sitting position that worked for me.  With the long throw of the clutch and my shorter stature I wasn't quite comfortable 100% in the seat but it wasn't horrible.  In fact hopping back into my GT4 later I felt like my Porsche seats were stiffer and clutch more like a sport shift short and heavy throw.  Very odd.  The Ferrari pedals are notoriously oddly spaced.  The clutch pedal very close to the dead pedal on the left making it tricky to not hit both.  Meanwhile the brake and throttle pedals are far to the right and perhaps a bit too close to each other.

Steering wheel position is non adjustable.  It did seem at least to my memory lower than I recall in the earlier 308.  Mostly I remember the "tractor like" wheel position etc.  That said this time around it didn't seem bad.  While perhaps a little high for me it didn't really feel odd or egregious. 

Amazingly the A/C also worked quite well.  At least as much as I would expect from a car of this era and in literally 101 degree temperature outside.  This was very welcome with targa top off baking in stop and go traffic.  Beyond that the clutch knob reach is comfortable and the gated shifter in easy access.

Driving / Sound / Handling

There is no question that the 308 is a "classic" car.  While F355 felt and drove comfortably and very much like a modern car the 308 has little interference between road and driver.  Non-assisted steering is heavy while parked and loads up in turns on the road.  Brakes are hard to press and don't give anywhere near the normal expected amount of breaking power compared to anything 90's and newer.  Clutch work is slow and methodical but a joy when you get it right. 

This is a car where you won't be on a cel phone or distracted with anything other than both hands on the wheel and foot ready to stop if needed. 

Steering and suspension actually felt quite good.  Taking a few normal street corners at moderate speeds we actually quite fun if not a fair bit of work to watch and do safely.  It would be a  lot of fun on fast sweepers and rolling roads.  I am not quite so sure it's a car I would want to deal with on tight slow canyon corners with braking before sheer cliffs.  As noted braking needs planning ahead of time.  (Except the one time the car in front of me switched lanes and I found myself rapidly approaching a stopped car after a brief spurt of throttle... - HARD press on the brakes.  They do work... but again effort).  Body roll is definitely a part of the car... but again it's not a bad thing.  In fact the ride is quite compliant... when I got back into my GT4 I had almost forgotten how back breaking the Porsche suspension is.  This would be a great car for CnC rides, and slow rides to wine country.

Sound was enjoyable from a volume and noise standpoint.  Still it doesn't have the high pitch wail one expects of modern Italian cars.  More of an intake and vacuum sound mixed with pleasant engine noises and lower tone exhaust.  Not bad.  Just different than modern day sports cars. 

Speaking of the engine if you want to look for power - don't.  At least not really.  It wasn't a bad level of power - again going in with normal expectations.  But to keep up with normal flow of traffic it requires a heavy foot from stop lights partly because of time it takes to shift into gear and partly because any minivan will easily blast past you. That said I had no problem passing a few cars to change lanes on side streets.  Visibility is decent although hampered by small side view mirrors and rear view.  Still this isn't a car for stop light drag racing.  It's a car to cruise in.

Overall Impressions

Having grown up with these cars and having memories of my Father's 308 parked in the garage while waiting for the school bus to come by it is quite nostalgic.  I decided to drop the car into my garage just to grab a few pictures with his old signs and this car in there.  There is no question the Ferrari 308 holds a prime place in culture and automotive history.

The thing I was pondering was would I prefer this over the GT4 and/or a modern Porsche.  I am honestly more mulling a 911 for back seat usage with our two dachshunds.  But if I were to stick with two seats...does this car do enough compared to the Porsche or say a Gallardo?  At the end of the day I realized two things.  First - no question it is fun to drive... and would be great for events and slow runs to get ice cream, but I am not a big convertible fan.  Especially in 100+ temps it just wasn't enjoyable.  Second - as much as I like the classic car look I realize there would likely be a fair bit of maintenance and issues.  I sort of want a car that is modern and reliable and isn't going to require wrenching.  My friend who has had a 328 has told me repeatedly the cars are very reliable.  Still this is a 35 year old car.  So in the end my conclusion was that this would be a great "extra" extra car.  In other words have the Porsche or some modern day equivalent for back road work and then have this for the times when you want a classic.  Right now that is out of my possibility but perhaps in the future.

