Introducing myself - And a question on a F355 I am looking at | FerrariChat

Introducing myself - And a question on a F355 I am looking at

Discussion in '348/355' started by EK3R, Apr 5, 2004.

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  1. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    Hello all,

    This is my first post here - I sold my 911 a while back to buy a F355 - however changed my mind several times as to wether it was really a sensible thing to do, put down a deposit on another make of car - then realised I was kidding myself, nothing other than a Ferrari would do now,life really is too short and you only live once don't you??. So here I am about to make the leap!

    Anyway, my question is - I am looking at a '96 F335B with 39,000 miles on the clock, for sale from an independant dealer here in the UK (Ferrari specialist). It has 5 previous owners (3 of whom are known to the dealer). Last change of keeper was May 2001. They have just completed a service, including cambelt. My concern is - is 39k miles too much - I would be using it a couple of times a week (Sat / Sun driving), and would anticipate doing 4 - 5k miles a year, it definitely would not be a garage queen.

    Would I be better off getting one with this sort of mileage given the amount I plan on using it (would be high for a Ferrari pretty quickly), or look for something closer to the 25k miles mark? (resale I am thinking here). The car is priced fairly competitively at £46k.

    Other question is the interior leather was described over the phone as 'dark grey' (looked black in the pictures to me). Can anyone comment how this looks in real life? Car is Rosso with Rosso carpets.

    Many thanks
     
  2. noony

    noony F1 Veteran

    Nov 25, 2003
    5,903
    Seoul
    Full Name:
    Johnathan
    Eric, for more specific answers ask in the UK section.*EDIT*oops sorry I see you did*EDIT*

    IMO £46k can get you a nice <20k miler. And £40-£42 for one with 39k miles.

    Welcome to the board.
     
  3. noony

    noony F1 Veteran

    Nov 25, 2003
    5,903
    Seoul
    Full Name:
    Johnathan
    #3 noony, Apr 5, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. Mitch Alsup

    Mitch Alsup F1 Veteran

    Nov 4, 2003
    9,252
    If the engine has a clean bill of health, including a leak down test and compression test, I don't see how 39,000 miles or 69,000 miles makes any difference whatsoever.

    My 95 F355B has 40K miles and over 5,000 miles have <ahem> transpired on race tracks. It has near perfect leak down numbers.
     
  5. sherpa23

    sherpa23 F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 28, 2003
    9,992
    Rocky Mountains
    Full Name:
    Bastuna

    Mitch is correct, imo. Just make sure that all the service have been done.
     
  6. murph7355

    murph7355 Formula 3

    Nov 30, 2002
    1,691
    SE England Yorkie
    Full Name:
    Andy
    Is it RHD?

    If it is, then I think the price is v.fair, and I wouldn't worry about the mileage too much as I don't think the car'll lose much money with your anticipated mileage.

    I've not yet seen a RHD up for this sort of price, so not sure where there are any at 40-42k.

    Which dealer is selling it (I have one already, so don't worry :) ).

    Check that all the service stamps add up etc and it should be fine. I posted some buying tips that were given to me by a fellow owner in the tech section. If you can't find it, mail me and I can pass on some hints and learnt wisdom :)

    As for dark grey interiors, I've seen one in "blue" which looked dark grey and it looked fine. My initial preference was for a darker colour, but having bought a crema car I'm glad I did. It really brightens up the interior and looks, to my eyes, very high quality and not as Magnum PI as I first feared!
     
  7. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    It is RHD indeed. I will PM you the dealer details if that is OK - I wouldn't want it to go before I had a chance to see it!

    In my mind 39k miles is fine (probably a better bet than a lower mileage / hardly used car). Its when it comes to sell it on, and people are put off by a higher mileage car!

    There was another '96 car with 25k miles on Auto Trader for £46k, but that has already sold.

    I have made an appointment to see this one on Friday, along with another he has ('96 again, Rosso / Crema CF seats, 21k miles).

