Introducing Myself

Hello - I joined Fchat last year, and have been lurking here off and on since then. I thought it was time to introduce myself.

I'm Rick and live in Tempe, Az. I am a Mechanical Engineer, and took early retirement (55) last December. The first Ferrari I owned was a 275GTB that I purchased in 1978, and then spent the next 12 years restoring it. I sold it in '92, and took a 79 308GT4 in partial trade and also picked up a Lamborghini 400GT 2+2. I sold the 308 about 4 years, but still have the Lambo. It's ready to restore (ie, I took it all apart and it's mostly in boxes). I also owned an Iso Grifo before getting the 275, and also owned a 64 XKE convertible for a short while before getting the Lambo.

I decided to try to pick up another Ferrari after retiring, and thought about picking up a 328, but have decided to try to find a 355GTS, or a GTB if I have too hard of a time finding a GTS.

This is my first post, but you can now plan on having me add my $0.02 more often now!

Rick Schumm

 

Good to have you here Rick.

Best of luck with the 355!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome, please check out this web site http://the355.com/mambo/index.php before people tell you to do a search. This is a very nicely done site, and you will learn alot about F355. I gave up on looking for 99'gts, and settle for 99' GTB instead, but people will tell you to buy 95 instead, believe me, it is coming on this thread...///

 

Welcome!!! The GTB will be ALOT easier to find for sure.. When you get the car make sure you add it in---
www.ferrari355registry.com

 

I don't know who would say that!

 

Someone scared of the F1!!!

 

There is such a car for sale here in Sweden.........595 000 SEK which is equal to 94,000 USD

If you are interested I can start to dig up some info for you.

//B//

 

Welcome. The 348 is a great car, too

 

Thanks for the info fxdwgs, but I'm just looking here in the US. I actually am looking for a 96 or newer 355. I know the '95 had a bit more HP, but I believe it had multiple ECUs (left and right banks) and sensors which would mean higher repair costs. Also the '95s had more valve guide problems, although those should be sorted by now. I'm mostly interested in a 96 or newer, to get Motronic 5.2 with OBD2 diagnostics. Someone locally has used the autoenginuity program to get basic engine and emissions data for the vehicle, to help with troubleshooting. Can't read all 355 codes without the expensive Ferrari or SD5 analyzers, but you can at least get some basic data to find some problems. For anyone interested (I have no affiliation with the company), see www.autoenginuity.com.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173655

hve you seen this?

 

Hey Rick.......it's good to see you on here. You know that I am still rooting around for you for the GTS. This week has been kind of crazy. I have sold 3 599s this week, as well as I have several others, including new car orders that are looking for homes.......but I haven't forgot about you.

I was offered a very nice carb Boxer, but I think that it is more than you wanted to spend. Anyway......let's talk later......

 

Welcome. You restored a 275 GTB? Outstanding!

As far as what to buy...

Strong-armed/well-muscled guys can do a 328 with no power steering, but the 355 is a nice ride. Good luck either way!

BF
Pres., The 328 Syndicate
Card-carrying member, Nero Alleanza

 

Thanks Houston, Dino, and BF. I know I'll just have to be patient... I'm planning to get something to keep for quite a while, so I want to wait until there's something I'll be really satisfied with (not that anything I've considered would be unsatisfying). Checking the usual places ... eBay, FML, Autotrader, Cars.com, Hemmings, etc. Dino - I'll email you; Not worried... after letting me know of the current ones available, I know it will take some time to wait for more 355GTS for sale. Not a surprise that BBs are probably beyond what I'm willing to spend for one.... I'd probably have more fun in a 355 anyway!

A local 328 owner let me drive his car a couple months ago, and I liked it very much. Definitely stronger than my 308GT4. I'm actually wondering if the 355 power steering would be disappointing in comparison. I've been researching here in past couple days, and found an owner who couldn't find a 355GTS for months, and finally decided to start making phone calls to owners on this list. He finally found a very nice red/black one, IIRC, but it was a lot of effort!



Thanks again...
Rick

 

+1....... One cannot go wrong with a 328 or a 355 in nero, all others are just taking up space......

fondatore dalla 'nero alleanza' ....

 

Funny, should we feel slighted for this poster's omisison of the obvious hot rodable choice, the 348?! Clearly Mr. Schumm has been touched my the potent Phoenix sun. But then, I might be biased.

Rick, take a look at a 348 Serie Speciale or Challenge as an alternative to the "hair gel special". If you have to settle, then the 1995 355 with M2.7 is the most upgradable car. I prefer OBD I to II for Ferrari's. Flashing the OBD II BIOS can be kind of daunting and really expensive if you use a vendor.

There are alot of cars out there with valve guide replacement, but even if not, just budget for it eventually.

 

I actually like the 348 quite a bit, but I know that with OBD2, you at least can get some data and do some troubleshooting by using the autoenginuity program. Can't get all codes and data, but at least a lot of the basic engine management and emissions info. I don't plan to do any ECU upgrades... I'm sure I'll be satisfied with base 355 performance! Dino on this thread is local here, and is involved in local F car electronic upgrades. I haven't asked him if it's easy to upgrade both OBD1 and 2, though, since I don't plan to do that myself... I'll spend the money on other upgrades or maint.

I agree that some colors in a 355 may look close to "hair-gell specials" .... I call them a bit too "Hollywood" and showy for my taste. I think Yellow is beautiful, but too bright, and I just don't want white in almost any exotic. But rosso corsa I think is close to rosso chiaro that I used on my 275, and nero, argento, etc. are more traditional colors. All of these colors in a 355 have a more competition look than a Hollywood look... I just want to get one car, and keep it, and am hoping to get a red one!!

Thanks
Rick