If you live closer to the coast or in a more temperate area, and don't mind classic car feel, power, and issues then I suspect this would be great.  I should note this car had no real problems driving it.  It started every time I needed.  Was relatively well behaved, and while the temperature got on the hotter side in the 100 degree weather it didn't overheat.  And yes... it looks absolutely gorgeous.  I still remember the leather smells a day later.  Ah Italian super cars.

I suspect if I drove a 328 I might find a bit more power and comfort.  The other interesting thing I have wondered is what would a 348 feel like?  After driving the F355 which was almost modern feeling I wonder if the 348 bridges that gap between the 3x8 era and later cars.  Would be interesting to experience, although I dare say with engine out service needed on 348 and 355 the latter would be the better vehicle.  (No engine out cars for me please - 40 hours labor is not something I really want to experience).  Anyhow in my personal case I suspect that the right answer is still a modern vehicle unless I can "add" to the garage.  It was great to have a chance to really get more personal with the 308 to give it an accurate shakedown.  I hope it finds a good home.

Early 80's photo of my Father and Grandfather in my dads early Ferrari 308

Thanks for reading!

Ferrari F355 Test Drive vs Cayman GT4

Well it's time for another test drive note session!

I saw my local dealership Vanquish posted a second F355 6MT that they had taken into stock.  I decided being red/tan and convertible I at least wanted to look at it for pictures.  Since my dad owned one in a similar spec and I had been in it, I wanted to at least look at it for nostalgia sake.  I was pretty sure there was no way I wanted to afford a car with engine out service, but I was curious to compare it to the automatic F360 and 308 I was able to try.  Sure enough he was happy to throw me the keys.

Nothing like a wedge shaped car

Looks
Obviously always subjective but I have to say I quite like the car.  Even in soft top form which I was surprised by it's just that classic wedge.  Shooting pictures there really isn't a bad angle.  Just a great design.  The Red/Tan absolutely drew me more than the silver.  Didn't really get shots of the silver one tho it is on their website since it was against the wall.  (their web is http://www.amusainc.com/ if you want it)

Anyhow despite the age and a few small chips on the nose the car looked pretty clean. Quite surprising even the interior looked really good.  Surprising with 38k on it...  I do wish it had the black challenge grill in the back that the silver car has.  Still it's a looker.

Just look at it...gorgeous from any angle

Ergo and Interior
There are some cars that just work, and some that just don't for me.  This surprisingly worked and worked well.  I literally sat down and turned to my buddy and was like wow, this is comfortable and I fit really well.  He looked and said yeah it looks like you do.  I just slid the chair forward a little but had no issues reaching wheel, pedals, shifter etc...  In fact it felt as close to the GT4 as anything else I have been in.  The shifter sits a bit lower down than the Porsche.  And clutch is lighter.  But everything else was good.  I did slide a bit in the smooth leather seats when I was driving.  It's not a track car with Alcantara... or at least unlike the silver F355 in his possession it doesn't have the Ferrari Buckets which I could see being useful.  Still I was quite happy especially when thinking back to the issues I have in the Gallardo.  And compared to the 308 where the clutch is way way too close to the brake the pedals were spread out in what I thought was a comfortable normal way.

Clean interior

If there is one quibble about the interior it is the location of the gauges.  The center area above the center console (see picture below) has an analog clock on the left and the Fuel and Oil Temp are on the right.  So especially during warm up you have to look over there at the radio quite a bit.  Seems like fuel would be something nice to see up front too.  The front simply gets Oil Pressure, Water Temp and then speedo and tachometer.

Still most dials were understandable and usable.  Setting side view mirrors from a control in the center console was fine altho the side view mirrors are tiny.  I mean super thin even compared to my Porsche which I feel is small.  On the flip side the car even has some useful space.  The area just behind the center controls is a flat leather area and I easily fit my Fujifilm mirrorless camera there during the drive.  The only other annoyance is the dashboard itself.  It's tiny and doesn't look that great.  It is funny because I have a video of dad taking me and Marci out for a drive in the 355 back in the day. And in the video he complains that the beautiful dash is gone.

Driving / Sound  / Handling
After starting it up and getting adjusted we pulled out.  Immediately I was like wow this is actually a usable car.  I felt like the size was understandable, with the top down had decent rear view (altho the rear 3/4 haunches are quite high).  And steering felt normal and the car high enough to drive fairly normally out the driveway.

The sound at idle is great.  You don't get the loud rumbling of the engine in a Porsche.  At least not anymore.  Even sitting at light with the Fabspeed exhaust this car has it was great. I told my friend as much, you just know you are in a special car with the sound and looks even sitting still.

