Hey all, I rented a 355 with a tubi a few years ago and fell in love. And now I am in a position to buy one. What should I look for and look out for when searching. Also the F1 tranny; is it reliable? Does anyone know if it works the same way as a e46 M3 SMG tranny did? I had one of those and loved it. Or should I stick to a manual? I am in Canada, so what price should I expect to pay for a 355 spider in this time of year? Thanks all in advance for your help
Thanks Captain Obvious (every board seems to have one); I did perform a search and came up with answers to other questions. I would still like to hear from guys that might want to help a out, I didn't find an answer to my question about the reliability here or in Google searches of the F1 tranny and its similarity to a e46 m3 SMG if any at all. I'm wondering how they compare since I've lived with one for a few years. Also; what should I be paying for a 355 in Canada during this time of year? How do I find the answer to that in a search?
Refine your search criteria and you will find your answers....."355 F1 problem" "355 purchase" etc. The F1 system seems to be in most part reliable, I owned a 355F1 prior to my current manual and had problems with it, but it was always the same problem reoccurring and the workshop couldn't figure it out, so I sold it and brought a manual. That being said there are a heap of guys here with F1 cars and the faults reported are fairly uncommon. Here is how I would buy a 355: Find a nice example with excellent records, check if the common things have been done, like headers, sticky interior etc. Have a good PPI done by someone who knows 355's, if it checks out buy it. Drive it, if it breaks, fix it, and drive it. Good luck!
My 2c... Buy a car with some mileage, not a garage queen-those have problems. Don't buy a perfect car-there's nothing but pain when you get your first rock chips, and it won't be perfect ever again. Drive it like ya stole it-these cars don't respond well to babying. Always match revs-they're not friendly to burnouts or crashboxing. Sell all your gold chains and keep your shirt buttoned up-we don't want to look like Lambo guys. Take it to a safe place and spin it so you'll know how it feels just before it spins. Get a stick. F1 limits your clutch repair alternatives to the few shops who have spent $20k+ for the machine to set them up (not a do-it-yourself job as is the regular clutch). The F1 system can be very expensive to repair. Ignore all the guys who disagree with me.
The garage queen comment got me thinking lol What do you think of this find? http://autotrader.ca/used_cars_Cars_details/GUELPH_Ontario_1999_FERRARI_355+SPIDER+F355_2153698.html?srcid=5892596&source=27&pgno=1&srt=70&CompanyID=ON20081114104047046&r=ontario&ad-attributes=photos,,
The 355 F1 system works basically the same and an E46 M3 SMG transmission if not better. The concept is identical.
My F1 trans works perfect--never had an issue---The F1 trans issues are far and few between don't let that scare you from buying one....
What do you think a fair offer would be? Keep in mind its a Canadian car & $$. Also the headers & cat have never been replaced so i assume thats due too.
