New 355 owner | FerrariChat

New 355 owner

Discussion in '348/355' started by kj2001m5, Apr 6, 2013.

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  1. kj2001m5

    kj2001m5 Karting

    Aug 7, 2009
    121
    Well, after a solid week of paperwork hassles I am the proud owner of a 96 355 spider. Car has typical issues: sticky interior parts, dash leather shrunken. Car has 44,xxx miles.

    Positive sides; documented valve guides, headers and major less than 1000 miles ago. Original owner has just gotten too elderly to enjoy the car anymore.

    I Paid $35,000. There is one major mechanical problem, the convertible top has been "converted" to manual operation. The original owner hasn't raised the top in over 4 years. I made sure its in good condition, but like the last owner, I plan to use it top down 99% of the time. How could you not with that engine noise?

    Any thoughts? Did I pay too much? Did I get a deal? I'm happy, I have no plans to sell it. I know there is no such thing as a cheap Ferrari, but as a guy who has the tools and ability to fix near anything on it, I'm hopeful I can keep it running strong.
     
  2. greg 19425

    greg 19425 Formula 3

    Jan 6, 2011
    2,471
    Wake Forest, NC
    Full Name:
    Greg
    The price you paid is just a start, but seems fair. Just a quick question, how old was the seller? Just thought we all would like tooo know. :)
     
  3. kj2001m5

    kj2001m5 Karting

    Aug 7, 2009
    121
    I know purchase price is just the starting point. I am going into this being as cynical as possible about the feasiblity. I just hope a technical back ground is enough to offset the costs so I can enjoy the car and not question the purchase the entire time.

    The owner was nearly 80
     
  4. kj2001m5

    kj2001m5 Karting

    Aug 7, 2009
    121
    Do you know the spider in question? Local car for us
     
  5. greg 19425

    greg 19425 Formula 3

    Jan 6, 2011
    2,471
    Wake Forest, NC
    Full Name:
    Greg
    No, I just wanted to know how many years I had left to drive. :)
     
  6. wazie7262

    wazie7262 Formula 3

    Feb 13, 2008
    2,357
    Temecula, CA
    Full Name:
    Scott
    Was this the 96 Spider in AZ?
     
  7. ketel

    ketel Formula 3

    Aug 6, 2007
    1,355
    Sausalito, CA
    Congrats and welcome to the family. Post some pics when you can.

    Hard to tell, but I'd say you got a good deal. $35k for a Ferrari roadster that has had most of the expensive design flaws already addressed is pretty darn compelling. The sticky switch/dash shrinkage is the least of your worries. A couple grand and the car will look near-new.

    Enjoy. The more you drive her the better she gets!

    ketel

    Full disclosure: proud owner of a 97 355 Spider, Swaters Blue/Tan, Fabspeed headers, Maranello exhaust, 44xxx miles and counting!!
     
  8. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
    2,515
    Northern Utah
    Full Name:
    Erick
    Congratulations on your new 355.
    One of the Fchat rules is you must post pictures of your car or we just assume it's really a fiero kit and you’re a wannabe. Kidding! But we really need pictures. ;)
     
  9. FlyingAces

    FlyingAces Formula Junior

    Jun 2, 2011
    849
    LA 2 Vegas
    Full Name:
    Joejoe
    35k is a steal. Hell my friends hundai genesis was 44K. Drive that thing like your daily driver & be safe.
     
  10. kj2001m5

    kj2001m5 Karting

    Aug 7, 2009
    121
    Yep, this was the rosso corsa with a tan interior in AZ
     
  11. kj2001m5

    kj2001m5 Karting

    Aug 7, 2009
    121
    I am going to daily drive it as much as long as I can stand it :)
     
  12. VTChris

    VTChris F1 World Champ

    Aug 21, 2005
    13,259
    You did great at $35k

    Enjoy, the 355 is the prettiest car to ever hit the pavement :)
     
  13. kj2001m5

    kj2001m5 Karting

    Aug 7, 2009
    121
    #13 kj2001m5, Apr 7, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here's a couple pics. I had a bunch more, but honestly I thought I lost the deal because of the seller's living trust documents were missing but Arizona demanded them to transfer the title. No, I'm not Ed by the way...

    I made it fit!!! I haven't fit a running car in my garage in 8 years!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  14. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 20, 2006
    2,484
    Unless it's a total basket case you practically stole this car! Congrats!
     
  15. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,758
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    Great picture!

    That's a nice F355! Congratulations! Drive it in good health.

    Barry
     
  16. kj2001m5

    kj2001m5 Karting

    Aug 7, 2009
    121
    Dyno day

    There is a good dyno shop down the street from work, so I went during lunch today. On a dynojet dyno, my 355 put 295 hp to the wheels and 220 lb/ft. Was very consistant, and reading others dyno results of stock cars, I had expected similar numbers.

    Time to build my exhaust and airboxes
     
  17. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,790
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Bruce Bogart
    Great garage pic! The bicycles must go.
     
  18. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

    Apr 1, 2011
    3,726
    Montreal
    Full Name:
    Fab
    Great price! congrats....
     

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