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Getting a 355

Discussion in '348/355' started by bobzdar, Oct 25, 2011.

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  1. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
    6,917
    Richmond
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    Pete
    #1 bobzdar, Oct 25, 2011
    I'm finishing up a deal for a '95 f355b located in Miami and am planning to drive it back to Richmond if it checks out in person - I'm not sure if a 16 hour road trip in a Ferrari is something to look forward to or be afraid of at this point :). Anything I should prepare for during the trip? Timing belt was replaced less than a year ago and it's had valve guides replaced, electricals upgraded and other various fixes that these cars need. Only thing I didn't see that's been addressed are the exhaust manifolds, should I be concerned that a failure could happen on the trip? Anything else to look out for? I'm going to be sure to grab a fire extinguisher when I get there just in case.

    I'm pretty pumped as I've wanted a Ferrari since I was a toddler and had the mental capacity to know what one was - my father was born in Sicily so there was not much choice in the matter. I figure now is the time and it came down to a TR or 355, had a deal for a 512TR fall through when I couldn't get the guy to talk to me about it (guess he didn't want to sell?) so figured I'd go for the cheaper and slightly quicker 355 as I do plan to track it. It was tougher than I thought it'd be to find the exact combo I wanted, but bonus is that it's the obd1 '95 and a good deal if there are no issues when I get there. I'm an engineer by trade and work on and road race cars as a hobby and have done everything except body work myself, so nothing mechanical (or electrical) intimidates me at this point.
     
  2. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

    Apr 1, 2011
    3,726
    Montreal
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    Fab
    #2 treedee3d, Oct 25, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Congrats, I'm in the same boat as you, sort of....

    I just got mine and putting it back together so it looks new.

    I rented a uhaul vehicle tower and put it on there to get the car home and not take any chances nor put mileage on the car.

    Uhaul cost me about 75$ but you need a large vehicle for towing capable of at least 5000 lbs like a pick-up truck
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  3. gus355

    gus355 Formula Junior

    Aug 3, 2011
    569
    B.C. and WA
    #3 gus355, Oct 26, 2011
    You'll want to make sure that the fuel line and block recalls are done - and done properly.
     
  4. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,785
    Ontario, Canada
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    Mike
    #4 AceMaster, Oct 26, 2011
    Congratulations....as for the 16 hour trip, nothing to worry about...consider it a "bonding" adventure with your new toy ;)
     
  5. Monteman

    Monteman Formula 3
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    Feb 9, 2006
    2,348
    Santa Barbara, CA
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    Monte
    #5 Monteman, Oct 26, 2011
    I've taken mine on several trips. It sounds like it's been maintained so you should have no issues at all. They're actually pretty bulletproof cars if people take care of them.
     
  6. bcwawright

    bcwawright F1 Veteran

    Jul 8, 2006
    5,234
    Georgia
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    Bruce
    #6 bcwawright, Oct 26, 2011
    You definitely need to have a leak down/compression on this car....the valve guides were replaced many years(and many miles) ago.

    You ain't goin to drive this car back to Richmond without some major risk....it is setup really low to the ground and the first time you hit road debri. a dead animal, or pull in to a gas station with an incline you are goin to have some issues. Check the undertrays and chassis before you hand over the check.

    The rear inside of the tires are already worn pretty good and it definitely needs an alignment.

    The car has alot of miles on it so expect the unexpected in your budget.

    You are goin to have to change some things if you're goin to track this car....it's only money money money.
     
  7. kmartin

    kmartin Karting

    Dec 27, 2009
    66
    No.Va
    #7 kmartin, Oct 26, 2011
    Drove my 95 down to Savannah fromVa for the national meet. Tracked it for 2 days and drove her home.No issues, 19.9mpg @80 mph,no tickets. Good Luck, enjoy the car.
     
  8. gatorgreg

    gatorgreg Formula 3
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    Dec 13, 2004
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    Greg Griffin
    #8 gatorgreg, Oct 26, 2011
    If you have any doubts about the car. Drive it up to Tim Stanford in Fort Lauderdale and have him check it out for the long ride back to Richmond.
     
