Best way to shop for 355...?

Best bet -- by Yoshi's car when he gets tired of it in a week or two

Seriously, call Jonathan Peck over at Lambo Dallas, tell him that the Fchat Dallas crew sent you, and see what he has available.

 

Cast your net far and wide. Be prepared to move when a car presents itself. This site is a good place to start, lot's of people here that know about a lot of cars. Do you have a year/color/transmission preference? Are you looking for a great deal or a great car? Set your price limit, add 10%.

 

You may want to check with Joe Maniaci at Ferrari of Houston. We bought our Ferrari from them and it a wonderful transaction. We can highly recommend them.

Carol

 

Post up what you're looking for, and you'll have many more eyes searching. Be specific -- year, color, body style, transmission style, interior color, price point, mileage. You might also want to post in the Modern section to see who has cars for sale.

Also, check with Martin at Cavallino Motors in Miami. I hear good things about him. http://www.miamioffices4rent.com/cavallino/invent/inventory.htm

Things to watch for: bad or hollowed catalytic converters, damaged exhaust manifolds, bad valve guides (as late as '98, apparently), broken power seats in the convertibles, cracking paint on the c pillars of the coupes, melting interior trim pieces.

 

FoH has an ad in 7 Feb AutoWeek page 30, which includes a '99 F355B F1 - Argento/Bordeaux, 8340 mi, serviced/certified. 713.772.3868

Carol

 

there's 35 - F355's listed in the Market Place - go to:

www.ferrarina.com -> dealer -> marketplace

Carol

 

Breaking news! Selling the most issue free 355 spider in the country. Red/tan 6 speed. Cats replaced, exhaust headers repaired by QV, power seat rails repaired, valve guides just replaced at Norwood, too boomey TUBI removed and ANSA Performance exhaust installed, new Bridgestone Potenza SO3's. Firm at $95k. Have interest in trade for 456 / 550 or Vintage 12 cyl.
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Hey Phil, what year is it? How many miles? 6 Speed or F1? Does the funny guy in the hat come with the car?

I know these things, but your potential buyers may not.

BTW, your timing sucks.

 

1995 - 24,500 miles, and 6 speed. Annoying past owner - free.

 

Jim,

Trading up big fella? COOL!

Nick

 

Why not try the v-12 thing for a while? Mainly just antsy and spoiled and want something new.

 

Adrift,

I just bought a ,98 355 spider. It took me 3 months and 3 PPI's(2 failed 1 passed) to find the right car for me. Depending on how picky you are on Price, color, location, miles etc. I could see a search going from 1 day to much longer than 3 months. Figure out exactly what you want and what your flexible with. By the way a well sorted out car like Digman's is nothing to sneeze at, deferred maintenance can be very costly on these car's.

 

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I second Tillman's recommendation or talk to Gary Seale. When I bought my 355 Gary had just heard about it, the guy who had it e-mail Gary some pictures, it had just had all of the major service performed and Gary priced it right, So I bought it. Two cars from Gary, both have been great. If you are interersted in a F355B, 6 speed, Titanium/Bordeaux with 21.5K, new tires and a couple of paint chips. PM me and we can talk

 

I may sell my '95 F355B; ask Jonathan Peck about it, as I bought it through him about 1.5 yrs ago. It is red/tan 6speed and no excuses inside or out. Had 30K in August 2003 and about 16,000 miles now.

Message me privately if you are serious. The '95s (actually I think through '97 so the legend goes) get the bad rep for supposed valve guide problems, but everyone ignores the fact that they make more power and sound better because they are pre-OBDII.

Keith Verges
Dallas

 

See how well our little community works? You ask about buying a 355 and you've already found 3 from local private sellers. None of these cars are even officially 'on the market'.

 

I REALLY like Don's silver/red 355B. If I had the spare cash I'd buy it on the spot.

 

I sold a 996 last year. My car was not a TT but the 996 and the 355 are not to be compared, they are just different cars all together with a totally different feel. I agree, The brute performance of a TT will not be out done by a 355 and the F-car maintenance costs are a beating but there is nothing like a Ferrari when you get into the curves and in upper speeds, oh yea dont forget the exhaust note.

 

It's simply a matter of where you spend your money. For a Ferrari you write a check for maintenance. For a Porsche, you lose money on depreciation. Pretty balanced if you ask me, but one is a direct expense and the other is a capital loss. I know a lot of guys that have given up their P-cars for a Ferrari (Phil and Brian are prime examples), but I don't know many that have given up their Ferrari for a Porsche. I see a zillion Porsches every day, but see few Ferraris.

 

I know a guy who gave up his 355 for a 996. He just didn't like the attention the Ferrari produced, and worried about it when it he took it out to eat or something. He doesn't have to really worry about that so much in the Porsche. People are used to seeing those more.

P.S.: You guys keep saying "P-car". Porsche is NOT the only "P" car! hehe