It's funny when people on here say that a 355 is not a fast car..and they don't even have ONE...You have to remember that a 355 has a top speed of 186mph with headers and exhaust you may push 190mph. I have never had mine up that high,but i did have my TR up to 180mph and let me tell you that is FAST!!! There is not to many cars on the road that have a top speed like a 355.
I wish my lawnmower did sound like my 355. Then I could really annoy the neighbours on a Sunday morning...
Well that depends on what you have owned or driven previously. For me, I just couldn't justify the purchase because of the performance....for ME, it was too slow for a non-classic.
For those people who think that 'some other car is better and or faster', than that random 355 they test drove, then by all means PLEASE BUY that 'other' car! We don't really need any guys on here who buy a poorly maintained 355, feel misled, then later post on here, like we owe them the solution to all the problems their poor judgement brought upon them ... The 355 is most certainly not for everyone, I am actually kinda glad the 355 has a 'scary' reputation, that reputation acts as a sort of 'gate keeper'. It steers the easily deterred onto those 'other cars', that IMO are better suited to them. I have owned and driven a lot of those 'other cars', many of which were much newer, fancier, had a lot more cylinders, turbos and/or more power than a decent 355. However IMO a well sorted and well equipped F355 blows them all AWAY. A well sorted and well equipped F355 is the 'complete package' and is the result of the revolutionary F355 platform and the fanatical passion of the owner ..... that said ..... the F355 is definitely NOT for the 'casual owner' or the faint of heart .......
A Diablo or Countach has a scary reputation. So does an F40. A 355?? I don't think so. I love the 355, it is the best modern Ferrari. It isn't scary.
I waited many years to find out what an F355 was like, and from an 360 spider owners perspective here are my thoughts: Should you meet your heroes? The Ferrari F355 - elliottcaras.com I have to have one.
OP said he's set on buying a Ferrari. He should try 360 or if it's in his price range 430. 348/355 are finicky and not for everyone. Next generation is more refined . Many here will argue how much better the 355 is as far as look and sound . Totally subjective . Many love the look of 360 and I get tons of complications on sound. Speed my 348 was fast enough for me. I'm not suggesting one is better than other ,they are all sister from the same father. Bottom line, buy FERRARI!! And so us the pictures
I don't know if I would state that it "blows them away"... Sounds a little like something I might read on rennlist about a 1984 928 blowing away a C5 corvette. The traction control and electronic brake and stability control help things considerably on newer cars. lots of low end torque help... Totally agree that the gatekeeper is a good thing. Ferraris used to be for true auto connoisseurs. You know cars and this is the car for you. A little extra maintenance didnt scare them. It's the same as a Viking stove, used to be for professional chefs. Now nitwits that can't reheat Raman noodles have one in their kitchen. Same thing with the 355 and 348. Because the prices are sub-40k (348) for any example, people who don't know what a takeoff bearing even is are buying them and complaining it isn't like their Honda or Vette. I will have a 348 with my 360 in the future because its a great drivers car. You'd be surprised (or not) how many people who have never even ridden in one tell you that "they suck". Idiots.
I have always found it interesting that here on FChat it seems to come down to speed and sound. I could care less about the sound and don't need the speed. (Where am I going to drive at 100+ mph for more than a short blast if I don't track my cars?) I just like the effortless cruising the back roads of New England with with surgery like precision. Though I love my stable of cars, I actually miss owning a Miata. They were infinitely tossable and I never hesitated to turn down an unknown road for fear it would turn to gravel.
You mean you "couldn't care less".....if you "could care less" then you are saying it means a lot to you. Hate that misuse.
It's a US thing. I agree with you, but it means the same to them. I've actually found that around where I live, the 355 is PLENTY fast enough. Anything faster will likely result in death or prison. Having said that, I'd love a 458! It's the only car I'd consider trading the 355 for. But really, there is nothing which comes close to a 355 for looks, sound, and performance without going ultra modern. Sure, you can buy any old bogan-mobile and "do it up" so it's faster in a straight line, but so what?! Or you can buy a boring Porsche like your grandma.... Zzzzzzz... What would 99% of the population REALLY rather drive, and be seen in?
My 355 is the first car I've ever owned that I don't use the Stereo.....To not love the sound is just a shame. My only regret is that I leave most of the sound for the cars behind me to enjoy ;-)
Looked into it, my street is too short.... FWIW, also had the same issue with the 430. Seems like the first newer Ferrari that met all my goals was a Scuderia....defininate WOW on those drives. Don't know until you try something....the 355 certainly looks and sounds great. Understand the attraction for alot of people.
lotusk it is similar to "I should be so lucky!", in which the real sense is I have no hope of being so lucky. Remember over this side of the pond we speak a different language, American English, not UK English. We say Z4 as Zee 4 as opposed to Zed 4. What do you want? Were all just ungrateful Americans who bastardized the language and happen to have bailed you and the rest of Europe out of speaking German a few years back. Thank you every much for the constructive input (sarcasm intended).
Not that I don't like the sound. Just that I don't need it to enjoy driving. But you know that every time I drive under a bridge or overpass I down shift and step on it, if for no other reason than just to hear my wife tell me what a child I am. She actually prefers the sound of the 355 to the 308. She says when she gets out of the 308 she can't hear. I say huh, did you say something?
I was underwhelmed on my first drive of a 355 also. I came from having a couple 997Ss also. It takes a while to understand how to drive a 355 after coming from Porsches. You have to get used to keeping the revs high. Once the owner of the shop I take mine too showed me how to drive mine I understood. A 355 may not feel as fast off the line as a newer 911S but it will surprise you with a kick in the seat when you are shifting at 7500 rpm plus. Don't so that until it's had a good warm up though.
When I go from 1st to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd at 8K + RPM, I chirp the tires and the jolt is so violent that it blurs my vision...
Mine is an F1. When you get into the 7000+ range the shifts are way faster. When I first got mine it surprised me once. It shifted and accelerated so fast when I was passing someone that I almost ran into the car in front of me. I wasn't expecting that kind of acceleration.
