Steve Finally Scores his 355

I'm sure I could tell you all about the details and how me & Darth550 almost got a speeding ticket while test-driving the thing....but who cares about that. Oddly enough, despite all of us having seen dozens of pics of a Red/Tan 355...we all know I have to post 'em. I picked it up at night...so forgive the lack of sunshine.
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Okay..the details...

As some of you may know, my last car just bombed-out of PPI with 2 cylinders low. So I'm bumming and considering taking on a major drug habit to overcome the depression (cause every guy needs a Ferrari or life just isn't worth living)...

I found a 355 for sale at Ferrari of Orange County. I called the guy, played it straight & simple and asked what the bottom-line no-haggle price is. The car sounds too good to be true:

'97 355 Spyder Red/tan
3,280 miles
1-owner, guy needs money fast
30k-service just performed
both manifolds changed even though old ones are fine
all the books, tools, remotes, etc
little wear on the bolster, one scratch up front...otherwise PERFECT

The car drives like a dream, almost feels like it's not broken-in yet. Dave and I go on a test-drive: I drive it, I love it. Dave drives and I ask him not to go nuts or get a ticket. I'm whining, whining, whining about slowing down and how there are cops around these neighborhoods. Dave's about to pull a lower gear and smoke a guy in a new Mustang...when the guy in the Stang shuts down and yells "cop behind".

Lights flashing...we pull over. Through an extensive amount of playing dumb, refusing to guess our speed and just profound luck...the officer admits he was too far away to clock us and gives us a stearn warning. Great: Dave sucks up all the "get out of jail free luck" the car has. To our astonishment....he let's us go!!!

On the way back I realize I didn't have my check book. As we head back toward the dealer...what bank happens to be DIRECTLY next door?? Washington Mutual: my bank. 15 minutes later I walk into the dealer with a money order and he hands me the keys. Someone hand me a cigarette!

What's more: 3 other people desperately tried to buy the car even that day. The salesman said he liked my staright-forward easy approach and wanted me to have first-shot at the car.

Gentlemen: I bought this pristine car for $90,000 F-in SCORE!!!!!!

So I come back at night to pick it up and as we pull up there's a guy drooling over the car. His buddy told him about it today and he was there to check it out. Why did a dealer let it go so cheap...no idea. No accidents, no damage, no stories: just a clean car. Oddly enough, the guy drooling over the car ask me if I remember him: he's in my Hummer club and we offroaded together at Pismo last year. Small world...and now my world's faster too!!!!!!!!

Cause I'za hooked-up and living the life Ferrari

On the way home, took it upto 120mph. Sweet. I love this car. The right car found me.

HUGE THANKS to Darth550 and his being there at every turn: your the older brother I never had. Thanks to lawdog, Dave Handa, Rifledriver, Tubeguy, Auraraptor, Tony, the passionate 348SStb, and all the other F-chatters who were there to answer my questions and help me through this ordeal.

Now...if you'll excuse me, I need some alone-time with my new car

 

WOW....thanks guys!!!!

This is too funny: this morning my wife asked if I wanted to show the kids the new car before she took them to school. Well, my oldest daughter just turned 5 and the twin daughters are 2 1/2.

So we head out towards the garage and they're all lined up. The garage door opens and my 5 year-old gasp. The twins are immediately drawn to some loose balloons that were left over from a recent party. Hey, at least the 5 year-old responded.

Moments later the kids are all looking into the car from the door. I suddenly hear my wife say "Elana...NO!". I look over and my wife is rolling her eyes because Elana is licking the car (on the door) with her tongue.

So I say to my wife "that's okay, I'm feeling a bit under the weather and am fighting a cold.....but I licked it closer to the front fender"

I've already found a deal on a challenge grill and am having some skid-pads put on the front. I'll try to get some more pics....I'm just a bit too occupied being IN the car rather then wasting time with a camera.

 

Thanks 348SStb...

"Free"....the answer is simple: the 30k service is due in EITHER 30,000 miles OR 5 years. The timiing belt is the key issue...should it break you've got yourself a $20,000 repair. At this point, EVERY 355 ever made should have it's 30k done. If a seller tries to tell you differnt, their wrong.