Desirability on 355

Hi Forum

Researching cars to buy I have come across a few models that differ and wonder whether they are more or less desirable/something to embrace or avoid.

1. Pre air bag or post air bag model?

2. The M2.7 control unit or the M5.2?

Many thanks

Garo

 

2.7 for sure and they come with an airbag in America.

 

Please explain this:

"2.7 for sure"

I realize you are referring to the '95s but for what reason?

 

94/95 (2.7) has

No alarm fobs - put a key in and go like the 348
No emissions problems with tubi / capristo and straight pipes
A more raw feeling (very responsive) motor
Ecu's in the rear engine compartment (instead of in the interior) so no pain in the ass threading of cables for engine out service...

Robb

 

I don't mind my fobs, if they ever act up I'll bypass them.
I have collector insurance, I don't have to deal with emissions.
My '97 is plenty raw/responsive enough for me. It also put down 4 more rwhp to the rollers than a '95 with similar miles (and Tubi headers).

I drove said '95 before and after I completed the engine out service. After degreeing the cams it definitely picked up some low/midrange punch but no discernible difference when jumping right into my '97.

I'm not a subscriber to the " '95s are better" newsletter.

 

I own both. Both are excellent in many ways. Don't drink the Koolaid.

95's are more raw. Lack of fobs sucks for door lock/ unlock. OBDII is much better than OBDI

Pros and cons to each. I love both. Later cars have better fitment as is natural with production evolution.

 

How do you not have to deal with emissions testing in AZ on your '97? You live outside of maricopa county?

Robb

 

We own both types also and agree. We like them all but make our own kool-aid.

Robb

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I'm in Tucson, Pima county. In AZ if you have collector insurance you are exempt from emissions testing. I delt it with it for my first three years of ownership and I felt I was gonna have a heart-attack (or end up in jail) because the techs kept rubbing their filthy mitts all over my paint (I don't even touch my paint) and swinging their keys around on lanyards in close proximity to my baby.

Grundy
Hagerty
American Collector
Etc

 

So you have a collector's license plate or just insurance or both? I will have to check it out.

Thanks.

Robb

 

Pick the color model you like
They are all good

 

If it says F355 in the back, buy it.

 

Im with Robb on this one. The differences I see are this,,,,No key fob and no alarm, one less thing to go wrong. The exhaust is easier to modify which means no cells or slow down lights, another less thing to go wrong. OBDI or OBDII, The 95 is OBDI and so what, you push in a button and read the flashes and you have the code. Takes a whole 2 minutes. Also the 95 is a gated manual shift versus a f1 car, another less thing to go wrong. And hes rite in saying theres a more raw feeling especially when you modify the exhaust,,,worry free I might add......Those are just the differences I see and id buy another 95 if I were looking, but all years all awesome. Pros and cons to both as they say

 

Since we are giving opinions 99 are the best and has to be F1, especially if you have never owned a ferrari. They have all the best parts. Updates, OBD2 and better paint, base clear.

Too many factors to list. Thats just me though.

 

The difference between OBDI and OBDII is far more than how codes are retrieved. And Larry, your soon to be 360 or 430 will be OBDII, will have FOB's and an imobilizer. In lobbying so strong for a 95 it makes one wonder why you are looking to leave the 355 camp after such a short ownership and go over to the 360 / 430 camp

And 95's have the same SDL potential issues as any other year.

 

This is all you need to know.

1. Pick the colour and model you prefer: berlinetta, GTS, or Spider

2. Pick your preferred gearbox (if you have one).

3. Buy the very best one you can find / afford.

Ignore any other BS.

 

95s are much faster!!!! LOL

In all seriousness, I love my 95. I have friends with post 95 355s with all sorts of issues. Nothing too dramatic but annoyances for sure that I never have to deal with.

If I had to choose same car, same condition, etc...all things being equal I'd pick the 95 over the other.

but it's a first world problem for sure.

