Found my 355 Spider--Now the Bad News

With 30K done and a one year warranty and assuming PPI is perfect it will
be $106k.

 

How much would you think it would cost to change out the steering wheel?

Best,

Rob

 

Its not bad would look nice if the steering wheel and upper dash where black instead of natrual all around. IMO I have when upper dash and wheel are the same colors.

 

I dunno. Looking at it, I think it looks beautiful. However, I wouldn't buy that color combo If I were you (you not really liking it).

Based upon the low numbers of F-cars made in 'off' colors, you would think they would bring a premium. But, instead, they sell at a discount. There's a reason for that......It's called people buy the more standard colors.

It's like artwork at an art fesitval. You can appreciate and like a lot of what you see, but most of those items you wouldn't buy for your house.

If it's exactly what you want, go for it. But, again, if it's not, based upon your post of not liking the color, there's got to be a 'right' car for you somewhere.

F-cars are an emotional purchase (let's face it, they're not a Toyota) That's a lot of $ for something you don't really like.

 

Personally, I like it...but I would change the steering wheel IMO. Also I might do the dash in black if I could get it out of a parts car....then I would be very very classy.

 

I would keep waiting for just the right car. It's the little things like the piping that will annoy the hell out of you every time you go for a drive.

(That is, if you're anything like me!)

 

Yes now I am certain the dash needs to be done "back in black" Or you can get it done in CF which would be even cooler...
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I would have the black steering wheel column done in matching beige leather or painted to match, then I'd swap out the blue mats and install matching beige mats.......

Just swapping the mats will make a huge difference as there are too many colors inside the car vying for your eyes attention.....try that first and then go from there. If I took this on trade-in that's what I would do before I offered it for sale.

 

FYI, if you want a TDF 99 spyder, 6 sp., 16k miles, one just went on consignment at ferrarine.com. I just saw the car, it has the saddle tan leather you prefer.

115.000

118.000 with the service included

Doctor owned, lo number plate, I have seen the car consistently at many car shows, so I doubt that it wasn't always in very good hands. Owner trading towards an incoming 360, so I'm guessing its a 1 owner car.

 

I like the natural, I've seen it in a few 355s, nice change from the tan, but still in the family. However, I also agree with many posters, that you have to go with your gut, if you don't like the colours, you will go crazy every time you get in.I also think that changing the mats would be good, I'd trim them in blue to match the seats, but that's me.
Good luck

 

I like it,keep as it is.

 

I also think it is outstanding and would leave it/ love it as is.

Robb

 

looks cool...just toss those carpets as soon as possible. Go with the interior color and a black stallion. I'll post my 355 spider interior to you. good luck

 

If you assume the %age reaction on here is what you will get if you decide to resell, you can see you're going to have a hard time selling it on and/or get battered on price.

Therefore, batter the seller on price now so it matters less later. And some. If "book' value is putting a typical spider of similar vintage and spec but with a more saleable colour combo at 110k, I'd want at least 10k off that, probably more. If they don't bite, wait and find one that you really want and if they still have it in a month or 3, and you're still looking, go and have another chat.

Black dash top and steering wheel would make a world of difference. I have no idea how much this would cost to do. I seem to recall that someone had shrinking leather sorted out for around 1800USD, so I would expect the same amount for the dash top.

I believe a steering wheel is something like 900USD, but am not sure that this is with the airbag or that this price is even close. It could be double that easy. And then you have all the hassle of getting it done and the risk that it screws up.

I think with these two changes, and dumping the mats, it would change the interior dramatically and make it a very nice combo.

PS The interior door handles and surrounds would also need doing...more $$

 

Take the car, lose the mats, keep the wheel. The 'all one color' interiors are an option, and they're pretty rare. 30 years from now a collector will appreciate that you didn't mess with it. I once saw a silver 355ts with an entirely red interior. It was gorgeous.

 

All-one-color interiors in a lighter color are rare for a reason. Lighter colored dashes (especially tan) are very reflective, causing lots of glare.

 

Not my first choice for interior by a long shot.

One thing that might help tone down the browniness and without causing difficult-to-change-back problems would be to get a dark blue tonneau instead of the natural. That way the brown would be confined to the interior.

Having said that, I assume you will be spending a fair bit of time in there so you'd want to be happy with what you're looking at. I find when driving the 348 I basically see the very top of the left front fender, and the curve of the left rear fender with the gas filler cap in the side mirror, and that's it for the outside. I see a lot more of the interior.

Nice exterior color by the way although I am more of a TdF/Swaters man myself.

Good luck!

Cheers
Kevin

 

Thanks for all of your input. Assuming a successful 30k and PPI, I am buying the car.

Best,

Rob