Just Got Inspection Back On 355 Im Looking At..How Would You Proceed

Is that the entirety of the PPI report? I'm not one to talk as I purchased my car without any PPI or test drive, but for $400 dollars inspection I'd want something more comprehensive than that, I mean you could have had a owner with experience drive it and check it over for a beer and have more info than that. Compression and leak down for a start are one of the main concerns and there is no mention of these. My tires looked new too but were 8 years old, no mention of date codes on tires or any real specifics.

Take a punt and purchase if your feeling lucky or get a more detailed PPI for peice of mind.

That clutch change price seems cheap too, must be just a clutch disc change and not much else as my parts for a proper job and refresh of the clutch was closer to 5k without labour.

 

From the clutch paragraph, it sounds like the selling dealer did the report? I would be wary of a report that wasn't independent. I have never heard an independent report using the words 'will have the car driving in as new condition' , that's dealer speak. As is the use of the word 'amazing'.

It sounds like the inspector is also the vendor, in other words, and while they may be honest and correct, a more expensive proper independent inspection will set your mind much more at ease, although nothing is infallible.

 

It's a hydraulic, self adjusting clutch and there is no pedal adjustment required. You can not tell the condition of the clutch by the pedal position.

 

They should have done compression testing.

Kai

 

Sounds like smoke being blown to me in anlot of the explinations, tryimg to eas your mind, not really an inspection report and more of s makemyou feel warm and fuxzy.


Who did n the inspection and who owns it?


Belt service is up to you really, some people even go 10 years! Acording to ferrari it's due but really a 30k service is a over glorified tune up. If it wasn't for the stupid timing belts and besring design it would be a non issue. (It's like they designed it just to work on it at the dealer haha of course they did!)

Not everything just leaks oil but a nice pressure washing can take care of that evidence for an "inspection" then later after you drive it something leaks who you going to ***** to?

10k miles means it's sat for most of its life. Nothing should be leaking.

Scrapes on the front bumper are never minor they are just out of sight out of mind.

Me I'd never buy a convertible unless it was to fix and flip.

no compression test?

The exhaust manifolds are where the problems are not the exhaust muffler.

Sounds like they want a premium for a car with needs.
2hat about paint work? Paint meter readings? For 400 I'd expect that.

$400 for this is a joke for this report.

Also be known that some places don't do pps anymore because they can't find everything and even years later when something happens people want to know why they didn't find it.

 

You say california

Well look here
Craig at Fast Cars is about as good as it gets and this is his personal car hes had a while
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/553835-355-spider-sale.html

 

If they don't know when the last major was done, how do they know how many miles ago it was done? Who did it? Fishy.

 

We've seen that car many times. It is a no needs car. Buy it with peace of mind. Plus if anything comes up I am sure Craig will be sympathetic.

 

I'm not a 355 owner so this is just from a general automotive perspective:

I don't have that much of a problem with the inspection report as long as it was accompanied by a copious amount of pics, although I absolutely agree that $400 should have include a compression test and more detailed info on items like the headers, wheel bearings, panel alignment, specifics of paint condition, etc. That said, who cares since you didn't pay for it. You can always have another PPI done at your expense if you so choose.

The items of concern are common. Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary and nothing to worry about. Some might see the need for a belt service as an opportunity to make certain everything was done to their own satisfaction instead of relying on someone else's choice of mechanic.

The big problem I see is that he wants too much for the car. I didn't notice a mention of mileage but for that money for a Spider I'd want a low mileage car that needs little to nothing and has good records. IMO, Spiders are worth less than Berlinettas and there are usually enough of them for sale that I'd thnk one could be had for a better price if you bide your time.

If you like the car and are worried, get a more comprehensive PPI done. So far I haven't heard anything that'd scare me away from buying the car but I wouldn't pay that price for it.

 

I would not buy the red/tan 355 without a real PPI. The "PPI" that you posted is silly. It states that with a visual inspection of drive belts looking so new, it is assumed that the timing belts were replaced. Umm, OK.

Furthermore, if any owner paid for an engine out service, don't we all agree that the invoice would be tucked away safely in the car somewhere ? I know mine is. Even on a daily driver where my wife and kid drive the car I keep my invoices.

Lastly, a compression test is mandatory. If it has low compression in any cylinder you could get a leak down test done, but regardless it's going to be a big $$$$$ repair.

Here is my best advice: you have owned some nice cars in the past. F Cars cause a lot of emotion. I would put the emotion away and go back to sound basics. You clearly like this car a lot. Pay for a proper PPI and if it checks out, then pull the trigger. Anything short is pure guess work and gambling. That is just not me, I like to control the controlables, but everyone is different.

Hope this helps. Good luck and enjoy.

 

Oh, one other thing: that "PPI" reminds me of an invoice for a 355 that I almost bought. I ended up buying another 355, Thank goodness.

Anyway, the invoice for the engine out service said they used 30 weight conventional oil. Umm, OK.

Best part yet, timing belt replacement was listed at 1.5 hours labor. LOL it's a 355, not a Honda.

The assumption that the car was services shouldn't be: yeah I think it's been done (and I will ask top dollar).

Do like all the car dealers do. Take the fair price and chisel away at all the things that are wrong with the car. You said sticky interior, plus no engine out service. List price minus just those two items put you at way less than their asking price.

I personally think they can sucker you. Emotions are a "B". They can probably smell that. Do the right thing and get a PPI.

OK, I will stop now. Hope this helps.

 

Another thing, don't brush off a weak a/c system, especially since you're in Miami.

The problem could be that the R-134a eventually permeates through the original hoses (if converted), and thus needs a re-service. Or it's something else that'll require at least $3K worth of work from a reputable shop (seriously, don't even think about taking it anywhere less).

Bottom line, you will be very unhappy owning a classic Ferrari, in Florida, without a/c (looking at your list: SL55,SL65, Porsche Turbo, Porsche GT3).

 

Disregard the negative spider comment. Irrelevant to the question posed by the OP.

He's looking at a spider for a reason. He wants one

 

Thats what I thought.

 

It's just not true.

 

Pretty sure that car would have had 134a as a factory fill.

+1000 on the need for working A/C, but that shouldn't be a big deal since the compressor is working. Refrigerant leaks are common and usually fairly easy to fix.

 

If you boil it all down, this is the most important takeaway from this thread. If the seller isn't pretty darned negotiable the car isn't a very good deal even if all it needs is what you're assuming.

BTW, meant to put this in my first post but without good documentation for the most recent major service just assume that it needs one and value the car accordingly. There is no such documentation for this example so deduct $7-10k right there.

 

Who did that PPI? The sellers mom?

Compression numbers would be my first request.

I trust they cycled that top a few times during the PPI. Troubleshooting that damn thing at $100 an hour can add up rather quickly.

There is a sticky on a pre-purchase checklist. Might be worth a look.

Welcome to the 355 world.

 

If you ask for a PPI and the seller says no, I wouldn't walk away, I would run.

The Dealer I bought my car from said hey no prob. Take the car anywhere you want. Literally, as in here's the keys, see you whenever. LOL

 

Side note on the pics your describing: I have been to Miami twice. Man do I love that place. The amount of beautiful cars and woman all in one condensed area, mind blowing. I can see why you would want that ride. Careful though, you don't want a $hitty one that will leave you stranded at the two hot spots you mentioned. That would be a real kick in the crotch and a buzz kill when your out on your date :-(