DeMuro on the F355

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8YZzGaprtA

Other than quoting pricing how is this review any different?

 

Virtually no similarities IMO. Clarkson's negative points are mostly hyperbole and humor. (e.g. tape on his fingers after removing the roof). But when Demuro quotes stats about the car, he is portraying it as truth.

 

Where? I was chatting with someone on Sat that needs his done soon..

 

Not long ago I recall Foreign Cars Italia was doing basic majors for $5K. I believe some independents also do..

 

Pocono Sportscar. Jim is a good guy and did my last major.

 

This is hilarious. Guy posts an unbias video that doesn't praise Ferrari as some mythical god-like creation and is threatened, belittled and attacked. Lots of thin skin here.

 

Thanks guys for the heads up on the major!

It's tempting to just "LOL.. what a character! Oh that was sooo funny.."

But then when you really think about it.. think... what effect does mis-information have on the 355. Yeah it's funny to exaggerate the flaws and slip in a snide comment about maintenance, but think about what that does to the market in general. You have thousands.. maybe millions of people viewing that stoopid video. Maybe for the first time. If 1% are doing research on the model, and the video has 1 million views... that's 10,000 people that might form the impression that every 3 years you need to spend $10,000 to maintain the car. Which means that these people might START with that false belief and then how much will they have to be convinced that it ISN'T true. You might laugh at the absurdity.. but don't assume people know as much as you do to make the same conclusion.

You guys know that I'm not a big fan of the 355.. but if someone really wants one I'm all for them having the best information possible to make that decision. And stupid, inaccurate videos are the worst kind of disinformation. Doug doesn't actually DRIVE the car or provide any meaningful information about DRIVING the car. "The clutch is fairly easy to operate. Anybody can drive this car." Really??? Lets talk about mid-corner stability in the turn, understeer/oversteer, stability during braking... something beyond what a 16 year old who normally drives his moms Prius might give when it comes to DRIVING the car.

 

The 355 is, without a doubt (IMHO), the most perfect Ferrari of the modern era, if one doesn't include the 308.

The sound is amazing. The looks are simply gorgeous. It's got the smaller size, compared to the more modern cars. In a GTS format, you've got a perfect Ferrari.

But every. Single. Thing. That Doug mentioned in his video, are the FIRST things that EVERYONE asks when looking at a 355.

When was the last (we all know it's expensive) major?
Have the valves been replaced?
The headers?
What about the stickies?
We'll also note the (unmentioned) rust factors that can pop up on in a couple of areas.

As a couple other posters have said - there's a bit too much thin skin here, combined with some tunnel vision. And it's not as if Doug hasn't owned a Ferrari.

The 355 is a great car, no question. It's also hell expensive to maintain, compared to (some) other F-cars.

And FWIW: no one (no one) is going to to make their decision based on what he said in a YouTube video. Reading the various posts on F-chat will give you far more insight to what it's like to own the 355 - and ironically, give you even more pause before you write the check.

 

My F1 GTS war was actually built in 1997.

 

Well..technically he didn't. The bank did. You don't own it until the title is in your name and the car is paid off.

 

hah..oh come on. Sheesh.

 

But it's titled as a 98

 

Johnny's car is a Euro so it might be a 97

 

Right off Cauley Ferrari website:

Belt Services:
8 Cylinder Engine $3,999.00
12 Cylinder Engine $4,999.00

 

I'm going to bet those are not engine-out numbers.

I don't see how a dealer can charge $4k for a 2-3 week job, including parts, and still break even on the shop time.

I know there is a case for doing a major just by removing the fuel tanks (assuming good cam timing, the belts can be swapped and water pump replaced this way), but depending on what you discover in there it's not always a safe bet.

 

Yep its 1997 on the title.

 

As an owner of a 355, I do think it is funny how he points out that the HVAC button has STOP printed on it. STOP. LOL And he is right about the annoying door buzzer...

 

However, if someone is worried about high maintenance costs, maybe any ferrari is not the best choice?

 

Not every Ferrari requires removing the engine to do regular maintenance, as the 355 does... so while there's high, there's also even higher.

 

That seem to be a theme with him-- prattle on and on about minor things while completely ignoring major design features. It's like watching Gomer Pyle react to his first Ferrari sighting.

 

True. A safer bet is perhaps a late model BMW V8 or V12 right out of warranty period. *jk*

 

My experience, even with the 360, is the quoted belt change #'s are a nice starting point...

 

I love Clarkson's take. My wife loved DeMuro's take. She actually watched that video. She is an automotive neophyte. DeMuro is perfect for her. She cannot stand Clarkson and is annoyed when I laugh uncontrollably out loud at the old Top Gear.

How is that for perspective?!?

The greatest single purchase ever - my 355. There will never be another. I am afraid I might be a little too close to the grave now [emoji854]


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