F355 with 30k service, capistro exhaust, fabspeed headers or base 430?

Every time I dropped off my 355 at the shop, which was fairly often, my mechanic would tell me "you should just get a 430..." We both agreed that the 355 was our favorite, but you can't deny modern technology and reliability. I'd say give it a go... You can always switch back to a 355 if you want. After 14 months with a newer car that doesn't make me question my sanity, I think a 430 would be a pretty decent change unless gour goal is long term collectability, in which case your best option is to bubble wrap the 355 and drive around in a Ford. I guess the question is: why are you thinking about a change?

 

Like a brick?? I think not!! I loved my 355 when it wasn't in the shop. It was in the shop quite often. Love my 430 spider 10x more. Only thing I miss is the near F1 sound of the 355 but the 430 has a sound of it's own that is amazing, especially once the valves open. No regrets at all selling my 355 though. Go drive a 430 and then decide.
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you love the 355, keep it! a whole different driving experience from the 430. As to cost, once you have the car right it should be bullet-proof barring the required periodic belt changes that are equally needed for the 430

 

No belt changes for the 430. Sorry! 430 has timing chains instead of timing belts. Very little maintenance needed other than yearly oils changes and a fluid change every two years.


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my bad, Steve! so much for old f-rts who live mostly in the belt-free past!

 

People will only see your rear, so that's the only angle that matters.

The front of the F355 is rather 'meh' but then again you get a proper wedge design with pop-up headlights - neither of which you'll see again due to DOT regulations.

 

Exactly why I check the 355 forum from time to time.

Those are some pics by the way!!!


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It may look dated but at least it is pretty, I cannot say that for the F430 front.

 

If you really love the 355.. Don't sell it. 430 is a different experience.

How do you know you won't have a $10k bill with the 430? EDiff and odd electronic issues have also been known to pop up on the rare occasion.

 

I'm in the midsts of the exact same dilemma. Nothing sounds like a 355...literally nothing. The engine is an amazing achievement. The 355 is fun, small and nimble, but it's a pain in the ass to drive around a traffic heavy city like Manhattan. Another thing that irks me about the 355 is the ridiculous battery drain that occurs. I have to park my car in an underground garage, so trickle charging is not an option. If I leave it for a week, the battery is near dead. That's untenable. I'd like to drive more and worry less. Then again, I am in the midst of a full major, GCK install, full exterior body work and new paint job (giallo to grigio silverstone), full new interior (deep burgundy) and about a hundred other little upgrades. So, I'll have to see how I feel when it's all done.

 

It is striking to see how much bigger the 430 is. While no doubt the 430 handles superbly I have to believe it lacks some of that 355 go kart feel.

With all of the talk about the cost of a 355 you can't lose sight of the 430 depreciation curve. Buy it for $125k now, sell it in 10 yrs for $50k. What is the more expensive car to own? And, to the issue of power -- it's not how fast you drive, it's how close to the limit you drive that determines the excitement level. It's hard enough to take a 355 close to the limit and and 99% of 430 owners won't ever get within the same zip code of its limit.

All of that being said, I can see a 430 in my future someday when they are farther down that depreciation curve...it's a great car.

 

Porscheguys new thread is so relevant to this thread, I hope he does not mind me using it. And the 458 spider dates even the 430.
Shows what a great Ferrari the 355 is. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/436487-wtb-f355-gts-will-pay-top-market.html

 

That's what did me in as well, so it really depends on your tolerance for tossing money around. The first few years were painless, but once the miles starting racking up the floodgates opened and never stopped. There are some expensive things that can happen to a 430 as well but from what I gather, they're not the sure bet like with the 355. It's a tough call because the 355 is a lot more desirable than a 430 to a lot of us, but you're right that you have to have a certain level of insanity to think that paying 30-50% of the value of a car in maintenance every few years is ok.

 

I've never had such a problem with my 355. Last winter I just parked it and 4 months later I got in and started it without a problem. Sometimes I don't drive it for a month and it starts fine every time. And I have never changed the battery - it's still the one that the previos owner bought.

As for the 355 vs 430 thread - I also have the same dilemma and I'm exactly 50/50 whether to buy a 430 or not.I'm sure the 430 is far more cheaper to maintain, however, I'm not sure if you will have any big problems with the 355 if the valve guides, headers and connectors are fixed.

 

Yes, it may. I am talking about the gold kit, that replaces all the electric connectors on all the sensors and injectors in the engine bay.

 

Do you have the manual or F1 transmission? I believe the F1 transmission causes a slight, steady drain on the battery. In either case, I've never heard of anyone leaving their 355 for a month without starting it and having no problems...unless you're turning the battery off.

 

If no F1 in the 355 and if all other issues have been addressed the car should be very reliable. Throw that first gen F1 in there then it's pot luck. I know this from experience.



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No, mine is a manual (2.7 motronic). I dodn't know the F1s are having such an issue.

 

So does this mean you are not taking it to work Wednesday?

One of the guys on my ski trip has a 355 and a 430....he lives in CT. He won't be there this year, but I need to give you his email address.

 

I usually put mine on a trickle charger but on 5-6 occasions I have left it for 3-6 weeks without starting or plugged in. It has started every time without issue. I have not doubt that many may have a different experience than me but is it possible this varies greatly with the age and quality of the battery in the car?