Best way to shop for 355...?

Depreciation vs maintenance expense is a very good point. I have never lost more money on a car than I did on my 996 and then have had very few cars that after 2 years I sold it close to what I paid for it like my 348 Spyder. That being said the 996 was still a more drivable car than my 348 or 355 but if you have had a Cobra, drivability may not be an issue for you. The Porshe is dependable, I considered a 996TT to replace my daily driver recently but I decided I have to stick with something that has a usable back seat.

 

I actually targeted that at the 355's you said you were looking at. It certainly wouldn't apply to a new 575.

 

Adrift


Another option is WWW.ferraribuy.com---make sure you click on USA. If you find one in your range MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PPI done on the car. On the 355's and for that matter any Ferrari, I would require the inspection to include the bumper to bumper cosmetic, a compression test and A LEAK DOWN TEST. Make sure they (the inspector) understands you want each cylinder leak tested and that percentage recorded in the inspection report. So the cylinder report should read something like cyl #6 150, 2% leak. I have bumped into some inspections that say they only run a leak down if the cylinder has low compression. Well at that time it makes no difference because there is a problem anyhow!

I still say deal locally, I think you will be more comfortable. Remember you can't pay too much for a great car, but you can't believe how much you can pay for a bad car.

 

The 1995 model was pre-OBDII but had a history of valve guide and exhaust manifold problems. Be sure these items have been addressed if you look at a 95-96 model. After that, the problems are much fewer. Even though the OBDII cars produced later had a few less horsepower, their performance numbers are about identical and the later cars prove more dependable.

Get a complete history of maintenance and updates, paintwork and interior work. The pod around the instrument panel has a bad habit of the leather shrinking and pulling away from the dash. Lucinda Howard at The Tin Lizzy can take care of that for you. She is in Richardson, so it is just down the road.

Mike Luongo at LoD is an excellent Ferrari tech and well as Steve Smith at Boardwalk Ferrari. Both were team racing technicians for the FoD/FoH race team. Mike kept Steve Earles car running right..............

Check the history, check the history, check the history and get verification by a PPI. It will be money well spent.

 

sober?