Please see this link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2478737549&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3AON%3AUS%3A4 The dealer can't give me straight story on whether the 15k was done here. Don't you think an owner who blew off the 15k probably did not take good care of his car and that this car may be a ticking time bomb? Any views? I have been looking for a pozzi blue or titanium manual GTS or Spider for over a year now. Any ideas would be appreciated. Rob www.bridgehamptonmotoringclub.com
The 15k is not as big a deal as the 30k belt service. I would say get a PPI and do the major service and the past history really doesn't mean much on a 10k mile car if it checks out ok.
Rob, If you've been looking around for some time, don't automatically write this car off based on your experience thus far. Dig a little deeper. Why isn't the dealer able to give you a straight answer? What is he saying? The ad says the car has "complete service records" and has been "Ferrari Dealer Serviced only" only. If that's the case, ask to see the records. If it sounds like the dealer is shady or is avoiding telling you something, then obviously walk away, but if it's just the fact that he hasn't been able to trace the full records as yet, but is willing to work with you to do so, give him a chance. On the second question: "don't you think an owner who blew off the 15k probably did not take good care of his car and that this car may be a ticking time bomb?" Short answer: no. The car has 10,800 miles. A lot of Ferrari owners still only schedule their servicing according to mileage, as opposed to the "5 years or 15K rule" so it is not uncommon to see low mileage 355's Ferrari's not have had the 15K servicing done. That doesn't automatically mean that the prior owner(s) didn't get the oil and fluids changed, and keep the car generally well-maintained. Bottom line: if you're serious and like the car, figure out what's really going on. Talk to the dealer / service manager. Get a PPI done. See the car in person. And to the extent additionally servicing needs to be done, build part or all of the cost into the purchase price. A $15K servicing is not a killer -- will only run you $2k - $3k. HTH.
Download the owner's manual from the Ferrari website and you'll see that the 15K service is nothing more than fluid changes and 'inspections'. You can do it yourself for just the cost of your time and the fluids. Have a PPI done, including compression and leak down, and don't sweat it.
My understanding is that any 355 regardless of how low the miles are will need a full motor out 30k mile service as belts re due time wise. Doug
I took the car out yesterday and it's a very nice example. Do you know something about it that I don't?
