Is a 355 like this feasible? | FerrariChat

Is a 355 like this feasible?

Discussion in '348/355' started by MITengineer, Feb 23, 2004.

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  1. MITengineer

    MITengineer Formula Junior

    Feb 18, 2004
    349
    Montana
    I'm searching for a F355 preferably an early GTS car for about mid $60k's? Higher mileage (above 25,000-35,000) does not scare me or intimidate me. Am I capable of getting a clean (not wrecked or repainted) f355 (of any body variety) in this price range, or will I have to increase the budget.
     
  2. Tipo815

    Tipo815 F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    3,565
    Newport Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Jeffrey
    Is it possible? Yes. But then again - it's also possible that a major earthquake will make Nevada and Arizona beachfront property one day!! Ha ha. Seriously, it is VERY unlikely that you will find a "GTS" that is decent in the mid-$60k range. Maybe a higher mileage Berlinetta but not a GTS. I could be wrong but I have never seen one. Maybe someone else has??
     
  3. Victory

    Victory Formula Junior

    Jan 28, 2004
    412
    I suppose you have to. But it be worth it.
     
  4. Senna1994

    Senna1994 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2003
    13,163
    Orange County
    Full Name:
    Anthony T
    Pay now or pay later. Better to spend a bit more on a clean car now than spend money on fixing a Ratty car later. For that price your better off with a 348 GTS or possibly SPIDER.
     
  5. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,158
    Germany, Bayern
    Never seen such a car in my country. (Germany)
    The Dudes are right! Keep your money or increase the budget.
    Or take a stunning 348 Spider :)

    good luck

    cinquevalvole
     
  6. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    35,532
    Victory Circle
    Full Name:
    HUBBSTER
    I dont think the 355 was ever offered as a GTS or Targa, the 348 was & of course the 308. Do you mean a 355 Spyder, convertible? I think 1 of those start around $80k or so
     
  7. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,158
    Germany, Bayern
    Hi William,

    look at my avatar above!
    2048 355 GTS (incl. F1) were build & offered. Zero 360 GTS were build.

    forza

    cinquevalvole
     
  8. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

    Sep 27, 2002
    1,933
    PA
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    Yes it was. 355's come in GTB, GTS, and Spider trim. The 348's were referred to as ts or tb. 348 Spiders were only offerred in 1993 and 1994, I believe.
     
  9. tifosi69

    tifosi69 Formula 3

    Dec 23, 2003
    1,678
    Atlanta, Ga.
    Full Name:
    Al-Al Cool J
    Half of the production in 1995 was 348 Spyders only and half was the then new F355.
     
  10. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

    Sep 27, 2002
    1,933
    PA
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    I stand corrected!
     
  11. speedemon

    speedemon Formula Junior

    Jan 6, 2004
    616
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Chris
    Please let me know if you do.....I purchased mine 6 months ago for approx $84K, '96, 10K miles, red/tan, private owner sale - I'm sure I got ripped, but the car is amazing, clean, well documented, and FUN! Good Luck.
     
  12. Dino

    Dino Karting

    Nov 3, 2003
    116
    San Diego
    I think you'll have less problems paying more at the outset, than getting a rock-bottom price which reflects the care & condition of the car. My theory is to pay the most at first and forget about trying to fix it up. The really nice late model F-1 355 Spiders are still over $100k. Go for a 348 at that price.

    Dino
     
  13. Senna1994

    Senna1994 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2003
    13,163
    Orange County
    Full Name:
    Anthony T
    You did not get ripped off if the car you have is the way you descriped. Sounds like a beautiful car.
     
  14. Robin

    Robin F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    2,931
    Arlington, VA
    I met a guy at Cavallino last month who was selling his 95 GTS... blue on tan, euro model. He's asking 75k, but it looked like it needed some work, and I don't think the odometer was correct. I'm thinking about giving him a call in a few months to see if he still has it and would knock the price down a bit.... Otherwise the GTS's I've seen are always priced well above similar spiders and berlinettas. FoCF has a gorgeous titanium/bordeaux 99 GTS that I'd kill for, but they've got it listed at 115k.. way too much IMO.