The owner asked me again to skip second gear until warmed up - typical of old ferrari's.  Sure enough at a stop light  I gently started to try second and stopped when it was still cold.  First to third felt pretty normal though even tho there wasn't as much torque.  And once warmed up the car hit second gear just fine in normal usage.

Handling wise the car was quite good.  It didn't feel as tight as the Porsche or like I would trust it as much. There was slop in the steering even at freeway speeds.  But the feel of the steering overall was fine, just felt like an older sports car.  Taking on ramps with a cloverleaf I still was able to get some lateral pull.  And it was super engaging.  Mix in the clutch and shifter and it was great.  Owning my GT4 which is maybe the best modern day 6MT shifter and having tested the Gallardo which has a great meaty throw and feel, the F355 felt somewhere in the middle.  Super satisfying, great click and seat between the metal gears and natural and special.  My friend told me he was enjoying the sounds of the gated shifter.

Speaking of sound the car definitely had a nice growl to it.  That said it didn't have the high pitched F1 whine I have heard from some videos online.  I am not sure if that is down to exhaust or due to something else.  Maybe headers.  Still it had a nice loud sound that I am sure was getting me noticed on the freeway.  EDIT: I had a chance to drive this car a second time and when not getting wind noise on the freeway.... wow the V8 sounds amazing.  For back road or side street driving just insane near redline.  It screams.  Going under a bridge is epic.  Also as far as notice goes this car definitely was getting looks. Convertible.  Red/Tan.  Not as many cars out.  Even on the freeway old moms in SUV's were craning their necks to look at us.  I get looks in the green wrapped Porsche GT4.  This felt like it might be even on another level.

Engine wise I felt like the car made decent power.  Enough to be fun especially on a back road and even on the freeway to move a bit.  That said putting the pedal down the revs would jump up and then settle and we would move.  My buddy said I think the clutch is slipping - I think he was right.  Annoying as I felt like I didn't quite get to experience what the power would be like but still I could tell it was there.  Also anyone have a guess on how much a clutch job on a F355 would cost?  I am sure not cheap.  I may try to test drive the silver car to compare sometime assuming I work with the bucket seats.

Me smiling behind my mask and friend - another Michael

Overall Impressions
I was quite happy with the car.  I was thinking I can see why so many owners and people love the F355.  You have power that would be enough fun for a back road blast.  Handling that is dated but good enough and engaging because of it (and probably adjustable I imagine).  A V8 and gated shifter.  I literally thought "I would be happy with this car if it was in my garage as my weekend car".  No it isn't as fast as a modern day car, but it was fun.  Looks great and is the last of the 80s/90s era wedge cars.  I also thought "there is no way I will afford an engine out service".

Thinking of the "Ferrari" specialness and gated shifter these thoughts were also met with "I sort of wish I had bought my dad's old F360".  Now that I finally have driven a Ferrari with the gated shifter I know I ergonomically fit and it's engaging and fun to drive... wow.  That car would be near GT4 performance but not quite as good.  Dated, but special... and more expensive to own.  Ah well.  On the flip side I swear my F360 drives the engine like this F355 just don't sound as good to my ears as the Porsche Flat 6.  Again tho maybe exhaust.

Even without a Challenge Grill this rear end is lovely

Interestingly hopping back into my Porsche GT4... I was like wow...bigger car, sitting higher a little bit but wow. The Power my GT4 makes, the sound is so great.  Followed by wow this shifter is just so tight and perfect, and the car so taut and engaging still.  It's like the GT4 is the modern day engaging feel of the classic sports cars.  The steering and handling so "taut" again you feel like you can take on anything.  I don't know that the F355 was "worse" in an engaging sense (def worse performance wise) but just different. This test drive again like others gave me an appreciation for modern day Porsche GT cars with manual transmissions.

To anyone who can afford an F355.  I would say go for it.  For me I am happy with the GT4 for a good while longer I think.  If a F360 6MT comes up (more modern no engine out) and I happen to be in a place and mindset to switch... maybe.  Still I love being able to drop miles on the GT4, have modern day feel, power, sound, and comfort and affordability.  But the F355 test will definitely stick with me.  Such a cool car.  My next step will be to find that video and upload it to youTube.

Here is a picture of my Dad's old car back in 2000:

My wife and my dad circa 2000

And time to hop back into the GT4...

Thanks for reading!