stiping up to a 355f1 spider

Headers, and Cats are the most common. Sticky parts are some other issues. Do a search to find answers to most of your questions...

 

Mike -

Huge performance difference and 'modern/creature comfort' differences between the two cars. A proper F355 F1 can be a real joy (and not too outrageously expensive to own). Having said that, I would do a MASSIVE amount of shopping before pulling the trigger. Leave color, leather and cosmetics totally out of your evaluation -- they have no bearing whatsoever on the true black-hole 'potential' of a F355. In other words, find the best engine, tranny, maintenance story on the market, and buy it.

In no particular order, I'd pick through:

- headers
- cats
- valve guides
- bypass valve
- Y-pipe cats
- cat ecus
- o2 sensors
- air pump
- belt tensioner arms
- alternator bearing
- waterpump
- wheel bearings
- shock actuators
- seat potentiometers
- P/S reservoir
- clutch thrust bearing
- steering rack

 

you won't be sorry. fantastic car.

 

I absolutely LOVE the F1, been a joy to drive the past 2 yrs. My 2 cents worth - buy a later model car (98-99), many small issues had been updated and are taken off the 'to do' list. Also better (IMHO) to buy a slightly higher mileage car for a bit less, good chance it will be more reliable if it's been driven. The cars that are parked forever seem to have more potential issues. And most importantly check the maint. records and have a PPI done.

 

The 355 was the Ferrari's first model to have the F1 paddle shift system. Having owned a 355F1 and the F1 version of every model since I should say that the 355 F1 shift system isn't very good. In my opinion it didn't start to get really good until the 575M and of course the finally got it right in the 430. I think that the 355 if a wonderful and fun car to drive but I would definitely purchase it is a 6-speed.

 

I had a 355F1 Spider for about 1.5 yrs and 6500 miles and it ran perfect. Yes I drove it. Drive it alot and you'll be fine. It did need a new clutch at 10K miles but that's common. It was overall very reliable. Don't buy a garage queen with 5K on the clock. Buy a 10K+ car that's been well taken care of.

 

Mike
it may be a good year before the market comes back.

Also when it does chances are if your 308 will be worth 45k then the 99 355 will be worth more than 69k
Its a simple sliding scale.

 

I know of a good F355 98 spider for sale - not an F1 but if interested PM me.

no-issue, prestine, all up grades, all sorted, all service up in cluding major

 

99 f1 red/tan in ads section

 

Back in March 2008, I purchased a 1999 F1 355. As this was my first Ferrari, I was very careful with my purchase. Many on this site were extremely valuable with before and after advice.

Owning this car has been nothing short of incredable.

Lots of pros and some cons but get in the car and drive it.

WOW!

 

Is that the F1 on cars.com? I talked to him the other day, and he seems really straightforward.

 

good point...the f1 on the 355 is not smooth, nor is it very quick shiftling...the 360 f1 was much better and the 430yet another quantum jump in f1 tranny performance....get the 6speed in the 355...if you dont want to worry about all the potential problems of the 355, get a 360 for about $20k more... a much more modern and better sorted car with a far better f1 tranny