Cause its a hand built machine! None of them are perfect since there is no such thing as a perfect man
I agree with posters before 34k is not an issue if maintenance records support it. Then with a complementing PPI should give you an idea on what the car may need. If the records are missing and you still have interest go deeper into a PPI. Items to check off and consider: Date of last major (engine out) and what was done Compression Test Leakdown Header condition A run through with an SD2 to see what codes there are (especially use it to check the cat condition) Check for shock leakage CV boots in good condition (not brittle or cracked) Remove shock actuators to see if the shock gears (top of the shock) are in good condition (I had a broken one on a front shock) Brake rotors and pads Any leakage or weeping from engine gaskets/seals Any oil or fluid on the under panels Clutch condition Leather shrinkage on dash (inc airbag) AC vent controller works between floor, vent and defrost Condition of the rear buttresses onto the rear panels (age and use will cause spider cracking in the paint) Any signs of rust/bubbling (door wells, around mirror mounts) These were all things found or what I looked for in buying my 355. About half of these were addressed (found or checked off) in the PPI. The others were from a year of ownership. 355s are a blast and getting a GTB for under $70K I would think is a good buy if it is well sorted. Even with high mileage you should be ahead of the pricing game.
I emailed the seller some questions, here are the answers: (some made no sense) Do you have all service records since new? Yes Have the valve guides been replaced? Not sure Manifold replaced? Not sure if it was replaced but the service record shows that the right manifold / weld cracked and was repaired. CV boots replaced? yes What date what the major service performed and at what mileage? Performed at 1,200, 1,500, 15,000, new clutch at about 30K and engine out at 34,000. Has the clutch been replaced? Yes. Any sticky parts? Yes, as is common with 95 F355s the air vents are sticky and the center ash tray. Does it have a Tubi exhaust? I believe it does but not 100% sure. I have been told that it has the sound that the Tubi exhaust gives you. What current problems it has (if any)? There are no mechanical problems and the car runs superbly. However, the engine 1-4 light comes on some times but is off most of the time. I looked this up in the manual and it says that it is due to emissions. Also the suspension light is on which came on when the right rear tire was flat prior to my replacing it. I did not incur a flat while driving, it had a slow leak and got low in my garage and then I had new tires put on it. I also looked this up in the manual and it says that there is no problem. I live in a small town and there are no qualified people that could hook it up to the computer and turn the light off. What does not work in the car? Everything works Any accidents? No Clear title? Yes How's the exterior condition? The exterior condition is a 9 out of 10 in my opinion. It is very nice. Interior condition? Interior is great other than the sticky vents and ash tray. Any extra pictures? I can send you all the pictures you want if you will tell me what you want to see. Do you have the original Grill? No, I do not have the original grill. Any ideas guys?
So gentlemen, do you think this one is in better shape than the red one with the gap in the front and the dirty engine bay? http://www.ferrarichat.com/ferrariads/showproduct.php?product=133&cat=2
285, the one with the answers (the red one) is from a private seller, and is now SOLD. The yellow one finally answered and I have a lot of concerns regarding the car: 1- He stated that since the car is an early 1995, the problem of the bad valve guides found in the mid to late 95's isn't an issue. Is that true? 2- The left side manifold needs replacing. He said he has has new Stebro exhaust system and cats available. 3- The drivers side windows sticks a bit when going up. He said it works, but is a bit slow so I should consider replacing the window seals to correct this. 4- A couple of the dash vents are still gummy and could be replaced. 5- The e-brake boot has a tear in the leather. 6- The driver’s seat bolster shows significant wear. 7- The outside of the car has paint work. 8- Car has been sitting in storage for 5 months. The good points are (as per what he claims): - All the service records since new. The car has had three owners since new. The car was originally purchased in Miami and its first owner had it for about 11 years. Then it was bought by its second owner who had it for about a year and then the current owner for about a year and a half. - The clutch has been replaced and the CV boots rebuilt as well. - He has the original book with the appropriate stamps and all receipts. - Priced at $58,900 but are flexible considering the manifold issue. Any input?
The service records are very important. I would sit down and go thru the records page by page to see what has been done and not done.. Answers within quote..
Thanks Brent. I actually typed the above as I was putting on my running shoes! I'm actually back to square one now!!! What's with this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ferrari-355-1996-Ferrari-355-Berlinetta-Excellent-Condition-Low-Res_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ157044QQihZ001QQitemZ110235769933QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Thanks 285, I think I will move on regarding this one. I really am loving the Yellow on a 355 and it has become my first choice now repalcing red. Will still settle for red if I found a good 95' though.
My biggest concern is the bad exhaust manifold. I have seen a bad manifold at my friends shop. It was very sooty, which means it was burning fuel in the exhaust tubes on that side, the other side was greyish/light tan as normal and the manifold was ok. So the problem may be bad air fuel mixture on that 1995. Here are some of the things that can cause that. 1. Dirty/sticky injectors: will not atomise the fuel properly. That causes a few problems, the fuel will not burn 'completely' in the combustion chamber, so it continues the fuel burn in the exhaust tubes. Which makes the the exhaust a lot hotter. All while those affected cylinders are essentialy running lean. Because the combustion chamber is only getting the benefit of the fuel it 'can' burn..... 2. Bad o2 sensor(s): will affect your A/F ratios 3. Bad, dirty, miscalibrated MAF: will affect your A/F ratios and cause other systems (like o2 sensor) to try and compensate. These are some of the things that may happen when then cars sit for extended periods IMO.
Dean, I saw that car at Classics on the James. From 20 feet, it looks great. However, the rear track is way off and one wheel seems to stick out much further than the other. I believe that car was once owned by an FChater from the west coast. My advice, keep looking...
This vehicle is an absolutely beautiful example of the 355. I sent Dean the answers to all his questions in full disclosure (unlike most others would) so he got a very good idea as to the condition. It seems like a big list but it is actually very minimal. The vehicle was last driven in November when we realized the Left Side Header problem. A few years ago the previous owner took the vehicle to his dealer with an issue with the right side header. As you all know these vehicles are infamous with the header problems. Rather than rebuilding both headers he went for the faulty right side. Now the left side went. I highly recommend rebuilding both or just buying new ones all together while the tank is out and work is being performed. Everything else with the vehicle is in great shape. The minor issues of the two tacky vents is nothing. We already replaced all the center console pieces and ash tray (ash tray alone for about $375!). The car has been used as a show car for my company with 20" chrome Asanti Rims as it is a great looking vehicle. The current owner is a very good friend of mine and since I own an automotive customizing shop and know a decent amount on the Ferraris he has asked me to sell it for him. We listed the car for sale in August but decided not to sell it and keep it as our company show car. Now a business move forces the owner to sell it quickly as he is moving from NY back to FL next month. Dean, sorry it took me a week to respond back to you. I have been very busy with my business and new television gig with ESPN2. I am now back online. If anyone should have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Does anyone know why there is no recorded mileage for this car after 10/2004 on its carfax report? http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_DisplayHistoryRpt.cfm?partner=CDM_U&vin=ZFFPR41A9S0100721 Any ideas?
Try Autocheck... Don't rely on Carfax, they make too many errors. Use both services, worth the 25 extra bucks even if it's just for the piece of mind! Happy Easter!
This is what you need Dean................. !!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eNqPppgw6s&feature=related
LOL Oz! You already caused enough damage having me set on getting a 355>>> which by the way am still unsuccessful in finding one!!
