| Author | Message | ||
| Greg Derian (Greg_derian)
New member Username: Greg_derian Post Number: 6 Registered: 2-2003 |
Mario, just read your post: My brother went to an AMG event out in Fontana a few months ago. drove an oval track and a few cone courses. Had a blast. One of the other participants kept asking about a Ferrari comparison and was told by the AMG exec's and racer's as well that the Ferrari and AMG's can't really be compared. Totally different vehicles. p.s. The AMG exec. (cant recall his name) is waiting for his 360. He must be on the list as well. | ||
| Greg Derian (Greg_derian)
New member Username: Greg_derian Post Number: 5 Registered: 2-2003 |
Thanks for all the responses everyone. Yes, I definitely agree the 355 is a fast car and plenty of power. I really like the style of that model, and think it would be a great car to own, especially as my first. Scott, thanks for the info. Im also glad you mentioned that a dealer purchase may not help with getting on a list, I will keep that in mind, as I originally thought buying a dealer car gives you access to the list automatically. Frank, thanks for the info on servicing the car. I have reviewed several past posts and am try and work the service into the purchase price. Doody, I remember that article you wrote about your 355 & 550. Great work. Im going to start off looking and get a feel for what's out there. I want this to be an informed purchase with as little surprises down the road as possible. Thanks again for the welcome everyone. I look forward to contributing here. p.s. madturk, sorry about your car. You'll get another one. Thats the up-side of those insurance premiums you pay. | ||
| Mario B (Lawwdog)
Junior Member Username: Lawwdog Post Number: 168 Registered: 12-2002 |
Greg: I own a 355..have owned or currently own all of the cars mentioned here. My comments are as folows: 355 is fast..horsepower fast though. Pulls hard all the way to redline..and keeps asking for more. Most other cars run out of steam Street light races with AMG's or M cars are worthless. The Ferrari likes the freeway where most cars run out of speed. My E55 was a torque monster and great daily driver...However, it is not a Ferrari. My M-5 is also a troque monster and an awesome daily driver...However, it's not a Ferrari My M-3 was an awesome track car, daily driver and could pull both duties with relative cheap ownership...However, it's no Ferrari. Etc...Etc..Etc.. My advice is by a Ferrari for what it is not what it looks like on paper. Race against yourself..not other cars. A Ferrari looks even better driving slow than it does tearing away. In fact people with respect you more. Mario | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1836 Registered: 11-2001 |
mitch is spot on, greg. if you want to pass on the highway and need to get from 90 to 120 as fast as possible, get a 550 (or some other torque monster). i comment to myself all the time that i wish the 355 had more power, but RARELY when i'm actually in it, driving it. it's a blast. doody. | ||
| Seyhan Kilincci (Madturk)
New member Username: Madturk Post Number: 42 Registered: 6-2003 |
As an owner of a 355 that just burned I will tell you this. My car was a 1997 355 and what car it was. I will get one back as soon as my insurance takes care of everything. As for power on a 355, it has more then most people can handle. I agree that this is not 1/4mi. car but a highway screamer. Off the line you have to burn tire for it to get going otherwise it feels a bit slow. But still faster then the M / AMG cars. I know cause my daily driver is a M Coupe which I love. It is a kick ass car. I've done all the Dinan upgrades. Currently it's a stage 3 Dinan car. Yet the 355 will walk away from it every time, under any conditions. Off the line is where the little M would be close. On the highway given some traffic goodluck coming close to it, whatever you drive. | ||
| Dave Burch (Merlyn)
Junior Member Username: Merlyn Post Number: 145 Registered: 8-2002 |
It's hard to put into words, but I have never sat in a car that begged me to drive it hard so invitingly as the 355. It's just a great car with looks, sounds, power, and handling. All in all, a wonderful personality. I love it, but then it's not my daily driver, so the experiance is new each time I get in it. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Intermediate Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 1133 Registered: 4-2002 |
If you want the kind of power where you can cruise donw the road in a sensible gear and floor the throttle and accelerate at a blistering pace; the F355 does not have all that much power. If this is what you desire, I suggest a Viper or (gasp) a Vette. This is actually a function of Torque, gearing, and vehicle weight, not power. On the other hand, if you have fanticies about straifing apexes with the throttle burried and the tail end fighting for traction, then the F355 has plenty of power. Not seek-up-behind-you-and-bite kind of power, but plenty nonetheless. Ask yourself how a car that does 0-60 in 4.5-4.6 seconds can lack power? Ask yourself how a vehicle that tops out in the low 180s can lack power? It can ONLY be in a relative sense, where the performance of current issue SuperCars are being compared to previous generation SuperCars. There is no doubt that the current generation is a step beyond the previous, but how much do you NEED? and how much can you handle? | ||
| Robert Ziino (F355bob)
Junior Member Username: F355bob Post Number: 81 Registered: 8-2002 |
People feel the F355 has a lack of power because the power band is so high-max hp is at 8250rpm that most people never rev the car more than 5000rpm so are never really in the powerband. I have a 95 F355 and if you keep the revs up--above 5000rpm it has great power. The other thing is lack of low end torque makes the car seem low on power. Again unlike the 360, TR's power is on the high rpm range. | ||
| Andrew S. (Andrew911)
New member Username: Andrew911 Post Number: 44 Registered: 9-2003 |
