Buying a 95 F355. Need suggestion

Price looks good, it's probably due for new tires and unless you inspect the clutch you won't know what kind of abuse it has or not had. 30k service is a good thing, see if the water pump was done at the same time, typically it is. Also who did the work, dealership, independent, some guy, check out the receipts and make some calls.

I reccomend an inspection by a qualified person, but the price seems like a deal.

this may help with some questions you will have.

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32112&highlight=buying+355

good luck!

 

Sohail, If there was a 30k service done, the belts would have been replaced, so you should not have any old belts. As everyone here will tell you, get a pre purchase inspection at a local dealer or ferrari specialist. Price sounds pretty good as the mileage is reasonable. Do you have all the service records? Books and tools? May not seem important to have all those things but in the ferrari world, it is. How is the dash leather? Console? Has the valve guide issue been adressed? Any manifold problems? These are some of the things you want to know about. Good luck!

 

The timing belts are the most important part of the 30k serv. The invoice for that serv. should reflect that they have indeed been changed. When I do an inspection I want to be able to review the records and the owner should be able/willing to provide them for that reason. Service that can not be verified for all intents and purposes have not been done. The potential costs of unperformed services on these cars are to great to not require some sort of verification. Also when you have it inspected, have it done by a good Ferrari specialist of your choosing, not his.


P.S. Good looking car

 

sohail, looks like a nice car. Have you driven it yet? That will tell you alot.

 

The service books actually note on them when services should be done, in miles and age (whcihever is sooner). Make sure it has stamps and/or receipts for all these intervals. If not, it could indicate someone has skimped on looking after it. Not a good sign.

Belts should not be 4yrs old. If they are, get them changed and the rest of it inspected thoroughly or walk away.

Service should also have changed the belt tensioners. I believe these are possibly even more prone to failure than the belts themselves. They're also a more expensive part to change than the belt (but easy when the belts are done). If the service was so recent, the receipts should be available.

PPI by someone independent is essential. Trust and friendship are easily eroded when an engine goes pop.

Check all electrics (heated rear screen, air con, lights, windows, suspension etc). They should all work smoothly and are easy to check.

Tool kit is vital, and should be complete (3 layers, Ferrari stamped tools).

The c-pillars are also know to crack. It's not uncommon for a car to have had these repaired, perhaps more than once. Just make sure these areas on the car look clean and straight (where the buttress joins the wing).

Sill plates could well look rusty. Not a major problem. Try and check the underside for cracks and dinks. The flat under tray is expensive to replace and they can get very beat up very easily.

Have a good search on here for more tips as the topic's been done before many times.

Above all, this is an exciting time, but don't let your heart allow the brain to totally disengage. Less and less 355s coming up for sale, but you do not want a mutt. It'll sour the dream.

 

I to am getting into my first Ferrari and it's a 355. I have read the posts to your reply and the guys out there are giving you good advise. I have probably over researched the 355 more than most, before I would put my money down and there are alot of issues that can get you in the back end $$. I actually decided to go with a '97 to '99. Seems the ECU unit, Alternator, Valve guide, MIsc. issues are better in the newer cars. Ownership is critical in my book as well. Seems like good price but if you can step up alittle in the cash dept I think you would be BETTER SERVED with a '97 & up. Want more info give me an email back & we can discuss.

 

I think the Belt Service will probably cost more than that. If it has new Headers even better, go for it.

 

Sohail -

Car looks good. It appears to be a Euro version...check the 8th digit in the VIN if you want to be sure. US cars have an "A" and euro is "B".

During the "30K" that was just done 50 mi ago the belts should have been done - that's what a 30K service is. Seems there's some questionable maint history...does the seller have records for the 30K service?

About the only thing that could hurt you would be valve guides. Did the person who did your "car check" report do a leak down test?