Can you use the F355 as daily driver?

The car would probably enjoy being driven daily.

 

Mine was pressed into commute service the last couple of days due to a gas tank puncture in my DD. It's fine, I'm just nervous about rock chips due to all of the trucks that are on the highway. I've lost a couple of windshields in other cars, but other than that it works fine for a commuter car. Not the best mileage, but not pick up truck or SUV bad, either.

 

I use mine as a daily driver for 6 months here is Wisconsin. The only time I try not to drive it is in the rain. The F355 rear engine cover lets alot of water in and so I try to avoid that if possible. My car sees alot of stop and go city driving without any problem.

 

I drove mine for a few weeks as my DD- Other than the constant and relentless attention a bright yellow 355 draws in front of the Staples and parked at the Supermarket- no issues.

355s, contrary to some of the noise generated by owners with issues- are very reliable cars. All the stupid stuff works- windshield wipers do the job, headlights are bright and effective, heat and A/C work absolutely great, and it's a very comfortable car to be in for long drives. If I were to be stuck in traffic every day- Not sure I would choose to use my 355...I think a 550 or 575 would be better suited.

 

do you have the patience every morning to wait 10-15 minutes to warm fluid temperatures before setting off? Cold start = oil @ 210 F, etc

 

Why?

I start it and drive away- As long as you don't redline the car with everything cold the car is perfectly driveable.

355s were designed to be cars, not exotic pieces of art. Drive and enjoy- nothing to be afraid of.

 

Didn't they launch the 355 with a world tour, driving the car thousands of miles in every conceivable weather condition across the globe?

Yes, they can be driven.

 

+1, just keep it under 3k rpms until the water temp starts to come up and don't hammer it until the oil temp comes up. It's worse for cars to sit and idle to warm up than it is to drive them due to the acid build up in the combustion by-products when cold. If you let it sit and idle, it takes a lot longer to warm up than if you drive it. The owners manual in my bmw specifically warns against letting the car sit and idle when cold...

 

Agreed. The owners' manual of my Porsche 911 specifically states that the car should be warmed up by driving (gently), not by sitting idling.

 

I typically give it a few minutes just to come off of high idle. As soon as the oil and water temp pegs start to move I back it out and go (slowly at first).

I see no reason why I couldn't use a 355 as a DD. It's a perfectly capable automobile and remarkably easy to drive. The visibility is great, too. I'm a firm believer that the more you drive them the better they'll be for it.

 

I own a 99 355 F1 Spider. It is better for the car to be driven daily than to sit for long periods. Running it daily keeps all systems lubricated, flowing etc.

It drives and performs much better when I can manage to drive it for several days in a row. Very rough after sitting for several days.

 

The only problem with driving a355 as a dd is kind of like getting married. Your girlfriend is a lot more fun when it's just a weekend date. You look forward to seeing her on the weekends and enjoying her. Then you get married and, well not so much. I like to keep my 355 time special.

 

I dont think i could ever get tired of driving a 355. I enjoy driving my 21 year old 535i everyday.

 

+1 I usually start the car, buckle the seat belt and then gently drive away. I have had a 355 for 8 years and it has never left me stranded.

 

Oh, so Spot-on!

My 355 has a little binding in the accelerator cable making soft starts into launches. Other than that, it could function as a DD. Though I'd be a little paranoid about people damaging the car. My DD gets lots of dings from inconsiderate morons.

 

+1