 

This is what I was trying to say. I love my 355 to and im glad I bought it for the experience. When im home in florida I drive it 4 to 5 times a week and love it. But Now that ive learned a lot more about Ferraris I just want something more modern. The OBDII and f1 system in the 430 is night and day between a 355 and 430. So im comfortable with it. I have driven one and if anyone else has driven one they would know. I also have friends also with post 95 issues and annoyances to deal with. If I had to buy another 355 it would be another 95 no doubt.

 

I've had both. My current 95 is faster and makes more power than my previous 99 so I prefer it.

Does that mean it's faster than every 99? No, but it probably is

Either way, they are all great cars.

 

Oh, here we go again. Which is better this or that. If you ask 100 people, 90% will say what they have is better. When was the last time you hear a mother says her kids are uglier than the neighbors kids? When was the last time you hear a dad says his kids don't measure up to the other kids? Joking aside, it is unconscious human nature irrelevant to the fact. Color scheme, convertible, targa or coupe, these are matters of preference. Beyond these there are differentiating elements in the different models that are based on advances in technology. If an electronic system is so good, why update it from 2.7 to 5.2. If a transmission is so great why the update from manual to F1 style. The bottom line is the 5.2 is more detailed than the 2.7. The "gated" manual is great for the track once a week for an hour or two because the driver is more engaged with all hands and feet. It amplifies the thrill of driving for the moment. But this fact is also it's Achilles heel. Most people drive these caRs for pleasure and never see the track. They don't want all hands and feet engaging at every stop light. That is why the F1 gearbox comes into existence and will be the main stay of high performance car in the future.

The 95 model year is a great looking car like all the 355s except it doesn't have the latest additions. Now if your argument, the 95 is better because is doesn't have the FOB which is a potential problem, then I guess you don't want a hot girlfriend because of the potential nuisance that guys will look at her every time you take her to dinner. I guess we should all sleep on the floor because having a bed require up keeping. Better yet why buy a Ferrari the potential maintenance cost is too high.

A Ferrari is the ultimate super car. This not just my opinion. It is also the opinion of many auto makers. They use it as a performance benchmark and imitate the styling. For this and other reasons, I find the 355s the most beautiful of all the Ferrari models. It's silhouette when the top is down. The front, side and rear view is a near perfect 10. And it it wasn't for the F1 gearbox, i wouldn't be on this forum. Just my opinion on the facts and I'm sure the silent majority would agree.

 

Many here have heard my reasons for the 95 being a slightly better car and I didnt learn it by owning one for over a decade, I learned it from Ferrari F1 mechanics and designers. One mechanic and he is the chief mechanic on a Ferrari challenge team since he left F1 years ago, told me 10 years ago that the reason Ferrari went to the newer motronics is because it was cheaper for them. Another Challenge mechanic told me when my engine was out many little nuances that make the 95/2.7 stronger, more powerful and easier to tune and for these reasons they kept the 2.7 for all the years of the 355 challenges. I like the 2.7 because mine has been chipped for a lot more horses and tops off at 9000rpm something that cannot be done with the 5.2. As for the F1 shifter vs 6 speed, that is everyones preference. I prefer the 3 pedal but many prefer the F1. The 355 F1 has more problems than later F1s as it was in the early stages but can be made much better by adapting the 360 F1 pump. All in all the 355 is an amazing car no matter what year.

 

I would follow with that route as well.

 

What I can tell you for sure is a 95 is better than nothing.

Only thing I would add to the above quote is the single most important thing is the maintenance and condition. Many many owners do not maintain their cars to perfection.

If you do it will cost you less and less as time goes on. If I was looking through 10'years of records this should generally be the norm.

Obviously their are exceptions.

 

Your mileage will vary... Buy the best condition (maintained) car available.

I will add to the pile that Grant's '99 F1 is an Animal (like the '95's...) with the Gruppe M airbbox, tubi headers and exhaust. A top car. I'd set up any F1 the same way and love every day.

Robb

 

I think what we're saying is that we don't feel the need to program her and we can just stick the key in the hole and go for it.