Question for first-timers

AC works fine

$2500 year high side over a 5 year span lots less if you do it yourself

Ride height is adjustable I am low, have no issue on SoCal streets

Cars are rock solid

Get a girlfriend

 

Have you tried searching? This gets asked once a week! Being a member since 2006 I'm surprised you have. It stumbled across one!

 

If wife is a CPA the $2500 you save on maintenance a year needs to go somewhere LOL
Really, the 355 is fully depreciated already and no where to go but up so at worst you will stay even at value.

They are not so bad a pretty solid car as long as you have patience and understanding like any great relationship. If your a "hands on" car guy you will have nothing but enjoyment

 

I think its is worth mentioning that although the price for maintenance does come out to $1500-$2500 depending on whats done and when, That if you pay someone to do the engine out, and it will happen at some point in those 5 years, that the majority of that "budgeted" money will be spend then.. so you will have something like this

Year 1 $6000 engine out
Year 2 $200 oil change
Year 3 $200 oil change
Year 4 $600 oil change, misc
Year 5 $500 oil change, misc

So that's $1500 a year, but $6k at one time... hope that helps.. then you repeat the cycle all over again

 

1. Maintenance can be expensive if you don't select a well looked after example. Make sure the service history is good and always, always get a pre-purchase inspection performed by a reputable expert before parting with your heard earned. A well maintained example should not break the bank but will never be cheap.

2. Fit a set of skid plates (readily available) under the front valence. These become sacrificial items that require replacement every five years or so but are a relatively modest cost compared to the other running costs.

3. Can't really help with this one as, living in the UK, the temperature rarely, if ever, gets to 100F. However, I have been in mine in mid 90'sF and it seemed to cope OK.

4. When well looked after and maintained they are pretty reliable vehicles. However, need to check that the primary causes of significant expense - worn valve guides, cracking headers etc. are examined during the PPI. Best to ensure a compression test and leak down test are conducted as part of the PPI for the former and failed exhaust bypass valve can be a contributory factor for the latter.

5. Can't help with this one. My OH always knew I would acquire a Ferrari some day. She also has the car she wants as well which helps!

 

Great comments already but I'd say it's a rare 348 (with converted a/c system) that can handle the heat of a mid-summer in Texas, or anywhere in the south for that matter.

 

I drove the car the other day in Houston heat.. around 3 pm..with the ac on high for more then an hour, had no issues what so ever. I believe my system is still r12.. but i'm about to convert is over as well.. Good clean water and working fans is what is needed.. after be sure that the radiators haven't suck up anything like plastic bags and such.

 

See the link in my sig

 

^^^^ This. My wife is a CPA as well. But bring a nice bottle of wine with you.

 

Hi Josh,

As regards your AC. If it is working properly, leave it be till the time that it is no longer doing so. Anyway, a good working R12 system is perceived to be colder than a good working 134 system ........... so why rush into the expenditure of (properly) converting to 134?

Cheers,

Hank

 

I live in Phoenix and mine is black! The AC was a worry of mine too but still being R12 it works pretty well in 100+ degrees this summer. I had a PPI done and came out great but just having the major done cost me $7000. My cam drive bearings were shot and I had to pay a lot for updated bearings and tenshioner that wasn't expected. Also when out they found some melted wires under the intake, so off came intake and wiring repair. Also found a tiny street crack in one radiator that was easily fixed but had to be sent out to a specialist. However, no leaks whatsoever and runs awesome now! Shouldn't have to spend much for quite a long time. '90 348 TS btw with 15,000 miles. Also, I hated the hard shifting Trans and after upgrading to redline superlite shockproof oil it's much improved! Can use second gear almost immediately now.

 

Slap on some CPA decals on it and claim it as business use to attrack high end clientel. She will love it, you will get the car, her clients will spend more money, the IRS will/should see it as liget business exp. Bin this case you will need to claim actuall expenses instea of mileage. 5 k miles a year will ge you about 2700 in exp and if u don't spend more u r good

 

I agree whole-heartedly with this thought. Oddly enough, I had a 2004 330 convertible as well, and the 355 is my first Ferrari. It was a 6 speed car in Orient Blue with black and black. There was a Lotus Elise in between and part of me still misses it, but still.

My advice is to do your homework on what items should come with the car (tools, books, covers, etc), get the best one you can afford and then drive it like you stole it. My car has been with me for two years as of this weekend and I've yet to encounter any real drama. I live near Chicago and drove the car back from Seattle. Since then I've put about 7k on the clock.

As for your wife, just remember that as you get older none of this silly crap gets more practical. If it seems marginal now, what will it look like in 5 years? Also, as long as you want something and she won't let you have it there will be a tension in your relationship. On the other hand, if you buy it without consulting her, there will always be a tension in your relationship. The only difference is that in the second case, you have the car. Therefore, the tension is a sunk cost and cannot be included in the Total Cost analysis. As a CPA, she will certainly understand...

JK

 

I have an F355 spider in north/east Texas (spend time in the city and in the country). The Ferrari resides mostly around Dallas. My son and I drove it today, which was not that hot (96 degrees) but the humidity was high. We were cool as cucumbers driving around in traffic - and that was despite the spider top which has NO insulative properties. As for driving in the city, most of the roads are fine, but I have only one way in and one way out of the parking garage at my office. There are a couple speed bumps that I know would catch a front bumper and probably high center the car and the other transitions from street to driveway are too steep and will tear up the front bumper.

 

Hmmm.. I will have to look into to this.. I am fixing to have the compressor rebuilt, so I can do either, but if its going to be colder, then I just keep it as is.. thanks for the info.

 

I'd save your time with the prayer, give you more time to drive. Oh, and it don't think there's anyone listening.

Go for it.

 

348's have AC in them? Oh, mine just isn't hooked up.

In Texas, you can drive around in the summers, but be home by noon. At least that's what I do, sans AC.