Actually in this video he was much less dorky than normal. See the grey Testarossa video he did recently as a comparison. Can't believe he thinks tan interior is the best, he's so obviously wrong. "Sport mode"? Come on. My parents' Toyota Supra that they bought new in 1986 had electeonically adjustable shocks. I don't think he knows what "sport mode" is...
His appeal is in slightly layman-ised talking points, and I'm not really partial to reviewing cars that way. It's easy to watch his videos and get a general idea of what a particular oddball car is like. But he gets quite repetitive and generalising if you watch his various Ferrari features. He says a few things exactly the same way about the 512TR, then an older TR, and now again with that F355.
+1 ...I never really liked him at Jalopnik but he's wayyy better than the rest of those clowns...I actually liked Travis Okulski, but he left to join a legitimate publication (R&T)
Wow! You guys are tough. The guy says it's the best Ferrari every. Generally loves it. And you be-otching because he exaggerates a little on known issues? Ok, valve guides 100% failure. So what is the first question everybody asks around here when looking for a 355? Could it be, "are the guides done?" Second most asked question, "Have the headers been changed". These seem to be pretty much major considerations for a sorted car. Third commonly asked, "When was the last major?" And, like one poster said, he didn't mention the stickys which obviously that car had in spades. But what if he did? Is it not true? Give me a break. Stop being so hypocritical. Over all I'd say it's a pretty good review with several know issues pointed out.
Dave, that is worthy of quoting just to repeat it! Meanwhile, last night at a recent local F1A meeting..... Me: Hi, I'm John... Group: Hi John.... Me: I drove my F1 Spider today, and it shifted faster than my gated manual, and I really like it. It didn't even break. I feel so ashamed. Group: No...no...no! It's ok! Me: I think I should just convert it to a gated manual and weld on a top while I am at it... Group: Noooooooooooo! Got to admit all the 'this is better than that and that sucks' comments do wear on the nerves and prove absolutely nothing. Don't fall into the trap of trashing someone else's precious to make you feel better about yours. Enjoy the variety and what you own and drive.
overall I don't like his car reviews.. this one wasn't too bad.. but like JRgarage "maintenance " video.. he's getting instant attention and he knows it. two mistakes in his comments.. 1. he says 1998 the F1 trans came out..to my understand all F1s are 1999, unless the first f1 cars came out late in 1998 production run. 2. the suspension button. where this has nothing to do with "sport mode". instead its the suspension setting, where the car is default in "sport/stiffer" suspension and the button puts it into "soft". but he doesn't back up anything and just says it has a sport mode.
My good buddy - he suggested that the car in the video has had 6 engine outs - you think? He is promoting the 3 year belt change and you are not going to beat him up about it as done here? In the USA, yes - was it not 97 in Europe? (I don't actually know)
He is trying to do the Top Gear stick - he's an amateur car reviewer on YouTube trying to make it. Apparently he's doing pretty well based on the reaction that we are giving him, guys like this relish this type of online conversation. He was very flattering with 90% of the review, got controversial with the F1 comment - and simply grossly exaggerated the maintenance requirements. I'm sure he's been corrected many times before - but sensationalism and fake news get eyeballs today. I bet he is thrilled at threads like this that are all about "him" someone reads it and they go right to his video. I thought it was funny how he said 355 owners "hate him" I guess he is partly right ******************************************************************** Doug if you are reading this: Engine out every 5 years - cost 5k - 10K (that 10k number is a BUNCH of other stuff) Valve guides have been an issue on early cars, it cost 4-7K to have that fixed when the engine out is happening. Most of them have been fixed and some believe that many of the jobs did NOT need to happen. Carbon build up on the valve seats cost many owners a huge bill that could have been fixed with just running the car. Headers - if you run them very hot in a hot climate they are a wear item. However if you drive the car normally they don't always need to be replaced. I have a 95 that has 27K miles on it that lived in Seattle (cold climate) on its original headers that look perfect. You can get a well maintained 355 and have no issues for years and years - they get a bad wrap. Thanks Doug!
I would agree. I've met him before and he's a good kid. I think his take on the 355 is totally spot on. Ferrari's of this vintage were quirky... that is makes them special. it's is the last truly beautiful Ferrari made.. the 458 488's are much better but not comparable to the 355. as for the f-1 versions - he's right compared to todays cars... they are baulky, and not very smooth. but the thing that he is 100% correct on is the maintenance cost. The car's are just totally out of place when it comes to how to maintain them and live with them for a long period of time. headers & guides being the number one major issue - and huge $$$ ... if it were just belts then it would not be such a huge problem. but I know factually that these cars simply suffer major engine wear issues... over time. Cats, sensors, etc... its a constant cost .... and that is if you have one that is working well. perish the thought of a "cheap" 355... they become uber expensive .... spider tops, leaks, shrinking leather, sticky switches... you name it ... its very sad as I have passed on several cars, where my heart had the check written... but my head rules over it - there is nothing worse than a beautiful Ferrari that is off the road for repair or one that is broken down.... I know some owners have not had that experience yet.. but if you own one long enough you will... sadly.... however when I hit the lotto... its one of the first cars I buy, because they are achingly beautiful, sound great and simply scream Ferrari. My choice would be red over black interior - with the airbag wheel changed out for a MOMO.
