Valuing my 355

Far from simple. You are forgetting that the first 3 years of the 355, the F1 did not exist.

And, you cassette and 8 track anology holds no water since the stick is old technology compared to the F1, not the other way around.

Funny how Ferrari also only offers F1 now.

 

No a stick is no technology. That's the difference and the uniqueness.

There is no debate. Gated is no tech , not low tech. f1 is low tech.

 

I don't know if the F1 is a con, but with the manual cars there is one less thing to worry about. You never hear of any major problems with the manual. Like Watson stated it does seem that there are more less expensive options out there to fix the F1 than there used to be. Once all the systems are sorted out, that should take away the fear for some potential buyers.

 

Rare doens't = valuable

And fellas

It's a personal decision and it's the owner calling it a con.

 

Ignorant because your taking a tally from 20 people on a Ferrari forum most of whom already own the car in one form or the other.

 

That's the funniest thing I've heard all year............

 

try for 60 to 65k

 

simple question simple answer. The car is only Worth the Money someone is willing to pay... not less or more.

GLWS

 

Because we own the car, we are qualified for informed opinions, not ignorant opinions. And who is to say we would not be in the market for another one? I am always in the market for a 355GTB red/tan with 6 speed.

 

They have been making standard transmissions since the beginning of the automobile. Ia gated 355 is not a technological marvel transmission wise. An f1 is a first iteration consumer version of now old technology.

It is what it is. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. The market will dictate value.

 

you don't think the OP was aware of that? isn't that implicit?

 

Guys I've seen this opinion over here several times. I respect your opinion, but politely disagree. It's basic economics: a finite number of item "X" will increase in value according to rarity and demand. Applies to Renoirs, Monets, diamonds. Berlinetta Boxers will always be more valuable, collectorwise, than a 458 Italia. Keeping in mind collectability, lets say a white over red 355 F1 GTS (529 ever made overall) will be more or less desirable than a rosso corsa over black F355 Berlinetta manual (4871 made)? I'd say more. Numbers dictate a lot on the market (units made, miles on the clock).

Rarity is rarity and the market responds to that, regardless of the motive behind that rarity (low demand vs. few units made). That is my firm belief.

Some time ago I saw a baby blue 3.2 Mondial cabriolet, reportedly owned by the Al-Fayed family, on sale for a ridiculous asking price. That color, personally, was simply awful, made me sick from just looking at it. How many of those were ever made? Not many I imagine. That's why the absurd and obscene price tag was quickly and swiftly met.

The fact that the F1 gearbox is obsolete is a pro and not a con, in my humble opinion. The first ever car fitted with a flappy paddle gearbox. That's precisely the kind of stuff that can make a Ferrari skyrocket in value. Not saying it will happen to the 355, but great cars have great stories and/or groundbreaking technology (for the time), regardless of how obsolete it may become a decade or two later.

Anyway, just my two cents. Not ment to attack, provoke or undermine anyone's opinion which I regard being as valid as mine. Agreeing or disagreeing, what I wish the most for everyone here on this community is to enjoy their Ferraris in good health, because life is too short.

Kind regards,

Nuno.

 

By the way, to answer Swancoat's question:

I'm sorry I can't be of service, but such a 355 over here in Portugal would easily fetch something in the 60.000€ region in my opinion. I know you guys over the in the US have a very different market, but I believe your 355 certainly has reasons to justify an above-average asking price.

Kindest regards,

Nuno.

 

I have a green/black interior F1 spider for sale. It is the rarest of any 355 ever made. (I don't know that as a fact, speaking rhetorically ) . Would you buy it?

Rarity now is a function of desirability at the time it was purchased It is not representative of future collectibility or covetousness.

 

I'd like to hear from some dealers here.

2 cars. One an F1 and one a 6 speed. Color, condition, miles, service history being identical...

Which one would you pay and or list a greater amount for?

 

Trans wont make a difference in price, if trans made a difference 1940 Plymouth's would be worth much more then were are and were
First year for fluid drive

History always repeats. Invest money elsewhere not in a money pit

 

Ok, first, to everyone who threw out a number - thanks - it's appreciated.

To those debating F1 vs stick, I'm sorry for starting the debate! I listed the transmission as a 'con' not because I think it is a negative on the car (on the contrary - I really enjoy it) but simply because I initially felt that it would bring slightly less money. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. If you agree or disagree, feel free to take a stab at what the car should sell for

And finally, to those arguing that scarcity increases value: I've got to weigh in here and say you're wrong. Not to be pedantic, but it's supply and demand, right? Certainly lower supply will increase the value, but only if there's sufficient demand. That's why things like rare paintings are hyper expensive. Not only are there very few, but people also really WANT them. That's why the aforementioned green on black 355 is NOT hyper expensive. Sure it's rare, but who wants it.