  9. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
    6,917
    Richmond
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    Pete
    #9 bobzdar, Oct 26, 2011
    It's going back to factory height and alignment with factory rims before I get down there. I have some small speed bumps to go over in my neighborhood so no way I'd attempt to get it home lowered. I had planned to check the underside for damage, check the rear buttresses, all fuel lines, all electricals, a/c and heat, hot start after it sits for 20 minutes or so (a puff of smoke would indicated some potential valve guide issues) and will bring a compression tester down with me. I'm fairly certain I have the 10mm adapter so can check leak down as well, (think it's the same size as my vmax) but will double check before going. I'm more worried about what could happen on the ride back if/when all of that checks out.

    I did not think the '95's were part of any of the fuel line recalls, but I had planned to inspect them before going.

    I would tow it back, but my truck gets about 16mpg unloaded and 10-12mpg loaded (I have my own trailer), and I don't want to take a week to take off of work to get there and back - it'd be 2 days down and 2 days back as I'd question my objectiveness in looking at the car after driving that tank 16 hours straight so I'd have to break each leg into 2 days. If I drive the car I can fly down in the morning, take a couple of hours to make sure the car is straight, then head back and see how far I make it before maybe stopping for the night in SC or NC if not doing the whole jaunt in one shot.
     
  10. Falcon Wing

    Falcon Wing Formula 3

    Aug 4, 2010
    1,294
    Colorado Springs
    #10 Falcon Wing, Oct 26, 2011
    Fly down, rent a Uhaul truck/ car trailer....
     
  11. bcwawright

    bcwawright F1 Veteran

    Jul 8, 2006
    5,234
    Georgia
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    Bruce
    #11 bcwawright, Oct 26, 2011

    Are you coming back using I-75?

    If so I can meet you as I'm just a few miles from the Valdosta exit.
     
  12. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
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    Dec 1, 2004
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    Bruce Bogart
    #12 plugzit, Oct 26, 2011
    DANGER! DANGER! Don't leave the keys in the tow truck! BCWAW has been looking for a spider for a long time!
     
  13. bcwawright

    bcwawright F1 Veteran

    Jul 8, 2006
    5,234
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    Bruce
    #13 bcwawright, Oct 26, 2011
    HAHAHA.....that car is a GTB....I do have an old rusty can opener on hand....that should be able to remove the hardtop in short order.

    I got my own tow truck just in case.

    Bruce, did you watch Rock Slyde?
     
  14. 355tsr

    355tsr Formula Junior

    Mar 9, 2010
    322
    #14 355tsr, Oct 26, 2011
    remember too if you are buying form a dealer you pay FL taxes on the spot if you drive it off, and not all states have an agreement to recipcate taxes..ask me how i know and got screwed...check with your local tag and tax.. if not have a car hauler pick it up and deliver
    it to another town in fl and take delivery there
     
  15. Robin

    Robin F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    2,931
    Arlington, VA
    #15 Robin, Oct 26, 2011
    Not sure where you plan on getting it serviced, but I replaced the undertray on my '99B earlier this year. I first bought an undertray from someone on here but it was for the early 95 Berlinettas only, so it didn't fit right. If you do end up needing one and it works with your car, there's a perfect one in a box taking up space at Competizione in Maryland that you can have.

    As for the long drive, I made the trip between DC and Tampa maybe a dozen times with no real problems other than regular gas stops and left lane bandits blocking the way. Regardless of what people think, these things are just like any other car and work just fine as long as you use them on a regular basis. And as 355tsr said, bring an extra 6% for the sales tax!
     
  16. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
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    #16 bobzdar, Oct 26, 2011
    The plan right now is to do 95 the whole way, but there's a possibility I may stay the night in Naples or Tampa and take 75 up for a way, I should know in the next day or two what the plan is.

    Not a dealer so tax will be paid when I register the car in VA. I can get 3 day temp tags for the drive, so there shouldn't be issue with the car pickup. I also have roadside assistance with Geico if I put the car on that policy and it's unlimited mileage, so if an issue crops up I can have them come grab it. I really would prefer to do the drive as I think it'll be fun (why else buy the car, right?), but just want to know what to watch out for or get any advice from those that have done similar.
     
  17. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
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    #17 bobzdar, Oct 26, 2011
    That's good to know. I'm not sure whether it's early '95, is there an easy way to tell?
     
