Help needed! Possibly purchasing F355 @ Smith Volvo from Ian Smith - San Luis Obispo

There are so many 355 spiders for sale "with history" and full records that I think you should buy a different car. Make this purchase a more stress free event.

Robb

 

Robb, how's your 355 running? I remember it was almost like yesterday that you bought the car (I had looked at it too back then, briefly but you were quick to snatch up a great deal )

 

Robb is right, while "no history" should not disqualify a car it will certainly reduce the price enough to accept some risk, do a complete service and take care of any obvious issues. There are lots of cars to buy WITH history available. I'd rather know if a car had valve guides in its past or not. I'd also like to know if it has had any body damage and if that was repaired properly. (This is a pet peeve of mine, since I have a car with minor damage documented on carfax and some folks would disqualify it or want a discount because of that, and yet they would go right out and buy a rebuilt car without knowing it as long as the carfax was clean.) If the car passed a thorough PPI with compression and leakdown and it drove fine then I'd get it serviced and restart the history for the next buyer.

 

Hi there,

Smith Volvo is fairly well known on this board for "no doc" Ferraris with curious history. Check out the "looking at a high mileage 550" thread on the 456/550/575 forum. I don't want to indict them but let the data points be your guide.

Last year (before I bought my 97 355 Spider) I looked at a black/black 355 GTS that Smith Volvo had. They seemed ill-equipped to answer the most basic questions about 355s in general and this one in particular. Did not inspire confidence.

Basically, this is a wholesale house. When Ferraris don't pass muster with most Ferrari dealers and independent Ferrari sales operations, they get wholesaled out to places like Smith Volvo. Smith Volvo also buys Ferraris off the dealer auction circuit. Typically, when a Ferrari has to be sold through a dealer auction, there is a reason. It's been in an accident, it has a salvage title, it's been a track car and has super high miles (for a Ferrari) and HARD mileage, it has no papers whatsoever, it has some other kind of "curious" history that needs a lot of explanation, it's been overmodified and butchered, etc etc etc.

The best advice is to tread very carefully with cars like these. If you buy one, you will likely dump a lot of money into it to make it right and you will likely end up owning it a long time because resale will be difficult. Better to save up for a better car with unquestionable history and pedigree.

ketel

 

Great color! I have always thought the "Canary Yellows" look great on curvacious cars. The 355 streamlining over the 348s and previous generations is great for this.

 

+1

 

Hi Dan,

Car is running great. I fall in love all over again every drive. I really like the yellow. It suits the 355 so well.

Only issue besides a sticky interior that I need to address is power from the cigarette lighter to charge phones, GPS, etc.

I think I am adding a new alpine stereo this holiday.

Robb

 

I wouldn't buy this car. You have to expect a long search to find the right one. Don't be in a hurry.

 

Be sure to get in touch with your fellow Redondo Beach-South Bay 348/355 Stooges!

 

YES!! Great advice Bruce

 

I found a previous listing for the car, when it had 27k miles. The previous seller claims it had the "cam service" recently. No telling what year that was from looking at the ad though.

1998 Ferrari 355 Spider at Phillips Auto in Newport Beach, California

 

I grabbed the first one I saw. 2 years + no issues

 

I'd say slam them on an offer due to no history and then let's look at it. You can get a PPI done if only for the compression and leak down. Other than than, assume it needs a major and bid accordingly. The dealer knows this. I'd offer $42K and see if they blink. Figure you will get it at $45K and that is a deal. Then let's get to work!

 

Smith volvo is owned by his dad. He has a side thing going on with high end cars. Although Ian took back the crap he sold me two years ago, I will still be very careful buying a car from him. As I said, I had to get his dad involved and to keep me shut he took the car back. If u choose to buy the car, go and personally inspect he car to make sure they have not sold parts off of it. Such as headers, keys, etc.

 

Don't do it.

I'm looking into buying a 355 soon iA, but I'd stay faaaar away from this one.

Don't let your emotions drive your actions.

You gotta make a calculated decision based on reason.

My advice: Do not take another look at the car - don't look at the ad - don't think about "if" scenarios in your head with this 355.....just move on.

 

Did the car ever get its fuel block replaced per the FNA recall?

I don't know man, it looks like a fair deal to me.