Greg- first off I will say I am not a Ferrari owner, but a big car enthusiast (and hopefully someday Ferrari owner!). I am on my 3rd porsche purchased via private owner, and can say there are also benefits from purchasing from private owner vs. dealer (such as getting a "gut" feeling as to how the car was treated & cared for by meeting prior owner). Try to get AS MUCH paperwork on the car as possible, and if going through private owner, get a pre purchase inspection done. Purchasing from a private owner you may be able to get more information on the car than via dealer, and a better price. That is not to say purchasing from a dealer is a bad idea though. The only way the 355 noticably lacks power is if you compare it to an Enzo, F-50 etc...perhaps people were saying the 360 is faster? It is, but I guess its all relative- if your comparing the 355 to most Porsches (with exception of the 911 turbos), it is certainly not slow! As far as AMG, well the latest batch of V-8 AMGs are something that could keep up and yes in some cases out accelerate a 355 on regular street in a straight line. The SL55 AMG has 493hp and with an automatic is as fast as an F1 360 in the 1/4 mile. The new E55 is probably fast as well, but maybe a little slower due to 469 HP and maybe a little more weight (I don't know the full specs). At any rate, I would rather have the Ferrari, although it might be expensive to maintain if your going to be using the car for everyday. As a weekend driver, I would take the 355 hands down. As a daily driver, I would probably go with the SL. Finally, if you are looking for an excellent example of a 355 coupe with the few issues that 355s had fully sorted out, do contact Scott DeGhetto. I would trust him more than a dealer... Good luck! Andrew | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 353 Registered: 11-2002 |
Scott - You sure it's 12 years, not 7? Mine expires in January and I'm going to Shelton today to pick up some goodies. Will talk to them about re-newing it and how much it costs. | ||
| Troy Watts (Troy_watts)
New member Username: Troy_watts Post Number: 42 Registered: 9-2003 |
Scott, What do they charge for this warranty? | ||
| Scott DeGhetto (Scott63)
Junior Member Username: Scott63 Post Number: 168 Registered: 4-2003 |
My car had the valve guides replaced by the dealer... Also, Ferrari will sell you a warranty on a car up to 12 years old as long as it passes the certification tests. | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
Member Username: Kaz Post Number: 351 Registered: 11-2002 |
Welcome Greg - 355 is a great car...fast, exotic and civil enough to be a daily driver. Your numbers are correct and the performance is even BETTER from a rolling acceleration and top end rpm. Keep in mind that these are not 1/4 mile cars but highway screamers. You can buy either way..even if you buy PP and have it serviced at the dealer they will treat you as well as if you bought it from them.. I bought mine from a dealer and am extremely satisified. Some things for you to consider are that you may pay slightly more at the dealer, however there are some benefits. For example, if you research this site you know either car will need a belt change because of the 5 year window. After you agree on a price, tell them you want a full 30K service with belt change. Also have them do a leak down test to check valve guides. Tell them you want the factory warranty. A dealer can give a factory warranty on any car less than 7 years old. You get a seperate warranty book from FNA and it's valid at any F dealer in north america. Great peace of mind. Hope to see a pix soon. | ||
| Izel K. (Ferrarist)
Member Username: Ferrarist Post Number: 300 Registered: 3-2001 |
Scott i also love F355s and dreaming of buying one. Did you have a problem about "early wearing valve guides" that causes power loss. I heard some F355 had that problem. Was there a factory recall about it? | ||
| Chris Horner (Cmhorner17)
Member Username: Cmhorner17 Post Number: 323 Registered: 4-2002 |
F355 and LACK of power? Wow, during my time in one that certainly did not feel like the case. As for the AMG, I have driven a last generation CLK55 and a F355. There is no comparison. The CLK55 was a FANTASTIC machine, don't get me wrong, but the F355 was the machine I have never stopped lusting after driving it. Good luck with your decision and search  | ||
| Scott DeGhetto (Scott63)
Junior Member Username: Scott63 Post Number: 167 Registered: 4-2003 |
Greg, Buying a pre-owned Ferrari does not really help you in terms of the waiting list (at least it did not for me). I did buy my 355 through a dealer and the experience was great, but I would not rule out buying from a private owner as long as you get the car checked out. I have a 95 355 and a lot of 355 owners will agree that the 95's are stronger. If you are interested in a 1995 355B, I can point you in the right direction. | ||
| Brian Saligman (Brisalig)
Junior Member Username: Brisalig Post Number: 184 Registered: 8-2002 |
Greg, welcome! Yes those numbers are correct. The berlinetta I believe does it in 4.5 seconds. They are certainly not short on the power... Best of luck on finding your italian lady, Best Regards, Brian | ||
| Greg Derian (Greg_derian)
New member Username: Greg_derian Post Number: 4 Registered: 2-2003 |
Hi everyone, I have been reading posts over the past several months, and had a couple of questions I'd like to ask. I've been planning on purchasing a 355, hopefully a 1998 or 99. My plan was to go through a local dealer so I could establish a relationship and pay sticker on my next purchase. Do I actually need to go through a dealer? or would I be just as well off buying through a private party and having the car serviced at the dealership? I'd like to keep my options open, if possible, but do not want to pay over sticker on future cars. Also, Ive read about the 355 and a lack of power. I rode in a 1996 or 97 model and felt there was nothing but power. I did a search for some numbers, and found the ferrari official site shows a 97 at 0-60 in about 4.6 seconds. If that's the case, then that would be quicker than the current 911s. Are those accurate numbers? There was also discussion about AMG vs the 355 & 360, but quite honestly, living here in brentwood, california,which seems like the AMG & M3/M5 capital, most AMG drivers appear to be buying the little chrome plated letters on the trunk rather than the potential of the car itself. Let me also tell you guys that this is the most informative and interesting board I have had the pleasure of reading. Looking forward to becoming a participant in the, hopefully, near future. Greg |