'Shocking' Reliability: 20 Years of Invoices for my 97 F355 Spider

Bored over the weekend, I decided to look over my inch+ thick of invoices since 1998 to categorize the documented issues of my specific car. I excluded normal wear/tear such as shock (1 time), new alternator (1 time), clutch (1 time), tires, battery, carpet, etc. And of course engine out work (3) per schedule which really is maintenance rather than repair.

The car has high 24k miles at this time.

This is what I found:
- 5 x CELs (most during a 2 yr period the car moved 200mi between 2007 and 2008)
- 4 x service to convertible top (only 2 visits required new parts)
- Header replacement @23k - '13
- Coolant leak repairs ... after recall done in May '99 by dealer
- 2 x seat repairs (ECU and pot. replacement) - '03 and '07

Looking at the above, one can almost replace any other German car for this type of repairs except for maybe the headers and of course the engine outs. But major tune-ups for an era- comparable Porsche 993 would cost in the multiple thousands for belts, sparks, coolant/water pump main, etc.

The CELs could have been lessened to a single report if the headers were addressed right away. The coolant leak interestingly started only after a recall work was performed in '99, leading to almost routine leaks reported every other year until 5 years ago (when someone figured it out). And seat/convertible repairs are typical for this era when electrics were at their infancy including Porsches and BMWs.

So maybe this has been a charmed life for a F355, but I think it's not an exception based on my almost a full year ownership. This is a car that must be driven which functioning electrics for comfort (seats, windows) taken in stride. Even my indestructible Mercedes 300D succumbs to bad window switches and today had wiper failure which I found to be caused by loosened wires behind the stalk.

I am sharing to give my voice of one on this whole F355 - doomed to fail or not debate. It's a car that you can absolutely punish on the road from what I've done and read. I have yet to find reports of someone blowing an engine, transmission or being stranded due to serious engine malfunction on normal street driving conditions. Slow down lights happen but don't leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. Failed batteries and alternators are to be expected for lightly driven cars, so I keep mine plugged all the time.

Chime in if you wish or simple pass along this positive bit of news for prospective buyers. Sure there are bad ones due to lack of care or hidden accident work, but good ones are keepers that continually reward in driving experience and offer a high chance of recouping purchase cost ++ if one eventually decides to sell at the right time.

 

Both cars commented in my post. In case you were curious (apologies 993 sold years ago)
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Where in nj are you Joe. I think I know that Kings.

 

My new subaru is 4 months old and has more work then yours in 20 years

 

Sorry, I'm a little confused. Are you saying that your car (which is beautiful, by the way), at 24,000 miles, has been reliable? Or not? Seems like you've had multiple costly issues notorious to the 355, and spider in particular. And that Mercedes with it's relatively minor peripheral electrical issues is at least 20 years older, right?

 

These cars like to be driven. Once set up well - many years of trouble free ownership can be expected. It also requires an owner who will be knowledgeable (and involved) enough to not be taken advantage of by unscrupulous mechanics / some dealers.

Party on.

Robb

 

+355

 

IMO, the best F355 is one with enough miles that someone replaced all the trouble stuff. Headers, cats, cat ecu's, etc. Then they get pissed because they spent too much at the dealer, so they sell it to one of us on Fchat!! I couldn't believe some of the bills that were included with my car.

 

I'll add this for all the F1 haters....

My F1 runs flawlessly. It's a friggin swiss watch. Had it out last night. Fast, seemless shifts, great power for the street. I really need a go pro to video my driving experience.

 

Exactly. These cars like to be driven. The more miles they are driven the lower per mile the operating costs will be.

 

Shock, clutch, alternator "normal wear and tear" items for 24k miles?

 

Warren NJ. This Kings is in Gillette.

 

John K -- a 1997 with a clutch job, alternator and shock replacement should be routine. Clutch failure - think of the engine and what people do with such HP (at the time) and maybe a less experienced driver. Alternator is typically a random fail in my experience and shock replacement likely a time situation - 20 yrs and found slightly leaking. Not an actuator issue.

 

yes..! a thorough 355 F1 video would be great..

as for reliability.. we rub each others back..

I treat my car well by driving it regularly.. and it treats me back with reliability..!

 

I've only owned my 1995 two years. My only expense in my 2,000 miles is the annual fluid change. The prior owner fixed everything & converted my top to a Manuel one. He loved the car & so do I.

 

We will just have to disagree.

 

Done. Agree to disagree.

 

I'll agree to agree

 

Me too. A clutch that is toast in 24K miles is likely the result (not suggesting you, Joe) of a driver that does not know how to drive

 

Rarely do I agree with johnK. It is actually quite sad that so much needed to be done for 24k miles. I got 2 bmws and a diesel truck on my driveway with a combined under 200k miles and nothing has been done more than gas and oil and scheduled maintenance. I love Ferraris but nobody makes a worse car. I mean generational sticky interiors? Please! They may as well skip the bluetooth and put in a dial cell phone.

 

So let's take shocks. How many years will an 'average' car's shocks last if 20 is too few? 30? 40?

 

I'm the wrong person to ask. I'm a racer and rebuild my shocks on my racecar annually and run moton double adjustable shocks on my maranello. So...I'm kinda extreme thinking on shocks.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/145254952-post70.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/145371396-post18.html
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You never now how it was treated by the previous owner

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J2Xzh6j1Hw[/ame]

 

Perfect example of ..........
"You can't fix stupid"