looking at 97 355spider need advice

I am looking at a 97 355 spider..

http://www.cars.com/go/search/fs_search_results.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&cid=&dlid=&dgid=&amid=&cname=&mdnm=F355&mknm=Ferrari&zc=90025&makeid=51&modelid=1402&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7CE-%7CM-_51_%7CD-_1402_%7CN-N%7CR-30%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+descending%7CQ-descending%7CZ-90025&aff=national&aff=national

I have 2 questions...

1. are there any common issues I should look out for?

2. This car has not had the 30K service. Is this really $8000-9000??? Why?

3. The interior was a bit weathered. an example was the center console which just looked like it was falling apart. The top layer of plastic was not flat as if the adhesive that held it on was seperating. The dealer said this was normal considering the age and the fact that this was a convertable. True?

4. Why do some 355's have the arae around the taillights colored black and some are bodycolored? I much prefer the black.


Thanks!

 

I'm not sure I get it....maybe its just me but you've made 2 posts on this site. First post your going to buy a 328 and the 2nd a 355. Out of all do respect, you should really, really spend sometime using the search button and spend a few months, at least researching.

Now, regarding the F355, there are common issues, some major, some minor; depends on you qualification of "issue" and what specific model and year of production your looking to purchase.
The F355 spider like any model has its specific issues but for many owners they are quite aware of many if not all those issues prior to diving into puchase. This is just plain smart and will save you heartache and problems...you'll sleep better knowing what to expect out of your investment.

Regarding the 30k service I have heard of estimates for that much even higher, mine cost $7,000 and I ended up doing a few things in addition that ran it up to $10,000 total.

So, determine the model your going to buy, be ready to get hit w/ service if you want to keep the car running properly, research all model/yr specific issues, always perfrom a PPI (prepurchase inspection), look at as many examples of the 355/328 you can, speak w/ other owners and you'll be much happier with your puchase.

The good news is there is nothing like a Ferrari,

 

As Gershwin said, there are many posts on 355 issues. Some of the big ones are the F1 tranny pumps, cracked OEM manifolds and troublesome power top/seat mechanism. Definitely do a search here. The six-speed is probably the way to go, as on the one you listed.

The interior problem can be fixed, or the plastic bits replaced with aftermarket carbon fiber. It's common on 348s and 355s.

$7K is what I've been told for a no-issues major service every 3 years, and every Ferrari has issues that need attention, usually at service time. The ad doesn't say this one was just serviced, so I'd assume it is due.

Why so expensive? Here's a link that lists the items that get done. Keep in mind engine removal is part of the job, so some of the optional things make sense to do while things are all pulled apart:

http://www.eugeniosferrariservice.com/service6.htm

I'd be wary of buying a potential money pit like a 355 from a dealer that doesn't handle a lot of Ferraris (their inventory is mostly Mercedes and BMW with some SUVs tossed in). You want it inspected by a reputable Ferrari tech.

There have been some excellent 355s listed here in FerrariAds, and there are some dependable dealers (Sport Auto, Motorcars, Boston Sports Car, Ferrari dealers...) mentioned on this site. If it was my money, I'd probably stick to places like these. It's worth paying a fair price for a car that isn't going to maul your bank account four weeks from now.

 

Its better to buy a sorted F-car than to try an save on the purchase price. Valve guides, catalytic converters, clutches and belts are great "issues" to have been verified or replaced. Those are are big $$ items. I am sure there are other things to check but those are deal breakers IMO.

 

bullfighter, thanks for the link, that was great info.

BTW, no one answered my question about the black panel around the lights (is there a name for that? )

can anyone tell me why some are black and some body colored?

 

The matte black ones are perforated to allow hot air to escape. Those are called challenge grills and were an option. The body colored ones are stock grills.

 

may I suggst you read all of the messages on the 355 section of this forum... That's what I did before I bought mine... tons of info on there!
In the meantime, mine is for sale as well if you are interested
here is a link


http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariad...&cat=11&page=6

 

Thanks for the info. I've seen a few ads with the challenge grill listed, but I always assumed the grill was the front of the car. I guess mid engined cars need to be looked at slightly differently!!!!

 

I bought a used '97 F355 Spider. It looked great drove even greater. I had it three months. Then I heard a squeeling noise coming out of the engine compartment. I called the Ferrari Dealership where I had the car checked prior to me buying it, he reasured me it was just the new belts breaking in. Then I took it to another Ferrari Dealership / Service Center and the Service Manager there told me some really bad news. The idler pulley had a bad bearing and was going to give out which would probaqbly destroy the motor. This cost me close to $20K. The reason was, the catalytic converters were blown out, $4,200 each. The clutch throw out bearing was rough, had it replaced. Replaced a broken harness bracket and a bunch of minor things that could only be done with the motor out. So now its a great running car again. I paid $74K and now i got a total of $94k in it.

 

Didn't the dealer replace the Cats? I have heard from others, if you press them on the issue they will replace them?

 

Actually posted the wrong link: here is the correct one!
http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=1328&sort=1&cat=11&page=7

 

Wow that s^cks!! I wish they/you would have replaced the cats with metalic hyperflows @ $2300 for the pair. The originals are ceramic and may go out again.

I just cringe when I hear stories like that . I hope you get some enjoyment out of the car, since you paid lots of good money!!

 

Not the best idea to put OEM manifolds (unless rebuilt) or OEM Catalytic Converters back in the car because they WILL go out again, only a matter of time.

 

dealers will replace cats if they are under the 8 year federal law and 80k miles and by the way it goes by inservice date not date of manufactuer

 

Is the in-service date when the car was actually purchased?

 

yes

 

But only replace them if there is a problem, correct????

 

Yes, they are not going to replace your cats unless you are experiencing a problem and like the exhaust manifolds, they will install more of the same Ansa cats that fail. Funny, but guess who manufactures the exhaust manifolds too? Ansa!