thinking out loud re: buying a 355

Thanks for the wonderful forum. After reading your posts I've had many of my questions and concerns resolved, especially around the manifold/valve guide issues; I appreciate the generosity of posters. The first time I saw a 355 I knew it was the car for me. Since then--and scared away by scary stories about the 355--I test drove the 360 and 430, both of which were disappointing to me only because I compared them to the 355, which, as I mentioned, is the car for me! In considering a car, my initial preference was the GTS, only because I had a bad experience in Vegas in a convertible, which soured me on the idea of a Spider, and the GTB felt a little "close". The happy medium seemed to be the GTS except for two things: the possibility of roof rattle, and the break in the design line, same complaint I have for the 911 targa. I also wonder if I can have the car painted a specific color without too much difficulty, as I may find the right car in the "wrong color". If this post is without merit please delete the post, and my apologies in advance.

 

What is your name? Where are you from? Please consider filling out your profile so that the community can get to know you.

 

+1

 

+1


Take your time and you'll find the right color.

 

Sorry, here's a start, thanks...

 

What color are you looking for? There are a few FChatters with sorted cars for sale. A couple red ones, 1 TdF Blue spider, and 1 bada$$ yellow B for sale on here right now. Let us know as all of us know where the sorted cars are rather than paying for PPIs for eBay/CL cars only to be disappointed after they don't check out--plus, you're out the $500-$700 you paid for the PPI, which can be draining if you look at a few cars that all fail.

We're all here to help!

 

As told before, take your time and the right 355 with the right color will come along, just be patient...This forum is a great place to start and as long as you buy a well sorted Ferrari with no deferred maintenance you'll be fine. I love my spider but as you said a targa could be a good compromise. Good luck.

 

Spider baby!! Especially in LA..

Wait for your color as opposed to painting it..

 

What was your "bad experience" in Vegas with the spider about?...

 

Appreciate the fine comments, thanks. Any opinions on more interior noise from a GTS, is that a valid concern? Colors I like are titanium, rosso fiorano, possibly rosso barchetta, and dare I say...white. My Vegas story wasn't actually about a spider, but I was in a convertible when a limo full of drunk guys came alongside and they heaved beer and food into my car, and ever since then I've been shy about convertibles!

 

"Any opinions on more interior noise from a GTS, is that a valid concern? "

Drew, I have a '96 GTS and I'm actually very happy with the way the Targa top fits. Very few squeaks (mainly when cold)...but I do keep the rubber seals lubricated. Also, with the top on the interior is "quiet" (comparatively speaking...it is a mid-engined sports car!). I don't have a radio in mine so I can't give you my assessment of that. Obviously with the top off, there is some wind noise but the up side is you can also hear the exhaust system better! As for style, I think Pinninfarina did a much better job integrating the Targa top than Porsche did. The roof line flows into the flying buttresses much like the Berlinetta. (See picture below.) The only down side with the removeable top is it is cumbersome to remove and stow behind the seats (at least for me).

Hope this helps with your decision,

Randy
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Take your time, find a well sorted 355. No other recent Ferrari comes close IMHO (not including F40, CS, and possibly the 458). The GTS is a great choice- I went with the berlinetta. I like the enclosed feeling and have never been a ragtop kind of guy.
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Correction- I guess one of my rides is an "open top."
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Randy,

That's interesting to read. I was under the impression (ok, I admit it, I saw a Jeremy Clarkson review) that the targa roof didn't fit inside so you had to leave home without it. I guess it was another one of those instances where the journalist said "impossible" when it would have been more accurate to say "fiddly".

All the best,
Andrew.

 

Italia comes close GTS = body flex.

 

I agree with everything Randy says... from the squeaks when cold to the stowage problem when removed. Given these small compromises, though, it's still my favorite 355 (my GTS is a 1999 F1) and I love its lines with or without the top in place. BTW, Randy , yours looks great!

Doug

 

"BTW, Randy , yours looks great!"

Thank you Doug...I really haven't seen an "ugly" 355. They're all beautiful!

 

NeuroBeaker;139189028]

"That's interesting to read. I was under the impression (ok, I admit it, I saw a Jeremy Clarkson review) that the targa roof didn't fit inside so you had to leave home without it. I guess it was another one of those instances where the journalist said "impossible" when it would have been more accurate to say "fiddly". "

"Fiddly" would be a perfect description. There are two holes (with grommets) behind the seats and the two "pins" that are on the rear of the top, plug into the grommets. Then a vinyl pouch fits over the top and snaps to the rear bulkhead. "Fiddly" is perfect : )

 

"GTS = body flex."

FPassion,

I will agree that most cars that do not have a solid roof structure will have some flex, but most manufacturers have made efforts to minimize it. However, this might be a better discussion in another thread, since we're just trying to help Drew decide which version of the 355 he should buy. Now, if Drew intends to race or drive at 10/10ths all the time then chassis flex may become a driving factor (no pun intended).

Randy

 

Do you have personal experence with both Berlinetta and GTS/Spider? I do. The flex in my Spider is so minimal it is of very little concern in the real world...

 

Agreed, I have a spider now and had a 348 Ts and barely notice the difference. Loved them both.

 

"Do you have personal experence with both Berlinetta and GTS/Spider? I do. The flex in my Spider is so minimal it is of very little concern in the real world..."

"Agreed, I have a spider now and had a 348 Ts and barely notice the difference. Loved them both."

+2 My point exactly! Someone would really have to be pounding the "poop" out of the car to notice any flex....and then only if they could compare the flex with that of a coupe. In the real world it's a non-issue. (IMHO of course)

 

I can share your experience with 911's and many other sports cars. Last weekend I took an 430 open top and it creaked and made noises inside the cabin, as with most targas the seals give out causing leaks from rain which can damage the doors and seats and carpeting and cause rust (many years down). For spirited driving open top offers an added element to the driving experience, however there is no denying the hardroof handeling superiority.

Here is a quote from a buyers guide...

"Both Berlinetta and GTS have 'butress' designs at the rear. Where the buttresses meet the rear wing there is a seam which runs lengthways along the car (see picture). Pretty much every vehicle (except for Spiders) will experience corrosion along this seam. Theory has it that this corrosion is caused by a number of factors such as stresses from driving the car hard, movement in the body when the engine is dropped for the cambelt service, or moisture in the seam from when the car was put together."

http://www.the355.com/mambo/content/view/20/27/

Good luck in your decision

 

Unless you are going to the track regularly, I don't feel that the potential flex issue should dissuade you from purchasing a spider. I myself have never had an issue with noticing any body flex in my 355 spider.

Just my $.02