Test drove F355...disappointed.

To dshoe, go drive that same 355 again after knowing what you now know. It will probably go better. Many times I feel like a fish out of water when experiencing a new car. You just don't notice everything the first time. Take more time to just sit in the car too. Try to operate the top after learning how to do it. There are videos on YouTube about operating a 355 top.


Good luck!

 

Top operation:

Stop car, engage parking brakes, unlatch top, push back until it beeps, and push the top button on the console and the top goes collapses until it beeps.

Or, this is how it is done:

Stop car,
engage parking brakes
lower both windows down
push seats forward all the way
unlatch top
push the top back 10 inches,
help it with the second bar and push that back 3 or 4 inches
push the button on the console
watch to see if the forks engage, if not help it
Move seats back
Get out open trunk
Remove the tonneau cover
Latch it on the right
Latch in on the left
Latch it inside the car
Get back in, disengage parking brakes

It takes 15 minutes.

 

May be a blessing in disguise, my good man

There are plenty of other good 355's around.

 

I never figured why they put a power top on the car that wasn't self storing. Let's say you are out on a cloudy day and get caught in a shower. Stop, get wet. Get out, get more wet. Remove tonneau cover and store in trunk, while getting more wet. Get back in, press top up button. Wait for seats to move forward, still getting wet. Top rises. Secure to windshield. Put up windows. Dry off self and interior with towel. Listen to wife, "I told you we should have taken the Boxster!" because in the Boxster you don't even have to stop. Just slow down to 35 and raise the top. And you don't get wet.

And of course, the GTS is pretty much the same, if you didn't leave the top panel in the garage.

 

Putting in a GTS top takes about 15 seconds. Comparing that to a spider top is silly.

 

dshoe, the power top system may have simply been low on hydraulic fluid ..... remember these are not 'new' cars and many have deferred maintenance by detached owners, who cannot tell when something is 'not quite right' .... and even worse they 'know', but do nothing to correct an issue .......

 

Nice try Phil

How many cars has mcclaren built that have won a formula race?
Answer ...none....their cars use bought in engines and transmissions.

Ferrari make the lot from liquid metal and fire....right proper
They won 5000 + races.

That's pedigree
You don't get it.

 

+1-- An SL600 doesnt compare to a 355 in any category in my opinion.. Hard top SL i wouldnt think twice to drive in crappy weather whereas my car doesnt leave the stable unless is nice (dry roads, etc)

Look for a F355 GTS if you dont want to deal with the top issues but personally it looses its shape when you chop that back pillar anyways so i wouldnt buy a spider

my thoughts are its a quirky, attention seeking car (kinda like the super hot trophy wife who your constantly trying to please lol) if you dont want to deal with her dont start dating her.

personally i love my car i love the intermittent pains in the ass with it because when it sings its really sings..

A porsche is.... still a porsche (someone heres tag line-- a ferrari isnt a car, its better)

 

And....that is the full on race prepared mcclaren......

Cant hear yourself talk without headphones
6 mpg
Cant get in it or out

And looks really weird

Enzo for me please

 

my aunt of 67 has a mercedes whatever model your comparing too, wtf guys its a 355. only motels at midnight sound better than that car.

porsche had it...good but no 355.


get behind a 355 with a cap 3 and then write back.


have a good one..

 

It's quick, but not that quick especially if you like non scratched paint.

And, if you are 5'5" and can fit the top behind the seats. I leave mine at home but only take it off when I'm sure we will see no rain.

 

Huh? I'm 6'1" and have plenty of room with the top stowed behind the seats. My top is also not painted. And it takes me 15 seconds to install it. With all due respect your quote is factually incorrect and is an example of some of the misinformation that scares away potential buyers.

 

Pretty much the same in that you have to stop, get out of the car.....with both the car and occupants getting wet. At least with a spider, as far as the top is concerned, you can't leave home without it!

On the other hand, if you don't put the tonneau cover on the spider, you don't have to get out. But either way you are getting wet.

 

IF you decide to go to the track, you'll be disappointed when your spider isn't allowed without a roll bar. Your targa topped car will be welcome. Protection is good.

 

True I do have to get out of the car but I'm willing to take the small risk of a sudden thunderstorm hitting and getting wet for the joys of open air motoring. And I never leave home without the top!

 

I'm 6'0" and I like the seat all the way back - to me, that's me, I don't like the feeling of the top behind the seat.

And, before you state that I'm blasting misinformation, please time how long it actually takes you. I really doubt you do this in 15 seconds unless you are timing it from the moment the top is in your hands.....

 

No I really don't. Sorry, I don't get people slavishly defend something based on pedigree when a roadcar like a F355 has absolutely nothing to do with Formula 1. Ferrari spends more on F1 than anyone, stands to reason they should win the most races.....and wins overall, well they had a 16 year headstart on Mclaren. Mclaren has been more competitive on average, pretty nice for a company with half Ferrari's economic power (make that a tenth, Ferrari has Fiat's financial backing.)

Go outside of F1 and Ferrari disappears. Rallying, Road course, anything.

I've yet to see any Ferrari Race Car be as dominant as the Porsche 917 in the 70's.

You'd think liquid gold and alchemy would at least count for something, right?

No Ferrari Road car has ever won Le Mans overall. Make that no modern car period. Until the McLaren F1.

And the fact that you would take an Enzo over the F1 really tells me all I need to know about you. You like comfort, image, and probably resale value over speed, emotion, and excitement.

I guess you fit the bill for what customer Ferrari looks for these days...

So no, I don't get it and I doubt I ever will.

P.S. Ferrari outsources many of their parts. Have you visited the factory yet?

You'd be surprised by the spattering of robots, I'd guess.

Again, I am partial to Ferrari, I just refuse to look through the Rose colored Ray Ban's they must give out to new buyers at every press meeting.

 

... ................. the F355 has at least ONE thing to do with Formula 1 ........ see quote below ...

Above quote from this site:
AutoZine Technical School

 

And I am dead sure the 355 heads were pneumatic! Good call though

 

I'm 6ft and the GTS roof stows behind the seats perfectly. I don't take the top off when there is a chance of rain anyways.

 

Perhaps the difference is the amount of seat decline?

 

Phil

Image means nothing to me.
Comfort means a lot.

Why favor uncomfortable?

F1 technology in all F road cars....355...titanium conrods, 5 valves, rear mounted clutch, undertray

Outsourcing?

Now u gonna say they use BMW motors.

 

Ok, I just timed myself. Stopwatch started with me standing beside the passenger door with top stowed and both seats back. It took me 26 seconds start to finish and that included moving both seats forward, picking up the top, securing it and closing door. With two people I think I could hit 15 seconds. So I stand corrected. Of course I would argue that in terms of misstatement 11 seconds is a bit smaller than 7+ inches...

 

Dude, what is your problem? I said "it's quick but not that quick" and if you are comfortable with the top behind the seat, that's great.

Why do these threads need to turn into a pissing match?

And if you had a painted top, you would want the cover on it so the seats would not beat up the paint. That takes time to remove. Yes, still quick but if it's raining you will be wet.