Talk me into (or out of!) a 355 Spider!!

I definitely support "in". Styling, handling and the sound the sound the sound. One of the best cars on the planet imho.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1_U8IaO_Y9Y

 

Just do it you live once

 

well if you're able to do all your maint up to potentially engine outs yourself, that's more the half the battle right there.

in terms of the car, can't get enough of driving it.
after 2 years, enjoyment has not worn off one bit.

 

You like the car, you can do your own work, and you can afford it. Seems like you answered your own question.

 

I'll take the plunge and try to talk you out of the Spider. Go for one of these:
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This is the car and the guy who convinced me to go black tan (less challenge wheels) when I wanted a red tan (which I have now also)
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Do it!

 

Hi Dave, how are you? Glad you went black/tan for your first, and red/tan second?
Car looks amazing btw, I need to fly you out here to do a paint correction lol!!

Oh, and I still have the stock wheels which I prefer, just wanted to mix it up a bit. 9 years wearing the same shoes got old.

 

I'm doing well, thanks and I hope you are also.

I literally took the photo of your car at the ocean (side shot) and did the same of the red tan I was looking at and placed them in the same photo, one on top and the other below. I stared at that picture for a few days and then I bought the black car which I love.

As far as a paint correction, it's easy to do but it takes time. Sounds like a good excuse to see SF

 

That's interesting, glad I helped sway you to the dark side. If you've never been here it's definitely a must, seriously different from anywhere else in the world. I need my vents done
so will be sending you those soon, maybe you can fly them back out to me!

Sorry for the thread jack OP! To answer your original question more broadly, any sorted 355 is amazing.

 

Dave,
Fly out and meet the local guys. There are a few of us into cars....

For the record, I have owned only 1 black car, and never again. Too hard to keep clean. Plus that Maserati Biturbo brings back bad memory.

 

Guy, when I stop working 7 days a week, I'll take a trip as it would be great to meet you guys. I own 3 black cars right now and you are correct - very high upkeep but when clean they look awesome

 

NOTHING like tooling around back country roads in a manual shift 355 spider. Except for maybe a 250.



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Yep! Exactly what Jeanne and I did yesterday for 4 hours and a stop for lunch by Long Island Sound.

 

Exactly what the car was made for

 

Well I'll chime in. The OP asked about a spider not the others.

Went on a 15 mile ride to dinner last night with the top down of course. Beautiful night, windows down, no roof, perfect.

You'll enjoy your spider on nice days and not so much with the top up. I rarely use my car with the top up so that tells you the weather I drive it in.

I say go for it.

 

This is one of the Ferraris with a removable power unit. The rear frame section unbolts from the front frame. And then the whole engine, transmission, rear suspension, brakes, etc. drop out as a single unit. A lift makes this much easier. Once the power unit is out, it's fairly easy to work on. Make sure to replace the timing belt when you have the unit out.

I've seen these cars fairly reasonably priced right now. I would get a stick. You can't pay for dealer service with average pockets. Working on the car is half the fun, for me anyway.

 

When buying a car two criteria, form and function come to mind consciously and unconsciously. We select our vehicles based on our need; work commute, kids/toys hauler, grocery picker upper.....etc. Most vehicles can do many of these things. Then there are the few sport cars and specially exotic ones. Their primary function is thrill, fun. In the case of a Ferrari, it is exactly that. I would never buy a Ferrari with the main intention to do anything other than fun. And when it comes to form, the 355's arguably the most beautiful car in the history of automobile and I don't imagine any car more beautiful in the future unless it's a carbon copy. My opinion is mine but it comes from someone who owns an e30 M3 and an e31. I get positive compliments on these cars all the time from strangers.

So the 355's definitely have the form. That's half the decision making. Now You have to realize your main intended function (fun). Obviously you can afford it because you are considering buying one. I say pick one up and like someone says on here, "drive it like its stolen".

 

We are accustomed to associating high price with beauty. There are many old classic cars that command a very high price but beautiful they are not. Our unconscious thinking is tricked to believe it is in conforming with he mass. The 355's is not the most expensive or the cheapest but it's silhouette, an end perfection of its predecessors can only be imitated but never duplicate. Notice the styling on most sport cars even in the Ferrari lineup post 355's.

Note: my opinion expressed here is mine and not in any way an opinion of FChat or its members. If you disagree, feel please to elaborate.

 

Do it. Do it now before they appreciate in value even more. I love all of my cars for very different reasons, but the F355 is pure joy in every way from my perspective.

 

A 355 spider is sexy when its top down and yes ....she is high in maintenance....just like any seductive gold digger

 

I have a red/tan spider. Love it. Go for it. If you are ok getting your hands dirty, most of the maintenance items become substantially more reasonable. I've had mi8ne for 3+ years now and I have spent maybe $4,500 total but that includes challenge rear grill for $1000. Biggest expense were to have Fabspeed re-core my existing Cats. Other than that, its only been fluid changes and tires. Something that you are going to have with any car. Looking at an engine out in another 2+/- years so that will add some cost but may do it myself so again more time than money.

 

Nice at the beach also
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