Hi Tom - as an owner of a flawless F1, I take exception to these comments as my car is totally smooth.... In these video, the road is a minor uphill grade and you hear the most tiny lag between shifts - on a dead flat road, there is none [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvHfK8yFlz8[/ame]
Come on Tom, you know better. Majors every 3 years @ $10k per? 100% failure rate on guides? $5k for headers? I think even if you were completely obtuse from a mechanical standpoint, and took the car to a dealer for EVERYTHING, it STILL wouldn't add up to these numbers. I've owned my '97 for 3 years now. 40k miles. Original headers and guides, no problems. I'll do the major at some point this year (6 years since the last one) and it'll cost me a few grand in parts. We will assess if the guides need to be done and pull the heads if so. The 355 is expensive to maintain compared to some other F-cars, sure. But to say that he is 100% right on the maintenance costs is just inaccurate. I'm sure you can find the example of an owner out there that has had every possible failure....headers, guides, liners....and spent tons of money on maintenance. But that is definitely the exception and not the rule. I remember talking to Wade at FoA not long ago. He said it was very rare that he sees a 355 that actually NEEDS guides and liners and such. A lot of these issues are blown way out of proportion. Then people who don't know better watch videos like this and take them as gospel, perpetuating the problem.
I think from an owners perspective (and others can chime in) I can tell you this statement is 100% incorrect. Yes the major is expensive but its not a Honda civic, and that obvious. I don't know anyone doing 3 yr majors unless they're racking up the miles, most owners do a 5 year major, which is very acceptable. I remember, maybe it was Norwood, was recommending 7 yrs, regardless. 100% headers and valve guides failures...Really?? Headers are like 5k...on a 20 yrs old, I don't see the issue. Valve guides, 100% of the cars didn't have issues and that's well documented on this site and changing them during a major works out to be more cost effective. Lots of cars, especially the ones for sale, have this already taken care of and documented so the new owner needn't worry. Its a Ferrari, its expensive, its amazing and we all love it. No, you do not need to win the lottery to own one. Just my two cents.
1. Nope. My F1 GTS is a Jan '98 build, and it's not nearly the first off the line. 2. The button just forces the car into "sport" mode. If you do nothing but drive the car hard the suspension will go into that mode anyway (perhaps why few people can really "feel" the difference). But the gearshifts are definitely faster and more brutal with your foot to the floor and rpm towards the top of the range in "sport" mode. Haven't watched the review, but anyone who finds a properly sorted F1 box "jerky" in normal driving hasn't learnt to drive it properly so it's more a reflection on their poor effort than anything else.
+348. I've now watched 3 of his videos-- the 512TR/993 comparison, the TR review, and this one. I didn't think it was possible but he's become more insufferable with each video. He's trying to ape Clarkson but he winds up just being outright annoying. Talk about your 100% failure rate. I want my 12 minutes back!
I feel like mine shifts significantly faster than that when under load. Were you in sport mode for this video?
Just watched the video and I came away being glad I own my 355. I haven't seen this guy's other car reviews, but I think his 355 review is more positive than negative. His comments are complementary of model's beauty, era provenance, driving experience - factors that are key to a car's significance. I think the only ownership deterrent he mentioned is the maintenance costs. But then this hasn't changed for most Ferrari models and is many times exaggerated. I think in time, the model's maintenance/operating costs will be deemed more and more reasonable especially compared to newer electronic-laden models. And as fellow owners know: once such items as valves and exhausts are replaced, car is fairly sorted. On engine outs, I accept it as a way to have full access to inspect/work on the engine (though my schedule is every 5-6 years not 3). Besides, the engine is designed to be taken out much like proper race cars and other more significant Ferraris.
Yes. I'm always in sport mode. As I stated, the upward grade was the source of the mild delay. I'll do a better video this spring. On a level road the shift is near instantaneous.
Get some downshifts in your video too, Dave. There are times I wish I had F1 in my Challenge car! Barry
Sorry but I just disagree. Talk with Ron Reineke and you'll see a lot of 355s neediing $5-10k of work But hey I'll buy a freshly sorted 355 if the seller warranties it for the next 3 yrs
