New member so go easy on me ... lol. Owned a 87 328 GTS for 3 years back in 97, and now thinking I got off light on the maint and upkeep. It was suggested I join and read Ferrarichat, and am having second thoughts on a 355. I know a F car is not an investment at my level, I drive mine but want to drive it more than I take it in for repairs. So a well sorted car is in order. The "have we ruined the 355" posts definitely got my attention. I have limited skills on Ferrari repair and usually took the 328 to the local dealer and said "fix it" and they did. Thinking a 6 speed, don't want to repair a hydro pump on an F1 trans, I was thinking a Berlinetta to avoid the convertible top issues but the cracks along the buttress to the spoiler would definitely attract moisture in Portland OR. I see posts and comments about aftermarket cats and mufflers, but not much mention of the exhaust manifold replacement .... other than they WILL crack. So some help, encouragement, thoughts, or available cars from a reliable source would be appreciated. Before I leave this world I have to own and drive another Ferrari, the sound of a 355 going down the straight stretch at PIR in Portland is all I hear at night until I fall asleep, and that was 15 years ago.
Rest easy. I've owned 2, and have some quick pointers. Sounds like you know what you want, a GTB with a 6 speed. (Good choice) The challenge is finding a good one. Those of us who have fixed the little issues in these cars paid a lot to do so. Don't expect to find a fully sorted, serviced and addressed GTB/S for 60-70k. Sure, others will disagree and point to a car or two that sold on eBay, but trust me, outside of the anomalies, you don't want these eBay "deals". Especially not on a 355. There are few cars better than a good 355. Enjoy the hunt!
Don't let the doom and gloom around here discourage your dream. Yes, the cars have know issues. Learn about the car, do your homework and find a good one to buy. It's not likely you will buy one that needs everything that ever could go wrong and will. Remember, 10,000 of these were made and you don't here 10,000 owners *****ing that they are junk, just a few clowns here ;-)
Many of us have found just that, fantastic cars that were well serviced for exactly that range. Sorry Luke, but it's the truth.
Carfax is a start, 2009 recall not done, avoid. failed, passed, failed emissions numerous times avoid those. multiple auctions, avoid those. multiple owners the last year, avoid those. sitting for years not driven avoid those. E bay no way Thanks for the info, I would go for a convertible but would have to sit in the car and open and close it 5 times .... hoping that evil grin does not appear on my face as the owner watches me put it in gear and let out the clutch .... saying "back in a bit".
There is nothing wrong with eBay. Plenty of good people and good dealers you eBay as a marketing too but I'd not click "Buy it Now" Carfax also is full of mistakes. I think the recalls will still be honored by the factory.
Well, when I said "Many of us", that included gated shifters... And you are 100% correct, F1's are different, they are more valuable
That could get you in trouble with a 355. You might want to read this: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/417552-anyone-here-have-mileage-355-original-valve-guides.html It will put the issue in perspective. As for the fuel distributor recall, I believe it is still open (was in May of 2013). If it is (check if an issue) Ferrari will do it at no cost. Not a deal breakers. Spider top problems seem way over emphasized. I must have looked at a dozen spider over my 3 year search. Only one had top issues and that turned out to be user error.
Hi Tom, I didn't realize you started a thread over here so I posted on your original thread wondering why you haven't been back to see the responses. Glad to see you doing your homework. Good luck and keep us posted.
