456 vs. 355 possibly ready for my firts F car

I'm finally in a place where i can afford my dream car, and im currently whittling down the options.

Currently its between a 996 TT, a 456 or a 355, and i was hoping you guys could lend some advice on the 456 vs. 355

The car will be PURELY a weekend / special night out car, it will not get more than 5K on it annually, if that. I plan on purchasing with "PPI" regardless of the model, and it will be meticulously maintained.

I DO plan on keeping the car for a long time, and i DO plan on adding modifications as time goes on. (no im not putting 20's on it or anything like that)

Now this is where you guys come in, id like to hear from some owners of both cars. Pro's and Con's, what mods you have done, maintainance issues, nightmares etc. Also, any pics are greatly appreciated. I plan on purchasing before the summer.

thanks fella's, I'm eagerly awaiting your responses.

 

Depends upon what you want Ferrari wise.The 456 more of a large GT and has more space then the 355 but, the 355 in my mind is more exotic and sexy. Use the search both cars are discussed heavily all over the board. The 996 would be the least hassle and the least cost but, you lose all the "ferrariness".

 

F355.... 456 is probably the highest in maintainance cost per performance.

 

do you want a 12 or a 8?
Coupe or Spider?

 

I own a 996TT, but don't think of it as a weekend car, just the best daily driver on the planet. When I think of weekend cars, top down/off cars are my first priority.

So 355 spider or GTS.

 

The 456 is a wonderful car, especially as a long-distance, grand touring car. So if your idea of a "weekend" car is using it to take a 3 hour jaunt to your place in the mountains or the beach, it's ideal.

I think the 456 looks better than the 355, too, but I realize that's not the conventional wisdom.

If your idea of a "weekend" car is using it for track days or blasting through the twisties, get a 355.

 

I looked long and hard at 456s and even dealers I spoke with somewhat talked me out of going this route. Obviously, a few out there would say anything to sell a car, but several I spoke with were very candid. I wanted to use it somewhat as a daily driver as it has a little bigger back seat than my 996TT and my daughters just turned 9 and 10. I came very close to a 456, had the PPI done and check ready and the Ferrari tech doing the PPI said some things that made me re-think that perhaps this was not the car for me for the purposes I wanted to use it.

I went the 355 route and the car was everything I had hoped. I had four cars fail PPIs though and I took my time finding one that had all of the updates and valve guide work. Take your time and get a PPI and the 355 can be a great car experience.

 

I don't know what your commute is like, but I find the 456 to be an excellent daily driver. In fact, it's hard to imagine what would make it better, other than keyless entry (which the 456M has).

The 456 and the 355 both have typical Italian car issues. They cost more than most cars to maintain, and you will have long periods where it is in the shop. Don't expect to take it to the shop and get it back the same day, unless you are just getting an oil change (and even then, sometimes!).

If something breaks, expect the part to be something they have to order, and expect it to take a long time in arriving, and when it does arrive it will probably be the wrong part, so it will have to be reordered.

If that bothers you, don't buy either car. It's all part of Italian car ownership-- it doesn't matter if it's a Fiat 850 or a new 430.

 

Dream car... makes me think 355, although you need to be familiar with the known issues on 355's.

I bought a 993 as weekend car and ended up selling it because it was too "normal". IMO, the 996TT comes up way short on the exotic factor, and if you plan to go the "safer" route I'd recommend the 993TT which was probably the last Porsche with a satisfying mechanical feel to it.

 

First of you want a large GT v12
or a sexy super car v8 and how old are u
If you are above 40 i strongly sat the 456
but if you are under 30 i say F355 definetely
lol if you are between 30-40 i recommend 360 modena if you can afford it btw
You get best performance from 996TT but not much fun i say. My ex was a 996 4S even if i see a F- car my mind was there

I think 456 is an old styled car. i mean F355 is old now about 7-11 years about same as 456. But i will remember f355 more than the 456
I think F355 GTS is the best F355 for me its like a half convertible and half coupe with T-top. You will have fun with it on summer days you can open T-top have fun and hear the magnificent sound if tubi exhaust on it.
But 456 is not such a car like that you go on highway and safe speeding cruising

For me F355 is a car which you can go a summer party at a Night Club(which has a large open area woot woot) with lot of people nice looking young
people are having crazy fun and you attract all the young girls. You call the valet and tip what you like and driver your car with our Ferre jean and Armani body tshirt

But with 456 it is more suitable car to go an expensive vip french restaurant with your girlfriend and drink wine , have dinner under a moonlight with a slow song. You call the valet and tip 100usd and drive your car with your ermenigolda zegna suits


996 TT go where ever you want do what ever you want but if a F-carnear you with a huge noise your mind.......

 

Why aren't you considering the 550 maranello?

For my money it is the bargain F-car currently. Also, engine stays in for belt service so maintenance is quite reasonable for F car.

Just my $.02

 

Thanks guys, Just to clear somethings up:

Ive owned BMW's my whole life, and i love them, that will always be my Daily Driver.

Someone mentioned a 550 Maranello, and while that sounds awesome to me, its just out of my price range.

To me, a weekend car is a car i can take for a fun drive in the mountains, or a nice long cruise to Napa or Vegas.

The other thing to consider, is that I'm looking at this from the point of Depreciation as well. I know all the cars will depreciate, but some depreciate a lot more slowly than others. I was looking at the Z8 for just this reason as well.

I'm sure the 996 TT is an awesome Daily Driver, but i just plain cant afford to put 50K on it every year.

I also thought about the 993 TT, but it would have to be a rare model, something that is still in demand when i need to turn it and get another car.

