http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/775416872.html
Could be for real I reckon. Probably needs a major, probably has valve guide issues AND cracked headers.
I just spoke to the seller. He says Title is salvage from long time ago, the car smokes (he says white smoke), mechanic says valve guides, says he changed the headers but the smoke is still present, body is straight, interior needs a little work no leather shrinkage but the driver chair is loose maybe needs tightening. Top has a tear from an attempted steal. Power top not functioning. Car drivable now but makes funny noise from engine. I asked him if price is negotiable, he says yes Here is my assessments Valve guides, engine overhaul, and $20000 Top canvas= $1500 Top mechanics= $10000 Small chips on bumper = $1500 Miscellaneous leather fixing and cleanning = $3000 Missing misc accessories (boot cover, car cover, tools) $2000 Now you tell me if it's a bargain or not.
I spoke to the seller, he said it's negotiable. He wants out so I assume if you offered 25g he might consider.
The guy was pretty straight up. If you are like the Stooges, and and your own work, then it's not so bad. Say fatbillybob, here is your chance to get back into a Ferrari. Though I dunno if you wanna race a rag top?
You could do the 348 manual top instead of making the 355 hydraulic top functional again, worst case. Exact same dimensions and mostly same underpinnings. Save $10k that way. Nothing wrong with a manual top. The bumper is removable so you pull it off and respray it...save $1,250. Gotta check for a cracked block, though. Gotta make sure the tranny fluid looks OK. Big ticket items. It needs a Stooge...and even then, you'd still be left with a salvage title...which would be OK for a berlinetta track car, but not so ideal for the spider. $50 says some greaser buys it instead...and pulls an insurance claim on it after he "totals it" in (not an) accident. Otherwise it's a parts car.
Well, you could only take it out on sunny days .... isn't when we drive our cars anyways? Forget fixing the targa ..... but, there is pride in ownership ........ been there ...... "Just buy the car for the fun, so what it is not perfect, its just a fun drive on Sundays thing". Fast foward to a year later ... 1000's of dollars spend making it as perfect as you can, since you already "got the car", ha ha ....... still if we are talking @ 25-29K (if that's a possibility), someone will scoop it up 4 sure.
Thats it brother. Buy it and DRIVE it as is. Forget about spending any money on it. Keep topping up the engine oil and forget the power top. Buy it for $30K or whatever. Drive the wheels off it and then on sell it for $30K or less in 5-10 years. I am sure you wouldnt lose too much money on it in 5-10 years time. Hell, even if you did lose $5-10K, who cares?
Pap ..... would the valve guide issue make it so you have to do something about it right now ..... is this something you can ignore for 5 years .... how serious is this? I admit I'm dreaming, but .... if you buy this car for 30K, drive for 4 years and sell it in 4 years for $27 .... I mean .... am I the only one that's nuts? Please feel free to say YES, ha ha PS. 355 guys pleas excuse my novice on this issue, doing my best trying to learn ...
My brothers work car (NOT a Ferrari) has worn valve guides and it smokes upon start up. It burns VERY little engine oil. He just tops the engine oil up every 6 months or so. The car has been this way since 2002 when we purchased it. It is a 1998 V6 Mitsubishi Magna. We couldnt be bothered pulling the heads and doing the valve job. So........this 355 can still be driven like this (if it is indeed the valve guides worn), but not too many Ferrari owners like to drive smokey Ferraris.
Hey Pap, In your opinion would the O2 sensors need cleaning every now and again? Due to build up from the small amount of oil being burnt. I agree with your advice, Drive it!
I thought the same thing man with my smokey old girl here, but I have never replaced the O2 sensor and I have never cleaned it either. I am sure it is all covered in gunk, but meh.
Interesting brother, I guess there is very little to loose from driving with worn guides then. 355's RULE!!!!!
Its a beater. Treat it like one! Buy it, drive it, fix it along the way if OR when you have to. In 5 years time, flip it for what it cost you to someone else. Man, for that price.......I wish I could buy two.
The real owner of the car sent me photos, the car is a wreck, needs engine rebuild, has sever problems with paint, acid rain he thinks ? interior is toast, top is ripped. power top does not work, needs paint work on bumper, and the hits just keep on comin....the kid in the ad is 19 and is a self proclaimed expert, this is funny, car shows 57000 on the odometer, driven hard and put away wet...
I dont know how ?? I have been a lurker for about 5 yrs, but just came back to the site about a month ago, Paul
It is very easy my friend. See the "manage attachments" box when you make a post?? All you do is click on that, then add pics. Very easy.