I'll just put this in here as it seems you aren't totally anti spider. It is an f1 but you could buy this car sight unseen and have total confidence in it. I have no affiliation other than vouching for the car and the seller http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/433598-great-legit-car.html We got a little break in the weather here today and about 2 inches of rain the past two days so the roads got a good washing of salt so I just got back from about a 40 mile drive. The car started right up after having not been started in over a month. Let it warm up properly and off I went. I had anther car I looked at ppi at Algar by Tony, their top tech up and I will always remember something he told me as we discussed this car which had 2000 miles on it in 5 years. He said these cars need to be driven regularly. He said if you are going too take it out for a cup of coffee , go to the Dunkin Donuts 50 miles away. It felt great to smell that smell as I got inside and hear that exhaust note at 6000 rpm again. Some guy in some soaped up Nissan something or other wanted to race me but I'm to old for that. Went to my favorite spot for coffee, parked and there're were a bunch of folks looking over the car. Oh it is a spider and with the roof up looks as beautiful as a 355 could look. They ingeniously replicate the flying buttresses in convertible top and it works visually perfectly. With the top down it is just stunning. I don't know how much top down weather you get up there but there is nothing like screaming at hi revs in a spider on nice day!! Good luck in your search
Don't be discouraged. I recently purchased a 1997 355 Spider from a fellow Fchatter. I spent about 10 months looking for a 355 until I found the right one. I did my research about the 355 and learned what to look for. Reading Fchat is like a roller coaster, I almost changed my mind about buying a 355 after reading some of the posts. I have owned the car only a few months but feel I made the right choice. The issues related to the 355: - valve guides - I have read this was an issue with the earlier cars. If your car has some milage on it get a compression and leak down test done. Not that its a guarantee but with some milage on the car and a good compression leak down test you're probably good on valve guides - headers - this is probably more of not if but when they fail. The factory headers were made of thin wall steal and will fail over time due to heat. - sticky bits - the interior parts were covered in a coating that fails with time and heat - recall fuel divider - most cars I assume have had this done if not I think Ferrari still honors the recall - dash shrinkage - the leather on the upper dash will eventually shrink around the vents and airbag. These seem to be the main issues with the 355. None of which should be a deal breaker as long as the vehicle was properly maintained. Find a local independent mechanic that can help you once you have a found a car of interest. Do a PPI but also have your mechanic talk to the sellers mechanic. Make sure the seller has all of the service and maintenance records. Check the date of the last major/engine out. I could go on and on about what to look for. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Well said Dave as usual, plenty of good deals on Ebay, here, and else where. If you want a car that you open the door, stick the key in the ignition, and NEVER EVER have to worry about having issues then buy a Porsche 911 Turbo. Much more power, BUT less than half the love of the 355. When you first purchase the 355 you will park it in the garage after a spirited drive, walk 5 steps to the beer fridge, pull one can off the six pack ring, put that one back and take the other five and sit in your beer drinking chair no less than 10 feet away from the car, yes it's that fuing cool. This car is basically a piece of art on the wall that you get to drive. Just do your home work. Seek advise from people who are willing to help (Like Dave) and don't want to smother you with how cool their 355 and that it's white in color, etc, etc, or tell you how many things can go wrong. No two of these cars are the same. Yes the the 355 is a bad sunofa***** but budget for PPI, Timing belt service, etc, etc. Good thing come to those who are patient...
Just remember how much your saving over the guy that bought it new and it will make you feel better. I still say many of these cars that have been looked after and have updates are better than new anyway.
In UK, Buttress's often show issues with corrosion, but if repaired properly are fine from them on, its about £1000 per side to sort properly including paint, I had manifold - taken apart and new thicker stainless tubes fitted, cost about £300 a side, , I took them off and fitted them myself (one side ) Indy did other as was in a hurry, but its not a huge issue, friend still has the car, 8 years on an no issues, sure you can spend £thousands on shiny new fab speed ones them have hi flow cats and cerarmic coatings, all lovely, for zero point something in HP, all depends how much spare cash you have, had a 360 then went back to a 355 spider, roof issues are common, but nothing that cant be fixed, its just a little hydraulic pump with a few cylinders and some sensors, over complicated compared to like a boxster but know faults are well documented and easily sorted. too many people like to waffle on about all the faults and cost of ownership, its a Ferrari, it costs about £1500/year to maintain on average, has zero depreciation, is one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever built, (I had a boxster once that from new lost, £28k in four years on depreciation, - that puts it into perspective I think), just ensure the car you are looking at is correctly inspected before you buy it, regards scott,
Fantastic post. Real world experiences , solutions and honesty Look over your prospective purchase carefully, listen to what unbiased posters on here have to say, budget accordingly within your desire to be involved (read write checks) to correct things and go for it. It is a terrific lifetime experience to own a Ferrari. If it has been a dream of yours and this price point hits the sweet spot, do your homework and go for it!
Don't hesitate, go with your gut. They are awesome cars, and one of the best Ferraris ever made. As others have said, buy one that's already done. You'll pay another $10k for a well-sorted car, but you'll save big bucks in the long run.
I have a Berlinetta and I have no cracks on my rear quarters. I bought my car with needs it was broken and in need of belt 30k service. I have sticky interior parts and some broken interior parts. I also have leather dash that's shrunk as well as the leather at the rear quarter windows. My headlights are acting crazy and the drivers window doesn't work. All things I'm going to deal with.
