GT3 nut looking at a 355 - help pls

Hi folks,

I need some help fellas. I now own a 997 GT3 and am loking at a 355. I've never owned a Ferrari and figure the prices of the 355 are too tempting to ignore. How much did the 355 go for in the 1st place? Also, I've read in a buyers guide that a few things are worth looking at such as valve guides. Does the '97 model have steel valve guides? I also learned about the cam belt. How can I check if the car I'm looking at has been tracked often? It's done about 20K miles. How many miles can these cars go before really costing much? Lastly,have the prices of the 355 bottomed out? Would they still half in ten years?

Thanks a lot guys.

 

Well, first of all, welcome to the forums. Have you searched the forums? When I got here I read all through the 355 forums and learned allot. Make sure you get the 355, 348 is outdated... *runs and hides.... start poking the 348 guys..... cuts an extra inch off Paps shorts*

search the forums for "PPI" that is the first thing you need. Look at the history of the the car, make sure it was well taken cared off. Valve guides I have no clue on. Most tracked cars will be soled as one....i think.

Enjoy the ride

 

355's are great cars, but you've got to pay to play.


Don't expect Porsche maintenance costs on a Ferrari, much less the muscled-up 355 (tweaked to within an inch of its life). You can't just change the oil and expect a Ferrari to be good to go. It's not a maintenance-free German workhorse...it's an Italian passion.

You know, you go dating girls. The girl next door wants a beer and a hot dog for your first date. The Italian supermodel wants 5 star dining with A-list celebrities, and she's going to whine a bit if you don't give her enough attention.

There's merit to both girls, just don't expect your level of involvement and expense to be the same.

 

A 997 GT3 signifies some cash, and recently a "friend" of mine took his '95 355 at 130mph in a small, single lane tunnel and the sound was "apparently" beyond a thing of God. My "friend" got caught by the cops, and had to evade in a very quick and evasive manner.
For 66K$ this car is just insane. If you do get one, put a Capristo Stage 3 with Hyperflow cats on it, there is really nothing like it. Something words can't describe. Even with maintenance, it is a drop in the bucket compared to your probable housing/existing vehicle costs. 355's are incredibly cool, and Nero (black) is the best color!!!

 

Welcome - as Xavior said be sure to search/read a lot here (manifolds, F1 pumps, power convertible tops, valve guides...)

IMHO, prices have not bottomed out, but the worst depreciation is done. You may already know that Ferraris with high mileage take a hit in value, so if you plan to put 10K miles a year on a 355 you will drive the value down quite a bit -- but have a lot of fun along the way.

As far as routine maintenance: Ferrari specifies a timing belt replacement every three years or 30,000 miles - plan on $6K+ for a major service by an independent mechanic, assuming no other issues. So the answer there is that your 355 will cost you dearly on a regular basis, probably moreso than the other V8 Ferraris.

That said, 355s still look great 8 years after the last one was made, and they do make some amazing sounds.

 

+100.....great sumation.........you should post more often Bullfighter....!!

 

You might want to jump into a 360 as it is more modern and the prices are creeping below $100k now. I was in the same boat and thought a 355 was for me but I ended up with a 360. BTW mine is for sale due to Family reasons, see link below:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=143&cat=2

 

How can one not want it?
Absolutely gorgeous!! And that's before you fire it up
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I almost did. Thank god I got the 355. I am picking up the CS in October but I will never get rid of my 355.

 

Well, you know, I'm shy about posting.

Car porn: the standard answer to Porsche guys considering the move to the wallet-battering world of exotics, lol.

 

!!

a CS to add to the 430 and 355???

Wise words ..........

........... lol...........I guess thats why you did not parade the 'nero metallico' in the contest......... now I will have to search for another 'nero' to vote for........

 

Oh, I guess you did not see the post. i was not able to pick up the 430 due to some problems with trusting people with borrowing your car *M3* and making the payments on it. then you get hit 4 months later with a court oder cause he never paid up. But that was taken cared of. Now the sites are on the CS.

 

Let me show mine too.... lol
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Great pics there X !!! Too bad about the 430.... though I think the CS is a much better bargain and a true performer vs the full street equiped 430........BTW, that profile of your 355 has the coupe version growing on me........

 

Thanks guys for all your inputs...That's an awesome looking car Xavior! I wish there was one as good looking for sale here. That engine is a work of art. Man, the more I look at the 355's and the 360's the more I'm salivating like Pavlov's dog...grrrr...someone is offering a '98 355 for US$125K and a '03 360 Spyder for US$190K. This includes import taxes which as you can see adds a lot! Anyway, what should be the price difference between the two?

 

man, i want to eat sushi off your engine!!!! It's so darn gorgeous.

 

Thanks guys. But all 355 are breathtaking.

 

+1000