Curious to see how this works out for you. I'm also thinking on selling my '98 355 GTB F1 with 11k miles. I was thinking in the mid-60s?
Haven't listed it for that price yet----Will do so soon---Last year had it listed for $67K and got nothing for a serious buyer.... As soon as I find time to sit down and make a good ad, I will lsit it--Stickynomore has been kicking my butt lately and I have no time for anything else....
Thanks, Scott, but mine is going to be mine forever, God willing. I agree that Robbie has the nicest F1 GTB on the market. A real buyer will seek out the best cars, a seller just has to be patient.
I have to agree that a buyer will seek out the best available vehicle. But eventually if you want to buy a new toy which is what cars such as these fall into you end up buying what is available. I have in the past shipped a car across the country but I doubt I would real bother shipping a car from coast to coast now. Or in my case something like California to Canada. The 348 and 355 have become fairly inexpensive and though great ones are available will one really want to search it out???? I like to tinker and do get in way over my head. I have bought salvage cars questionable cars and just some down right pieces of junk in the last 20yrs. But they have in some way always been fun for me. I doubt I make money on them or come out ahead but I really do not care. If the car is going to be a track toy do you want the best available.... I mean pushing it into the corner would you not want to get just a bit of contact with the next guy. The rules and fines be damned!!!!
I say offer him 50K and see if/how he counter offers. But, I wouldnt expect to get it any lower and def expect to pay 55-60, unless it needs maintenance work, which can be pricey quick, obviously...
Anyone know of a reputable shop that will do a PPI on a 355 in The Burlington, NJ area ?? Any hints on what to look for ? I saw car it looks pretty darn good-- No cruise of coursebut it has wavy console ( stickynomore), some scuffs on the seat bolsters, He said the top would not go all the way up... I expressed concern and he said he thinks it just needs to be bled so is another issue. There is no paperwork so I worked in a complete Belt and engine service. Pass Air bag has ripples, not sure if that can be fixed or you have to replace, Paint looks fresh, Has the CF rear, Tires are it great shape and car drove fabulous. Shifted good and sold and engine bay looks clean but lets see what a PPI produces. I have very little room to negotiate since he say he could always take the car to the auction and get what I am paying and he doesn't really need to do anything to the car to boot. I have bought otherr Ferrari's from him and he knows that I will buy more if he does the right thing. I have confidence in him as well. But we will see. Here are the pics: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
more Couldn't resist the last shot Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
This is what the backside of the pass. airbag cover looks like AFTER removing it from the actual airbag module by drilling out 10 rivets. Ignore the 3 rods. They're something I did for permanent air bag deletion. I imagine you would have a hard time replacing the leather from scratch (matching etc.). Maybe you could remove the old leather and re-glue it tighter and WITHOUT drilling out rivets to remove it from the module. New or used air bag is probably $$$ Image Unavailable, Please Login
The top can be a "budget buster" if there's trouble. Make sure it works. Recovering the airbag isn't a big deal. It isn't necessary to disassemble it.
No direct experience but those tops seem like somewhat complicated beasts. Is the front hood being propped open?? If so, perhaps a bit too much deferred maintenance here and there..........
The car won't bring much money at the auction. It will bring mid to high $40's. I would let him take it there and get disappointed and then make him an offer higher then auction, but more fair in your favor. But if at all possible I would stay away, if simple cheap maintenance is deferred I'm sure the major expenses were overlooked as well. I payed top dollar for my cream puff 355F1 and I am a dealer with auction access. I was able to put many trouble free miles on my 355. Now 5 years and nearly 30,000 miles later I am just having to do some minor maintenance here and there. My car is no longer a cream puff but I know how to the auction cars usually run and how band-aided together they are.
I'm not sure if it just needs to be bled, but when I bought my F355 Spider, the seller was honest and said the top wasn't working properly and the Ferrari dealer quoted the fix at about $4500 to $5000 for new parts and labor. I lowered the asking price by factoring in $5000 (plus a bunch more) and got the top fixed at the dealer. Make sure you factor enough for the fix!
Looks like this car is registered to be at the Manheim dealer auction on Thursday. I guess you decided to pass...