    Regards
    Eric
     
  8. noony

    noony F1 Veteran

    Nov 25, 2003
    5,903
    Seoul
    Full Name:
    Johnathan
    Just looking on topmarques, it seems I underestimated, £46k sounds like a good deal, but there are a couple lower in price, albeit in less desireable colours.
     
  9. sandersja

    sandersja Formula Junior

    Jan 16, 2003
    367
    Portland OR
    Full Name:
    John Sanders
    Just to give a different observation... My nephew had a f3355 from new ('97). It replaced a new Porsche that was so flakey that it was flat-bedded back to the dealer 5 times in two months. The F355 ran well and received thorough maintenance. However, at about 45K miles a variety of things began to fail in succession. It got to the point where he bailed and sold the car. It always seemed strange to me that the reliablilty would deteriorate so abruptly.
     
  10. murph7355

    murph7355 Formula 3

    Nov 30, 2002
    1,691
    SE England Yorkie
    Full Name:
    Andy
    Eric - have sent you a few PMs :) Note the last one!

    Noony - the price looks very good to me, but then there's always a reason why cars are a good bit cheaper than the usual market (which could simply be that the seller wants to sell quickly).

    Just had a quick look on the web and the very cheapest RHD 355 I found is 45k.

    I honestly think prices for these are firming up and doubt RHD ones will drop much below this (only 408 RHD GTBs produced I think). Have spoken to a number of specialists of late and they all regard the 355 as THE V8 car to have, the 360 not having as much character, unless it's in CS guise.
     
  11. murph7355

    murph7355 Formula 3

    Nov 30, 2002
    1,691
    SE England Yorkie
    Full Name:
    Andy
    Can you give some detail as to what failed on the car at 45k?
     
  12. Robertb

    Robertb Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2003
    1,331
    South Oxfordshire, U
    Full Name:
    Robert
    Welcome to FChat, and good luck in your quest!

    There are a limited amount of common things that go wrong with 355s, which I'm sure you're aware of. If these have been attended to or are in order, and all the service history is there then I'd not worry about the mileage- it shows a healthy reliable car enjoyed by previous owners.

    It looks a fair price, esp for RHD. Needless to say, the punters do love a low miler (in rosso/crema) when it comes to resale, but you're paying less now so its swings and roundabouts.

    The grey trim looks good IMO, and is easier to maintain than crema. If it is black, then that looks great too, esp red stitching. All a matter of personal opinion of course...

    I'd recommend getting an inspection done; will cost, but might throw up some probs which can be rectified, and save you £££.

    Let us know how you get on.

    Robert.
     
  13. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    I certainly will do, had a great response so far from this site, infact Andy (Murph7355) has very kindly offered to go with me on Friday to check the car out, will be good to have someone there who knows what to look for. Also looking forward to going for a ride in his Tubi'd F355!

    Will be sure to post up details as soon as I make a purchase (hopefully won't take too long, as I had a plan to drive to Le Mans with some of the TVR boys).

    Cheers
    Eric
     
  14. murph7355

    murph7355 Formula 3

    Nov 30, 2002
    1,691
    SE England Yorkie
    Full Name:
    Andy
    Just to stress that I am no expert :) But I do have a growing list of things that I know to look for!

    If the car looks decent, an ind. inspection will be next on the list for Eric :)
     
  15. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    Well, had a look at a few cars this weekend, many thanks to Andy for helping out by looking at a couple for me, and.....

    I have agreed the purchase of a F355B - Rosso / Crema with 25k miles and full Ferrari history - it was absolutely immaculate, interior has just been re-connolised, it is very apparent the car has been taken very good care of its whole life (very comprehensive paperwork with it). Sports exhaust (not Tubi, but sounded very much like Andy's Tubi's car), and cat replacement pipes (I will be supplied with the original cats as well).

    Verdi's are inspecting it on Tuesday morning, providing there are no major issues with it, I should be in it by next weekend. My heart hasn't stopped racing all day!

    Cheers
    Eric
     
  16. Dutchman

    Dutchman F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 4, 2002
    6,184
    EU
    Full Name:
    Ton
    Eric,

    Congrats on your 355! I hope that the PPI turns out fine. Welcome to the club!

    Ton
     

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