Anyone know this 355 Spider?

Hi Luna!

I would ask if they any of the past service records for the car and you are correct in getting Ferrari to do a PPI. The only thing I have heard with the 355 is to check if the valve glides/guides are good and the exhaust headers are ok. Both are big repair bills on the 355. I know I could not buy one but it does look nice, even better with the service records and a proper PPI.

All the best!
Terry Jones
Ottawa, Canada

 

I paid $60,000 for my US car 2 years ago....it's seems about right if it's in good condition. Landed with a PPI, shipping,duties etc, it cost almost $79,000. My cautions are more concerning the importation and registration of your car.

You need to have the daytime running lights activated (pretty simple) and a recall clearance letter issued. This is where Ferrari makes it very costly to go through them. They quoted me $5000 to have the car "certified to Canadian standards" ( DRL's) and a further $2,000 to issue the recall clearance letter !
You may want to have a PPI performed at a US Ferrari dealership before you purchase the car. They can run the car's VIN through their Service computer to see if all recalls have been taken care of.


Ask your GM dealer about these issues.....and how they will handle them....it's up to you to do your homework and know what is required.

Good luck with your purchase....I have enjoyed every minute of driving my 1999 355 Spider !

 

17K for a major? Hot damn...

 

Congratulations!

Thats an awesome 355 Spyder. I don't think you can go wrong for $59,900 if it is in decent shape. Just make sure the clutch and all other tranny/engine bugs have been looked after. You don't want to dump another $15k into the car after you drive it for 6 months.

I can't believe the deals available in the US... Makes me think everyday about picking one up myself. (355 or 360 ?)

 

I would definetly post this in the NY section if you havent already. I bet someone there knows this car. Wont hurt to ask.

Best of luck with the sale.

 

Hi Luna,

Just had mine inspected for the RIV program couple weeks ago! Any RIV issues can be performed when you get your car home by someone you trust. On my 1995 F355 spider... There was only a few issues that required attention to pass RIV inspection at Crappy Tire - CT has the contract with the RIV program!

1. Daytime running lights. It is an easy mod, get your fog lights wired up for inspection, you have option to remove after so you do not burn them out quicker.

2. Clutch safety switch. Clutch pedal has to be down to start the engine. This also wasn't a major issue and can be removed. let me know if you would like any info on this device!

3. The airbag safety warning on passenger side sun visor has to be translated and posted in French. I also have this translated.... I printed it on a piece of paper, laminated it and temporarily stuck it to the visor for the inspection. Let me know if you need translation.

Despite what the RIV technician tells you, the child safety restraint is not required on a convertible. If he asks, tell him to read the fine print on his paperwork!

In regards to the recall clearance letter:

A carfax will state if there is any outstanding recalls on the vehicle. There was only one outstanding on mine at the time I printed the Carfax. The fuel block recall was performed in the US before I brought the car home. At the border they accepted the Carfax report stating only one recall was required and the service invoice from the Ferrari dealership stating that the outstanding recall had been performed.

Sounds like a good purchase..... Good Luck!

Feel free to send me a PM to request any further info.

 

Good day Luna,

I found the following ad for a 1995 355 Spider in BC that you might be interested in. I know nothing of the car or the seller, but happen to come across the ad.

Given that the car is already in Canada (I am assuming given that it is being offered by a BC dealer), you would not have to deal with any of the RIV issues, etc.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/ctd/2424175922.html

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$65,000? Sweet! Red/Tan/6spd with fresh service and new P Zero's...is this a Canadian car?

I can't believe you can buy a 355 Spyder, for $5000 more than a 328 !

 

i know - but its because of the service cost on these, the Tr and the 360 , and 348 - these cars are taking a beating ... i bet you the 430 wont hit as low as these cars because of the service for the belts. I know this one guy with a 355, he is gettign a bill for the headers on his 355 plus a service, and is crying -

I know im gonna feel the same next time the TR is gonna go in - getting a full service bill and fixing some odds and ends costing you close to half the value of the car is a piss off. I think im gonna drive the TR until the belts snap - where there is a 45K TR , or 30K TR with a blown motor really doesnt matter nowadays anyway. Too many of these sh,t boxes around now.

 

Thanks sent him a message for more info, and I have to admit red is my first choice.

 

Very true...I'm always contemplating buying an older 355 or 360. My head is spinning because I keep seeing some good looking cars pop up on Ebay and Autotrader, all for under $99k. Then I see a 1995 355 Spyder Red/Tan 6spd with Tubis for $65k...and I'm drooling.

But then think about 3 years down the road when my repair bills will come in, $5000 here, $10,000 there...it would be hard to sneak that money out of the bank without my wife knowing,.. then me (and the car) would definitely get the axe at that point.

I also wouldn't mind picking up a nice 430 Coupe, there are some Canadian cars lying around for $120-$150 (cheaper in the US?) I might be able to get away for a few years without the tricky service and huge bills.

