355 first year costs - a 355 13k mile garage queen

I'm 1 year into a 1999 355 Spider that was a garage queen setup cosmetically to go for a Cavallino Platinum in 2019. Almost 10 years with less than 1k miles driven, last belt change, and tires. I got her with 13k on the clock and immediately took her to Norwoods Auto Italia for the Major, then I drove her 2k miles, and then took her back for my list of picky squawks.

Prior Services

• Prestige 10/2016 - Clutch & Flywheel, Siderocker cosmetic, Top repair ($10,908)
• Exotic Performance Engineering 9/2017 - "2 year" oil service ($1,813)
• Exotic Performance Engineering 4/2018 - Redo flywheel work by Prestige, cosmetic paint correction, CV joint, replace lights, alarm fix, A/C repair ($12,183)
  
• Exotic Performance Engineering 4/2018 - return to stock exhaust setup ($3,441)
  
• Exotic Performance Engineering 2/2019 - sticky parts, dash bulbs, new Becker head unit, restore headrests, near complete interior restore, Cavallino detail prep ($29,749)

TOTAL Prior Owner 10/2016-2/2019 to prep for Cavallino = $58,094

My Ownership

• Norwoods Auto Italia 5/2021 - transport from Florida, full PPI w/compression & leak, complete major, top repair, battery, seat potentiometer, steering rack boot, used Tubi exhaust ($18,669)
• Boardwalk Ferrari 6/2021 - Ferrari Classiche, temp swap to stock exhaust ($7,305)
• Norwoods Auto Italia 4/2022 - tires, 4 wheel alignment, seat repair, top repair, A/C repair, oil service, inspection ($5,663)

TOTAL My Ownership 5/2021-4/2022 = $31,637

Current mechanical and cosmetic squawks = ZERO!!!

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Prior went to stock for Cavallino, I have both. Driving with a Tubi, but have the stock for the Classiche.

 

that would include price of the stock muffler. correct me if I'm wrong Florida people, but I believe Exotic Performance Engineering was highly respected until owner passed away unexpectedly. certainly Norwoods is respected.

 

I think the prior owner fixes were mainly cosmetic and mechanically didn't get it right until Norwoods.

 

I said "2 year", all fluids and inspection. I agree it still seems high, I would expect about $750 from Norwoods for all of this, but their hours would have only been 2-3.

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I would get pennies on the dollar for the service and Classiche. Numbers wise since I will have very little expenses except oil until the next major, is just to drive it and have fun the next 6 years. That will also give me the opportunity at a Platinum or two. Who knows what the market will do, but getting a Ferrari up to "your" standards and selling without fun is a lose-lose.

 

I would say you are 95% right, most Ferraris aren't driven like they were engineered to be driven. For the 5% driving 5-10k miles a year at "red" RPM's and heavy braking I would recommend even more often for most of those things. Challenge car with only 100-200 miles a weekend we were brake flush every weekend and oils every 3-4 weekends. When you are running that hard you pay particular attention to temps and focusing on antifreeze is the first step, even going straight water.

 

good for you. when is the last time you had your major done? did you have an independent do all the work, or do you do some yourself? I have seen a huge inflation of prices among independents the last 5 years and they are still 3x busier than they would like to be. Norwoods is now $155 an hour, I remember when they were less than $100 even just 10 years ago. Here was Norwoods hourly...

2005 - $91
2009 - $108
2014 - $120
2016 - $130
2022 - $155

The good thing about Norwoods is they have some of the best techs like James Patterson and Michael Luongo and their hours aren't inflated. I know Matthew Burns was highly respected, but I agree looking at some of these invoices although the rate was only $125, the hours seem very inflated.

I think most of you are justified with the cost concerns, but...

1. Ferraris can be like planes, done properly the expense isn't the price of entry, but price of playing. The #1 indicator of broke dicks that can't afford their Ferraris are complaining about costs from respected independents like Exotic Performance or Norwoods when they are the most experienced at what they do. How many Ferraris do we see with delayed majors and owners afraid to drive them hard? Ferrari Protective Services (FPS) should reposes every one of these.
2. DIY'ers or cheapskates are hypocritical. Although it may be justified for their own car as they know their own ability and exactly what was done, each one of these would devalue a car they're buying if it had DIY work, incomplete maintenance, or delayed maintenance.
3. These Independents are more experienced at our aging Ferraris, even more so than most dealerships. Yes they are expensive, but part of that too is price of parts. One thing I've been impressed with over the years at Norwoods is how James is skilled at finding the best parts at the best deals, also knowing which ones and where to have parts just rebuilt. I honestly wish Norwoods was $250 an hour so there would be less demand and I could get my car in and out quicker, that has been my only complaint lately. They are just way too busy, so need to raise prices to match the market.

 

Because we know the 95%, but honestly it is more than 99%. I've come close before I use to drive the 328 5k a year, 3-4 rallies driving 90% hard as track, plus 3-4 track events. I would put appropriate fluid changes at bleed brakes every event, flush once a year, oil twice a year, and trans once a year.