F355 on the market, Do you guys know this Berlinetta?

Hello,

I'm new to this community and I hope this is where I post a thread on a car I am looking into.

1996 Ferrari 355 Berlinetta-fully restored and serviced

Mileage: 33,687 miles

Location: Costa Mesa, California

ZFFXR41A2T0105115

I've owned a Mondial and 348 years ago and I'm a little familiar with Ferrari, driving Maseratis now and really miss the pure sport. I have not been involved in the Ferrari community online at all.

Will someone be so kind as give feedback, if you know anything about this particular 355?

Thank you very much,

Have a great day.

 

i can't give you any info on that car but i know someone (or many people) will chime in here pretty quickly and give you all the info on that car. This site is filled with Ferrari know-it-alls so it's a pretty cool place to be around. Good luck on the search, and welcome to the board!

 

Only thing I have is the assembly #22187 - And it is black on black...

 

Thanks for the welcome! Thanks for the assembly number, here is the listing

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-Ferrari-355-Berlinetta-fully-restored-and-serviced_W0QQitemZ270367912926QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item270367912926&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A-2|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Here is the carfax, looks like a 5 owners to me.

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
05/15/1996 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Corpus Christi, TX Registered as
personal vehicle
07/12/1996 65 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Corpus Christi, TX
Title #00022200050681903 Title or registration issued
First owner reported
Loan or lien reported
01/25/1997 Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Dallas, TX
Title #05743535442092914 Registration issued or renewed
Title or registration issued
Loan or lien reported
Passed safety inspection
08/28/2001 25,069 The Collection
Coral Gables, FL
305-444-5555
www.thecollection.com
ww.thecollection.co
m Vehicle serviced
02/13/2002 25,150 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Southeast Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle
CARFAX Xpert
Dealers routinely buy and sell millions of used vehicles at auction each year.
04/09/2002 Dealer Inventory
Florida Vehicle sold
04/09/2002 25,182 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Southeast Region
Listed as
a dealer vehicle

Owner Two Vehicle History
Purchased: 2002
Type: Personal
Where: Kansas
Est. miles/year: ---
Est. length owned: 7/15/02 - 5/9/03
(9 months)


Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
07/15/2002 Kansas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Title #L1708581 Title issued or updated
New owner reported
11/01/2002 25,909 Kansas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Leawood, KS
Title #M0149515 Title issued or updated
Loan or lien reported
05/09/2003 26,000 Dealer Inventory Vehicle offered for sale

Owner Three Vehicle History
Purchased: 2004
Type: Personal
Where: California
Est. miles/year: 1,460/yr
Est. length owned: 5/25/04 - 5/18/05
(11 months)

Topper


CARFAX Xpert Low mileage! This owner drove an estimated 1,460 miles per year, lower than the industry average of 15,000 miles. These vehicles can be a better value.

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments:
05/25/2004 27,648 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Los Angeles, CA Title issued or updated
New owner reported
Loan or lien reported
08/24/2004 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Los Angeles, CA Title issued or updated
09/01/2004 California
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Costa Mesa, CA Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location
05/18/2005 Dealer Inventory Vehicle sold
07/25/2006 32,352 California
Inspection Station Passed emissions inspection
04/01/2008 33,443 California
Inspection Station
Los Angeles, CA Passed emissions inspection
04/02/2009 33,687 Online Listing Vehicle offered for sale

If they go through auctions twice, you lose a lot of books/records/keys, is this right?

I hope it's ok to post the carfax.

 

He says it wasn't in an accident, but it needed a new wind shield and a new paint job. hmmmmm RUN AWAY QUICKLY. Also have heard negative things about that dealer before.

 

That's what I was thinking, about the windshield, i spoke to him on the phone and he said he has before and after pictures of wear/tear from road pebbles... :S He suggested I speak in Ferrarichat!

 

Keep looking, I bought a 355 spider two weeks ago and looked for a year and a half, and am glad I waited.

 

Will do.

 

Here are the pictures the seller sent for the reason he did this work


http://s676.photobucket.com/albums/vv125/Fiercsm/355%20restoration/

Here are many more photos of the car:

http://s676.photobucket.com/albums/vv125/Fiercsm/Ferrari%20355/

Looking into the classifieds within this website. Thanks for your time.

 

Voila, you might want to ask about this car in the SoCal section - several Orange County FChatters know Edward and the car.

 

Oh Thank you so much! SoCal... I'll find it.

 

I don't believe the car has ever been washed with water because it never got that dirty and because Premier, who did all the work, said it's best to just wipe the car down with quick detailer so you don't get water stains in crevices and such.

The car is extremely clean (which is why the owner didn't drive it much after the respray) - the owner has borderline OCD.

Premier's work is considered at or above Ferrari's level. You can always call Dave at Premier to verify the story. I would suggest doing a search on this forum to read about Premier's reputation.

 

You're welcome. I met the owner once a couple of years ago on a group drive and he seemed to me to be very particular about keeping his 355 in top shape. I'm sure someone who knows him will chime in.

Edit: And they just did!

 

Hi David,

I just replied to your detailed email with answers to all your questions. Glad you are doing your due dilligence! Let me know if I can answer anything else. By the way, the car has had 3 owners total.

Edward

 

WOW, has this car been sandblasted? Yes a new paint job has solved the problem, but I would RUN away form a car that has been neglected.

 

I would look at the car, it looks pretty pristine in the pictures.
Seats, Dash, Airbag cover, everything inside looks phenomenal!

 

Looking at the rear photos I noticed that it seems to have the stock exhaust and not the Tubi system. The stock unit has rolled edges and is shinier than
the flat stainless of the Tubi system. Also the Tubi system does not have rolled edges, but are cut off at a clean angle.

The e-bay listing said the car at Tubi exhaust. so either the listing is wrong of the photo is a stock photo??? who knows?

 

Hi,

My car definitely has a Tubi exhaust on it, I tried to take a photo of the side mounts which say "355" on them:

http://s676.photobucket.com/albums/vv125/Fiercsm/Ferrari%20355/?action=view&current=P1020517-1.jpg

Anyone who has heard the car knows she sounds incredible! Stock exhaust included as well, and I can always take a picture of that as well

Thanks,

Edward

 

I'd have a look as well. I won't avoid a car just because it's been repainted. Most of these cars have had paint work of some sort. These things are very prone to jealousy induced vandalism and road rash as is the case here. A little bump in the parking lot, no big deal. These are cars, they are meant to be driven and will incure some damage over time. When the damage happens repair it and move on.
Big damage such as a major collision is a whole different story. These cars I stay away from and would advise anyone to do the same.
A more important concern to me on a 355 is has the services been kept up to date and have the valve guides and headers been done.
Again, I'd go have a peak at this thing. whats the worst hing that could happen? You might end up with a beautiful nero 355 with fresh paint and good service history.
Most important IMHO is to remember that this is still a older USED car. It will not be perfect in every aspect and anything can and will happen.
Have fun in your shopping and don't forget if you're in a position to be looking to purchase a Ferrari you are truly blessed.

Just my $.02

 

........ and that is a great starting point ........

 

Nero berlinetta? If I had the money, that car would have been in my garage already. Mileage is good; owner seems as fanatical as me; don't care about the respray - hell, my car has been partially reprayed and who's car hasn't been at this point? Replaced windscreen? Only the most fanatical owner would do that unless it had cracks or divots, but there is no mention of an insurnace claim for that, so maybe the owner is just anal.

Bottom line - go look at it, take someone who knows about the cars, check the services, call the contracftors, PPI it then buy it.