Well guys, thought I had one nailed down, now need some advice- there are 3 in contention: the blue '97 with 50k miles on ebay, the gray '97 at Platinum Motor Sports in San Diego with 25k miles and accident history on Carfax, and a '95 Black with 29k miles and a salvage title and reported frame damage on Carfax (seller says no and PPI verifies). looks like blue '97 by far has best maintenance history, don't know about the gray one yet, and the '95 has had clutch and 15k plus various things such as tires, syncros, sticky stuff replaced, battery-but no verifyable 30k...... PPI on the '95 came out very well, with no issues involving the repairs- anyones guess as to why the insurance company chose to total this car..read a few posts here and everyone has an opinion--which makes this forum great... at some point I will be selling, so have to think about that as well, but when you start looking at one in the low 50's, seems it should be considered.. especially since I have a few others in the stable and spending 75-80 really doesn't appeal to me right now--don't drive the others as I should anyway... read a couple of threads on the blue one on ebay--lots of you made some good points regarding mileage and maintenance history---how 'bout some advice for someone that can't wait to put an capistro on one of these fellas? OR anyone have a 355 spyder for sale in the high 50's or low 60's?? I'm ready to roll if so!! gotta have that sound!!!
Well, I live in San Diego and if Platinum Motors is the place I'm thinking of it's not much more than an outdoor used car lot. I could be wrong, but... My gut tells me you're going to buy a money pit in this price range for F355 spiders right now. Moreso with the F355 than other recent Ferraris, I would advise you to buy from a knowledgeable dealer or get a known car from someone on this board (check FerrariAds). To give you some idea, I have seen really choice F355 Spiders at $80K-$90K. Choice 328s are $50K-$70K. If the budget is where it sounds, I'd nudge you toward a 328 if you like old school/body-on-frame, or a 348 (also $50K-$70K) if you like the roomier cockpit and need more power. I think you'll find lower expenses on the 348 and much lower expense on the 328 in the $60K-ish range. Sorry to be the bucket of cold water, but be afraid.
ahh the bullfighter...such a awesome pic..my wifes hero! preciate the advice, but no can do on the 328...will buy a 355 regardless....but at some point in my life need to have a budget.....saw a few Berlinettas and red spyders in the 70 range, just not the right color or top.... my Boxer is red and my 330 is red, but a black 355 to me is the nuts..... I get to drive my cars average of once a month at best, so a higher mileage well maintained 355 might work....but gotta have that sound bullfigher....kinda like your pic...you coulda used Sammy, but you chose the Chairman!!
Hmmm, hate to be that second bucket of cold water... What Bullfighter said made lots of sense. I wouldn't touch any of the above three cars especially you're already thinking about selling the car down the road. I don't think you'll really enjoy what a good 355 is to offer if you'd gone with one of those three mentioned. If have to have a 355 with budget of high 50's to low 60's then may I suggest looking for: 1. MY '95 2. perhaps a berlinetta 3. high mileage but with well documented service history and clean title (no salvage definitely) 4. perhaps be more flexible on colors (ext. & int.) When you finally find the right car, a good 355 will reward you many many times in return (and that is with a Capristo of course ). Good luck on your search.
My advice is you're going WAY too fast, taking chances on high mileage (blue) cars without documentation and cars with bad titles. There are NO good 355 spiders for high $50s-low $60s. Your're going to have to re-budget if you want the car this year. My advice is wait until January, seek out the nice documented cars with an ask of $75k, and offer $68k.
Have to take a few words to hand it to the man. No matter WHAT car someone is looking for, from a 1997 Camaro with 150k miles to a brand new 430, the man is quick to plug the 328 as the ultimate rig. If this guy had bought a 348 instead, the brotherhood would be such a political force GW would be conferencing with them on Iraq military strategy. Now where is our bodybuilding video
The 328 Syndicate is vast and its influence inexorable. You should get one to replace your minivan - the luggage compartment is amazing.
+1 But the real kicker is that you already have a Boxer - shouldn't that be taking care of your Ferrari engine-sound needs?
I'm with Bullfighter on this one as well.. 355's can already be pricey to maintain even if they are in great shape and the last thing you want is one that comes with problems... I can already see the valve guides in trouble not to mention exhaust headers... The cost of those alone would get you up to the price you should be looking in.. Save your money and time and buy one that has a good documented history.. I don't think every diaper change is needed, but you should be able to get receipts for the major services, oil changes etc. Anything else I would be very afraid of.. If something is wrong it will not be cheap!!! Daily driver or not be careful.. But I can understand that siren song the 355's engine puts out, and yes it's calling you, I can hear it too... She's very intoxicating, she's you're friend, she'll take care of you, but were here to keep you from crashing into the rocks...
good advice shark01---that's the problem with being type A..or obsessive/compulsive..or whatever you want to call it..found a couple of Berlinettas, but have my coupe fix with my 993TT--will take a chill pill and renew my valium prescription....thanks
seems like it should, doesn't it?? but that flat 12 cannot come close to the F1 sound coming out the ass end of that 355--do love it though!!
preciate it!! I've talked to James at Norwoods here in Dallas and also read a million threads on the inherent problems of the 355---seems like the 49k mile car on ebay at least has a good documented history of service....Norwoods has seen their share of valve guide fiascos on low milage cars, as well as header problems and dash shrinkage--but I could increase the budget with the right car--guess patience IS a virtue-although waiting just sucks! I want it and I want it now!! course it's been raining here in Dallas for about 5 years it seems, so what's my hurry? been listening to that damn youtube with all the 355's racing up and down the street with tubis, capistros, ansas, etc....Oh well, it's valium time............
I'll sell you my Spider for $54k - no accidents & all receipts But you'd have to step up to the 348 lifestyle
I have an idea for you. Go to the Keis-sieg website and listen to a 348 with one of their exhausts.......it really sounds very close to the 355. That would solve several of your issues. You could buy a good one right now, and the maintenance cost is less.
I agree and you should pony up more $$$ for a no stories 355, get one of these cars thats had a hard life and you'll end up putting the same extra$$ into it to make them right and end up with a story car still. Concerning the exhaust note, my carb BB is much louder than my decatted 355, both sound different but still Ferrari though, I really cant hear the 355 well unless under an underpass or next to a sound wall vs the BB echoes in the car, granted carb BBs are louder than BBis. Get the 355 though they are a perfect companion to a BB, incredible performance and handling and the a/c works
thanks wingfeather-348's a good looking car, but just like the ass-end of the 355 a bit more....looks like my budget is going to go up (as usual)
hey J.P.--long time no talk--didn't know ya had a 355--met you on the Boxer channel--don't get me wrong..I love the BBi sound, but the 12 just doesn't sound like that 8---and I understand the budget will have to increase (doesn't it always)--
I agree they sound different, the 355 sounds awesome and different than a 12 thats why they compliment each other well.The 12cylinder BB and 355 are 2 of the greatest sounding Ferraris ever, nice to have both.
In the end you will be happier that you did... I know the wait can drive you crazy but just wait until you get out for that first drive!!! The 355 has the three qualities that make it a soon to be classic... Automotive artwork in motion styling, increadible performance for it's time, and that sinful engine exhaust note... Good thing I drove my spider in to work today!!!
Buy a 348 like the previous f-chatter mentioned. I had three 355's looked at by a professional and the sellers all said they were in excellent condition and they were in much needed repair. I hate those valves. Darryl
just listened and watched a 348 on club348.com site....not too shabby--this guy is ripping up and down a stretch of highway and it sounds pretty sweet.... but it's hard to resist a 8500 redline!! Holy Crap!