I'd probabl be interested in something like a 330 GTC 2+2 if i could find one, but the primo examples are just out of price range, again.

any other suggestions are welcomed!

thanks for the help so far guys!

 

if not 2+2 Insist on F355 GTS. You will have fun when t-top is on

if 2+2 456 is ok or

another suggestion for a good and have fun ride

Aston Martin DB7 Volante or DB7

Jag XK8 or XKR convertible

Maserati Spyder


You will have best fun only at F355
but hmmmmm DB7 Volante sound interesting also Maserati sound a little bit Ferrari )
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Jaguar's arent what im looking for. i want a manual, and the jags are too mundane.

The aston is a possibility, but hard to find the right one.

Maserati depreciates too quickly


any thoughts on the Z8? they should be on the upswing in terms of value pretty soon, due to the limited production.

 

Hmmm Z8 hmmm bu why did bmw stopped that car produce?
For a limited edition story? or couldnt have a challenge with the Mercedes SL class.
Thats doubicious!!
I saw some videos and test about z8 (if i can find again i'll post here)
That car was slightly beaten by a stock M3 e46 with time track and some acceleration tests. I saw it once near me accelerating and the sound wasnt so loud its like the same old e39 M5
I dont like the Z8 so much cauz it looks so much like TVR type of roadstar. Classic looking car.
But if you like Z8 have fun it but if you hear any v8 Ferrari sound around you while cruising , keep your mind in control.
By the way i really wanna know how old are u? above 35?

 

Here Z8 photo for you
and a f355 GTS


I take GTS
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

A 456 sounds like a good car for you, then. Great long distance car, very fast, plenty of trunk space.

You might also see if you can find a 365GTC/4, if you are interested in something a little more vintage. Or, for that matter, a 400 5-speed is a very nice car for that sort of thing, and much cheaper to buy (but not to maintain). A Maserati Coupe would be a good choice also, but if you're worried about depreciation I wouldn't go that direction.

A C/4 or a 400 will probably appreciate a little bit, and the 456 won't depreciate much (won't appreciate for a long time, though!).

A 355 and a 456 are very different driving experiences, so before you make any decisions I'd try to drive both.

 

355 355 355 355 355 355 355 . Did I mention 355? You will love it as a first F-car, no doubt.

 

be careful with the windows on the 456's you might be looking at in the future... alignment gets messed up some some... and it's $$$$


Use the search function to check that out. If you find a niec one however, you can't beat the bang for the buck. Good luck!

 

They stopped the Z8 production because they wanted them to remain limited edition. I'm not concerned with the car being rediculously fast, thats definetly a Plus, but Ideally id like to have something with some character, that not many people have, that isnt dropping in value week by week.

I'm VERY interested in either the 330 GTC 2+2, the 456 (manal), the z8 or possibly a 550 maranello if i can find the right one.

If i go with the 330 GTC 2+2, it would have to be in good condition, but not perfect, I've restored several MOPARS, and id love to get under the hood of one of those older Ferrari's.

The advantage of getting the Z8 would be its limited numbers. They arent making anymore, and in a few (well, maybe more than a few) years, it will be worth something again. The 550 maranello and the 456 will depreciate before they appreciate, so i would have to stick with them longer.

truth be told, the porsches sound fun, but they would be a terrible investment from the standpoint of appreciation/depreciation.


And as for my age, well im old enough to know better, but still young enough to get away with it.

 

Buy cars to have fun and don't worry about investment. None of the cars, with the possible exception being the 330, you are speaking of will likely ever appreciate or be a wise investment from a monetary standpoint. This is especially true if you actually want to drive them and put some miles on them. They could be a wise investment from a pleasure standpoint if you realistic about it and buy a car that makes you happy for the right reasons.

The Z8 just does not appeal to a broad array of people and the looks are very subjective to some. 456s are not really moving well even in the $ 60k to $ 70k range for decent sorted cars. I looked at two nice clean cars in this range that are still for sale. I know of another 456 that is a 1995 manual that the guy would take $ 59k for and it has been for sale for 3 months or longer. The windows and seats were just corrected within last 6 months on that car. I have seen some later 456s that have sat on lots for really long periods of time and some of those are still for sale now.

High end car manufacturers are producing higher volumes. There is alot of competition and a lot of choices. The technology, reliability and performance is steadily increasing now due to the compeitiveness of the market. The supply of new high end stuff will saturate a limited demand or limited market of those out there able to afford these types of vehicles. This should work to keep prices down on the used market. Obviously, cars like the Enzo, F50, F40, GTO and some of the older stuff will not really be affected. Cars like the 348, 355, 456, 550 and etc. will be impacted. I am not saying the bottom will fall out, but I doubt there will be any appreciation for a common production car with normal milege.

Just buy what makes you happy and forget about investment unless looking at something high end or classic and rare. If the car appreciates, then it will be an added bonus. If you buy a car because you enjoy the car and the car depreciates, at least you enjoyed driving it and owning it.

 

Thanks for the advice. but let me explain my point of view a little more....

I've owned a couple classic cars, and i LOVE just maintaining them, fixing them, polishing, all that Obsessive compulsive stuff. I'm leaning more towards the 330 because of this reason. Also, the longer i hold onto the 330, the more it will be worth (with the right TLC and market).

I like the 456 because its just a big comfortable gt cruiser.
Im really not interested in having a track car, although i can appreciate how cool they are, i just cant afford that kind of luxury right now.

I'm basically looking for something with CHARACTER, something that will hold the appeal as i build my collection. Something that really will hold my interest the same way 10 years from now, as it does today.

Truthfully, i didnt know what direction to go with my first F-car, and now i think i have a better idea.

Allright, off to the vintage section to start reading up....

thanks guys.