| Author | Message | ||
| Al LaPeter (Lapeter)
Junior Member Username: Lapeter Post Number: 89 Registered: 6-2002 |
Frank, The price sounds a little high to me IMHO. I just bought a 1996 355 spider. | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3981 Registered: 5-2001 |
Markt Watch: although I do not want to disclose the price I paid for mine (since I will be selling the car eventually) I paid for my 1998, 355 Spider red/black with 4,200 Miles less than what you have negotiated. Books, records, tools, cover (incl seat), has a little scratch on the lower right under bumper (parking lot scratch). The car is a EURO with federalized papers etc. | ||
| NGSVDO (Azspider)
Junior Member Username: Azspider Post Number: 105 Registered: 6-2001 |
I agree that Wm has a point to be cautious but at the same time, how do you decide what is a real story or a fake story. Either way there is a story as to why it was painted and only you can decide if it is right for you. I know that when it comes time to sell my car, I will have to tell the perspective buyer that the front bumper and the lower rocker were repainted for stone chip reasons. With 8500 miles I am sure I will be questioned. I have talked to many other owners in the club and have heard every story that you can imagine. From brand new cars with factory flaws to complete wrecks. The advice on this site is probably more advantageous to listen to the peole that tell you to beware but don't discount anything without the proper investigation. | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Junior Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 132 Registered: 2-2003 |
Just a quick note, some of these cars that have been hit and fixed are "notorious" and selling them, should you choose to do so, can be difficult! By notorious, I mean most people in the community know the serial number! | ||
| EFWUN (Efwun)
Junior Member Username: Efwun Post Number: 131 Registered: 2-2003 |
Frank, are all the gaps straight? Did you look under the car to see if there are any funny bumps or extra undercoating? Did you happen to notice if there were any marks on the fender bolts, or scratches around them? | ||
| Ghostrider (Threefivefive)
Junior Member Username: Threefivefive Post Number: 61 Registered: 8-2002 |
I agree with wm hart. It is awfully exciting to be around a 355, however it is important to try to keep your emotions in check and methodically review the car. Most cars, when they are sprayed up front to get rid of rock chips, are done so with the hood closed. There should be no impact to the inside paint job from this. So the fact that things don't look right on the inside may be a sign of deeper issues than just road rash. Perhaps I'm missing something based on your post, but given what you've written, I would certainly inquire further. Regards. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Member Username: Whart Post Number: 787 Registered: 12-2001 |
Are you guys being too quick to dismiss the possible reasons for a repaint (eg accident damage?) I would want to know the complete history of the car, not just the paperwork, but who serviced it, etc. Are you dealing with an authorized dealer? Are they willing to put their representations in writing? For that price, the car should be close to perfect, have belt service, close to fresh if not fresh tires, etc. There are plenty of 355s for sale; don't buy the first one you see. Check FML, the Car Experience WebSite, talk to a couple of the dealers who a regulars on this site, and while i haven't used it in awhile, you used to be able to locate cars anywhere within the dealer network thru the FNA site. Its easy to have a hardon for a car now, but once you own it if it has problems, you will regret not vetting it thoroughly and/or having exercised the patience in shopping it hard (not just for price, but for the right car). When you say "it looked great," that implies a visual inspection only. What about a proper PPI, including all mechanicals? And as Ricky can tell you, if you are a fanatic about paint, look at it carefully, under intense light, before you buy. Cause you will see all kinds of nits after the check clears.(Oh, yea, and what kind of mileage, as that can significantly affect price and resale value). | ||
| noel smith (Noel)
Junior Member Username: Noel Post Number: 86 Registered: 2-2003 |
Ricky, both were/are authorized dealers...go figure. | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 288 Registered: 8-2002 |
glad u liked that one kevin! :-) | ||
| Kevin Butler (Challenge)
Junior Member Username: Challenge Post Number: 112 Registered: 9-2002 |
"I decided buying my first Ferrari off of ebay would be like losing my virginity to a prostitute (no offense intended to anyone)" HAHAHA! LMAO! | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 287 Registered: 8-2002 |
