Another example of a nice car that's not $80K

Dave,

I agree. It is priced correctly. No mention of services (assume it needs everything) stock headers, 1997, sticky interior parts, funky amp and stereo stuff etc etc.

At 55k with 30k miles, it's priced fairly considering it will potentially need 20k+ worth of work.

Buy this one for 55k, or buy a sorted example for low to mid 70s.

I've said it many times. There are 2 markets for 355s...

Those that have the issues fixed, and those which haven't. The delta between the two is often greater than 20k.

 

I don't think there's much debate about the headers. The factory ones are defective and will ultimately need to be replaced. If ignored, it can cause more internal damage to the engine.

You admit it likely needs a service, interior stickies addressed, headers and a FOB. ($5,000-$8,000 for the service, $1500 for stickynomore, $2500 - $8500 for headers, depending on brand, and per your post, $1,400 for a FOB).

That comes out to anywhere between $10,400 and $19,400 in work, and this is just from looking at pictures online. Who knows what happens once the motor is out... H20 pump, alternator, CV boots etc etc.

This 55k car is quickly becoming a 70k+ car. Sure, it could be bought and enjoyed as is, but personally, I wouldn't do that.

Look, 355s aren't cheap, but, IMHO when fixed correctly, the known issues are unlikely to occur again.

Also, you're an owner now... Stop trying to talk down the values!

 

Guilty. The right cars are worth the money. I'm a believer, and I don't think I'm alone.

By the way, you didn't address my post that this clearly isn't a 55k car once all is said and done.

 

If a major has been done recently, it is usually advertised as such. The cars that have no mention of a recent major service almost always need it. This is a 70k car once brought up to snuff for sure.

 

From everything I can see or lets say those who took the photos allow me to see, this car has more miles on it then the ODO says.

 

+355

 

No issue to debate on the OEM headers. They are well designed but are made of poor steel. This continued on with newer models.

 

The cars that always tend to bring the higher dollars are the ones with very low mileage. It is a tradeoff. 30K is low mileage for most cars for that year, but with a Ferrari or an other exotic it is a different story.

 

I emailed the dealer with a list of questions. Have not heard back from them yet...

Robb

 

We don't have much info to go on with this car. Usually if the ad doesn't mention much that means it needs everything.

I've spent $17k on my 98 since April 2012. The dealer I bought it from spent about $11k on it right before I bought it.

I could have spent a little less. In fact I probably could have driven it for a few years without getting a major service done but I'm not the type to skimp on maintaining a Ferrari.

Little things can make a big difference with these cars. If the PIN code comes with the car you can get three new Fobs for about $500. If the code is lost it will cost a lot more or you can get some clones made.

 

I would leave the headers alone if it had high flow or no cats, otherwise it's a matter of when, not if. Deals are out there, but I think thus car is 5k too high if it needs a major. If you are handy you could sort this car for 8-10k, if not add another 10k.

 

Something looks off in that car, especially in the pictures of the rear:

Is it sitting lopsided, or is the camera angle off? Seems like it's listing to the left quite a bit...

 

Sales people were not picking up their calls so I Emailed the sales manager yesterday 7, yes 7, questions on the car including if it was a consignment or if it was a dealer owned car. Got one answer.

"We own the car.

Thanks,

Jeremy Williams
Sales Manager
Straight Line Automotive Group LLC"

So they either:

1. have sold the car already and he has no time for me.
2. don't know ANYTHING about the car and he has no time for me.
3. are looking for an uneducated buyer and he has no time for me.

I would have thought a "give me a call to discuss your questions, I'll try to find out in the meantime" or "sold the car but happy to find you another one" would be in order. My mind must be stuck in the 50's...

To the owners of Straight Line. Good luck with your business model.

Robb

 

Dave and Robb, here is the "other" perspective.

If I were a seller and happened to be on this forum reading this thread, I would have clued in that neither of you are a serious buyer of this car. Your email would be just to find more information to entertain a "value discussion" on the web.

If I had such notion, whether it is true or false, I would pass on your questions as a waste of my time and wait for a more serious buyer.

Just another thought ...

 

Let it not be said I don't tell the full story,,,

This just now floated across my email.

"I am still researching the service history. The only record i have so far is the 15k service, some exhaust repairs, and new tires recently.

Thanks,

Jeremy Williams
Sales Manager
Straight Line Automotive Group LLC"

So either Jeremy read our thread or I posted prematurely.

I plead guilty to jumping to conclusions and will sentence myself to some hail mary's...

Robb

 

I will wholeheartedly disagree with your statement. I am actively looking for the right 355 for me and am a past owner of an F-car. I'm not a poseur.

I have been in talks with several F-chatters about buying their cars that are not actively listed for sale. I have talked to several dealers although because of the sales tax issue, I have a bigger ($6,000) incentive to buy from an individual rather than pay that to the tax man. There is zero sales tax in AZ if you buy from an individual. My wife would like that I buy a red 355 - I am partial to blue.

So it is all up for grabs for the right car color and price to be determined.

As a public service, I try to find out info for cars for sale, some I am interested in, some not. I would be interested in this car but wanted answers to my questions. Some I can live with, some are deal breakers.

I like to be entertained as much as the next guy but in the case of finding the right car, my intentions are quite honorable...

Robb