Interesting 355 on ebay

Very odd interior indeed.

anyone got a carfax account for this one? http://www.carfax.com/cfm/check_order.cfm?VIN=ZFFXR48A5V0107501&PopUpStatus=0

or better yet... FML check?

 

The carfax looks clean, here are some extracts:

The story of this 1997 FERRARI F355 SPIDER (ZFFXR48A5V0107501) according to our interpretation of the information reported to CARFAX:
* This convertible has had 3 owners and was owned in California and Massachusetts. It was originally registered to a company, like a bank or firm, to be used for business purposes.
* It has had no minor or moderate accidents reported to CARFAX.
* It has had no DMV-reported total loss events, like a major accident, fire or flood.
* It has not been reported by a DMV as having an Exceeds Mechanical Limits or Not Actual Mileage title.
* It has a consistent mileage history with no indication of an odometer rollback. The last odometer reading, reported on 01/16/2003, was 12,072 miles.
* It was not reported by a DMV as a Manufacturer Buyback (LEMON).

1st owner 02/26/1997 California
2nd owner 07/03/1997 California
3rd owner 01/16/2003 Massachusetts

Date: Mileage:
01/30/1997 79
06/25/1997 1,511
07/02/1997 1,573
12/09/1998 4,745
02/26/2001 9,744
07/23/2002 12,066
01/16/2003 12,072

 

Well it's still below the reserve, so you haven't see his real price yet.

 

The price is not that low. $70k is not a bad deal....for so low miles, but expect to dump at least $8k or more on a major service and any other "needs" the car might have. (shocks, shock actuators, exhaust manifolds). It could quickly run up to over $12k or more. The car I bought had the major done about 1 year prior, and the owner spent more than $12k getting all sorts of stuff fixed that was found while apart. Without a complete inspection, you just never know, it may have had a bad accident, or has the dreaded valve guide problem, and the seller wants out quick.....

I love the color, but the black seats is a very odd combination...usually they are tan.

 

Whoops. Didn't see that he had put his price lower down.

 

My gut reaction is that somewhere along it's ownership trail someone switched the seats from tan to black. The rest of the interior looks stock and the way it should be. Wouldn't be hard to simply remove the tan seats and replace them with black ones. Why would someone do it? That's the million dollar question. Does NOT look good that way .... just my .02.

 

very little miles for that time period..?

 

I have seen this car in person. The owner was getting a couple of scratches (passenger door I think) resprayed and the door lock fixed at a bodyshop next to my office. It did not appear that this car has been well taken care of. The owner has an NSX that has also been repaired by the same bodyshop. He owns some nice cars, but definitely doesn't treat them like he should.
This 355 had a lot of cosmetic issues..... airbag cover lifting badly, drivers seat pretty worn, red paint on motor flaking off. Overall a pretty worn car. I wouldn't have touched it for $55k.

 

This is precisely what makes this board valuable. Great input that will help all potential buyers!

Awesome.

 

From the ebay listing......

Q: Hi has this car been in any accidents? Are you the original owner, if not are you the 2nd 3rd etc? Would you object to me coming out with the...more
Aug-02-05
A: The car has never been in accident. I'm the second owner , I think. I don't have any problem if you like to inspect the car.

 

I wouldn't be too concerned about this. He does say he is not sure. I don't think he is trying to be dishonest. I just think he is not too concerned with paperwork or records like most Ferrari owners are. He seems like the kind of guy who just throws some money around and buys whatever tickles his fancy at the monet and isn't too concerned about a detailed history.

 

I'd second that. Look how short the first owner time was (4-5 months). You can imagine the current owner asked the 2nd owner how long he had it and was told 6 years (97-03). He'd naturally assume that it was the original owner.