Shall I buy this one? please help a newbie | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Shall I buy this one? please help a newbie

Discussion in '348/355' started by qucumber, Feb 2, 2011.

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  1. m5guy

    m5guy Formula 3

    Aug 17, 2008
    1,627
    Ventura, CA.
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #26 m5guy, Feb 2, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  2. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
    4,866
    Atlantic Beach Fl
    Full Name:
    Stuart K. Hicks
    That car is gorgeous.

    GTS and a manual. Do your homework on it and if it measures up buy it.
     
  3. anucci

    anucci Karting

    Jan 13, 2007
    51
    Stamford, CT
    Yep, definitely bubbly.
    Every one I have looked at so far has this problem.
    I am a newbie, when sellers refer to "stickies" does that include "bubbling" as well?
     
  4. Bullitt44

    Bullitt44 Karting

    Feb 22, 2005
    226
    Westlake, OH
    Full Name:
    Jon Sabo
    The used crank might spook unless explained. My guess is someone tried to enjoy the car before oil temp was accomplished. I would have the car PPI'd by a reputable source. Love the color and spec.

    Good luck with purchase.
     
  5. qucumber

    qucumber Rookie

    Mar 24, 2010
    19
    Thanks for all the replies;
    yes, it checks out fine , but the crank is troubling me. I am going in today to talk some more.
     
  6. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,406
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    It's metallic for sure....
     
  7. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,406
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    I mentioned that briefly......a valet or someone taking it too high too soon.......all good now though...
     
  8. Shorn355

    Shorn355 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 13, 2011
    6,870
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Scott
    Looks like you might have found a good one. Miles are right, Symbolic is well-known/respected, maintenance records seem intact and chronological - no suspicious "gaps" - 1998 car means less valve guide risk but I agree with earlier posts that that "issue" was way over-inflated and only affected a small batch of pre-97 cars.

    I just paid more that that for a one-owner/one dealer/one mechanic 1995 Giallo GTS. The Rosso Barchetta color drops the price a bit as compared with Rosso Corsa or Giallo Modena but that is a matter of personal choice (I think it's beautiful FWIW).

    I say you have done your research and thought it through - that's the tactical part.

    Now if you wake up in the middle of the night dreaming about it, are already planning what waxes, cleaners, polishes your are going to use, your palms get sweaty thinking about holding the keys and you are going to buy a new wallet because you can't imagine putting a Ferrari registration in your old one AND you can afford to not only purchase and properly insure the car BUT also have a "Ferrari Fund" so if/when something does break you don't freak and so you aren't afraid to drive the car due to maintenance costs then buy it!!

    Remember, you can sleep in your Ferrari but you can't drive your house :)
     
  9. PorscheGuy

    PorscheGuy Formula Junior

    Dec 13, 2010
    520
    Irving TX
    Full Name:
    Jeff
    Killer car. I have a black GTS and love your color. I would be fighting you for it had I not bought mine already. Seems like a great car.
     
  10. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,815
    Lake Villa IL
    This is true, well done! :)
     
  11. carrera2go

    carrera2go Rookie

    Jun 26, 2010
    10
    I spoke to the guy who did the 12k service work in San Diego.

    He went into great detail why the crank was replaced and it had to do with some seal issues.

    You might want to contact him. Ask the seller for the records to get his phone.

    Good luck.
     
  12. Bradley

    Bradley F1 Rookie

    Nov 23, 2006
    2,831
    Lakewood, Colorado
    Full Name:
    Bradley
  13. drjohngober

    drjohngober Formula 3

    Jul 23, 2006
    2,040
    Cville and Gbury Tex
    Full Name:
    Dr.John Gober
    In my opinion, the 355 GTS is one of the most desirable Ferraris of all time. Drivable, gorgeous lines, can easily be changed from a coupe to a targa within minutes. Maybe a few mechanical issues but compared to the 348s or the 360 F1 problems, the 355 is easily maintained.
     
  14. pearsonhaus

    pearsonhaus Formula 3

    Jul 2, 2008
    1,464
    I am with you, that's a question that needs an answer...
     
  15. qucumber

    qucumber Rookie

    Mar 24, 2010
    19
    All: After 48 hours of intense research and picking brains, here is the deal:
    1. The car is Rosso Firoano.
    2. CNC motors are professional and did not skip a beat.
    3. Damian at Fusion Motor Sport is worth his weight in gold and knowledge! he is super cool and had no issues answering my 6million questions. I feel I had a crash course in 355's over the past 24 hours. His inspection was comprehensive and meticulous.
    4. Engine compression ranged between 185 and 195psi.
    5. Leak down: 3-5%.
    6. Every thing else is in order. Some bubbling with AC panel.
    6. Damian was impressed with the car, which was enough for me.
    She now lives in my garage.
    :)
    THANKS !!!
     
  16. DevonL

    DevonL Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2010
    2,442
    NYC
    Full Name:
    Devon
    We need more pictures! It's certainly a beautiful example of a 355! Congratulations!
     
  17. Rob'Z

    Rob'Z Formula 3

    Mar 29, 2008
    1,024
    Tucson,AZ
    Full Name:
    Robert
    Congrats! I must say that is a beautiful GTS. I love my rigid Berlinetta but a GTS is so pretty and the open air cruising must be incredible.

    Rob
     
  18. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    Jun 4, 2009
    3,636
    Encinitas, CA
    Full Name:
    Rick
    Pics or it never happened.
     
  19. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran

    Aug 4, 2006
    8,329
    Palos Verdes
    Full Name:
    Vince V
    Good job on your research and congratulations on your purchase. Welcome to the Brotherhood! We look forward to seeing you and the car at an event soon.
     
  20. qucumber

    qucumber Rookie

    Mar 24, 2010
    19
    #45 qucumber, Feb 5, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thanks for your kind words and warm reception.
    Some pics attached. I am not great with a camera, and so the pics still do not do justice to the color of that beauty. See this link for a more accurate color rendering:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/rimoli/galleries/72157623660850232/

    cheers
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  21. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2005
    3,583
    Behind a drum kit
    Full Name:
    Mr. Chupacabra
    That is a stunning color!! Congrats!
     
  22. qucumber

    qucumber Rookie

    Mar 24, 2010
    19
    Thanks!
     
  23. DevonL

    DevonL Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2010
    2,442
    NYC
    Full Name:
    Devon
    How rare was that color? And how does the 355 Berlinetta feel vs the GTS?
     
  24. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
    4,866
    Atlantic Beach Fl
    Full Name:
    Stuart K. Hicks
    She's sweeeet.

    Now take that stupid top off and let the windows down before you ever show that thing on here again!! GTS is mean't to be driven with the top off and just look wrong otherwise.

    Let us know how it drives.

    Congrats!
     
  25. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2006
    10,476
    DC Metro
    Full Name:
    L.C.
    You did very, very well on that buy. Congrats, from one GTS owner to another! :D
     

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