355 Ownership etc

what does pull the trigger mean. is it the same as saying, pull the plug

does it mean - Buy it
or does it mean - run away from buying it

 

Pull the trigger means to "buy it" Paolo!

 

brother a ferrari is a ferrari
a honda could be a civic or a prelude!

 

...stop dreaming, buy it....you only go around this life once. I never regretted for one moment the purchase of my 348.

 

1) Yes, the 355 will be almost as fast, if not as fast as your boosted NSX; and if not, who cares -- the legend of Enzo Ferrari will be running through your veins. Get a 1995 355 if you want the fastest one.

2) Don't know why you assume reduced storage space over NSX. There's much more room in the 355 cockpit (rear shelf, more open space); and the 355 luggage compartment is HUGE -- it's the largest luggage compartment of any Ferrari ever produced (that's a fact). And knowing the NSX very well, it's larger than the NSX trunk. I've gone on weekend trips in the 355 with full bags packed by myself and my girlfriend with space to spare.

3) I don't have any experience with a 355 removable roof. However, it is NOT going to store as practically as that NSX roof does. Nothing on the planet comes close to that design. However, I will let others chime in further.

4) It could be almost the same -- but remember: it's a Ferrari... and perhaps the most exotic and beautiful ever made. People are going to be wowed. It depends on the color you get also. Red and yellow are pretty loud colors. Silver is more under the radar. I don't see why it would reduce driving time in any case whatsoever since the idea of purchasing it, at least for me, is to drive it. Sure, the car is not to be presented to strangers who might get the wrong idea. But as a sports car it's among the best in the world -- and you'll find it difficult to resist driving it.

 

Yes
Yes
Yes
Maybe not.

The answer to most of your questions is relatively simple. Have a look at one and go for a test drive.

Good luck!

 

my humble opinion on the matter, and only that. Everytime you climb into the ferrari, it will be special. The same can not be said about the NSX and its prelude interior.

The NSX is a pretty car from most angles, but the ferrari is great no matter the view. The ferrari will handle better, but technically you can get an NSX serviced at a honda dealer. With a ferrari, you will be a conisour (god I can't spell) but with the turboed NSX you will be looked at as a ricer/racer boi. Its not a bad thing, but personally, you have a turboed NSX and every civic with big wings will want to race you, and expect you to do so. Personally I would go Ferrari, but once again this comes down to personal preference.

About flying under the radar, neither car will really do that. However, if you are looking to so some street racing (not accusing, but it definatly does sound like your wondering which car will the cops not be able to march right to the owners house with) I would think the NSX would be better, as it looks like a Ferrari, where the ferrari looks like a ferrari.

It sounds like you really like the NSX and are looking for reasons not to by the Ferrari over the Honda. Just follow your gut, and someday you will be able to show your grandkids the pictures of that Ferrari you used to own.

 

side note, why does every fcar owner insist on calling an nsx a Honda? yes I know Acura only exists in America but is that suppose to be a derogatory put down? I love Ferrari but should I call an fcar, a Fiat? I have driven a 355 several times and is still and has always been my favorite car to date, hands down! But a turbo nsx, at least tuned correctly will be quicker than a stock 355. Major differences I have felt driving a 355 vs nsx is low end torque, suspension and better brakes.

I too enjoy taking the top off my nsx and that's why I prefer a 355 gts but when I am ready to purchase it will come down to price difference. If there is not that much of a difference and I can find a gts in just as good condition I will definitely purchase the gts.

GTS or GTB...no spyder for me.

 

The 355 should be just as fast as the NSX, it won't have the low end but get that baby above 6k RPM and you won't care... As for weekend trips. I've taken mine on 4 long weekends 1000+ miles each time and 2 to 3 days (twice with someone) and we had plenty of room both in the trunk and in the car. Just pack some small bags and don't look back..

 

I looked at the NSX, which makes a ton of sense, on paper. The engine note... not so much. I had a Lotus Exige S, which is a better car than the 355 GTS (open top, reliable, easy to service, fantastic road feel...) but it also sounded... not so much.