  18. PRS

    PRS Formula Junior

    Jun 1, 2011
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    Pete S
    #18 PRS, Oct 26, 2011
    Heck yeah! Drive it! Get some real seat time in it! It sounds like you have everything planned for a road trip :)
     
  19. xtcgt

    xtcgt Karting

    Nov 20, 2009
    156
    Toms River NJ
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    Robert Boynton
    #19 xtcgt, Oct 26, 2011
    drive it, you won't regret the smile.
     
  20. rendergod

    rendergod Karting

    Jan 30, 2004
    69
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Allen
    #20 rendergod, Oct 27, 2011
    I know what I'd do... I bought a '67 Mustang fastback on eBay, sight unseen, and arranged to ship it from Arkansas to California. But first I flew out there to finish the transaction, and that same day started driving it home myself (called my wife and told her she'd married a crazy man). Were there issues? Oh yeah -- engine running on seven cylinders, iffy brakes, unlockable doors, etc, as well as the fear it would be stolen from a motel parking lot. But that four day, 2133 mile trip in December 2004 is still one of my most memorable experiences. I'd love to do something like that again...
     
  21. Monteman

    Monteman Formula 3
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    Feb 9, 2006
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    #21 Monteman, Oct 27, 2011
    I just thought of an alternative!

    A friend of mine does this all the time with his Ferrari(s). The Car Train with Amtrak. You load your car on, go to your sleeper car and when you wake up you're there. You then unload it and drive home. You may have to drive from DC down to Richmond since I'm not sure if it stops in Richmond but he does it with his Ferraris twice a year and has never had a problem. He's got a 430 Spider and a 599 so I suspect you'll be OK as far as them loading the car. Might be the easiest alternative and you won't be putting the miles on the car.
     
  22. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
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    Pete
    #22 bobzdar, Oct 27, 2011
    Great idea, I didn't think of that. Looks like the timing will be tough, I'd have to get to Sanford, FL by 3pm to get the car loaded which means I'd have to leave Miami by 11am, which would only give me about an hour to complete the transaction. I don't want to be rushed in inspecting the car. I think I'll just plan on doing the drive, but if the timing works out I can call on the way and see if they'll let me on the train.
     
  23. Robin

    Robin F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
    2,931
    Arlington, VA
    #23 Robin, Oct 27, 2011
    Not sure actually but I'll check next time I'm at the shop. They made some changes midway through the 95 run and then changed it completely for 96 onward so it might be a serial number thing.

    If you do cut over to Naples/Tampa I'd recommend jumping off of 75 around Ocala and taking 301 up to 10 into Jacksonville from there. It's a pretty painful drive regardless of how you do it, but the 355 makes it worthwhile.
     
  24. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

    Sep 22, 2008
    6,917
    Richmond
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    Pete
    #24 bobzdar, Nov 5, 2011
    I got the car! We (my father and I) made it about half way through Georgia before I called it quits as I've been up since 3:30. The car ran without a hitch and is getting right around 20mpg at an 80mph cruise.

    So the car checked out, it had a couple of small issues: rf blinker doesn't work which is most likely the bulb, exhaust leak where the test pipe clamps to the muffler (just needs tightening) and a little bit of wetness on the bottom of the engine. We took the car over to enzo motorsports and had them check out a clunk in the rear which turned out to be mostly my inability to shift the thing properly. There were some scrapes and slight damage to the undertray, one door ding and some bolster wear on the drivers seat. One of the rear rims needs to be refinished as the edge has paint flaking off. The front bumper and fender lips were repainted. Most of the sticky parts in the interior have been refinished. No warning lights and everything works including hvac and adjustable shocks. It needs the tires balanced as they start to vibrate a bit over 70mph and it needs an alignment. I'm happy with it so far but won't be able to really enjoy it until it's aligned and has the tires balanced or replaced. Hopefuly we complete the trip without issue tomorrow!
     
  25. Rob'Z

    Rob'Z Formula 3

    Mar 29, 2008
    1,024
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    Robert
    #25 Rob'Z, Nov 5, 2011
    Congrats! The tires probably aren't out of balance, they are probably flat spotted from sitting in one spot too long. Air them up to the max and keep them turning for a few weeks. If it doesn't subside replace them.

    Be sure to post some pics when you get her home and cleaned up. ;)


    Rob
     
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