Hello, this is my fist time posting and soon to be Ferrari owner. I need a little bit of advise on choosing a car. I am looking at a 1999 355 spider and I have narrowed my selection to two cars. Both seem to be in good condition, here are the basics: Car 1: F355F1 spyder. 7200 miles, service done Jan06 with belts, has center console sticky issues, otherwise in good condition. Asking 88k Car2: F355F1 Fiorano spyder. #11 of 100 (He says) 8500 miles. Service 3years old. Console and dash good condtiton. Has luggage, car cover. Also has carbon fiber. Asking 100k+ Is car 2 really worth the extra 12k+? How often do they need a service, regardless of miles? Any help would be appreciated.
Not sure about the F1 tranny on both of these cars......there have been alot of posts concerning issues that can be expensive. I am not famaliar with this transmission and related problems. If you are a collector the Fiorano may have some potential.....best investment for future sale, would be the 6spd version of the Fiorano. Both cars seem a little high...especially the Fiorano, but with used cars they are only worth what somone is willing to pay. There are alot of guys on this site that closely follow the market of the 355 series, and their input would be very valuable. As for the sticky interior and leather shrinking.....well if you don't have it now you are going to have it later. Buying NEW replacements is only a temporary fix......hundreds of FChatters have effected a permanent cure for some of the sticky parts. The leather shrinkage may be somewhat resolved with expert reupholstering. As for service/maintenance, do a search.....it is pretty well documented on this forum.
Unless you're planning to keep mileage very low or as a museum piece otherwise I wouldn't get that fiorano car. Needs belt service, so price delta is now $17K--$20K. Car1 seems to be a better bet. Price seems fair. Sticky parts are easy to replace. Make sure you get a PPI before you jump. Since belt service was done in Jan'06, I would just change ALL fluids at this point. Again, a proper PPI will tell you much much more. Good luck on your purchase.
Thank you for the replys. What is a PPI? Pre purchase inspection? As far as the mileage, I will put about 5-10k per year, I want to drive the car and enjoy it, not have a dust collector in the garage. Does anyone have any feedback on what car 1 might be worth? Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-Ferrari-355-F1-Spider-7k-miles-Fly-Yellow-NEW_W0QQitemZ320124997861QQihZ011QQcategoryZ6212QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Thanks again
I'd go with the Fiorano, myself........luggage is worth about 2K and it's the FINAL version of the F335 just before end of production... Suspension and handling mods...it's more than just a dash plaque! Your money!
i looked around for more than 6 months before finding a nice 355 F1. the F1 is great and i have no problem with. The price in the first car is very low if the car is in a good condition which from the pics does not look like it. the center console has major damage which means that the leather around the dash and air bags must be shrinking as well. if that's the case stay away because you will have rough time selling it. The fiorano seem to be in the right ball park as far as the price is. you should be able to find a nice clean no story 99 f1 in the mid to high 90's but that's a perfect car with less than 10K miles.
F1 or 6 speed? Agree Fiorano 6 spd are rare as it was intial showcase of F1 tranny....and as warned are expensive to break!
This is the secone one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-Ferrari-355-F1-Fiorano-Spider-Yellow-Black-F355-F1_W0QQitemZ150128562350QQihZ005QQcategoryZ6212QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Yes, Pre-Purchase Inspection. Car1 looks to be a late (near end-of-run) production car (April 1999). It should have up-dated valve guide as well as updated (kinked up) bracket for fuel lines. I was told that late production cars have a revised version of fuel line brackets (it has a upward kink instead of completely flat as in earlier version). Maranello factory realized the lack of clearance with such flat bracket and potential for fuel lines to rub and leading to leaks/ruptures. Therefore a revised version was installed in order to gain clearance and prevent rubbing of fuel lines. My car was March'99 production and has such revised fuel line bracket. Back to Car1...I would offer $85K and walk if $88K is still not good for them.
Car 1 has the decals applied on the fender surface, car 2 has them indented. Were the ones on car 1 an aftermarket or is this normal? Also, thanks for all of the feedback, you guys/girls are great, much appreciated!
What's it worth is up to the buyer. For me, my bid will top out at $88k for that car. Given it passes a clean PPI.
Ran the carfax which looked clean...4 owners. Should I be worried about the # of owners or is this normal? Is there anything else that i should be aware of?
4 owners on a 355 is a little high but wouldn't scare me if price was average to low. I think I am the 5th owner of mine. Others agree or am I crazy on this?
