Hello from NJ! New GTS 6 speed member

I decided to try a temporary black badge look for the rear of the car. Plasti dip is a wonderful product that is a fully removable rubberized membrane like peeling cellophane off of plexiglass.
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Hi Badabing,

As far as the interior is concerned I believe I will leave it as is. It isn't trashed by any means so no sense wasting money on it. The one split seam I will live with, maybe I will glue it with leather glue 527, it has worked wonders for me on any leather project in the past. But at this time it isn't a priority, the only other thing left on the inside is a radio install. Cosmetically the car is an 8.5 right now inside, the outside is close to the same. I am not working with any leather repair shop on this: this is a full DIY with some close friends.

Regarding wheels, I do like the factories myself and prefer them. I would consider purchasing a set from any member here for a fair price. These wheels are a 2 piece 18 inch style, they were professionally refinished by wheel collision from their previous state, but for me I think I might like something different. That would transform the look of the car for sure.

Other than that, there is nothing left for me to do but drive it. I did alot of cleaning and it paid off. The car looks fantastic. All electrical functions are working with the gas gauge as the exception (new one on the way). All exterior lighting is functional as well as dash lighting at this time. When I got it there was a short in the signal stalk which was resolved quickly. All fuse boxes are clean with no water ingress evidence. I polished the shifter and gate today to a satin finish and they look great! I recommend that to anybody with the anodized coating who has wear.

 

Car is running great. No missing and a smooth idle and power till redline. This car pulls harder than any other 355 I have been in and I am not exagerating. I have driven 4 5.2's and this 2.7. Maybe its because it is a european model, or some work was done, but whatever it is the car has the torque to break the car loose with anything more than half throttle in first gear at 1500 rpm up. Tires are yokohama advan sport with 95% tread remaining inflated to the reccomended PSI 265/40/18. I am not used to this pull with a 355.

I checked transaxle fluid today (that 12mm allen head dipstick is a pain), fluid looks great.

So, all fluids are clean and clear and I am good to go. Put in a fresh oil filter just because I felt like it.

Motor mounts seem to have the typical wear, I will replace the front two when the weather warms up. They are not sagged bad at this point and there is no actuator to worry about (one benefit of not having an f1 this time), but I know what a difference a fresh set of mounts makes on the 355 resonance at idle in the cabin. awitalian sells them for about 122 each so I will order there.

 

Hey Bob, nice to meet you, I am in the north jersey area and look forward to meeting ya at one of these meets. If you would like to PM me your list of observances on the car, maybe we can chat about it if you want! I would appreciate comparing notes! You seem to have great knowledge about the car and I do not question your background or credentials.

However, you wrote this :

"The owner told me the water damage in the car was from the GTS roof being left off but that didn't explain the obvious rust on the floor in the trunk."

The truth is- There is no rust in the floor of the trunk, I am just dispelling any misinformation since it is my car now.

I understand it was involved in some sandy event from a past ad, all of which we do not know the extent of because it never went through insurance. I have saved all the pages I can find on the car, 2040 cars, usedcarsfobo, craigslist ads etc.

I am happy to be a part of the forums here, its not a pump and dump exercise, its a winter project !

Thanks!

 

Looks like stock 2.7 headers on this car, still in clam shells. No insulation evidence in engine bay and I don't hear them leaking at all. Bypass valve was resonating a rattle and so was the y pipe flange attachment at heat shield, went away after adjusting the rod and adjusting the shield. Cats appear to be factory units, exhaust doesn't have any odor.

I think the exhaust is a challenge style, Bob thinks it is something different, but I was looking at Eric c's ad for the challenge exhaust and mine has the same resonated tips and the smaller can design, but I am yet to remove the heat shield and inspect more closely. Whatever it is it screams.

