Pre-buy research and thoughts

On the test drives, I think it’s all about having them qualify you as a potential buyer, and hence, how you present yourself. Let them know (and mean it) that you are indeed a qualified buyer, ready to purchase if the car checks your boxes. I don’t think anyone wants to have Joe Tirekicker take their precious Ferrari out for a joy drive.

The same holds true if dealing with private sellers or dealers alike. After all, it’s their car, so it’s their call whether they feel comfortable with you driving or not. If the car is right, checks out, and you’ve at least been taken as a passenger on a test drive, I wouldn’t let a test drive stop me.

Best of luck with your search!

 

GFL. Buying a Ferrari is not a rational experience.

 

My thoughts are , I love the looks of the 355, almost as much as the 328. I also believe the 348 is the last Ferrari to have the same great interior that the 328 has, as well as the reliability, its not quite as good looking as the 355, but better than the 360. A lot of 355 owners have corrected the Factory problems it came with , so if you find one thats sorted correctly, that would be a good choice. I have heard both the 355 and the 348 with aftermarket exhausts and they both sound great, but the 355 sounds better. I do like the glass engine cover on the 360 , Im just not impressed with the overall design. The 348s interior will not come unglued, this issue for me is one thats just plain disgusting. My 328 has 105,000 miles and the interior looks fantastic. I hope you find a gem with whatever you end up buying !!

Big G

 

"Pigs in lipstick" that deserves to be on a t-shirt

FWIW I've owned a 95 355 GTS since 2010 and it's been amazing- BUT I spent a lot of time and patience obtaining it- and passed on several "pigs in lipstick"- I knew it was meticulously maintained by previous owner and have kept up or exceeded that- 355s are expensive to maintain but the ownership experience is worth it IMHO

To echo @ginoBBi512 a 328 is an excellent combination of classic looks, performance, true driving enjoyment, reliability and significantly lower maintenance costs- it is one of my "to own someday" cars

 

Test drives are not as common as some people think. I don't think dealers offer test drives often, at least not on older, used vehicles. Private individuals probably don't as well.

And anyway, service history is more important than a test drive. Especially so with the 355 and perhaps the 360 too. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on all the issues that are related to each model, become a subject matter expert on the model you're targeting.

As you know, the issues related to the 355 are a thing and if none of them have been addressed on the car you're looking at, expect to pony up, idk $10,000-$15,000 to make it right.

Personally I'd pick a 355 over a 348 and perhaps a 360 over a 355, though a well sorted gated 355 is a pretty cool car.

 

I agree with knowing the service history more than taking a test drive. Other than you couldn't experience the clutch engagement, the seller who took you for a ride pretty much allowed you to experience the car's road manners. If I sold either of my Ferraris, other than a buyer I knew personally, I wouldn't let anyone drive them. I'll give them a ride.

 

Yes, often run into non-test drive sellers.....but I go by no drive, no buy

I don't think you get much "credit" for belt services because everyone has a different opinion on duration between services. My most recent PPI was $1,000 4 years ago. But that means I'm telling the guy what I want done and how I want the information presented back to me. I wouldn't trust a $400 PPI.

You try to negotiate over tires? Really? If I'm a seller and a guy walks up with a long list of deducts over minor items, he will be shown the door quickly.

 

If your stance is no drive, no buy, well, good luck with that.

Driving the car is secondary to the service records anyway. If the car had the belt service done by a reputable shop, and there are records of the work, the duration is known. Not sure why this is so complicated. Same thing with a clutch. If I was a seller and you wanted a test drive I'd tell you to move on to the next guy. Especially for a rare model like a cherry manual 355 or 360.

Sorry but, negotiating over tires is also unworkable. Just assume every Ferrari needs new tires because of age or wear. It's just the way it is. I'm sorry but, negotiating over tires is kind of dumb.

Guys, these aren't dime a dozen cars. If you find a nice example, and they have service records that you can verify, buy the damn car. Otherwise you're gonna be searching forever.

 

I negotiate on major items on a 25 year old car....it would be expected for a car of that vintage to need tires and upholstery work, an oil change. All the small things you mention are likely to be on all 25 year old cars unless they are bubble cars with no miles....but I don't shop in those markets.

 

Even if a car has service records, it is no reflection on how a car drives RIGHT NOW. Hence no drive = no buy. I would feel the same way about a CGT. If I'm willing to put skin in the game by putting money into a PPI, if it passes, I expect a test drive to finalize everything. If a seller needs to see bank balances, fine.

And these are hardly rare cars....there are plenty around.

 

Of all the things I've considered when buying a Ferrari, tires weren't even on the list.

 

Ive owned both 355 and 360 and its a toss up for me. 355 is smaller and has a more go kart experience. 360 is bigger and feels more sturdy and comfortable.

Both make amazing sounds but Id give it to the 355, barely.

360 is, imo, more reliable and easier to service.

 

The things that determine how a car drive are the mechanicals, specially the steering, suspension, brakes, tires and things like that. If those things are all original it will drive a certain way, if they are all brand new the car will essentially drive like it did when it left the factory, assuming they were installed properly. If the buyer wants an idea of how a 355 drives he should find a friend who will give him a ride. That’s about all a buyer can hope for. This applies to a 355 as it does with a CGT. Do you know of any seller of a CGT that offers a test drive?

And yes, these cars are rare, good ones in the color spec the buyer is likely looking for. Have you looked for a solid 360? Most of them are not great, a so-so spec, modified, aftermarket wheels, worn interiors, no records, etc. If you know of a bunch of 360’s for sale post them up so the OP can shop for them. I bet most of the sellers don’t allow for a test drive.

 

When I was looking I brought proof that I had the funds to buy the car I was looking at and only got turned down for a test drive once. I’m not buying a car without driving it first.

 

A 25 year old car will NEVER drive essentially like it did when new no matter what is done, unless one has low expectations I guess. For example, what about the chassis? That almost never gets replaced, do you think 25 year old metal acts the same way under load as brand new metal?

They are mechanical pieces of equipment, just like those I have been working with for the last 34 years (Mechanical Engineer specializing in rotating equipment).


And yes, I'm confident a seller vetted buyer can get a test drive in a CGT. Although that will never be me. But anyone telling new buyers to forget about a test drive of a common exotic is doing them a dis-service.

 

Bravo, and 100% correct

 

Cool. If the OP finds a car that matches his expectations and he's able to qualify himself and the seller agrees to a test drive, bully for him. If the OP finds a great car but the seller refuses to allow for a test drive and the OP walks, too bad.

As far as the metallurgical changes that occur over time, what changes occur that affect the feel of the chassis? I'm not talking about rust, I'm talking about creep, or whatever changes you're referring to. And if that change is natural, don't all chassis from that era have the same change?

 

Same here- if my 360 had been manual I would still own it along with 355- but it was F1 and drove me crazy

 

You sold your 360? Did you sell it to a private buyer? Did that buyer have a test drive or PPI?

 

I traded it back to Ferrari of Denver for a manual Porsche C4S they had in on trade

I will chime in that most of the exotic/sports cars I've bought I did do a test drive- With exception of my 355- But I buy most of my cars from dealerships i have relationships with- exception was my 2008 Bullitt Mustang which I bought from private owner and he was upfront that would be no test drives.

 

That seems to be the key, establishing a relationship with the dealer, showing financial ability to purchase the car, perhaps putting down a deposit. Harder to do with a private individual but hey, if a private seller is willing to allow a test drive, have at it.

When you purchased your cars from the dealer, was a PPI part of the process?