Good price for a private party F355?

Thank you very much for the replies. The car is yellow and it is a manual. Apparently the dash leather is shrinking. Is that a "sticky"? I did some research but I'm still trying to fully understand that term. The console needs work also apparently. It has Tubi exhaust and some aftermarket wheels. I had decided to walk away because I really want red but now I'm reconsidering.

I would plan to do the engine out work myself. I build custom cars for a hobby and have done almost every type of repair to a car over the years. I am pretty sure I can do it, but I must admit I don't know what the nature of the engine out service is yet. Is it mostly for timing belt replacement?

 

I'm all for getting into a car that needs a few things and at a price that reflects that and I certainly would not be affraid of a car with a checkered past given the right circumstances.

However, keep in mind that even though the car has a clean title (currently) the accident and history will always be with the car. Even if the carfax does nto show it a the vin search or simply other peoples knowledge of the car that history will always be there and can be a major issues when and if it ever comes time for resale. There will always be buyers for the car, but with that history they are just simply fewer out there even at a discounted price.

So in the end do the math and figure ($) what it will take to get it to where you want it condition wise and then compare that to a similar car without the "history' and really ask youself if the discount is still worth the effort and extra hassle at resale.

 

Stickies aren't the leather. Stickies is the soft finish that Ferrari to this day puts on hard plastic surfaces to give it a "soft" feel. Over time this layer of softness becomes like tar and sticks to your fingers, thus "stickies" the soft sticky crap is removed and usually the remaining hard plastic is painted with no "soft" finish.

Go look at Ricambi site for their major "kit". That will give you an idea of what is done on an engine out major. There are other things such as can timing but you have plenty of time to learn about that.

Leather dash issues are probably not a DIY issue

 

Cool thank you so much.

Was there more than one yellow in the late 90's and was it about the same as the yellow from 95? In the pictures I've seen of this car it looks more like a canary yellow, a little too light and sissy looking. I'm pretty sure it has not been color changed. I'm wondering if it is the lighting for these pictures because I saw a yellow 95 355 on ebay and the color looks way better.

I hope I don't sound too much like a DB but I really want this car to scream Ferrari and not have people wondering if I'm driving a 350Z with a body kit. I think the red just says Ferrari more than yellow. It seems like there are a lot of non red 355's out there while almost every 348 is red. I'm also concerned about the multiple ecu's and the key fob issues.

Another reason in favor of the 355 is that I like being able to read the OBD2 codes but I guess you get a lot more electrical complexity with that vs. an OBD1 348, right?

I found a private party 348 spider with bumper damage and the guy wants 38K after he fixes them. He says he's negotiable too. Said the HVAC controls don't work so some switches have been added under the dash. Is the 355 HVAC more reliable?

Sorry to ask so many newbie questions. I guess I could search!

 

FYI. If you don't know the best way to search this forum is to use google not the search function in fchat. Type ferrarichat 355 xxxxxxxxxxxxx. Try it

 

Oh yah, seller claims the front tires have 70% tread and rears have 90%

 

you're abviously leaning towards the 355 but have you been watching the drama over here?

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferraris/461326-92-348ts-sale-w-salvage-title.html

 

a lot of the HVAC issues on the 348 can be traced to the hidden/melted fuse and it can be a fairly simple fix.

 

I've read enough of it to be slightly interested but not the whole thing. The price is $30K right? What state is it in?

 

Here are some interior pictures. It looks like it has sat out in the sun.

 

I'm assuming I will need new seats or to have them recovered. Also new center console apparently.

 

Carwhisperer:

For reference, come spring 2015, I'll be hoping I can sell my red/tan '97 spider for about $35k.

It will need a major in 2015, but already has some coolant hoses replaced and the belt tensioner is new. New clutch from last summer. Sticky parts, leather shrink in some areas. Would probably have about 32,000 miles around then.

Considering how much these cars have tanked in value, I think more realistically I'll be asking low 30s for it.

 

arizona

 

read the355.com buyer's guide and it will help you a lot when you go check the car out.

 

As said already...sticky is a $10 DIY fix, I'd never pay to have that done or replaced!!

The leather however...those pics look ugly. I wouldn't bother, if you buy a cheap Ferrari that's exactly what you get.

FWIW, I wouldn't consider selling my '99 F1 GTB anywhere under $55k. If no takers, great I'm keeping it!

 

Seats can be reconditioned with very good results via a couple leather restoration products/techinques and can be a DIY project.

Where have you been looking for cars? I think I've seen some 355's around that appear in better condition than this (only seeing the seats) for similar $. Patients in the search will pay dividends.