Is the F355 Right for Me?

First things first, are you passionate about Ferrari's? If yes, then you will be able to look past the overpriced parts and realise this level of enjoyment and passion comes at a cost. If that doesn't scare you away keep reading...

If you go to any Internet forum and look through the recent posts there will be a large percentage of posts regarding problems, weather its cars, fish tanks, boats etc. The reason for this is the Internet is a great resource for help with any little issues.. or large issues. Another thing at play is Internet experts, they like to repeat what they hear and have no first hand experence with the issue, other than reading it on the Internet, needless to say this can drive rarely seen issues way out of proportion.

So, some first hand experence. I have owned 2 355s, my current 355 for a few weeks shy of 3 years, in that time I have done 2 annual services and most recently a major engine out service, I have done 1 set of tyres and I am about to pull the trigger on another set shortly. Out side regular maintence the car has been great, a small water leak from the heater core (not a common issue and not so expensive to correct. I have had the headers replaced, common on 355's, prices depend on how you proceed with the fix, repair is cost effective and seems to last well, this is what I did, or replacing the hearers is more expensive but aftermarket manufacturers give good warranties on these, most cars have had these sorted by now but pays to check. My car has been great, the maintence is in line with what I was expecting, I use the car very regularly and try to get the most I can out of it, I worked out that for me, living in New Zealand the cost is around $1 per KM I travel, reasonably expensive when coming from Porsche land but fairly good considering the car and the enjoyment.

Still reading?

GET A PPI will be something you hear a lot, important to get this done by a workshop familiar with the 355 and I would ask if you can be there to watch it being done, this is not to make sure they do the work correctly but more so you can see first-hand any issues (if there are any) and you can get a feel for what she is like under the skin.

Find a nice example you are happy with, make sure its records show good history and service, get it PPI'ed, agree on a reasonable price, buy it and drive it. Reflect on why you haven't done it sooner.

Hope that helps.

 

Even a well sorted used 355 can be a lot of drama. If your above statement is very important to you, you may not find that a 355 is right for you.

 

Do you turn your own wrenches? That will have a huge impact on your $/mile ratio.


Rob

 

I've had my 99 355 from new. Had one actuator go out when still in warranty, another one about eight years later which I repaired my self. Did my own major, and basically just start it and drive. It has never let me down once and I've never seen a check engine light.

 

A Ferrari is like a beautiful redhead in a black silk coctail dress with her hair on fire.

You have to Drive them more than a couple of times a month. The more you drive them the less tempramental they are.

 

I had a 355 gts for 3.5 yrs and had similar experience to James-nz. Did the usual servicing replaced a small ecu , did the clutch (it was a manual not an fi) mine was a 98 gts. I had the best drives in her particularly in the snowy mountains in spring. She never let me down and the engine was superb. I owned a 930 turbo 3.3 1978.for 6 years prior and they were like cheese and chalk. I could never go back to a porsche, the driving position in the ferraris is totally different, the sound of the engine at 90% revs is awesome and the handling superb. IMO buy a good one that has been driven and looked after, do the best PPI you can buy and then drive it like a test pilot.

 

who cares about maintenance when you own the most hottest,
best sounding, most beautiful car ever in the history of life: a 355

 

No.


Such.


Thing.


As.


A.


Cheap.


Ferrari.

 

When you were 9 years old did you want to be a surgeon or a matador?

If you thought "Gosh, a surgeon" then stick with P cars.

If the thought of, on occasion, getting a horn through the buttocks would be worth the adrenaline rush of mastering that bull - then welcome to Ferrari ownership.

 

True !

 

I bought my 1995 355 Spider 3 years ago before the recession and paid $90K. My car only had 10,000 miles on it and had just had an $11k engine out service performed at Ferrari of Orange County. With the recession you can now buy a 355 for $50-60K. Even if you had to spend $20k to make it perfect, you would still be a Ferrari owner with a great car for less than the price of a 7 series BMW. Remember that this is a handmade car with an engine that comes from the most successful Formula 1 race team in history. Not some mass produced car that EVERYBODY drives. You will turn heads in this car. You will experience an engine that howls and screams like no other when you take it to the redline near 8500RPM. Strangers will stop and take pictures with your car and even film you with their iPhones when you stop at a red light.

This car is expensive to maintain, but honestly, I wake up every morning, start her up and all of a sudden I am smiling ear to ear like a fat kid with ice cream...priceless!
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A year and a half ago, I read almost every thread on FChat about the 355 as I wanted one "bad" ...but was hesitant due to the supposed maintenance costs. I found a beautifully maintained 1999 F1 Spider from a fellow FChatter ( thank you SKIPPER) for $60 k and have had zero problems or maintenance over the past year ! The car is a blast to drive....the engine sounds amazing...the car handles like a go cart...everyone you pass gives you the thumbs up....and the car is simply beautiful to look at !! What more can you want ? When I spoke with owners who have had both the Porsche Turbo and the 355....they said to a man....the Porsche is nice....but it's not a Ferrari !
Take your time.....find a very well taken care of 355 Spyder ...and enjoy the hell out of it !!

It's what they were made for !
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"There is a price for glory.... and it is high." -Brock Yates

 

I am on my second. The first I got rid of because of FEAR of an issue, when really there wasn't one.


I bought the second when I realized I just didn't care, it was worth it.

 

Having owned both Porsche and Ferrari, I'd say you need to view an old Italian car as an ongoing project. The 355 Spider, especially with an F1 gearbox and its intricate motorized top with seat sensors/motors, is a pretty complicated car. Even if it was Japanese, it might break occasionally.

You have to love it enough to keep on top of things, maintain it fanatically, and be prepared for a five-figure shop bill when Something Really Bad happens.

That's a good perspective. You can spend $70K tomorrow and end up with a boring grey German sedan that everyone else has, so at $50K a 355 is a more inspired purchase.

With respect to "handmade": Ferrari robotized the assembly line by early '90s, and machine-stamped the panels. I think the seat covers and dash were hand-stitched after being laser cut, but if you surf the vintage forum here you'll see that "handmade" is a relative term. The Ferrari line back in the Boxer/308 and earlier days was more like a workshop.

 

If maintenance is a concern, then this is not the car for you.

 

+355

 

The question should read; 'Am I right for the F355?' ........ ............... It depends on what is important to you, if getting around and looking good is important, then ... no ..... get another car.

If you do not care what others think and visceral enlightenment ranks magnitudes higher than simple expenditures .............. then you may be a candidate ................


IMO the 355 is a multi-dimensional work of art .......... it needs space ........ fanatical regard ............... and a conscientious hand ............ the 355 is certainly not for everyone ............ but for those keen to its virtues ........... there is no question ...... the F355 is quite simply ......... AWESOME!!!!!

 

Stop right there

 

Agreed ......... !

 

Summed it up perfectly!

Long time no see Goth, welcome back.



Rob

 

Cool thanks ... !!!