Now when it comes to the F1 transmission, I think both sides of the equation play. The fact is, they are less common, and all else being equal, if they were desired just as much as manuals, that would imply that they sell at a premium. But they do not. I think it's fair to say that they are in less demand than manuals (for whatever reason). The real question (which I think is what everyone in this thread is really debating) is "Does the decrease in demand fall short of, meet, or exceed the shortness in supply?" I don't know the answer to that.

So? What's the car worth?


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From a dealer standpoint , i'd rather have the manual on the lot , faster easier sale. not only speaking specifically about 355's . an audi s4 manual outsells an auto, a 911 manual outsells an auto, and so on , in the case of sports cars. a manual in a subaru wagon , sits , but eventually finds a home. it depends on the car and the market.
This is why tho , ice cream is sold in different flavors, different strokes for different folks. Nothing wrong with either f1 or manual , but i dont think in the collector car market of the future it will make a difference, again tho , if f1's become completely unserviceable , thats going to be bad. And thats completely possible.
A perfect example is early 200 's audi allroads and their air suspensions, it is constantly giving trouble and costs for parts and repairs are exorbitant, many owners grow tired , and convert them to coilovers. cars without converted suspensions are worthless ,and are unsellable .The system may be working fine today and can be complete crap tomorrow.
A good analogy with 355's is with valve guide and header issues, try to get a good price for one without being able to prove those issues have been addressed. will the issue of the future be the f1 system? will some issue come to the surface that affects all cars ? Will it be impossible to sell without being able to prove the system has been completely rebuilt at some crazy cost? Not that any of this will happen, but it could. Want to take that chance ?The manual trans is just one less potential worry. Just my 2 cents ,guiys who own it may love it, but i think the f1 has the potential to reduce value if the system becomes notorious for poor long range dependability, and that whats 348 and 355's are going to need , at least 15 more years before value skyrockets, it took 40 years for the day of Dino to come.

 

Who better to poll than those who have the means and desire to actually buy one? Most have already voted with their wallets.

I think the f1 isn't a con for 3 reasons:
It was the very first
It is also a good implementation of the technology
Anyone can drive it (which i think is more valuable than some give credit for)

That said, I don't think they're worth more, just not (much) less.

 

Also , a lot of conversations here focus on future value. Were assuming that because ferrari's from the sixties have proven to be highly valued collectibles , that the generation of car were discussing will follow suit when they reach that age. Those cars from the sixties were very simple machines , with little to go wrong , so , they still run.I am unsure , modern cars, with the array of electronics , computers and the level of complexity , are capable of running long enough to reach a prime age. I see it now , alot of cars we service are reaching the point where the cost to keep it running exceeds the value of the car. it is possible that specialized electronics can fail in the future , and no replacement parts will be available . what happens if all bosch engine computers have circuitry that disintegrates after 40 years ,and no new units are available, and all used units are trash ? Your 1994 will be incapable of running , with no viable or cost effective way of repairing it . It probably wont happen , but we cant compare what has happened to the value of 60's cars to what can happen to todays cars in the future.Those cars were so simple , they have survived , still run and have a value.Consider hpw much can go wrong , window modules , engine computers , speedo modules , convertible top modules and so on , what will the car be worth if nothing works ?I can guarantee that no manufacturer will start producing those types of electronics for such a low volume car , the cost of engineering will always exceed potential profit so they will have no interest in doing so.And then again , i can be completely wrong . LOL . Just some food for thought

 

It won't be an issue, there are off the shelf engine management systems that are 10x as sophisticated as the factory bosch setup available for a couple of grand already. In another 20 years, they will be even less expensive and even more sophisticated. It will be no different than those that replace factory points ignition systems on the old cars with modern msd units for increased reliability. By modern standards, all of the electronics on a 355 are dead simple and could all be replaced now, it will only get easier in the future.

 

+1
Not only that but in todays computer age anything can be fixed.
I had my TR fuse box redone and updated better than factory for $500.00
Mind you the guy that did it did say he would never do it again for $500.00

 

I hope so, I plan on driving my 348 for many more happy years !

 

If you want to sit on it for a while 60K
If you want to move it fast 45- 50K

 

While it is technically accurate to say the F1 system is an additional failure point and could go "Transmission Issue that Stopped Upshifting" (or TITS-UP, Trademark), the same could be said for the added complication of the Spyder top and good luck convincing those owners they made a poor decision over a Berlinetta.

As an F1 owner however I will concede that most Fcar purists do dream of slotted shift gates (operated by electric sheep) as that has been the historical tradition of the marque - but obviously no longer.

The reality is that the F1 owners are willing to assume the elevated risk of possible future issues with the system in return for the unique (at least back in 1998) driving experience. I say hooray and slow-clap to those few bold original F1 owners back then who were willing to disregard convention.

In closing, by being more risk-adverse manual owners can often suffer from any combination of the following ailments:

General Overabundance Of Fear (GOOF - Trademark)
Original Owner's Poor Selection (OOPS - also Trademark)