    -R
     
  15. jakermc

    jakermc Formula 3
    Owner

    Jan 17, 2004
    1,792
    Palm Beach, FL
    Full Name:
    Rob
    I think it will be very difficult to find what you are loking for. I just completed my search for a GTS and the car Robin mentioned is the lowest one out there that I know of. According to the Standard Catalog of Ferrari, the total production run for the GTS was 2,577 cars. I would guess about 25% of them made it to the U.S or about 650 cars. Finding a beaten down example might be like finding a needle in a haystack. I saw a high mileage Spyder (75K) go for 65K, but never a GTS. The advice to find a well maintained 348 or increase the budget sounds right to me.
     
  16. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    10,043
    Singapore
    I don't know about a GTS, but I know that there was a GTB that fit your description that was recently sold. It was a high mileage car (75K miles -- still not scared!), but seemed to be in very nice condition. One owner, all books records, all servicing done on time. In fact, it was discussed at F-Chat in-depth, when the eBay auction was proceeding. Here is the original link to the eBay auction, and here is the original link to the discussion on F-Chat.

    That being said, cars like this (high mileage, good condition, low price) don't come on the market very often, so I echo the comments made earlier that trying to find one like this again would be like trying to find the proverbial needle in a haystack.
     
  17. Meeyatch1

    Meeyatch1 Formula 3

    Dec 28, 2003
    1,343
    Low flying jet.
    Full Name:
    Mitch
    F355...mmmm... :)
     
  18. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,158
    Germany, Bayern
    Thanks for those figures. I have found some from a book:
    "Ferrari by Pininfarina":

    F355 GTB: 3829 (+ 109 Challenge)
    F355 GTS: 2048
    F355 Spider: 2664
    F355 GTB F1: 1042
    F355 GTS F1: 529
    F355 Spider F1: 1053

    F355 total: 11274
    -----------------------

    So we have a huge reservoir of parts in the future :)

    forza

    cinquevalvole
     
  19. tifosi69

    tifosi69 Formula 3

    Dec 23, 2003
    1,678
    Atlanta, Ga.
    Full Name:
    Al-Al Cool J
    If you can stand it wait a year and get the 355.
     
  20. Bill Sawyer

    Bill Sawyer Formula 3

    Feb 26, 2002
    2,108
    Georgia
    Martin has a '98 GTS with 12k miles on his web site for $82.5k. See it here:
    http://www.miamioffices4rent.com/cavallino/invent/1_16_rosso.htm
     
  21. airbarton

    airbarton Formula 3

    Nov 11, 2002
    1,462
    Kennesaw, Ga.
    Full Name:
    Chuck Barton
    I know I will get flamed for this but I always hear this when someone wants to know about buying a car. "pay now or pay later". IMHO that statement is bull. Most of these cars are garage queens so I don't care how hard you try to find one in perfect condition. Chances are you will end up spending money on it anyway! These cars require a lot of maintenence and most people that don't drive them every day don't do it. I also think the typical 355 owner thinks their car is worth more than it is. IMO you should try to get one as cheap as possible that does not have major problems. When I bought mine I did all the research, had it inspected, ect, ect, ect. I still ended up spending $15K on it the first year. If I were you I would add at least 20% to whatever you are palnning to spend and put that money aside. Ok, go ahead and flame me now!
     
  22. ghost

    ghost F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 10, 2003
    10,043
    Singapore
    No flames from this end airbarton. Just curious to know what happened to cause the excessive bill in your first year of ownership. Was something overlooked during the PPI? Did the car just need a "major"? Seems like a large sum for a car was was well-researched.
     
  23. jakermc

    jakermc Formula 3
    Owner

    Jan 17, 2004
    1,792
    Palm Beach, FL
    Full Name:
    Rob
  24. Bill Sawyer

    Bill Sawyer Formula 3

    Feb 26, 2002
    2,108
    Georgia
    Congratulations! I think it's beautiful.
     

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