I know this is trouble but "Ernie's" (not me) thead is killing me. I just bought a 355 Spider last year and Love it. Did a major this winter...Was fun. A few little things and ready to go. Is it possible we mostly hear the worst hear and the people Loving their cars are to busy to post here? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I think Ernie was drunk when he posted that thread Here, check this one out.... http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170248&highlight=waiting&page=3
Please post more good news as Ernie's post put a big dent in my plans of owning a 355 spider in the future.
It's like when you hear someone was wronged they tell 100 people - when you do a nice thing your lucky if they tell 1 person. I love Ferrari's - AK
During my major this winter I was left with 3 issues, a rattle I often hear on 355s and was annoyed with, a slow down light and a water temp gauge reading top hot. The rattle turned out to be the cats hitting the gear box mounting, always worth checking to see how much clearance you have! The slow down light was just a cat temp thermocouple that can still be picked up at a reasonable price despite Ferrari doubling the prices of theirs. and the water temp gauge had me fooled for a while, i suspected the sender unit, and replaced it at cost of £110 but to no effect, it turned out to be behind the gauge itself. There are 3 connections to the gauge from wiring loom. They are made through a threaded screw with a nut on each that tightens down on the wiring. One had lost its nut that does the connection. no wonder this started with an intermittent fault and then ended with consistent mis reading. The nut had come off the post completely. Son in end a very cheap 1p nut solved my problem! lesson learnt look for the simple answer first and cheap answer before assuming the worst. there are plenty of simple little faults causing a problem, it doesn't need to be a major issue! I Hope!!
...some do, maybe you missed the link up top http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=170248&highlight=waiting&page=3
I've had my '95 F355 GTB since late Nov. 2010. I had to replace one exhaust manifold and oxygen sensor. The HVAC flapper lid still needs some work, but that is a minor annoyance. Since my last repair shop visit in early January, the car has been great. It drives beautifully, looks cool and sound awesome. I am getting the wheels and seats refinished next week. I drive it every weekend to keep her happy. I do have a major coming due mid next year. The car currently has close to 39K miles on her.
Thanks All!!! I feel much better now, I knew I could not be the only Happy owner. Took it for a quick drive today and still lovin it, her, him???? Lets have a great Summer!!
Got mine in October 2010 with 5700 miles but a great pedigree Gave it a major plus lots of extras including rubber, sticky no more and a few other items. I have put over 2000 miles on despite the worst winter we have ever had in the east. The only issue I have was a front end coolant leak in the fall and a couple of more now. Waiting on verdict. In the fall it was just a clip. I bets it's the clips now also. I am told the Ferrari clips are for s**t. I love the car, a blast to drive. I plan on driving the rubber off this summer.
Just heard. Coolant line clips. Relaxed with stainless steel us made clips. Done. See you on the road. May be at cap tree exotics Sunday.
I would say the story of my car is a good one- http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=307047 The car has been wonderful aside from a few minor issues. It's been sleeping on the battery tender all winter but we finally got some rain earlier in the week and some warm weather today so I took the car out for a ride. How is it? Superb
My 355GTS has been tucked away in storage for the last 4 months and today, I took her out, warmed her up and brought her home. No issues, no leaks, ran like a dream. I'm looking forward to the 60 degree high tomorrow!
great thread....keep responses coming! It's not secret that Ferrari's are expensive to purchase and even more to maintain and keep PROPERLY but also, like everything in life, people rant about the negatives. Like mentioned before, 100 great things go un-noted but when 1 bad thing happens it gets blown out of proportion... when my day comes and I purchase my 355 or 430, ill live it and write my own ferrari story ; )
I can't believe it NO good stories? OK here is mine. My 348 had electrical issues my fix was to sell it or gut it and race it. So I raced it. I gutted the car out put the cage in and the car was flawless because there was nothing in the car except stuff to make it go fast. I changed the Timing belt every year and put gas oil and brakes in it. I made a homemade greasless clutch that was lighter than oem and bomb proof. I had homemade custom bushings, custom valved shocks and custom springs from Rob at DeltaVee and the thing was a dream to handle at 140mph. I beat the living snot out of the 348 and it asked for more. It never broke down as a racecar! Icing on the cake I told ernie I would buy his car and make another racecar. Is that faith or what? A 348 or 355 can be good cars you just got to put some time into them and know when to depart from OEM and when to use the likes for hill engineering and scuderia ramparte inovations or design on your own. These are a thinking man's car.
I've had mine for many, many moons and never had anything too serious go wrong. Sure, I had to replace the clutch, headers and we spent a boat load of money on the belt service but the car has been pretty bullet proof. 99% of the service costs have been for preventive maintenance because I like the peace of mind. It just turned over 35K miles and I drive it every chance I get.
Two issues with me last year 1) Last May, Water Temp Light was on, turned out to be just the sensor was unplugged. Took about 1 hour to get to it and plug it back it in http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282794 2) Last September, had a brake/clutch fluid leak underneath the clutch. Turned out to be just one of the rubber seals inside the Throw-Out Bearing, a cost of about $15, but ended up replacing all the rubber seals (including the Triple Seals) while I had the clutch apart...total of about $100 http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=296614 I was VERY lucky in both instances that it was something minor And I wouldn't have been able to do either of these jobs without the assistance of the one and only Brotherhood
had my 348 for over 5 years and never had anything go wrong that wasn't a maint item, and was able to fix myself of partially by myself for under $400. Total repair cost over the 5 years $488.
Thought I'd throw in a picture to go with my happy story. Just had it detailed.... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Took my 355 out for a gallop today. Man it runs great. The work ive had done over the last few years has really paid off. The car always ran pretty good but since the headers, valve guides, gold connectors, chips replaced in the main brains, and a bunch of other preventative stuff my mechanic tells me that it pulls more than a challenge in a straight line. Today was amazing. This machine pulls and pulls right up to the 9g redline. These cars are so much fun to drive as well as look at. They are moving pieces of art. I believe that most of the negative things spread about these cars are mostly from wanna be owners and those that owned them, drove them and only put fuel in and then one day something let go and whalla a huge invoice. Then they dump it and tell everyone about the bad experience. Believe me these cars are fun and as strange as it may sound.....I dont mind spending money on it and its not that much.
Took my 348 spider out today. Man was it awesome! I wish I could drive it more as every time I get the biggest smile on my face. I've owned the car for almost 9 years and have driven about 22k miles (27k total on car). The car has left me stranded twice Alternator and blown tire. Other than major, minor service, oil changes, the car has been in the shop Twice, Electrical problem in the door jam and thoughout bearing. This is a 18 year old car and I am so happy that I still own it. A lot has to do with buying a good car, and then having a great mechanic ( Eugenio's.). I will admit, the first major was done at 5k miles 9 years from production date (done after I purchased vehicle). I did the minor timely at 22k, and it is over due for another major it has been 8 years. I am hoping to do it by 2012. The car runs so strong and smooth thru all the gears. My seat belt Mouses are original and still work. I did have the ECU's changed at the minor service. I am sorry to hear some of the recent horror stories. I have driven the car cross country and would not hesitate for a second doing it again if I had the time. Jean-Louis.
Guido you lucky guy --- got to drive car today. Weather not that bad today unfortunately my 355 is still on hoist with son's boat underneath. I also love my 355 & apart from replacing headers have had no problems with it. I did my own service also.
