I have been searching for a 355 GTS or Spyder for a few months. Today I looked at a 96 spyder with a desirable color package and under 17k miles. The car is completely stock. We were under the car on a lift and it is in outstanding condition. Thanks to the archives here I am well aware of the valve guide issue. I am passing on this car and would rather not jeopardize the potential sale to annother Fchat member, so I won't say where I found it. It has been 5 years since its last engine out service. The current owner and I 'discussed' costs for the 30k service. The numbers I have from a F dealer lean toward $7k+. He insists that the number is closer to $3k. I have seen numerous threads in the archives on the costs associated with service. Also advertised cars seem to suggest mid $70's ~ low $80's. The owner wants nearly $90k. We have a huge delta between us. Am I off track as the owner suggests? Thanks.
I think high 80's is too much for a car needing the big service. You'll be underwater in the mid 90's afte it is done. Dave
I bought my car in August, 1995 with 5400 miles. It just had it's 30K for $8700. The basic price was $4700, and it needed new shocks and a few other tidbits. I just spent $1200 on new tires, despite the low miles, 10 year old tires suck and are dangerous. You will pay more for best color combo's (Rossa Corsa/tan) and spiders. Gts's are rare, also cost more than coupe.
Tell him you will buy it for $90 with new tires and the major done, otherwise, offer $80 tops. (assuming it is a spider in red/tan)
$90K for a 17K car is too much...regardless of color/options/service. Now, if the car is as "stand up" as they come, the right colors, clean history, etc...you could be inside the $80's, but not the $90's.......
Barry how did your major for $4700?? Been thinking of getting a 355, but figured the major would be at least 7k-8k..
You are going to get prices all over the board on a 30K Service. It is a 40 hour job so multiply out 40 hours times the shop rate. In California they are getting between a buck and a quarter (Independents) to a buck fifty and hour. At a buck twenty five an hour equals $5,000 in labor. Parts break out is appx. as follows: Timing Belts = $250 ( I think that is about what I paid) 8 plugs @ $20 ea = $160 10.50 quarts of Shell Helix @ $18.50 ea = $194.25 1.50 liters of brake fluid @ $18 per litre = $27.00 4.25 litres of transfluid = $40.00 Oil Filter = $25 Air filter = ?? Somewhat nominal. Antifreeze = ?? Nominal Misc items= Nominal As you can see most of the cost is labor. The areas where you can save money are as follows: 1) Hourly labor cost 2) Use Mobil 1 instead of Helix 3) NOT replacing tensioners (REPLACING tensioners would ADD around $550 to the above amounts) 4) Dealer mark up: Those NGK dual platinum plugs can be had for around $14.00 ea. Look at what some of the dealers charge...Ouch! Finally, there is a way to get a 30K for $5,000 or a little less. I can guarantee you that at that cost most Independents are not replacing the tensioners due to the extra cost. While they are all the way in there replacing the belts, not replacing the tensioners is like pi$$ing in the wind. In short: 40 hours X $100 per hour (possible in other regions of the US at an Indy) = $4,000. Plus $700 in parts (no tensioners, no obscene mark ups, Mobil 1, etc) is plausible, but you get what you pay for.
My service was done in New York at Wide World of Cars last January. I have the itemized bill. Major svc $4255 labor 1662 parts $5917 total The shocks and brake paste added $1986, tax $675 Grand total $8987 Sorry I didn't have the receipt handy the other day.
