Those who know me know that I don't talk values up or down - I always speak my perception of the true, current market. That said, in the last 5 years, 355's saw a peek last year (15-18 months ago). Sure, at that time 355's where not alone. All of the non blue chip or modern Ferrari's (such as 550's etc) where at an all time high then. But, what I don't understand is the seemingly low appreciation of 355's. While I've never driver a Testarossa (I'm not talking 512 TR), I'm told they are rather boring to drive. That said, how are most TR's still selling above $100K and more than a 355? I think the TR is a cool car but I would never, ever trade one of my 355's for a TR. Maybe I'm biased but I feel the 355 is a very under rated Ferrari in terms of value appreciation.
I would say the same for a 348. Don’t forget, Ferrari no longer makes a mid engine 12, but they do have plenty of 8.
While I've never driven a TR, I've been for a couple of spirited rides in them, and it's always been an event. Couple that with the whole icon thing, I think that has a lot to do with perceived value. Sucks that I was still married back when a good TR could be had relative cheaply, I may well have been tempted...
355s shld be at 200k i totally agree. Way more fun than my 94 512tr Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
12cylinder is the key to that value. 355’s will go up. They definitely will, but it will be at the 30 year mark when they can go back to Europe without tariffs. The 355 is aging pretty well as far reliability and quality. Way nicer than my 348, 308, 328..... Maybe the 355 is the next Dino Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The 12 cylinders is the reason. The 355 has some serious upside. The looks. The sound. The size. But that will take time. Let's all remember, we are our own worst enemy. Bitching about repair costs on a public forum does little to enhance value
Not even as a Ferrari but just as a car, an absolute steal. What Porsche is comparable? A 10k mile narrow body 993 C2 would probably sell for much more than the same year same mile F355. Mind you it's a great car but it's also 272/285hp, wonky trans gearing and if lucky you might get a limited slip diff. F355 with individual throttle bodies and high rpm 375hp really is a race engine and they all have LSD with perfect trans gearing. What's comparable in the 993 world? Write a half million dollar check for a comparable 993 RSR (ok probably a better comparison to a challenge car overall) and who is going to lose sleep over the worst F355 maintenance bill. So many times I'm about to pull the trigger on a 993 C2S and then I think, how is this car worth more than an F355? It's not, which is why I don't have one. You could also say it's comparable in performance to a 993tt. True, but 993tt values are still way more than F355 values and a completely different driving experience of awd and high torque/moderate rpm. If it remains undervalued for the remainder of my lifetime it will make no difference to me but I'm glad I was able to buy my car when I did.
Why 355 only though? I say the 348 is in the same boat. No power steering, better dash imho, original Fioravanti design, the size, great steering wheel, no power steering, no power steering, no power steering.
12 cylinder F-cars will always be more valuable than most of the Ferrari V8s especially front engine V12 GT cars. Having said that, the F355 is definitely undervalued in my opinion. The F355 is one of the most attractive cars Ferrari has ever made, and is the last analog mid-engine Ferrari (minus the power steering) before they got bulkier, heavier, and less raw. The Spider is the second most beautiful convertible that Ferrari has ever made second only to the Daytona Spider in my opinion. It's the best-sounding Ferrari, and what amounts to a gorgeous, fast, F1-sounding go-cart with lots of smiles per mile. I grew up with the 308 and the boxer and always wanted both, but when the F355 came out at the same time I was getting out of college, it was instantly the Ferrari I had to have someday. I had wanted a 355 from when they were new and shouldn't have waited so long to buy them. I think we (F355 owners) aren't helping considering F-chat is public and searchable going back years where we complain about repair and maintenance costs and tear apart and nit-pick every car that becomes available for sale anywhere on earth. If a 355 has ever been breathed on wrong, has had more than one owner, has more than 2,000 miles on it, and/or hasn't had a major in 12 days it's not worth more than $10k and anyone on here that considers buying it is an idiot. Yes, I'm exaggerating but not really that much. I probably waited two years longer to buy a 355 than I should have mostly due to what I read on F-chat. Eventually, I found the right car that ticked all the boxes for me at the right price and convinced myself that with 30 years of wrench-turning on cars as a hobbyist on a lot of different cars new and old that I'd be ok owning what I thought would be the largest money pit/most expensive car in the world to repair and maintain based on what had been written on F-chat. Three years and 4,000 miles later with a lot of minor repairs, fixing electrical gremlins, fixing HVAC gremlins, a major, valves, guides, seats, seals, and a lot of 'while you're in there' work during the major all under my belt without spending a dollar on labor from a shop, F355 ownership is much less daunting than I expected. It's been amazing to drive, own, and work on. Some of the most rewarding and enjoyable work I have ever done on any car has been on this car. If we as a community continue to rip our favorite car to shreds in a public forum, they will never be solid six figure cars. The Dino was the red-headed step child for decades until one day the light went on and everyone miraculously realized what it was. I don't post much, but this is a topic I have some strong feelings on. Rant over. Thanks for reading.
