In the market..... doing my share to stimulate the economy....

I recently bought a 355 GTS for 93k (with a recent major completed) and put another 7k in to fix rattles, sqweaks, shifter issues, etc. I would think 115k would be about right to get it into a very well sorted shape. Maybe in this market you can get that done for 100k but I think unfortunately you’re going to be well over 80. It is an amazing machine though so if you can swing it, it may be worthwhile.

 

Spend a long time reading the existing information & answers about the models that interest you in their specific sections as well as the regular 'which ferrari for my budget' threads in this section

 

omg. im sorry.
355 and cali? if you want a ferrari, a 355. if you want a maserati, get a cali.

 

I'm going to throw a curveball in. 80k max? 456 6-speed? MAYBE, a 550?

Any interest in the front engined cars?

I'm a 348 owner. if you want the raw, track feel, totally analogue, easy to DIY, that's your winner, you can always get more comfortable seats.

sjd

 

Op...will you track the ferrari at all? Do you want a driver our more garage queen? Was 986 ever a street car and how much did wife ride in it? Will you do the maintenance on ferrari? Do you have all tools for your 986 trackcar like scales, alignment tools? If you broke at track are you more likely to tow home or fix it in the paddock?

 

btw a 360 is a great substitute to the 355 in stock form but a stock 360 sounds like a lawn mower so you will need to add an exhaust if you go 360.

 

I had a 10 Cali and all I did was worry that the top or tranny would fail and cost me a fortune. I’d do the 360, there a one owner 3 pedal for sale right now at 79k. In car belt changes, and engine under glass.

 

How big is the dog?

sjd

 

Races Boxsters and then questions whether the 360 is a poseurs car.. I kid. I kid..

I read the word "investment" and the hair on the back of my neck went up. I can guarantee that you WILL loose money on this car or whatever Ferrri you buy at that price. Guarantee it. If you buy now just watch the car "value" drop in the next few months.

That being said. I can't believe that I'm saying this, but if the 355 is THE Ferrari for you, then go for it. Get it. You can do most of the maintenance on it yourself. It's fairly analog and if you love EVERYTHING about it, get the 355 and only the 355. I personally have known too many peeps that lost their shirt with one, or its always in the shop.. that I consider it something that I won't write here.

Of course your wife liked the Cali. It's not designed as a sports car, its designed as a car for the family. If I get rid of my 911 in the future and Cali prices drop... I'll entertain one to put our little one in back like the 911 and go for a drive. The rub is.. its more Maserati than a Ferrari.

As far as 360. Yeah right now poseurs are driving them. They have modern looks and feel and comfort without looking too dated with the modern design language. But, I can say for mine.. it is a REALLY nice car to own and drive. Ive been driving on weekends, put the car in the garage and then repeat next weekend. No issues. Last year a lock cylinder went but it was 2-3 hours to replace it and $200-300 bucks. I'm a DIY guy and everything is so much easier to fix than my 986 or 997 its not funny. For certain things you need a scanner. Oh.. and as far as handling and driving. Sure, at low RPMs the car is less refined than the 986 I had. But.. when you get to 8k RPM and are driving the car at the limit.. it's a handful and surprisingly capable. Even dangerous. Which I like.

As far as paying for it, I made payments on mine for 3 years fully financed at the depths of the recession. If you have a stable job, you'll be fine. If it's questionable.. perhaps consider holding off a few months as prices drop for the cash buy. Mine had "issues" when I bought it but was drivable. That let me space out the restoration on my time and budget. Worked for me now going on 10 years of ownership. Good luck.

 

Not sure where you are located but if you want to drive a 360 I live just north of Atlanta.

 

360 is a classic. definitely not a poseur car!

 

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/d/tacoma-2000-ferrari-360-gated-6-speed/7102179301.html

It’s also on eBay

 

If you like drop tops, Spider is more fun, sounds better, closer to the action, get a suntan, stung by wasps etc. 360 spider hugely more sophisticated mechanism than 355 spider/gts. But more wobbly than Modena.

Try and find a cared for gated 430 with higher miles...would be your dream car.

 

So.. on 986's.. after my 02' 986 and that stupid soft top window cracking and then leaking around the sewn edges.. I vowed no more soft tops.

If you are a open air guy, and the 360 spider is a REALLY nice car for that open air experience, the only rub you'll have maintenance wise centers around the front of the engine compartment and how the soft top stows. When its folded down it's like when the boxster top is down, it blocks the top part of the fuel tanks, some of that evaporative emission stuff and fuel pumps. I don't recall all the details, but for some servicing in the front of the engine to the top of the fuel tanks you have to lift the soft top up to gain access. Everything else is the same as I understand. The top is made by a german company and uses similar components to mercedes tops. When it doesn't close and starts giving errors it's usually because of the hydraulic cylinders leaking and microswitches sticking. Basically the synchronization gets out of whack as a result and the top then won't open or close. read about capote flap as well. you could probably work on the top regardless. It's as a PITA to redo the top as the boxster (which I didn't do BTW). Otherwise it's a hydraulic based top. Def. Doable just plan on rebuilt cylinders at one point as the seals at near 20 years may give issues.

The modena does not have this and is like any hard top car to repair. I will want you though, the modena is designed with an understeer. You can attenuate it, but I left it stock. The rubber on the multilink suspension in the 986 (and my 997 now as well) really does make the handling of the porsche smooth in the corners. I noticed it most at initiation of turn to apex. Boxster just glides/ballet dances into the turn. The 360 has fixed A-arms to the chassis so it's less compliant. Handling at the limit in the turn is also more "nervous". But it makes the drive much more engaging.

 

355 is definitely more of the visceral Ferrari experience, that said, the Cali is one of my favorites as well! But I love Maserati (pre-FCA) too!

It depends on one's needs and wants.

 

Beautiful, what a wonderful update. Enjoy my friend! do post your experiences in the F430 forum, we're excited to hear about your thoughts and views.

Cheers