355 - What was the major factor to buy a 355? | FerrariChat

355 What was the major factor to buy a 355?

Discussion in '348/355' started by johnk..., Jul 26, 2019.

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What influenced you purchase of a 355?

  1. Styling

    40 vote(s)
    76.9%
  2. Perfromance

    9 vote(s)
    17.3%
  3. Sound

    29 vote(s)
    55.8%
  4. Other, explain

    7 vote(s)
    13.5%
  5. Would have bought it even if it wasn't a Ferrari.

    6 vote(s)
    11.5%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    10,628
    CT
    Full Name:
    John Kreskovsky
    So, I thought I'd ask why people bought their 355. You can select any or all the reasons listed in the poll. For me it was styling. What about you?
     
  2. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 14, 2011
    8,562
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
    Full Name:
    Tim Dee
    308 GTB, eyeman1234 and WATSON like this.
  3. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jul 28, 2018
    5,624
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Eric
    Totally, who does not like a yellow convertible, WHO!
     
    FLORIDAsnakeEyes likes this.
  4. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    21,610
    WI
    Why?

    It looked cool and didn't run.

    I am a sucker for projects.
     
    phrogs likes this.
  5. 308 GTB

    308 GTB F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 7, 2002
    11,166
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Barry Wolinsky
    I voted "Other, explain"

    I wanted an F355 Challenge for the track.
     
    Robb, FLORIDAsnakeEyes and Catondrugs like this.
  6. eyeman1234

    eyeman1234 Formula 3
    Owner

    Dec 25, 2006
    1,881
    Boca Raton, FL
    #6 eyeman1234, Jul 26, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2019
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  7. 97 Spider

    97 Spider Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 15, 2012
    2,241
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Brian
    Other, couldn’t afford a Diablo.
     
    308 GTB likes this.
  8. kenneyd

    kenneyd Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2014
    1,944
    NE FL
    Full Name:
    Ken
    I grew up next to Stephen Earle, he of course raced them and owned quite a few. Every time I'd hear it, i would run to the window to see it. It's been well over 20years since then, but when I visit my parents, I still do this lol.
    It was my favorite car on 'need for speed', favorite 1/18th scale model I built, I guess I just really liked them from youth. Im no "baller" so this was my favorite obtainable exotic.
     
  9. RudyP

    RudyP Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Three reasons. 1. It was different enough from my other sports cars to earn a place in the garage. 2. I have a sweet spot for mid 90s cars from when I was a kid and there are a half dozen cars from that era that I'd love to own - so far I have a 993 and the F355. 3. IMO, they are one the two best looking ferraris.
     
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  10. PhilB

    PhilB Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 17, 2004
    2,166
    NYC, USA
    Full Name:
    Phil
    After 20 years in a 308, arriving everywhere I went hot, bothered, uncomfortable and behind everyone else, I wanted a Ferrari that had better performance and creature comforts, was still a little "old school" and didn't look like an M&M candy or every other car. It came down to the TR or the 355, and I wanted a Spider.

    PS: No disrespect to the 308, they are a car of their time, it just got "old" for me.
     
    Robb and 308 GTB like this.
  11. Robb

    Robb Moderator
    Moderator Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 28, 2004
    13,874
    Full Name:
    Robb
    Had a 328...

    Sold it to get a more modern comfortable car that my wife could also enjoy.

    Came down to F355, 360, or 550

    Thought the F355 was the best looking car out there. had greater performance and much more creature comforts than. 328. The Air conditioning actually cooled the cabin quite a bit. And had the most amazing sound...

    So I focused only on the F355. Ever really looked back. Would I get the others? You bet.

    But nothing really replaces the 355 love affair.

    Robb
     
    308 GTB likes this.
  12. Garvin

    Garvin Rookie

    Jul 15, 2012
    34
    Cambridgeshire
    In February 1996 I saw an F355 ‘in the flesh’ for the first time and was smitten - love at first sight. It was, and has been, the only car that has ever produced that feeling (although the Miura came close some 30 years earlier). I thought back then that when the time was right it would be the car for me. When the time was right I bought one, the fact that it was registered in February 1996 is just one of those ‘spooky’ coincidences.
     
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  13. tres55

    tres55 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2012
    3,479
    Canada
    Multiple reasons.

    F1 scream.

    Pop up headlight era styling.

    Growing up playing the 355 Challenge arcade game.
     
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  14. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 8, 2011
    2,539
    Sydney
    Full Name:
    Elliott Caras
    The sound and the styling also the films it was featured in: namely Goldeneye and The Rock. I just had to have one.
     
