New 1995 F355 Berlinetta 6speed owner

Wanting an F355 since they first came out I found myself a bit envious of more senior colleagues who bought them new back then. The 1995 for many is considered a great year with the detraction of the valve guide issue that lingered into 1997. There are quite a few "enthusiasts" that say the manual is the way to go, and since my other car already has flappy paddles and would spank an F355 back to the 90's the decision was to go the way of the 6 speed. That glistening ball atop the long neck down to the shift gate has always been a dream.

Lurking on the site for the last 9 years gleaned a wealth of knowledge. This isn't the first attempt for an F-car but this time was success with no others around to swoop in and snipe it.

The market is all over the place with some cars that maybe should be parted out, oh the blasphemy, and others with owners that are very proud. This particular example came with the clean carfax and PPI among other things but none of the add-ons like the books and covers.

Maintenance records going back about 10 years were procured as well as some other data including mention of steel valve guides and at least 2 other major belt services.

There are also a few modifications of which most will be reversed over time with the goal of bringing the car up a level. It will take some doing to get this to some very high standards and that in itself will be entertainment, a hobby.

Notable previous cars include a highly modified E36 M3 BMW, a Porsche 996, and the current (and modified) BMW M4. The F355 is for the fun, the sound, the history, and the legacy. It will never keep up with the daily driver and that is why the 6 speed was chosen, it is to be an enthusiasts car.

Having never driven a 355 was a bit nerve racking. Lambo, 458, Mclaren sure, but I had only sat in a 355 once before for maybe 3 minutes and it was a GTS. Reading about the off center set of 3 pedals and even sitting in an F1 does not necessarily prepare one for the driving experience. The first drive from the transport truck was a bit goofy but adjusting the seat and steering later, helped make the experience more natural.

Got the car yesterday.

I'd like to thank many people on this forum and most notably:
Sherpa23
Dave Rocks
yelcab

Here is a picture.
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Ok, just joking....

Here is it coming out of the truck in the light rain when picked up. Followed by a pic an hour ago in the sun.
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TODAY
Hood and Bonnet Shocks - Put $14 a pair equivelent (thanks to research on fcaht) on the bonnet but they have crazy large white logos and so I bought OEM for the engine hood. The bonnet ones were a pain to replace due to the angle and clearance. Note I type for a living so changing the oil is probably a challenge for me so take that with a grain of salt.

Shift ball and center console - Replaced the aftermarket shift ball with a factory ball that had been polished as well as a brand new ashtray to replace the carbon fiber one that came with the car. The cigarette lighter R&R was a challenge but a google search set me straight.

Floor mats - I ordered an original generation used (9/10 quality) set as I knew the car was coming with aftermaret ones that where just a bit much for me. When I got the car and took the aftermarket ones out, I found that the originals were still in the car and were 8.5/10 condition so I left those and will store the extra sets.


WEEKEND
Exhaust Valve - may be bad or I just don't understand how the car should sound with it open. I'll test it tomorrow thanks to the help from Dave Rocks and his youtube video and other communication.

Pedals/foot rest - Bought the dead pedal and passenger (355 in black, script) foot rest and probably will put those on.

Battery charger - Bought a CTEK 7002 and will wire that up.


FUTURE
Pedals - probaby get the HE pedal set to match the dead pedal

Exhaust - Have Tubi (which is great) but want Capristo.

Rims - Probably will get Champion RG5 or similar mesh rims in 19"

Stereo - Might get a new deck that does MP3s, has a bit more power and MAYBE bluetooth. I will replace the speakers and put a bit (5lb) of dynamat behind them.

Carbon Fiber - I may remove the door sills that are CF now and get factory pieces. Also I need to find a factory ebrake handle grip as this car has a CF one.

Shields - Gothspeed CV boot shields and custom engine mount shields


CLEANING
If you know me, you know I can be nuts. I use air to dry the car and only use special microfiber waffle towels to "dab" any residual water. Towels rarely ever are moved accross paint. I have some super high quaily MF (fluffy ones from S. Korea) that I will sometimes use but that is rare. I plan to do the interior first by taking out the seats, full carpet clearn, steam and clean the seats, leatherique the seats and all the leather, etc.


GOALS
Resale - I want this to be at the level of say, a "Dave Rocks" car or similar where if I ever needed to, I'd have "the car to buy". Books, covers, tools, and factory pieces will round out the car.

Look - Sure, mesh wheels and some hill engineering and a capristo but the goal is for the car to seem fully factory to a laymen.

Here is a picture of the new ashtray, shift ball and original floor mats.
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Ok funny story. So I drive to the license and tabs place to title the car for my state and register it. I parked 10 spots from the first spots closest to the strip mall. I come out 10 minutes later and less a bag full of cash and these yahoo's park right next to me. Note, all the rest of the much closer spots were still open. Seriously? lolz fun stuff.

Oh an for all you lucky folks, in some areas of my state the Sales tax on a car is 10.4% and that is plus about $280-350 in registration fees and public transport taxes ... oops I mean fees. Luckily mine is more like 8.5% and 1/3rd the registration. Yeah, in any event that was a fun check to write.
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Yes but neither of those are my cars. I don't park my car like that corvette. There are too many people with gunracks here But then, I'd park farther out and not in the spots up front. Then again, people will then park out farther with me I guess. While the jeep is an ****** the corvette is the bigger ******.

In my area some places have super small spots and other have double painted lines for the parking to give people enough room to fully open their doors. I only go/shop at the later and I tell the proprietors that I like their parking just so they know there is value.

 

One more pic for the night. Here is my car yesterday, safe at home in my overstuffed and small garage.
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I wouldn't say the wheel color is fixed, it just looks good on film. They are a silver in person but will need to be refinished to be correct. I assumed there would be a few things to fix including this.

Already took out the aftermarket floor mats, shift ball and carbon (and sticky) ashtray. Fixed the gas struts for the bonnet and hood, and have a shelf of other parts with a list of other items to order soon. Nothing major though.