 

Hi Guido,

It sounds like you sure like to play some nice games when you check out 355's. The car is an 8.5 on cosmetics now, I'm glad you did not fall off the couch that would have been unfortunate. After refinishing the dash pod and revitalizing the leather, there is nothing left for me to do inside. When I got it I would have called it a 6 inside, it needed heavy cleaning and detail work. Im sorry you guys missed out on this car, and that Dave Rocks isn't the one who got it or F1moving/miked355. (I actually re read the old threads on this car today (thanks google), and I see that a few people were after it in a another thread, I have reached out to the other prospective buyer to get more info on the car as it is nice to trace the history. And everyone who has been for a ride in the car agrees with me. The only way I would sell this car now is if I had a replacement lined up, and GTS's are hard to come by as we all know. So no, this isn't a for sale thread sorry. So, you guys actually convinced me, and I convinced myself it is worth keeping to use this year. I'm very surprized how the old gal cleaned up myself. I share this thread amongst my friends and they all get a great laugh at the contributors expense.

I am also quite entertained at how you can judge my character through an internet forum in regards to the "pedigree" of a ferrari. LOL

A ripped seam sure doesn't bother me, but it obviously bothers most on this forum. Now, if I paid $80000 for this car, a ripped seam would be an issue. That I will say. But it was less than 1/2 of that.

Also, none of my photos are taken at inconspicuous angles, they are actually under HIGH FLASH to show every imperfection.

P.S, I most definately use olive oil, I get the stuff at costco (PHILLIPO BERRIO ?) and I just rub it all over the entire car and take pictures for Ferrarichat. Thats what I do. Come on. Really? Actually it is called leather restoration, and it can be done yourself if you don't want to pay thousands.

Most individuals here are incapable of performing work on their own cars, and the ones that can, well I think you get the picture. I'm truly sorry you guys think heater core leaks should cost 100's, or an oil change $500. Or a header change $5000. I really am sorry it ruins it for everyone.

This is a CAR, man built it and it can be fixed like any other CAR. Just because it is a FERRARI doesn't mean it needs to have money dumped into it. Your $40k calculation is obviously flawed and biased, but thank you for your opinion.

 

Do you guys think I should compression test this motor? I mean considering it runs so well and hasn't used any oil or leaked anything, smoked, etc, it still would be a good idea, right? I think I could stop having those recurrent nightmares of cylinder 2 and 6 being down that is often drilled into our heads here on the forum, phew that piece of mind could be worth thousands.. I will do that at the next service interval and video the results if I am still around to post on the forum. I bet you guys would love to see the numbers. Would that make the car worth about $1.50 to FERRARICHAT members? Because we all know a smashed parts car with a blown motor, or a rolling chassis is still close to $20k. I know that is why it is hard to fathom this car runs so well for the price.

I am surprised no body brought up this yet in the conversation, everyone wants to tell me about the ripped driver side seat seam instead.

Ok, back to work. Bye.

 

Hi, John thank you for the positive post and seeing through the BS posted. I am honest and not a car salesman, these guys can't handle it.

To everyone else: I have rebutted every opinion and hearsay presented to me with the truth. You made the car out to be junk and it isn't. Sorry.

I didn't say Dave wanted the car, I see his post on the other forum. But at least two other guys sure did when I saw a past post. I could enclose a screen shot, but I think you get the point, all the mis information and type A personalities are running rampant here. You guys aren't used to not getting your way nor being incorrect, all of which has been proven by actual photos of my car. Just stop; you guys lost the argument, the car cleaned up, it needed some TLC and it didn't cost much except after hours time. And I enjoyed it. I think I spent about $24 bucks so far on materials, and an oil filter for $39.50.

Now I have guys messaging me saying the car smells. LOL really? It smells like fresh leather there is no odor at all.

This is what I think about THAT!!
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And Dave sure had some informative posts, I checked them out when I joined the other day, why did he leave? Over sticky business enterprise?

Maybe they will welcome me to the other forum, or I will post at both. I like it here, but jeez I can see why some people left now.