    308 GTB likes this.
  15. fboutlaw

    fboutlaw Karting

    Dec 3, 2014
    237
    Woodside, CA
    Had an F430. Struggled with exhaust drone on highway driving, severe understeer on track that the stability control was always active in trying to fix, and when parked a lot of attention from dudes.

    F355 seems to hit the sweet spot with no highway drone and when on it; a better note, significantly better native handling with very limited electronics, and since it's not red, significantly less attention. A much more me friendly car.
     
    308 GTB likes this.
  16. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,548
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    I bought a 348, but If I bought a 355 instead my answer would be because if the styling. Cannot argue with that.
     
    308 GTB likes this.
  17. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jun 11, 2004
    10,628
    CT
    Full Name:
    John Kreskovsky
    I figure since I started the thread I would expand on my choice. I was already 10 years a Ferrari owner. When the 348 came out I was unimpressed with "the little Testarossa". When the 355 hit the market I received a factory brochure in the mail from my dealer and the stage was set. It took 15 years before I started looking for the right car due to other obligations but in 2013 the deal was done after looking at 4 other Swaters Blu cars in FL, OH, NY, and NY along with a host of other colored 355s. All 4 of those cars had their problems. I recall one was purchased by a FCatter who later found the car had scored cylinders. (Thread called "Living the nightmare".) I had considered that car, but being January I procrastinated thinking no one would be buying a 355 in New England in the middle of winter, but the car was bought out from under me. So I missed that bullet. I ended up frustrated by 2012 after have a deal on a beautiful, low mileage, Rosso Fiorano, F1 car fall through due to the PPI. I was offered the car for $55k after the PPI, but it was June and I wanted a car I could drive immediately and this car needed about $12k worth or work due to it sitting for 6 years (major, tires, leaking rear shocks, and other items).

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    So I bought a Porsche Boxster and gave up on the 355. 4 months later while browsing Ebay I can across a Swaters Blu 355 in CA. Waited until the auction was over, then contacted the dealer. Car came with a fresh major. After a zillion emails I said, WTF, and bought it sight unseen. Memorial day 2013 it arrived at my door. No regrets.
     

    Attached Files:

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  18. TrojanFan

    TrojanFan F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 17, 2008
    4,887
    So. CA & NV
    Full Name:
    Peter
    Wanted a Ferrari. Thought about a 308, then considered a 328. Sprung for a 355.
     
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  19. chrisj951

    chrisj951 Karting

    Feb 18, 2015
    194
    Metro Atlanta
    Over the past 15 years I’ve had 3 944 Turbos, one with about 500 hp and an 08 M3. I’ve wanted a 355 since they first came out, but weren’t in the budget until a few years ago. I loved the styling, the interior and that glorious sound. In my opinion, there isn’t a better looking semi-modern car. The rear end is amazing. I finally bought mine a year ago and have enjoyed it so much.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
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  20. F129b

    F129b Formula Junior

    Feb 6, 2004
    523
    oc, calif.
    Full Name:
    Robert
    In 2000, I had about $100k to spend on my first exotic. The 348 spider was within reach, but I wanted a 355. 355s were $110k+ tax & license in USA.
    In 2000, the Lire was at all-time low against the dollar & that put a euro 355GTS within reach. So I got the best car imaginable (‘98 Red/Blk manual GTS) for the high end of my budget.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  21. mclaudio

    mclaudio Formula 3

    Dec 13, 2003
    1,236
    Seattle area
    Full Name:
    Claudio
    Others.

    Specifically looked for a 95 Challenge car - IMHO a modern interpretation of dual-use street/race 50s/60s Ferraris. I also think it’s among the best styling and sound of the 90s (my favorite car era other than 60s).

    Driving experience sealed long term ownership. So far, reasonable running costs for the enjoyment I get.
     
  22. michaelz

    michaelz Karting

    Jul 7, 2017
    73
    Melbourne Australia
    Sound & Styling, in that order. TBH because of that sound, would have bought it even if it wasn't a Ferrari.

    Capristo exhaust was also a must have mod to truly complete the F355 ownership experience. To me this is the most beautiful sounding car in the world and I get excited like a school boy just thinking about it.
     
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  23. Wsmatau

    Wsmatau Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2016
    352
    Styling; but to be perfectly honest it's because I can't afford a Daytona spyder.
     
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  24. emac

    emac Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 14, 2014
    851
    upstate SC
    Full Name:
    ernest
    Because the Fchat 355 forum can help you fix any problem you might have! Actually, when I was looking to buy my 355, I read everything online about the major service expense. Then I found Fchat and read a few DIY majors and realized I can do that. Game over, wrote the check.
     

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