355 prices are going...

Some trade rags would agree with you as I recently read in one of them that the F355 had historical significance within the motoring world.

 

I was going to post a ebay link to a killer silver GTB for about $67K. It's no longer there - maybe the posting just expired. Here is a link to the seller (I don't know anything about them): http://www.stareuropean.com/details.php?auto_id=687

I know of a black GTS F1 (98 or 99), tan interior, had $10K of work done at Algar in May. Under 10K miles. The guy is asking $78K but told me he would consider offers. My guess is he would take 70 since he does want to sell the car.

I went and looked at the car and it's awesome. I did not see it out of the garage so I could not judge the paint perfectly but I did see some typical swirl scratches and a couple chips. Aside from that, it's really nice. Interior was flawless. PM if you are interested and I can give you his info.

 

Rob, I love that silver one but I really want red. The silver is low miles and great shape with yellow calipers etc. Sounds like you know more about it than I.

Funny coz I began my search requiring a 6 speed but since would like ether one and the F1 would be great.

FLAME SUIT ON: I'm with you on price, I fully believe a great, low mile, recently serviced, pristine car can be had for $60-70k

Best of luck on your search!

 

Robb,

I think you are on the right track. You need to decide if you are looking for the right price on the right car or are you willing to bite on those dangling a higher priced car out there hoping someone will pay more to have the car now.

I was flexible on color when looking. My only must was no spiders, no Rossa Corsa and no F1's. I was open to all others and found a realistic seller looking to sell NOW and I jumped on it. Most sellers are in no kind of hurry to sell. You have to be prepared for that and realize when you find a seller who is looking to sell now and not miss it.

If you are looking for a specific color combo with specific service history with specific this and that you will pay $10k more than you want to or you will never buy one.

 

This quote pretty much sums it all up.

 

I disagree. If you are in a hurry...maybe, otherwise no way. Good cars come around at reasonable prices....

 

It will take a while, took me about a year. It also depends on what you're after, if you want a red or yellow spider you can have one for cheap tomorrow. If you want a green gts f1, you may never find it let alone at a price you want.

 

Who wants a green gts F1? Lol!


grrrreeeennn - RED! (Jeremy Clarskson)

 

Yes, good cars come around at a reasonable price. If you are set on a specific set of requirements that filters out 95% of the 355's ever made chances of that car coming up for sale and being the 1 out 20 that are priced to sell are near zero. You will be waiting forever and even when it does come up who knows if you will even see it.

My advice is to gain knowledge and loosen requirements about service history. Price the lack of service history into the car and realize that the "average" 355 that is sold is NOT up to date on service. The average 355 that sells needs thousands worth of work right away to be up to date on service. Then you get into "sorting" the car which is completely different. If the average sale price of a good 355 is $55k right now (just guessing) I would bet that on AVERAGE they need $5-10k worth of work right away to be fully serviced and sorted.

You generally can't compare one car to another and say one is a better price than the other unless you have each car PPI'ed and know how to read the results. In addition you have to know about the 355 sorting issues and what has been done and not done on each car. The 355 is not a car you can look at on Ebay/autotrader/cars and from the description know what you are getting. It has far to many quirks.

Fchat is your friend!

 

Good post, all true.

 

Steve made a good point in saying that you can find a decent car out there that is due for it's major and factor that into the price. I did that when I bought my F355 (at a reduced cost) and actually preferred to have the major done after purchase so I could set a baseline of sorts and personally know that everything was up to snuff from that point on. I hope that your search is successful and you don't have to wait too long to realize your dream.

 

I agree. I do all my own work in our hobby shop. I rather do it myself as I can mess it up as good as anyone

 

Truly sorting one of these cars will cost a lot more than $5-10k. Replacing headers may eat that amount alone. Then there's cats, gold connector kit, new sensors, sticky interior, F1 pump (if applicable), etc etc. Unless you do all the labor yourself, this will add up to $25k easily. This number does not include doing a major service.

These cars take a LOT of money to get set right. Once they are right, then it's just maintenance and repairs, which is normal operating costs. Perhaps this is why the truly sorted cars don't really come up for sale that often. But if you guys who are in the market for a car find one of these which is truly sorted out, consider the above.

 

I think all this talk about $25k or more to "sort" a car is extreme and OCD, which I'll admit I have. Many, many cars on the market for fair and reasonable prices have had much of the "sorting" done. Maybe not every last item but certainly most won't need anywhere near $25k of work. Almost every car I've come across has had the stickey parts done as an example.

Good cars can be found, sure it will take some time but it's very doable.

 

The original OEM headers will last forever IF you have had hyperflow cats or straight pipes for many years. The OEM cats get clogged and back up tons of heat which will melt down the pipes in the headers over the years. The factory didnt account for that excess heat. I replaced my headers at my last major with tubis and my original OEM headers were perfect so I sold them for a Gnote. Getting back to finding a great GTB. It took me 2 years. They are out there but it will take some good cash to get it. If I was looking for an excellant GTB now, I wouldnt hesitate to spend 75gs for the perfect car and it would have to be a 95. Hey 8 years ago many would have fainted if they saw a 355 go for under 100gs. Now some are crying at having to spend over 65gs. I guess some will just wait until they sell for 20 with 10k on them......Not going to happen in fact it looks like the bottom was hit last year for a good or better 355.

 

One important cost to remember is the amount of money you spend looking at cars. Airline tickets, hotel, rental cars, your time, and last but not least the cost of a PPI before you buy it. I spent a few thousand dollars looking at cars that were not to my expectation. Excellent condition in your book may be different from a person selling a car. As an example, I flew out to Kansas City to look at a "perfect" car once and during the test drive one of the belts broke! We were stranded on the side of the road for an hour or so until someone came to tow the car to a garage. I'm sure many owners here on F-chat have stories when it comes to looking at cars.

 

There's also another theory that the exhaust valve is prone to failure or malfunction which keeps it closed thus sending the exhaust back into the engine causing major header damage when the tubes are getting heat coming from both directions and the cats restricting the airflow and heat out.

I'm no expert but this makes sense....it also makes sense when analyzing that the 348 has a lot less header issues and we also shouldn't forget that Ferrari gave up on this exhaust design immediately after the 355 ended production.

 

Dave Rocks, could you email me the contact information for the seller with the black GTS?

I would send you a PM, but Im too big a noob here

Matt @ theretrofitsource.com

Thanks a lot!

 

Matt - Email sent.

 

I can tell you from very recent experience that a car that seems to need nothing from a quick visual inspection, and a check of recent repair bills, can need $20k plus to sort out after a very good PPI. And that is not including a lot of cosmetic issues that can be fixed later.

Just about any oil leak on these car means engine out to fix. As long as the engine is out a major should be done. While that is being done take a look at the engine mounts, the cats, the alternator, the water pump, hoses......before you know it you are easily at $15k to fix an oil leak!

Rick

 

Hard to argue with this.

Which is why I think eventually the condition of the car really will make a big impact on the market value. A well sorted 355 is an amazing car. A neglected car is a money pit waiting to be filled with cash.