Well... How about that. I distinctly remember reading these threads with a certain impure thought about the F355's trajectory of valuation. But now that I have my car I am all aboard the price-gain-train. Choo choo! Regretfully, I couldn't sell it for any price.
Production numbers. They're lower production, and hence perceived as more valuable. It has nothing to do with the character of the car, as I think we both know which car wins that one. Lest you think I'm biased, I still have the Testarossa poster I had when I was a kid (it's now on my son's wall in his room), and back when I got my 355, I looked at a couple of Testarossas that were the same price. But, I couldn't bring myself to buy a slower, worse looking (subjective, but keep in mind the TR was my favorite car as a kid) car for the same money. I also was very close to buying a 512TR that popped up for sale while I was looking but it didn't end up panning out. I knew at the time a TR or 512TR was a better investment, and being the TR was my childhood dream car it was a real consideration. However, I made the correct choice. 20 years from now things will be different imo, but honestly, who cares? It's good for us that 355's are cheaper as they're cheaper to run and can be enjoyed for less investment. If you buy it for investment you buy it for the wrong reasons, imo.
From the outside looking in, the 355 is a scary proposition. I personally know two folks who had to pay 20K plus for valve guides. Engine-out belt changes are more expensive than either the 328 or 360 on either side, which can be done with the engine in. Styling is beautiful, but isn't part of the "modern" look that started with the 360 and really continues to today. A 355 in a line of 458s look dated, but a 360 can pass. So most people who are looking for a "starter" Ferrari are probably looking at the 360, and those who like classic styling are looking at 328s and older. The 355 and especially the 348 drop into a value hole between the two families
People are absolutely TERRIFIED about the expense of an engine out service....that is what holds the 348/355 values back. I will keep my 348 forever because I love it. But every day, a Ferrari is lost to collision, theft, fire, etc....dont worry these cars will only go up.
Same thing held down the flat 12 cars for years and years. Now the Boxers are up there and the TR not far behind. Goes to show you never know. Meanwhile, drive em while you can.
Just to answer the question of which Porsche is on par with a 355, I'd say a Caymen GTS or GT4, performance and price wise. But when you look at Ferrari prices, what non V12s have achieved real collector status? It's pretty much limited to the 288GTO and F40 and the 246 Dino and maybe the glass 308. Even with the Testarossa the only one of real collector status seems to be the 512M. You would think something like my US 85 308 GTB QV would have some collector value as it's the last of the model and only 29 GTBs were produced for NA delivery in 85. But it's never really gotten past the $100k mark. It got close twice, once back in '89 when Enzo died, and a couple of years ago. But aside form all the comments about production, V8s and such, the real issue is that none of these modern Ferraris will appreciate much in the near future (like 20 years or so). And what ever appreciation they do achieve will more than likely be significantly less that a good financial investment. But most of all simply because among true collectors, there is a sufficient supply of desirable cars that periodically exchange hands. Collectors die from time to time and their holding move to others. And Ferrari periodically releases a "special" car with price and limited production that attracts those collectors. There is just no glamor associated with these lesser car like there is with the cars of the 50, 60, and 70, and the association with F1,the jet set and money. Being a Ferrari just isn't enough.
There's your answer. A 355 in a line of 458s. From where i sit there a 496 rhd bs on the planet. If you are lucky enough to own one cherish it. And this comes from a 911 turbo lover and owner.
Exactly. I think there is more awareness of a TR than a F355 and add the V12. I like the TR, but prefer the 512TR. I think the F355 is nicer looking but the 512TR is pretty nice as well. It is my second favorite garden variety Ferrari behind the F355.
I agree with just about everything, except the 993TT performance is better, not to mention the build quality and maintenance which are better and less expensive. I do think that these cars are under valued and will appreciate or should appreciate in the future.
