348SStb (dude...you gotta post a name...seriously!) Thanks for the onslaught of references to buy Ferraris. The hunt is getting tedious (sp?) and old, but I will endeavor to persevere in the continuing face of adverse consequences. What's a guy with $100k gotta do to pick up a clean Ferrari???? The funny thing is that the seller is still trying to prove to me it's a clean car and "lets make a deal". He swears the timing-belt and 30k service have been done (despite my mechanic saying there's no evidence when examing the bottom of the car) and he's sure it's clean and...and...and......... No problem. I'm back on the horse and heading out tomorrow to look at another '97 Black/Tan. This one has 7k miles, just had the 30k done and is said to be clean & prestine. No tubi, challenge grill or any frills...just clean & simple 355 spyder. My buddy tells me I'll likely be offering $93k to $95k. At least the 30k is done...but the exhaust is prone to issues. The car just had $10k of work done at Beverly Hills Ferrari, the seller obviously wants to make it right before they sell it. If this one falls through...I'm headed to the local dealer to pick up that fiorano. Given that the Fiorano is 2 years newer and is a Fiorano...that may be worth the $118 it'll cost me (firgure $24k more) ya think?????? I thought buying a car was supposed to be fun???
Dave, respectfully.. what did you pay for your Spider and can you give me a spec sheet of it's miles/what was completed by the Ferrari dealer etc. I contacted the Ferrari dealer when I started to market my car with hopes of trading it in and my experience was woefull at best. They wanted to give me $75K and sell a lesser car without pedigree (but a service and 1 header replaced) for $89K. Is this in line with what you got? I'm heading back into the market for antoher Ferrari and it seems you have been able to dispell the myth that there are nice cars with everything my former 355 had for less. And to boot.... available from a Franchise Dealer. Who did you have your experience with? I have always stayed clear of the dealer because of fear of overpriced Ferrari products. Thanks in advance. Mario
I hope you find a good car of course. Unfortunately I think some of it is just luck, so just take the plunge on good advice. Many people who do few miles experience very few or no problems, I've done a fair number of miles and had all the usual problems. I bought my 355 Spider for approx $105,000 2 yrs ago. The car was in great shape when I bought it (19K miles) and was fine for 5,000 miles with no problems. Then a flood of the usual 355 problems came over the next 5,000 miles, you name it, everything costing approx $35,000 (headers, CATs, ECUs, Valve guides, air con, roof, clutch, brakes... la la la). So now, the car has done 30,000 miles and it should be in good shape for the next 30,000 miles sweet ! Whatever you choose make sure its got the bills and history, budget for some problems at least, forget about the everything else and enjoy it. Hope you find the right one Ade
Ade - your school of thought is correct. Once these issues are taken care of, (ie manifolds, sticky dash, etc etc) - you have a solid car for life..and you have a nice exotic that can be a daily driver. LAWDOG - I remember reading some previous post about your car - that it was a "poster child" for proper care... (lol). Yeah, mines the same way if not better. Anyway, I have a 97 Red/Tan Spider and she's for sale. Have a tenative buyer and sending her to Chicago for him to inspect.. No money has changed hands and I don't really know if he is a real player. Anyway, if he's not serious about her I'm sending her to CA to a back up buyer... Car is Concours, belts, headers, valves, etc etc all done by F of SF. 100% correct. If you want more info and get into the mix...send me a PM. Steve R - I keep telling "Think Red!". Actually, my old P Turbo was black and I understand....did you check the Black Spider on Ferrari Ads? Thought I saw one there...
