http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/2993255395.html I've been looking for a silver or (preferably, but unlikely to find - white) manual transmission berlinetta. I originally contacted the seller 2 months ago when it was listed for what seemed like a very reasonable $42k. But he seemed to gloss over certain questions due to alleged high interest in the car at that price. Also he was looking to trade for a 993, which I happen to have and probably have to unload to make room for the 355. Very sad but it must be done. Anyway he was only willing to offer $20k which is a joke but I offered a cash purchase anyway and did not get an adequate response. So I moved on. Since then I have seen this car listed in various CL listings at different prices. The current price definitely indicates some skeletons in the proverbial closet. So does anyone here know anything about this car? Mostly curiosity at this point since I'm still searching for the right car. Thanks
That car was for sale a few years ago by a member from Hawaii. As I recall, it was rough then and needed a major at that time too.
Luke has the timeline correct, it was for sale in the summer of 2010 by a member who no longer participates in the 348/355 Forum. I believe the car was sold to Ed Niles who is well known on the vintage forum, and possibly Ed kept it for a short time and resold it. You can check old postings and probably find some of the missing history since 2010. The positive side to this car is it is based in Southern California where you have at least a half-dozen choices of places to take the car for a PPI. Good luck on the hunt. (BTW, you may get more help if you fill out your profile so that people know who they are dealing with.)
Be cautious with craigslist adds. Not saying this could be one of those, but a self described "fox" is using ebay pictures to post adds in craigslist at unheard prices.
Also listed on Ferrariads and was on ebay recently. It's been for sale for a while as I remember seeing it around when I bought mine in November. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=5068
Interesting. I hear many ebay adds "sell" but never actually end up with a completed transaction because the buyer backs out. Is anyone form Fchat in SoCal going to contact the seller and see the car in person? I'm interested in where this goes. I've seem most of the CL tricks and this one doesn't scream scam from the ad itself. Seeing the car in person with title matching seller would answer that question.
Here's the old ad for the car where the previous seller mentions accident damage. Funny how that detail was forgotten in the latest listing. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=5068
I always wonder why ferrariads has never ending listings. Sure enough the phone number in this add is 808 (Hawaii). Still for $34k the bottom feeders should be on this one. Good canidate for a track car or DD.
Thank you all for the information. FWIW, the seller had indicated to me that the front had simply been resprayed to freshen up from minor rock chips and some of his responses to ordinary questions did not reconcile well or just didn't make much sense. Made me nervous, regardless of price. In fact, I think I'd be even more nervous at $34k than at $42k... For example: My Q: Exhaust manifolds were replaced, I assume, due to failures typical to these systems, but was anything in the engine bay affected by the exhaust leak? The exhaust is otherwise completely stock? His A: exhaust is all stock, wheels powdercoated, stickys have been redone, needs nothing, some stone chips as i drive it quite often. Q: How is it that you drive it often, if its not registered? No plates on the car - are you a dealer? A: no plates because from Hawaii and i have not registered it in CA as too many taxes, Q: If the engine-out major belt service was done 5 yrs ago, it is due for another ASAP, which is a big factor in considering the appropriate price point. I understand this will run in the $15k range. A: you would not need to spend $15k to change the belts! as it has hill bearings you just need the belts which would be no more than $1000 as independant shops can do it in situ now. Q: Thats obviously not a challenge grille, which I intend to do anyway, but what, exactly IS it? A: grille is homemade, i still have the original one untouched Q: I also assume you must have done a leak-down test at the last service what were the results? (may save us the trouble of a PPI) A: I did not bother with a PPI when i got it as i know cars and it had just been serviced and givien a clean bill of health by a local Ferrari specialist. I have no leakdown numbers, never a CEL or slowdown light in all the time i have had it and i drive it hard, even did a track day in it once like you. You being in NY will be a problem though.
This one is such a pig that it has been for sale for about 1/2 year by this guy alone. I bet it will not pass smog and I bet the motor is done. At 34k there would be a mad rush to buy it if it was decent. After I quizzed the guy it was not worth me driving the 30 miles to go see it and make a racecar. I'm sure you could bring it back to life like 3Treedee did. I think he spent $30k.
If this is the same car, here's the thread that was started by cyclisto back in 2010 when he was selling it. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=297779 I saw cyclisto's 355 for sale at our local Ferrari dealer, JNExotics here in Hawaii back in 2010, but I don't know anything about his car.
Marco, if you are serious about the car, there are local members (myself included) who may be able to swing by and look at it. Remember that this is a 17 year old car now and it may have deferred maintenance needs. Also remember that the seller may naturally be defensive because buyers are looking for faults to negotiate a better purchase price. It's the natural tug of war between sellers and buyers. My advice: Spend $15 for a Silver membership and it will be easier to talk to other members outside of the forum about the car. Good luck on the hunt! -Greg
"Not registered in CA because of too many taxes? Belts can be changed in-situ now?" I hate to be another guy saying "Pay now or pay later," but it's really true with the 355 cars, and it sounds like you are realizing this. After going through what I did, if I were to buy a 355 now, I wouldn't feel comfortable spending less than $60K, and it would have to be an excellent example with all the known problems attended to. At $60k a low-mile, fully addressed pristine car is a great deal IMO. Blampee's gorgeous F355 Spider is for sale, and it looks amazing and sounds like it's fully sorted, with all the expensive maladies taken care of IIRC. Good luck in the hunt, this is always half the fun!
If he were serious about selling, he'd pony up the grand he claims for a belt change. If it were close by I'd check it out just to satisfy my curiosity as that's the cheapest I've seen a running car.
I don't think this answer was serious. At least I hope not. there is a lot more involved in a 355 "major" than just the belts.
I am confused. In 2010 this was a "sweet" car with everyone drooling over it and claiming it to be the deal of the century and it did look pretty nice in the photos. Now its a dog, a piece of crap that nobody in thier right mind would touch? What gives?
everyone selling it = red flag no one maintaining it but driving it kicking the can down the road = red flag owner either does not know 355's or maintenance history or is fibbing = red flag pictures do not = verbal statements still titled in hawaii? maybe can't pass smog in cali = red flag car has been for sale over 6 monsths with decreasing price = red flag famous guy well connected in F world bought it then sold it = red flag That's all I can think of right now It will be a great car if someone buys it cheap and dumps $30k into it but you could just buy one already done and have less stress. There are some who like to remodel fixer homes and some who would rather just buy a known quanity.
Amazing how an owners answers to questions can drive assumptions about the car. I'm not saying the assumptions are wrong, just how important being a knowledgable and upfront seller can effect the perception and reputation of the car.
As long as the chassis is not too destroyed I would love to take care of this abused child We can make her shine like new, its only a car not brain surgery
Oh so true. Its like termite damage to your house. You never really know how bad it is until you rip out the bad wood. And while the car is not brain surgery when things so south and the budget cap gets tested you might be the one who wants brain surgery as in lobotomy to end the mental pain only a Ferrari can bring you.
Chassis good? Engine good? If yes to both then I wouldn't be scared by anything else at that price. Problem is if you aren't a DIY'er its going to destroy you mentally and financially!
