Best year of the 355s

You are going to get about 50 answers with that question...But mostly the big difference is the 95 cars or all later cars...

 

Personally I would buy a 95 car. OBD 1 and 2.7. Different intake setup and a little more horsepower. But you will get a million different answers.

 

'95...

 

This feels like a question has has been asked before - often !

 

Run a search ... there are a lot of informative threads on this topic.

My preference: 1995 355 GTS/GTB with rebuilt/aftermarket exhaust headers, tubi/X-OST exhaust and hyperflow cats/straight pipes with lots of history and a caring owner.

 

1995 with a slush box

 

My vote 1995, with 1994 build date, a few extra goodies!

 

I gotta put a biased vote in for '99, because many parts were upgraded to fix issues found along the way. There's a decent list on Fchat somewhere...I seem to recall improved valve guides, extra alt ground strap, non-leaking PS cap, stronger throwout bearing...one of these days I'll compile the list.

 

+1!! I meant to post earlier. My vote also would be for the newer 99-98 F355, for all the reasons given by Jay. When I bought my F355, I was specifically looking for a 1998-1999. An extra 5 hp and the diagnostic accessibility and tunability of Motronic 2.7 vs. 5.2 do not equal, IMHO, the improvements made on the later year model. Also, I think in general the overall build quality of a given model car improves with "age" as engineering improvements are incorporated and the assembly workers become more familiar with the actual build of the vehicle. There was a recent post with someone with a leaking PS reservoir cap - PITA. In addition, to upgrade the earlier throw-out bearing (black seal) to the improved model (aqua seal) requires buying a Hill Engineering clutch release bearing flange for almost $700.00. Although, however, remember the valve guide issue is not just indigenous to the early cars. I believe some of the Ferrari mechanics on FChat posted that they had seen the early bronze valve guides on later (e.g., 1997 and 1998) cars. I think that Ferrari Spa didn't remove the bronze valve guides from their stock, but merely put them back into the bins. Great!!

 

+1.
Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

99. Most kinks worked out.

 

+94

 

October 94

 

I had a '98 and it was fine but more of the '99's have better options and that's what I would look for.

 

I saw in an old car magazine, I don't remeber which one, that said the 98 was the best year for the F355. Supposetly all the gliches from the previous years were fixed for the late model 1998 on.

 

Most if not all F-mechanics prefer the 95 GTB.

 

100% INCORRECT. If you are referring to the valve issues, header problems, sticky interior and so fort, ALL 355s are susceptible.

 

i heard 99 , as with most cars the first year of production is worst then by the time they run a few years they figure it out..

so 99

 

95 is the worst because they have bad valve guides....at least
that what I was always "told". Good luck while looking.

 

+1---I know for a fact even 1999 Serie Fiorano cars had bronze guides....

Yes, so call me for refinishing!!

A potential problem on ALL years...1994-1999

 

Does it matter because my now the issues have been corrected(valves/headers etc) or are these issue inherent with this model? after about what mileage does the issues appear so future buyer can be aware if they should have arose and been addressed

 

Well don't take this the wrong way but considering I have both a 1994 build date and also a 1998 build date trust me when I say they have the same issues mechanically.
One is no more reliable than the other (they ALL eat money). In all honesty, the extra ponies are really IMO more than 5 horses. I can leave a 1998-99 steadily. There are TONS of differences in the 1994 build date cars.

I know a 1994 with properly timed cams is actually quite a bit quicker than any later year.

Hopefully D. Helms can shed some light on this topic with regard to the 1994's and what actually is different.


One example is weight of the pistons ( I know this for a FACT and still have them on the shelf) also heads are flowed better (I've heard), twin pumps, filters etc etc etc.....


I've been slowly writing down some of the differences. Someday I'll get around to posting

 

I tend to agree with Jetfixr on the extra power. I went straight from a 97 355F1 to a 95 F355 (build date, car is registered as a 96.....) and there is a very apparent difference in power, the 95 is faster, it is not day and night difference but it is noticeable, I mentioned it as soon as I left the dealership, its quicker. I was putting that down to the aftermarket exhaust but from Jetfixr's post there might be more to it.

All in all I would look for a good car, the build year makes little difference, the way it has been looked after makes a huge difference.

 

95 all the way, it's great fun pissing off Prius drivers with smelly tailpipes. It makes me almost as happy as the extra 10-15 hp (or so I've heard from owners).