NEW USER: Reliability of 355? Considering purchase

your questions have touched on a number of volumious topics...so you should try the search function...using "355" as a key word, be prepared to read for a few days.

briefly though,

A high milage fcar isnt necessarily a bad thing (unless your talking depreciation)...most feel a car that has been used frequently will A) run better overall and B) have had most potential problems of a lurking nature exposed, and therefore, hopefully corrected.

As for maintenance, mostly just oil and fluids every year (budget $800-$1200) and the major service every 3-5 years (depending on who you talk to) which can be expensive as its "engine out" (between $4000-$6000)...this is where the belts are usually done.
You should also expect the "unexpected", ie: the "while your there" expenses, or the surprise "part goes south" expense (exhaust manifold, etc..)
This, of course, does not include tires and brakes which are worn according to your usage.

The only major thing I would definately check any pre-99 355 for is the status of the valve guides. Use the search, youll see what I mean.

A PPI (pre-purchase inspection)is strongly advised...by a F car shop or reliable, knowledgable mechanic with experience in F cars. This PPI should include a compression leakdown test, and more than just a tire kicking. Dont skimp here...it could cost you alot of $ down the road.

As for the car, the 355 has its problems, as you will no doubt see, but is EXTREMELY fun and a great choice for a first ferrari. Just be careful with your purchase, understand that this is not a lexus, and you will no doubt enjoy the hell out of it!

Good luck,

Goldy

 

I used to have a 95 355, bought and serviced at F..

As for a reliable PPI guy, you should post in the Canada section of Fchat...my initial recommendation would be a board member Tbakowsky ? (I can never remember the exact spelling, sorry Tom), but he has the "homer" avitar.

I met him once at a fchat get-together, great guy and very, very knowledgable. He works out of a local garage in the metro area...if you want the best...he's the guy! Not sure what his schedule is like, though...

try posting on the canada section...im sure he will respond

Goldy

 

Agree with prior post; there's a TON of info on the 355 that will turn up in a search. Having said this ...

If the 355 you're considering buying hasn't had the right and left exhaust manifolds replaced yet ($6K Canadian each installed) or the right and left cats replaced ($6K Canadian each installed), then you can almost certainly expect to spend $12 - 24K Canadian in the next year or two. The reason is that these exhaust components are of POOR quality and crack or deteriorate rapidly. If the 355 was less than 8 yrs. old or 60,000KMs, replacement cats would be covered under warranty. No such coverage of any kind for the exhaust manifolds.

I have a 98 355 F1 Spider with 18K miles and I've had to replace both exhaust manifolds and 1 cat. The 30K belt work will likely cost you around $8K Canadian bc they always find additional things wrong as well.

Fabulous, stunning performer when it's running well. Frequent pain in the butt when it's not.

Paul