In the past i've had and sold a 308GTS, 348SP, 360, 599 and I loved the 348SP the best (should never have sold it) I want to recapture that but with a 355SP. I'm looking at 2, both F1 (would prefer manual but unfortunately, they are very rare here) The yellow one is a 1999 that has had several owners putting 96000km on it but for the last 12 years, one deceased owner that did less than 1000km in it. The dealer is going to have a new cam belt fitted (possibly the one from the tool kit) It's in better condition than I expected .... nothing sticky, carbon bits, yellow stitching, non-standard radio The red one is a 98 with, only one owner 11500km but next to nothing in the last 12 years. It has just been fully serviced, cams, clutch, brakes, tyres with $25k spent. It's immaculate except for one panel of sticky. original accessories. The yellow one is NZ$140k, the red NZ$200 (roughy 63% of that US$ and 50% UK£) Any thoughts on which one and what questions should I be asking. Both cars have been or will be serviced by the same firm and I will talk to them tomorrow. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
SP = Spider? Seriously? It's probably 24 years old. It's probably not a cam belt anyway as the car needs two of them. Probably an accessory belt. It's good that the yellow one saw so many kms, but not good that only 1000 was done in the last 12 years (ask me how I know). It's probably just as bad as the red "garage queen". Having said that, I would still go for the red one if I had the cash, even at the $NZ 60k premium. Seems like a bargain (in Australia, they all seem to be north of A$200k, sometimes A$300k) Will the current vendors allow an independent pre-purchase inspection? There are buyers guides mentioned on the forum, but I always have trouble finding active links. The lists are long and you may not immediately understand what the items are. You really have to do your homework first.
Thanks qavion. The dealer just said that they had a cam belt(s) and would get it fitted once signed up. But that seems a little loose to me and I got the impression they didn't seem to know too much about it (the car was part of a bulk lot received from a deceased estate) I guess my question is "is $60k worth 85000km and probably better sorted car" I'd quite like yellow (I've had 2 red and 2 black) and I think the 355 suits yellow. But since it's not manual I'm not prepared to let that cloud my judgement. Red is fine. There is another listed here in silver but it doesn't interest me.
I cannot comment on NZ prices. Spider 355F1 ... is full of problems just so you know what you are getting into. If you get into this thing, make sure you find a good F1 mechanic. Better yet, marry one.
It's a bit personal preference (I love yellow), but the '99's were the best for spider/F1 as they had all of the improvements over the years. That also looks to have shields and, as you stated, carbon bits, both of which were fairly rare on the 355's from the factory. Given color, final year, options and lower price, if it were me I'd be going after the '99. Red does bring a premium generally (but not for me). Mileage doesn't matter tbh, current condition is what is important.
When you mention the carbon bits... are you sure they are factory carbon? Factory carbon is extremely rare, most often encountered in the Serie Fiorano edition cars. Those were I think all Spiders. So there is a chance it is one but you'd easily know- they'd have a plaque in the car. The carbon bits could simply be stuck on to cover up the sticky interior. That is/was a common solution to the sticky interior problem.
Highly likely it's a series Fiorano. Only 3 euro cars made, 355 spider Fiorano F1 (EURO model) 3 ex (sn 116194, 116201 and 116489)
Not necessarily. I’ve seen the “poor man’s” Serie Fiorano-like Spiders in Japan equipped with all sorts of stuff. But no suede steering wheel. The yellow Spider does not have red calipers, drilled rotors, or embossed shields. I have an eye for this stuff
Great stuff guys and you have good eyes. I spoke to a very informed mechanic that knows both cars. The shields are indeed stuck on. The carbon bits are sill plates and radio surrounds only. The brake callipers are gold coloured and no drilled discs. he said both are good cars for what they are and he will be doing the belt change on the yellow one and would certainly be proactive in anything else needed. I sold my 599 because it had only done 1000km a year since new, was immaculate and I was terrified of adding kms to it. Perhaps I would feel the same about the red one. Maybe the yellow I would be more relaxed to enjoy. If the red one had crema interior, I'd be more passionate about it but the tan doesn't do anything for me. The yellow one has metal drilled logo'd foot plates/rest. Decisions.....
Hi Philip, Just referencing your comment "I loved the 348SP the best (should never have sold it)", well, why not get another? I am currently in the process of importing a 348SP form the UK which is due to arrive NZ end May, and there appears to be several more RHDs available. Costs (NZ$, incl. GST 15%), both paid and budgeted include: 1) PPI - $1K 2) RO-RO shipping - $4K 3) Dirty emissions car tax - $3K 4) GST on value of imported goods - $15 - $20K 5) Technical Compliance certificate - unknown, but I discussed the issues with a tame inspector here, and appraised the PPI inspector in the UK of the general enthusiasm of our compliance inspectors for rust, and asked for special attention in that regard, and I believe mine to be rust free. But I concede, this is an unknown and I'll have to see what awaits once it gets here. To my mind, the appeal of a 348 (over a 355) is it's comparative simplicity. The complexities of a 355, (and especially an F1), are just too daunting for my wallet, my DIY capabilities, and therefore, my peace of mind. It seems to me that this forum is increasingly populated with more 355 issues than 348 issues, from which I conclude 355s have more issues. Maybe you're fine with that and have either the DIY skills to attend to them yourself, or are happy to have Continental CS do the fettling, but it's not for me. I am hoping for a great 'manual gated gearbox, non-PA steering, tight fuss-free suspension' driving experience, with some hopefully manageable DIY maintenance thrown in for the winter months. Kidding myself? Maybe, but YOLO !! Just my 2c worth.... good luck!
