| Author | Message | ||
| Carstore of Glenside (Carstore)
New member Username: Carstore Post Number: 24 Registered: 9-2003 |
Tim: This might be an option http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2439474464&category=6212 Tom | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Intermediate Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 1183 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Tim, FoS is full of crap! They of course tell you that you cannot have one, so you want one more. The reality of it is, new cars can be had in a few months at MSRP. Used 360s can be had for $130k or less. Spiders are signifigantly more, of course. But nowhere near 40% over MSRP for a USED car! They're basically counting on you thinking Ferraris are so rare that you can only source them from FoS, and that you will not check ferrarichat.com :D) Euro conversion cars in the US are particularily affordable (though watch out, basically no warranty.) PS: Welcome! PPS: I second the option, check for sports seats! I am 6'2" and fit quite comfy into an F355! Best! Ben. | ||
| MICHAEL MORETT (Thecarreaper)
New member Username: Thecarreaper Post Number: 48 Registered: 9-2003 |
hey Mike B. welcome to the board, there is a mondail8 for 15k " or best offer' in the collector car trader (traderonline.com) / ferrari its in san diego so i hope its not cooked by now. those fires are awful and i feel for all those affected.i too am looking for a 308.... with carbs. i may get a " beater" ( no hate mail!!) since i am a mechanic( business jets) | ||
| Tim Kinslow (Tkinslow)
New member Username: Tkinslow Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2003 |
You folks rock! It's rare to find genuine help towards someone you don't even know (yet!). Thanks again - Tim | ||
| MikeB (S2mikey)
New member Username: S2mikey Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2003 |
Well, I'm a newbie as of today as well so I thought I would reply to this message! I'm currently "shopping" for a decent 308/Mondial coupe. I'm willing to wait around for the right car and/or deal. I'm glad I found this board, it seems to be a wealth of information and F-car afficiondos. Mike B | ||
| Bernard Sharp (Fanatic)
New member Username: Fanatic Post Number: 19 Registered: 11-2002 |
Tim, How about a late model 348 Spyder? They look almost as good as a 355 Spyder. Then there is the Mondial T Cabriolet, which has the same engine as the 348. I have no idea if the seating position in these cars is any different than the 355, but its worth a try, maybe? | ||
| Eric Hawley (Eric)
Junior Member Username: Eric Post Number: 62 Registered: 8-2001 |
Hi Tim, First, welcome to one of the strongest addictions going. As Dave and Willis said, we have a pretty active crowd here in Seattle, and I encourage you to join the club and join us at club events irrespective of the car you drive. That's the best way to then find out more about the cars you're lusting after, and most of us are more than willing to give rides, and occasionally even offer to let you drive our cars. More to your question: I'm 6'4", and tall in the body, so I have a hard time fitting in most Ferraris (for a real laugh, try to get into a 308). In the end, I had to "settle" for a 456, as it actually fit me. I recently spent a half hour or so driving another club members 355 spiders, and while my first impression was to laugh hysterically at the view of the windshield header, I quickly forgot about it once out on the road. It was a bit of a problem at a traffic signal, not being able to actually see the signal through the windshield, but otherwise, it was an awesome ride. I highly recommend you take one out for a test drive and see if maybe this isn't as big an issue as you initially thought. I found that the rest of the fit in the car is really very good, with great pedal placement and plenty of room for heal-toe braking, and aside from the low header, is actually very comfortable. Or, as has been suggested, just get a nice 550 or 456. Nothing quite like a 12, even if it does have a roof. | ||
| dave handa (Davehanda)
Intermediate Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 2162 Registered: 5-2001 |
Tim, I must second Willis' comments, please join the local club, and come out to events. I don't know the answer to your question(I'm short and Asian...), but there are others in your boat, and they can assist you with how they resolved the seating issue. Plus you can sit and ride in plenty of other models! www.ferrariclub.com for schedule of events and details on joining. Email me directly if you like. Dave | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 784 Registered: 12-2002 |
Tim, Welcome to this board! I am 6'4" and I have no problem in any 355. Just try to move the seat a little bit more forward and lean the back a little bit more towards the rear of the car. That works perfectly for me. Ton | ||
| KCCK (Kenneth)
Member Username: Kenneth Post Number: 692 Registered: 10-2002 |
See, most of the time, genuine newcomers do get a genuine welcome! | ||
| Willis Huang (Willis360)
Intermediate Member Username: Willis360 Post Number: 1704 Registered: 8-2001 |