Took a drive in mine with the top off yesterday (about 45 degrees F in the mountains).

NO COMPARISON.

 

I had an NSX for about 8 years (loved it) and then had overlapping ownership between the NSX and the 355 for about three years. It is far easier to use the NSX as a daily driver than the 355 although it can be done. The 355 storage space is much bigger than the NSX. I'm still surprised how much we've gotten into it before. I can't speak to the GTS although I have the Spider. There are far fewer GTS's than anything else so grab one if you can find a good one. As far as social expense, it's a Ferrari and it will always draw more attention than the NSX. Having said that, my NSX was keyed three times over the years I had it and I've had no problems with the Ferrari....go figure.

I found both of them to be great cars but the 355 is the only one that still gets the adrenaline going every time I drive it. The NSX does everything very well but just doesn't give you an emotional drive. There is something very passionate about the 355 that is hard to put into words. There is no comparison between the maintenance costs. The Ferrari will cost you more so as long as you're OK with that, give it a try....you won't regret it.

You don't want to look back someday and wished you had driven the Ferrari and, trust me, that day will come.

 

It is called a Honda because in Japan where it is made, it is badged as a Honda. I figure they must know best what to call the car.

 

I don't view the Honda name as a bad thing. Honda has a great racing heritage and their cars are really really great cars. I have put 200k on 2 hondas in short order without a single problem. I personally think it should have been labeled a honda over here, But they didn't believe that americans wouldn't buy a 100k honda, so they badged it different, figureing that people willing to spend a 100k somehow wouldn't figure out its a honda. It makes me hate being tagged "american" by marketing people from major companys.

Marketing guys (and lawyers) thoughts about americans (from both companys here and abroad):

Easily fooled by badges
LOVES large floaty cars
Chrome is still cool in america (living in the midwest, you can count the guns someone owns by the ammount of really cheap, aftermarket chrome pieces they have glued to their pickup)
Warning signs for everything that might harm you in the event of a crash, because certainly the crash will never harm you!
Remove ash tray and place exact ash tray replica with the words "Not an ashtray" on it
180mph speedo on this economy car will make them think its sporty
We like Jim Belishi show and think its witty
etc


I proudly call the NSX a honda with all the honor that goes with it. And I do find them incredible cars, just not the excitment level of a Ferrari.

 

I've driven a few NSX's for fairly long stretches and can vouch for their quality build and general reliability- but to me they were not "special'- heck, getting back in my 993 Porsche (at the time) felt more special to me. More "authentic" I guess.

While driving an NSX is sure to draw some stares it is NOTHING like driving a 355 around town- mine's Yellow so of course there's no hiding.

The storage on the 355 is surprisingly good, as is general cabin space. I drove a bunch of GTS before I decided to look only for a Berlinetta- for me the removable roof panel was always more trouble than it was worth- and the solidity of the hardtop car was more desirable for me- You just gotta drive as many as you can get into to see what appeals to you.

Look- you're here because you know owning a Ferrari is special- and as far as 355 values have dropped it's a pretty low risk decision to get a 355 these days.

If you're in New England PM me- you can come by and check my F1 Berlinetta out- I'm west of Boston.

 

Steve - I've had my 1999 355 GTS F1 for about five years and love it. On some of your questions...

The GTS roof will occasionally give out a rattle or squeak, especially on rough pavement, but it's very acceptable from the standpoint of noise.

Roof stowage behind the seats, as I'm sure you've read before, is a pain in the butt. It's do-able but does cut down on legroom. I usually leave it at home during short day trips but can live with the compromised cabin space for a while if I decide to remove it during an overnight trip.

Luggage space is OK but not great. For example, when we take the car to Monterey for 4-5 days in August, we pack one suitcase very frugally, and I usually take out the toolbox, etc. to make a little extra room for the luggage, cleaning supplies and a few other items.

In comparison to an NSX or other Japanese-built auto, there is no comparison IMHO. The sound, the feel, and the handling of the 355 trump them all.

Hope this helps... Good Luck!

Doug