F355 Spider, looking soon. | FerrariChat
Buy

F355 Spider, looking soon.

Discussion in '348/355' started by Artherd, Mar 4, 2005.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Artherd

    Artherd F1 Veteran

    Jun 19, 2002
    6,588
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Ben Cannon
    #1 Artherd, Mar 4, 2005
    With any luck, I will be in a position to keep my promise to myself re buying my first Ferrari :) I have about 7 months, and am thinking that given the current ~$80k price range, my first will be classic Red/Tan, 6-speed 355 Spider.

    I've driven a few 355Bs, but actually haven't had the pleasure of the Spider yet. Will I be happy with the top re: leakage? What about cowell shake, rattles, etc?

    I've been following most of the tech issues (ie, valve guides pre '99. Headers.) Any other major gotchas? Little stuff like sticking exhaust diverter valves I can handle. PPI requisite of course.

    I guess I'm looking for some ownership-type details the 'buyer's guides' miss. Ie. seats, what's out there, what should I look for?


    Lastly, sound. I haven't heard a 1995 as far as I can tell. I think I need to do that before I make up my mind. Anyone have any side-by-side videos of a 95 and OBD-II car with the same exhaust in the meantime?


    Thanks guys. Exciting times!
     
  2. eyboro

    eyboro Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    May 30, 2004
    989
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Eitan
    #2 eyboro, Apr 9, 2005
    I own a 1997 spider. It is a great car. A reliable angina and Trans. mine is a six speed. Things that go wrong are usually like the power top the power seats the door handle. The interior leather wears out. All this is very costly when it comes to fixing. My dealer charges me $800 for an oil change.

    So keep that in mind.
     
  3. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 14, 2003
    61,115
    In front of you
    Full Name:
    BCHC
    #3 darth550, Apr 10, 2005
    LMAO!!!!

    I just can't wait until your third post!!!!

    DL
     
  4. Dave_Car_Guy

    Dave_Car_Guy Karting

    Apr 24, 2004
    130
    Northern California
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #4 Dave_Car_Guy, Apr 10, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Ben,

    If you'd like to check one out and go for a ride, I have a 95 355 Spider (red/Tan) that is not for sale, but given how hard it is to collect data on these, I'd be happy to share it for a bit. I see you're in the Bay Area. I live in Danville and work in Palo Alto, so maybe some time you can check it out.

    As to a few of your questions, it seems you know most of the items to look for (valve guides, headers, cats). I don't sense any cowl shake, my top has never leaked, but I have had to have the seat positioning issue fixed. I have posted maybe 10 stories since I first bought mine last year, so search for my posts and you'll get a good summary of what to look for. BTW, I have Tubi headers, HyperFlow cats, and stock muffler. It sounds beautiful, but I don't have a video or soundbite for you...

    Bottom line: my 355 is a beautiful, amazing car that makes me smile any time I press the accelerator or run a polishing cloth along it's amazing lines. But I also have a Porsche, and I have to have to admit that my Carrera is a superior car from most aspects (although not asthetically, emotionally, or from the standpoint of "wow" factor -- from my own reactions as well as bystanders...it's definitely a "look at THAT!!" car).

    Good luck
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  5. LZeitgeist

    LZeitgeist Karting

    Mar 23, 2005
    190
    Raleigh, NC - USA
    Full Name:
    Patrick
    #5 LZeitgeist, Apr 11, 2005
    Artherd -

    Just got done reading a couple threads about 355's catching on fire at the rear left fender area - fuel lines there may leak onto the exhaust manifold, and *poof*... make sure that area is on your list of things to check out on whatever car you find to purchase. Sounds like it might be as simple as replacing old o-rings with new, but better safe than sorry.

    The 355 Spider is my dream car - I don't want to see any more go up in smoke.

    Patrick W. Heinske -- [email protected]
     

Share This Page