Best 355 year?

I am having such a difficult time with discerning which year I should purchase when looking for a 355. I have read the valve guide rant, the differences in electronics between '95 and the newer models, and most maintenance checklists. Can someone please shed some light on this for me? I am debating between 6-speed (more fun) and the F1 models. I had an F1 tranny on my Maserati coupe...but wasnt too fond of it. However, if the F1 is leaps and bounds more reliable than the 6-speed...I will probably consider it. I definitely want the spider (yes I know the top has problems) but beyond that....I am open to whatever options you guys insist are musts. Also, since there are no Ferrari mechanics in my area, I will probably perform the work on the car (incl. majors) as I am pretty handy under the hood. Maybe that makes a difference in my choice.

Thank you guys so much! Had there not been a community for these cars as strong as this, I wouldnt even be considering purchasing an Fcar.


TGF

 

1995.









End of thread

 

Watch this video then buy a nero 1997 F355 spider...... !!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0OusN1y1Yc

 

1995

 

If you want 5hp more than buy a 1995----If you want an F1 trans buy a 1998 or 1999....

 

The best 1 to buy is mine.........99 Fiorano Edition 6 speed

 

Lot of threads on this topic. Do a search. There are arguments for and against early cars, late cars, F1, manual. I personally would go for a well sorted 1995 car.

 

I can agree with you here!

 

1987-88

 

Late 98 or 1999. 6 speed manual will go through fewer clutches, but will you drive it enough to care?

Like any car model, later is almost always better, as issues are worked through and updated.

 

Haha....the man single-handedly keeping 328 values up.....good job Chairman......but isn't the best 328 an '89?

To stay on topic, if money is no object, '99 every time. But careful shopping can even the playing field and save you some cash......probably enough to cover 3 years of maintenance.

 

I think the best deal cash-wise is a 1995 B that has just been serviced, had the guides done, cats/headers/exhaust replaced with appropriate upgrades. There seem to be a few guys out there that obviously are meticulous car owners with good prices on their 95's. All the debates on here about 355 problems, 95 or otherwise, seem to point in the same direction... "These cars are great, but only with proper care." Find any year 355 that you like, and provided everything is gravy on the car, buy it!

 

I went with a 95 recently.

I wanted:

6 speed
Extra ponies
Less electronics (2.7)

I'll use the price difference for maintenance for quite awhile (hopefully).

Steve

 

The best year 355 is the one you end up owning, and if you didn't like the F1 in your Maser then definitely skip it in the 355.

 

The best year was '94.

 

95. Red or Yellow only...

 

Oops. Wrong forum.

Carry on...

 

1995
or Fiorano Edition

 

Very hard to find in the states!

 

+1...

 

For us new commers to 355's whats the difference in electronics, and is one year more prone to valve guide failure than others. And after an engine out valve job is the guide problem gone or just in remission?

What other problems do the 355's have. I read something about the tops...who put the top up on a Ferrari?

 

Ah man, you're hurting me! I just put the top up on my 348 today...likely to be that way through most of the Winter.

Anyway, the 1995 355's and most/all 355 Challenge cars used the Ferrari F50's Motronic 2.7 computers, 2 cats, 2 MAFs, and 2 O2 sensors.

All other 355's use Motronic 5.2, 1 MAF, an additional air temperature sensor, 4 cats (2 are pre-cats), and 4 O2 sensors.

As for valve guide "failure," if your 355 isn't smoking then your valve guides haven't failed. In my opinion, the best, most charitable explanation for the 355 "valve guide" misdiagnosis is that valve guides are being blamed for the loss of compression/leakdown caused by other things such as carbon buildup on valve stems/seats.

 

I keep the top up 95% of the time and I live in Southern California.... . I was always a 'coupe' fan/owner before........ but I just thought the spider's lines and small rear window just looked alot more modern than the 'wrap around' rear window of the coupes... ............... that 348/355 'wrap around' rear window looks just like the Dino's rear window from back in the 1970's......... ............... wrap windows remind me of the 'pacer' too.....

 

Thats sad,
I have had the top on my 308 twice, when I trailored it home and when I trailored it to Rutalnds for their picnic last year

 

Mine is a '95 spider with black interior and 1700 miles- it runs like a little bird !
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