Tim, welcome aboard! The FCA Northwest Region is pretty active in the Seattle area. We usually have something to do every month, both official and impromptu events. Have you joined the club yet? If not, please join us and hang around. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Advanced Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 2946 Registered: 10-2002 |
Tim The NY times listed a 03 360 6 sp. spyder for 199K. As winter set's in you'll find many avail. I know of an 02 with 250 miles F1 at a dealer that they're asking 225 but it's sat for a long time and I bet they'd take 200K. | ||
| Tim Kinslow (Tkinslow)
New member Username: Tkinslow Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks for the help. I'll keep searching back threads for ideas. In the meantime, if anyone 6'2" or taller has a 355 spider figured out, please holler! Of course, wouldn't it be a shame if I had to "settle" for a 360 spider! - Tim | ||
| mike550 (Mikeg)
Junior Member Username: Mikeg Post Number: 186 Registered: 8-2003 |
you would fit with room to spare in a Maranello - but alas not a convertible - except the Barchetta which is an arm and a leg and not really a convertible (e.g. no real top) | ||
| Mark Collins (Markcollins)
Member Username: Markcollins Post Number: 399 Registered: 7-2002 |
Tim sadly I don't think oyu can use the carbon seats in the spider as the spider's seats are a different design to that used in the GTS/GTB. Have you considered a 355GTS? I'm 6' and fit in OK with an inch to spare, with the sports sets you'll gain another 1.5" or so. The other thing with the spider is the seats move forward automatically when you raise the roof, at 6'2" you might become part of the pedal assembly when that happens!!! | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2364 Registered: 12-2002 |
Welcome to the site! If a 360 is what you need, try and purchase from a private individual...they are out there. That way you wont be paying too much over msrp. | ||
| MarkPDX (Markpdx)
Intermediate Member Username: Markpdx Post Number: 1154 Registered: 4-2003 |
Put some phone books on the seat so you sit a little higher and can see over the windshield frame. Be sure to wear goggles to keep bugs from hitting your eyes.  There have been a few threads on the subject but I can't seem to find any now. One thing I seem to remember reading was that the carbon fiber race style seats allow you to sit a bit lower. on edit: check out this thread What is best Ferrari for a 6 1/2 f t man to drive? | ||
| Tim Kinslow (Tkinslow)
New member Username: Tkinslow Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ferrari folks: Although I've been scanning ferrarichat for a few weeks now, this is my first post. I thought I would be polite and introduce myself since I've been bitten by the f-bug and am seriously looking for my first f-car. I thought you veteran Ferrari gurus might get a kick out of my first set of realizations in looking at f-cars. I also have a couple of questions mixed in. First of all, I live in Seattle WA. I'm a Ferrari-holic and I love convertibles. I've found that Seattle and convertibles can be strange bedfellows at times. Anyway, after working like a dog most of my life, I'm finally ready to fulfill one of my childhood dreams of owning a Ferrari. I've done the Corvette and 911 thing, but those are no substitutes for a beautiful red/tan 355 or 360 Spider! And ohhhh that sound... I dropped by FoS last weekend with my wife to look at their inventory. I love the looks of a 355 Spider so I climbed into a '97 one. It was with great shock and dismay that I looked "at" the windshield frame rather than under it. (Start laughter here) No matter what I tried, I didn't fit! I'm 6'2" and had the leg room, but the head just stuck out too much. As I tried vainly and fruitlessly to scrunch down into the seat, I could see my wife and the salesman begin to back up, half expecting to see this grown man begin to cry. Well, at first glance, it looked like the 355 Spider was out. Questions: Is the '99 355 Spider any different in its seating and headroom? Has anyone had experience in lowering 355 seats? (I'm busily scanning all the 355 posts on this board using the search option...) If I couldn't have the 355, I decided to look at the 360. Of course, the coupe and the spider both fit. Not really wanting to pay a 20-40% premium over MSRP for a used car, I inquired about getting a new one. (Okay, continue laughter) The dealer was very polite and said they don't bother to take names any longer because the production is sold out, and they already have a big enough customer base that they don't need new people for at least the next 4+ years!!! In other words, I'm SOL. Of course, I was prepared for this one from reading ferrarichat posts. Now, let me get this straight; I can't fit into a 355 (that I know of) and I can't buy a new 360 (or its follow on), so I'm relegated to paying the premium for a used 360 to satisfy my desire. Ha! Anyway, I'll still hooked and will find a way to become a Ferrari owner. I look forward to meeting some of you in the near future. Signed, down, but not out, Tim |