 

Good day,

Yet another one... This one is in Montreal and asking $61.9K CAN

http://qc.kijiji.ca/c-autos-et-vehicules-autos-et-camions-1996-Ferrari-355-Spider-W0QQAdIdZ284747268#

Cheers,

Sam

 

Good day Lucas,

You and BR make some valid points. However, at some point no matter what car you buy, there will be service costs and/or depreciated costs. Even buying a newer BMW/Mercedes will set up back some $$$ for doing service and after 5 years the resale value will also make you sniffle. Look at the M5's or even X5's ... after 3-4 years one takes a really hefty depreciated hit... As for the cars you mentioned... well... it is true that a major repair cost can be very expensive, but you are assuming a major repair before it has actually occurred. Indeed, it can happen, but then again it can happen with any car... an engine/transmission can go sideways on any car and the costs to repair, even on average cars, are quite expensive. Personally, I balance my car wants with what I can afford and not worry about the extreme case. If I did, then I would just drive any old cheap car and scrap it if something major went South. Lastly, remember that you only live and are young once and so it is best to enjoy both when and while you can!

Cheers,

Sam

 

hahahahahah bwahahaha! Where was that thread - stories dealers tell?

Life's short, realize you're looking at a long-term maintenance spend and depreciation is almost certainly continuing. 355 spiders were $180k cars 5-6 years ago.

 

Hi Sam - hope all is well at your end amigo !! Go Van Go !!!

My issue lately is, the m5's x5s and the likes you mention, at least you can drive every day - a TR - is horrible for everyday .... its a hard pill to swallow driving one of these cars maybe 3,000kms a year and the value keeps dropping, but the services do not...

and quiet frankly, a TR, 355, 348 in power for the money and maintence cost ratio you are better off to by a used Jag r for the same money - Drive it everyday, and faster .... some of these are getting long in the tooth now ... and with so much choice in the market fighting for the same dollars .... its no wonder TRs, 348s,550s and the like are almost worthless.

You really have to love one of these cars, cause if your hoping to fall in love with it after you buy it ... you wont .... they will be just another expense - This is why i always push to buy the best car you can afford up front ..... cause if you dont like a great TR or 355 at $85,000 then your not gonna like a $55,000 car with a $25,000 repair close behind either ...and you still have a rough car.

Im starting to lean more to the m5s

 

I know for me personally the reason I am ready to accept the expensive service(s) is I know every time I open my garage door I will smile, and every time I go for a drive I will feel like a 12 year old kid. No other car makes me feel that way.

 

Good day TJ,

I would appreciate that you clarify you post with a retraction, as for some reason you have quoted me with a comment I never made and secondly I am not nor have I ever been a car dealer. I only post the ads I find through my daily search for another car to add to my bucket (car) list.

Cheers,

Sam

 

Good day BR,

Indeed, all is well on my side, just a little tired from the long work hours. And I hope all is fine on your side of the World!

I only brought up the M5's as not to compare the practicality of one or the other, but merely to say that these cars depreciate fast and can be very pricey to repair as well. Indeed, you can get more "mileage" out of these cars given that you can drive them throughout our wonderful four seasons... but this was not my point or intent. I guess I worded myself badly.

As for the love of the car... that goes without saying ... Why else would you put up with all the idiosyncrasies ... That being said, I think that you can buy "smart" and into the right car and/or model and perhaps minimize the long term depreciated cost. Of course this logic goes out the window if you have a major failure, as the repair cost can be staggering. Thankfully, I do all my own service and repair and so I am in a good position from a cost of ownership perspective... not too mention almost a necessity (do one's own repairs), as the choices out this side of World are small... and now back to rebuilding (light) my carbs on my BB.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers,

Sam

 

Thats why i should have bought a BB instead of a TR

You too have a great weekend !

 

I was reacting to the quote from the add about these cars being good investments; nothing to do with anything you'd mentioned. Dealers can be quite amusing with their sales pitches. In no way would I position a TR/348/355 as 'rare and will only go up in price'.

My apologies for implying the words were yours -wasn't my intent, and clearly the words were never yours. I wasn't clear how to quote the add you'd quoted without implying they were yours.

My apologies for implying you'd said this; enjoy your weekend and the drives!

 

I looked into this ad and I don't know this car personally, but the dealer number listed in the ad (30695) is for this place:

http://www.trinityauto.ca/index.htm

No 355 Spider listed.

Googling the phone number from the craigslist ad turns up this F'Chat thread posted by F'Chat member "95spider" Sunny S. (same name in the ad and same phone number in the thread)...:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291904

 

Peter is right. He is a member here and has logged on as early as yesterday. Perhaps he has more info for us?

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/member.php?u=92367

 

Good day TJ,

Thanks for clarification! Most appreciated! I was not trying to be cranky, but I did not want anyone to assume I am connected to car sales... I say this, as I periodically find/post ads I find for others that are looking in order to bring to light some cars that may be reasonable deals and leave it up the person to do their due diligence.

Sadly, I have a sickness... I love autos of all years and models, but do have an affinity for the Italian ones... of which I would love to add more to my stable, but alas, acquisition is directly related to my available funds... However, it is indeed an adventure to look!

Have a great weekend yourself!

Cheers,

Sam