I had watched the 355 market for a while, everything from e-bay to authorized dealers. I decided buying my first Ferrari off of ebay would be like losing my virginity to a prostitute (no offense intended to anyone) so I decided to go with an authorized dealer. I got my m3 from the same dealer but I don't think it mattered alot...They were asking $100,000. Car had full documentation, had the big 30,000 mile service done, and also had the soft valve job done. Moreover this was the exact car I wanted; I wasn't going to settle for anything besides a 1995 red/tan 355 GTB. I told him I had located an identical car from an authorized dealer on the West Coast for $85,000 final price (negotiated down from $90K) but I had to spend money to go out there and pay for shipping. Told him really didn't feel like flying to the West Coast so I offered $89 and he met me at $91. I didn�t even counter, just said give me the keys. I also found out that the previous owner who traded it in was given $95K for it so I guess they got him on his new car. I also wanted to buy the car form this dealer because I got three months warranty which I exhausted and will probably trade this car in for my next f-car when I'm ready. | ||
| Alex Lee (Alxlee)
New member Username: Alxlee Post Number: 39 Registered: 4-2002 |
Hey Ricky, What kind of approach did you use in negotiating? Sounds like you got that dealer to take a lot off their asking. | ||
| BJ (Bjkim)
Junior Member Username: Bjkim Post Number: 68 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rick, Thanks for the advices. I guess, I better learn how to negotiate the price rather than track the market.  | ||
| Frank (Fjt)
Junior Member Username: Fjt Post Number: 91 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks guys that makes me feel alot better. The car sounds awesome....Can't wait to drive it. Will post pics later. | ||
| Nick (Nick_wood)
Junior Member Username: Nick_wood Post Number: 71 Registered: 3-2002 |
Frank Ferrari paint is notoriously bad..my new 360 has quite a few imperfections..if you like it buy and drive it...many cars do not wear their original paint job. I know mine will not, the front bumper is sporting 5-10 scratches/chips that will be resprayed in 2004 Nick | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 286 Registered: 8-2002 |
noel, just curious...was the $15,000 spread a function of one dealer being authorized and the other non-authorzied? Or were they both non authorized? If 2 dealers bif you $15,000 difference that tells me there really is no market at all for these things but people are willing to pay premiums, no? | ||
| noel smith (Noel)
Junior Member Username: Noel Post Number: 85 Registered: 2-2003 |
Frank, i just got rid of my 99 355 F1 spyder(13k miles)....i traded it for a 360. the local dealer bid me 85k. another local dealer bid be just under 100k. i personaly think that 99k is too much for that car. there is a wide spread between the bid/offer right now and i think if you are patient you can save thousands. check out the dupont(all dealers), ebay, and call around the dealers...esp. non authorized dealers, they will help you make the market on this car.....GOOD LUCK! | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 285 Registered: 8-2002 |
Frank, sounds like a decent deal to me although most of the others will disagree 100%. BJ, when you say the real price what do yo mean? Alot of dealers will sit with a car until it sells for their price. So if a dealer is asking $95 USD you can probably get the car for $85 to $90 USD. When I bought mine in september last year the dealer was asking $100,000 USD and i paid $91,000 USD. | ||
| BJ (Bjkim)
Junior Member Username: Bjkim Post Number: 66 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ricky, I love to track the market!! because I will buy one this summer. The price of 95 F355s are about CAD $140K (USD$93K) in Toronto, Canada. And many of you said, fair price of 95 F355s are about USD $70K-75K. That's why, I ask for the real price of the car. you can see the difference in price between US and Canada, click the following link http://www.autoforum.com/inventory/index.shtml p.s the prices are in CAD | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 604 Registered: 12-2001 |
Frank, is it a spider, GTS, GTB? Miles? Martin is right, if EVERYTHING checks out don't worry about the hood being repainted. If you're planning on driving this car you'll be repainting it yourself in a few years. | ||
| Frank (Fjt)
Junior Member Username: Fjt Post Number: 90 Registered: 10-2002 |
We have negotiated to about $99,000US+ taxes. | ||
| Ricky Nardis (Rickyn_f355)
Member Username: Rickyn_f355 Post Number: 284 Registered: 8-2002 |
post the prices, this group loves to track the market! :-) | ||
| BJ (Bjkim)
Junior Member Username: Bjkim Post Number: 65 Registered: 10-2002 |
Frank, Where do you buy your car? And also can you tell me the price of that car? If you don't wanna post it here, Plz send me an email. I really appreciate it. [email protected] | ||
| Martin - Cavallino Motors (Miami348ts)
Advanced Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 3976 Registered: 5-2001 |
you think too much. Who cares if the hood had been re-painted. If you get a great deal and you like the car and it checks out visual and mechanical, go for it. | ||
| Frank (Fjt)
Junior Member Username: Fjt Post Number: 89 Registered: 10-2002 |
Went to visually inspect a 1996 355. Everything looked great except when I opened the hood. I noticed that the red paint along the top inner edge had not been completely painted around and under the inner trim. It was black speckled. He told me that since the cars are painted by hand that is normal. Everything else checked out great by the dealer mechanically. Love the car but I left a little suspect. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks |