Potential first buy questions

I've not owned a Ferrari yet, so take this with a pinch of salt:

Aside from valve guide replacements and the engine-out service, it seems the 355 is just like any other Ferrari... one in good condition can be expensive to buy but will run happily, while a cheaper one in not-so-good condition can be relatively expensive to continually repair.

Buy what you love rather than what you think will be wise. There are no wise Ferrari purchases, really. It's an extravagant car that can't be rationalised no matter which model it is. The best choice is the one that you enjoy the most, warts and all.

I still hope to have a 348 one day.

All the best,
Andrew.

 

If its what you want and you are sure you can afford it then why not ?

Would you buy a little Nissan because you really wanted to buy a GTR ?

The only advice is don't buy the first just because it looks nice and make sure (especially with a 355) you get a thoro PPI

Much more advice in the 355 section and also the regional lower down

 

A few thoughts:

- If you're buying from a private seller, get a PPI.
- 355s are the most expensive of the regular production Ferrari V8s to maintain, and the F1 Spider is the most complicated of the 355s. Bad ones can run up $10K-$20K bills. Again, get a PPI to confirm the expensive stuff has been done.
- If the car has an F1 gearbox, make sure you like driving it. Most guys prefer the three-pedal manual over the F1 manual, due to repair and maintenance costs, as well as the sometimes clunky operation of the early F1 box. (The 458 uses a dual clutch system more like Porsche and Audi.)
- Make sure you like the attention you'll get in the Spider. I've never driven a 355 GTS (targa), but IMHO they're a nice way to get an open car without the world staring at the back of your head at every light. Might not bother you at all.
- Don't buy an ultra-low mile car that you won't drive for fear of rolling up a few miles. (And don't buy an ultra-high mile car that will be impossible to sell if you end up wanting out...)

My choices for a first time buyer would be the F430 coupe or 328 (pricier than the 355, but reliable and currently rising in value, so you have a chance to get your money out of it). My 328 was a very dependable car, and I could have daily driven it. I haven't owned an F430, but they have a good reputation after 9 years and used timing chains rather than timing belts, so maintenance should be less costly.

In a lower price bracket, a 360 Modena is getting to be sort of a bargain in modern Ferraris, if you like the looks. It is also a more comfortable/luxurious car than something like a 328. In my experience, the exhaust note of a 360 Spider was plenty aggressive, and even the 328 sounded great.

But, after you've considered and hopefully driven a couple of different models, buy what you like. There's nothing worse than spending thousands of dollars on service for a car that wasn't the one you really wanted.

 

The question you asked that jumped off the page for me is about the 355 performance. It is a lot faster than you are. While the 308, 328 line might be called sedate, please excuse me owners, the 355 has the ability to get you in trouble before you know you are there. It doesn't whisper seductively in your ear; it screams!
It is a great first Ferrari (I find the 360/430 too big for my idea of a 'sports car'). And now with Luca gone, I think more people will say they are near, if not at, the bottom of their depreciation curve.

 

So this means you haven't heard one in real life??? This being the case, you have never driven one, or this car in particular that you are considering???

The cart is ahead of the horse here. So go drive the car you are considering......

 

Look at a 550. You can never go wrong with a front engine V12 Ferrari. Plenty of performance, 3 pedal dependable fun!

 

I think the 355 is one of the most beautiful cars of all time. I agree with bullfighter . Engine out maintenance and F1 problems would be a big concern for me. I would go with a three pedal 355. You must drive one first. I did and ended up with a MT unit.

 

cdover - Saturday has come and gone. I know it is your only post, but how did it go?!

 

Ask folks that own or have owned a 355. The amount of BS slung by others is exhausting.

355 is a fantastic Ferrari and so is the F1.

 

I am curious what you thought as well.....any further news?




PDG

 

As beautiful as the 355 is, I would not recommend it at a FIRST Ferrari, due to potential serious maintenance issues. If you really want one, make sure you find a well-documented car that has major engine issues (valve guides, etc.) already sorted.

I would go with a 308 / 328 or jump to a 360 instead.

Here is the buyers guide on the 355:
Forza :: Beauty & Brawn : Buyer's Guide: F355

 

Agree with comment above - 550 a great choice, or 575 stick.
I have had 2 355 spiders, sound great, fun to drive. You didn't mention if F1 or stick, both of mine were stick and I think longer term the stick will be worth more than F1.
I think 355 just fine as first Ferrari, but you should drive cars either side, 308,328,348 and 360, 430 if possible. All share the same DNA but experience is different. Sweet spot for full depreciation, ease of maintenance and old school fun might be a nice 308 or 328 but there are almost as many opinions on this as there are posts in this forum. Read through a few of the threads.

 

From a market perspective, it seems 308 and 328 prices are bit inflated right now.

Great deals on 348 and 355, if your prepared for the potential maintenance issues and engine-out expense.

550 / 575 are great V12 Ferraris, but prices are starting to climb.

Early 612s can be had for fantastic deals. Proven V12 and solid reliability and, dare I say, practicality (4 seats). Some MT versions exist, but are priced much higher.

360, however, is without a doubt the best deal going right now, and prices should continue to fall for a few more years. Modern all-aluminum design and good reliability. There are plenty of MT versions too.

360 CS is the exception and prices will probably continue to climb.

 

OP, where did you go? Bueller?...Bueller?.....Bueller?

 

As has been alluded to, take your time and sort them out. If the car you're looking at can't be sorted out (no service record history, etc.), then pass. Drive a few at a dealer so you get to know the idiosyncrasies.

 

Family is more important than any car. Money aside, you won't be able to enjoy it while her situation is uncertain. Get your daughter well, the cars will be here when you are ready.

 

This. The Ferrari ain't going anywhere and as far as I know, 355's aren't appreciating in price.

I will have to say though, even though I'm not a 355 owner, and I happen to love the model, to think that the cost to maintain a 355 is the same as any other Ferrari, and that it isn't anything other than wallet flattening is pretty much BS.

If the OP is cool with $10,000-$15,000 bills for a major service, then go ahead and jump in. If those numbers give one pause, pass on the 355.

Oh and as far as a spider, there are two types of 355 spiders. One where the top is broken and one where it's about to. Guys, let's keep it real when it comes to these cars.

Lastly, the 355 is the best sounding V8 Ferrari ever.

-F

 

The first step is to recognize a good car. There's no place better than here to learn the ins and outs of the different models. It takes time. It took me a few years of reading to feel confident enough to pull the trigger.
There's no one best place to find listings but if you see a car offered here by an F-Chatter the odds are that its condition will be not only known but discussed thoroughly.

I was told by an old Ferrari hand that when the time came my car would find me and that I'd know it. Sounds unbelievably corny but that's what happened.

Enjoy the hunt its too much fun to rush.

A speedy recovery to your daughter. Seems that you raised a good one.

 

Do a search on Vast - Search Millions of Cars, Vacation Rentals & Homes for Sale. It might not be the best search method but it's a way to cast a pretty wide net to get an idea of what the market looks like.

-F