Newbie here, looking to buy my first F355 - Help Wanted!

OK if you haven't already read the buyers guide in the master sticky index at the top and any other thread that looks relevant so you have good background beyond 'looks in great shape'

Not all Ferraris are maintained at main dealers (especially the older ones) so the records are trust, paper & PPI only (and even the official dealers service records are not fully inter-connected)

 

Hi Waynef355


I am in the same boat as you. I can tell you that I have been researching both the F355 and 360 Modena for over 6 months to date, and honestly I haven't been able to make up my mind. I have read all the buyer's guides (that I could find of course) on both vehicles. I have even made my own guide which brings together all the issues into one place for cross examination purposes (I'm a criminal defence attorney) on the vendor ;-) I regularly troll the FCHAT forums for information just to pick up an additional information. I can tell you what I have determined thus far.

Just when I think I have it all figured out, I realize I don't. For example, I had pretty much decided that I would be willing to pay a little more for a 360 (the price differential here in Canada is about 15-20K) in return for reliability and more modern amenities/looks. Then I read a thread yesterday which detailed a horrible experience for one of the members who had just moved to Australia when his cam timing variator let go just after having the car serviced in the UK, which resulted in about $13,500 worth of damage. I have also read that the exhaust manifolds fail on the 360 just like they did on the F355. So, at the end of the day, I have recognized that perhaps my perception that the 360 is a more reliable vehicle is not entirely accurate.

I had been leaning towards the 360 because the F355 is known to have several issues. Brass valve guides were used early in production (I think they started using steel during the MY97 run, but I can't remember). The brass was not well suited to the heat the engine generates, so these have to be replaced. The exhaust manifolds crack, and you absolutely have to replace them or engine damage will occur. It's not something that you can just accept. The catalytic converters fail, often due to excessive fuel being sent into the exhaust system. The convertible tops are notorious for failing to operate. Engine mounts have been known to break. The motors in the pop up headlights fail. The list goes on and on.

My understanding is that a PPI is absolutely necessary on both of these vehicles, but in particular, a compression leak down needs to be performed on the F355 to determine if the valve guides have started deteriorating. If you want a great example of an F355, check out the one being sold by a Mr. Clift in Kelowna B.C. by Motorwerke Kelowna. The vehicle is listed on Autotrader.ca as well as Kijiji in the British Columbia section. He is a Ferrari club member, and when he says that he has spared no expense on the maintenance of the car I believe him. When you look at the laundry list of items he has upgraded or replaced you will get an idea of what I am talking about. The price he is asking is much higher than some of the ones I am looking at out in Montreal and Toronto (going out there for the F1 race in June so I might pick one up then) but the work he has put into the car justifies to a great extent the price he is asking. Be sure to check out the Motorwerke listing of the car on their site because it provides more detailed information on what he has done.

Quite honestly, I think at the end of the day, you get a PPI done, check the service records and address the issues I have discussed, and then roll the dice. Both the F355 and 360 are getting "long in the tooth" now, and things are bound to fail in both cars. I am planning on setting aside at least 10K when I buy the car just for the unexpected. Hopefully I won't have to dip into it during the first summer of operation.

Good luck, and happy hunting!!

 

Smart man.. Let everyone fight for the Berlinettas and grab a nice vert. I wish I was that smart. They all look great. Make sure to get a PPI done. Good luck

 

#2

 

Heres a Berlinetta
Used 1998 Ferrari F355 F1 Berlinetta for sale in Naples, FL | Black Horse Motors LLC

 

At the end of the day, I think a lot of us are so used to applying "logic" in our daily lives with respect to the purchases we make, that we tend to forget that the purchase of a Ferrari (any model) is, in and of itself, not the most logical choice for a mode of transportation. Sometimes, "logic" isn't the engine that should drive your decision making process. The Ferrari automobile is about qualities that defy logic. It simply isn't possible to quantify the attributes that make us want to purchase the car in the first place. I guess what I'm trying to say, in an admittedly pedantic manner, is that we are doomed from the outset if we think that we can logically deduce which vehicle to purchase.

 

Well said.

 

"Just lean on the pen sir and it will all be over soon" then prepare for maximum pleasure and excitement!!

 

So true. That reminds me of the Top Gear episode where Jeremy Clarkson reviews the 355 and then buys it. At the end he is on his knees signing the papers.....hilarious.

 

"I would like to order it in greeeeee I will take it in red sir." Clarkson

 

"And thank you for taking my money and allowing me to purchase one of your fine cars" Clarkson J

 

Well done!!! Had me laughing out loud