355 daily driver part 2

I wanted to follow up from last week. I ended up closing the deal I was working on late Friday night. I now have the funds to purchase my first 355. I now must convince my wife that a 355 is a somewhat practical daily driver. Kind of a funny story, I asked you all about a 355 as a daily driver and got great feedback late last week. Friday morning I read all your wonderful responses and then left the thread open on my computer as went off to work. Mid day I called my wife for some random information on my computer completely forgetting about the thread being open and on the front page. I think my words in my last response were if I close the deal at work "I'm all in". Needless to say, I get a call from my wife mid afternoon saying so, are you "All in"?

My wifes pretty cool... but, probably not the best way for her to find out I want to buy a Ferrari. I have my work cut for myself, but did get her to look at it yesterday, its been an all weekend presentation at my house.....oh yeah, did I mention we have two toddlers(whoops).

I have put the link below for you to check out. I plan on getting a PPI inspection next week. The car is clean but needs several things which are listed on the add.

I can by the car for 43K and it needs about 15k in work. All in Im at 60-62K

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Carfax also attached.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270351120254&category=157044&viewitem=

 

The part about the top worries me more than all else. Convertible tops on Ferraris can be quite troublesome, let alone one that needs 'adjustment'

I'd get a lot more information on that, I know people who have spent a small fortune trying to right problems with their tops.

 

First thing I noticed was the VIN does NOT match a 1998 car....That VIN matches a 1997 car.....

 

I know, I havent gotten to talk to the owner of the car lot yet. I'm assuming he thought it was an 98 but its a 97.

 

Got ya beat! I brought home my first Ferrari (1981 308 GTBi Euro) the day before Mother's Day without even mentioning to my wife that I was looking to buy a Ferrari. Man, did I catch hell! LOL

Good luck with the car, but be very careful and selective. If everything doesn't seem right, walk!

 

If you are looking for a daily driver, you need to move away from that car. You have a bad header, and no idea how long it has been, or what has happened because of it. You could end up with 15k just in that (major plus "extras"). Then headers. Then cats. And the interior looks pretty bad in those two crappy pics. Which means it will look like hell in person. Let's not even start with the top.
60k? There are near to perfect cars for that right now, why take on this one, even as a project?

If you want to daily drive, get a berlinetta with miles (to lower the price and shake out the gremlins) that has been well cared for and serviced. This one scares me.

Ferrariads has several good cars. As a daily, this one would be a prime choice:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=451

 

Oh, also, keep in mind a few things about the 355 in regards to commuting:

- If you leave it sitting in the sun all day, the interior will fall apart.
- They do like to warm up a bit
- They like to be run pretty well (20-30 minutes at least)
- Stop and go traffic is not its favorite environment.

 

Why don't you check out that 95 GTS at the Sonoma Auto Center that's posted under the Norcal Section. That's close to where you live and you can compare it in person to the one in San Rafael. I'm like you, (just got my first F-car) and I have one toddler ( 23 month old girl) and a newborn boy as of 2/25/09. All I can say, that since we've had our newborn son, time in the F-car has been put to the back. Anyway, its been raining for the past few weeks. a fraction of the fun you will have with the car is this time that you are researching your options, gathering info, and checking out cars in person. Enjoy this time. F-chat is very addictive, and your wife will be suspicious that your having an internet affair, so beware.

 

i looked at this car this weekend in San Rafael, PM if you want my thoughts. If you buy it, lets go for a ride when the rain clears..

Geno

 

Personally I would love it if someone bought that car, and brought it back to life. I might end up with another rebuild! But my personal opinion is that if it has a bad header, you better look long and hard at the engine condition. I've had total rebuilds on three 355 engines in the last few months- the common problem they all shared was a bad header.
It may check out fine, but if you don't have the budget to sink into a rebuild, look for one without issues. Once the OEM liner coating is gone, the cylinders wear fast. If it is a 97 instead of a 98, you'll probably be looking at cylinder head rebuilding too.

 

i know this might be a naive question with lots of variables, but how much $ would you recommend someone set aside for a total rebuild assuming they were to have the work done by someone like yourself.

 

+1...nix the fake shields...nice driver.

 

I daily drove my '95 for about 6 months straight. It ran great even in the rain. You are just going to end up replacing a lot of parts on the car or sell it to the next person who is going to have replace many parts on the car.
You sound like your the next guy buying the car.

 

Wow... it's amazing you're still alive! I think that speaks volumes for your wife's tolerance.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Your first Ferrari should definitely not be a fixer 355 Spider that needs engine work. Cut your teeth on something else or get a top line car. You could pay $62K and get a very clean 1995 355 GTB. Be patient. I would not get this car if I were in your situation and I was in 2000, when I passed on a number of lesser cars.

BTW, a 348 is a very nice starter car for an eventual 355 purchase. Same Ferrari fun; less maintence costs and issues.