What's it worth? Selling 355 for a 360 | FerrariChat

What's it worth? Selling 355 for a 360

Discussion in '348/355' started by Bill2, Jun 11, 2006.

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  1. Bill2

    Bill2 Formula Junior

    Oct 4, 2004
    340
    GA
    I have a chance to buy a really nice 360 Spider, but that would require selling my newly acquired 355 Berlinetta. I've only had the 355 for 4 months and I hate to sell it because the car has had so much done to it this year.

    I just love the 360 Spiders and I found a super clean, no stories example with under 5k miles. It's not cheap, but the car is soooo nice that I want to buy it so I can enjoy the sun in the summer. This Ferrari stuff is addicting! It's also very expensive, so I know my 355 must go or I may have to live in the 360.

    So what would my 355 be worth? Here are the details:

    1995 Ferrari 355 Berlinetta 6-speed
    Black/black
    28,000 miles
    Challenge Grill
    Capristo Stage III with test pipes (I also have the stock exhaust and cats)
    All tools
    All records since new
    Never been wrecked
    The car has rebuilt QV manifolds.
    Ferrari of Los Gatos rebuilt the valve train at 22k miles with the new valve guide parts so there is no valve guide issues. Again, I have all of these records to prove it to a buyer.

    When I bought the car I thought the exhaust was too loud. But then I found out that the bypass was wired open so I took the wire off and now the exhaust sounds great and when you press on the throttle it gets VERY LOUD and sounds like an F1 car. I love the 355 sound now, but I wouldn't recommended wiring open a Capristo Stage III unless you wear ear protection. It has test pipes on the car and gets no codes because it is a pre-OBDII car. The 360 doesn't sound as good as the 355, so I guess I'll be buying an exhaust for it.

    The car runs strong and drives great. It needs to have the drivers side seat bolster re-dyed. I have the stuff to do it, but I may just wait if I'm selling the car and let the next owner do this job. I already replaced the A/C controls with the piece that does not bubble up. The leather dash has very minor shrinkage. I have been applying leather conditioner to it and working in back into place. It's getting very close to being back to original. The carpets look very good and clean.

    All the controls work and it has no known issues. The paint looks good and I just had the front bumper and head light covers resprayed because of rock chips. They did an incredible job. Of course they should look great for about $1,000.

    June 2006 (28,300 miles)
    New A/C compressor, dryer, etc. We found a fuse that had been blown because of Ferrari's poor design so we replaced it with an upgraded gold plated version. It blows super cold and works great. Pretty much every part on the A/C system was serviced so it should be good to go for many years.

    May 2006 (28,100 miles)
    Complete 30k service including timing belts, tensioner bearings, valve cover gaskets, cam seals, all o-rings, fuel filter, oil filter, PS belt, Alt belt, A/C belt, water hoses.
    Repainted the valve covers with Ferrari red and polished fins
    Pressure washed the engine and painted the intake
    All front engine gaskets were replaced so it has no oil leaks
    Installed rebuilt manifold from QV London
    New front rotors and pads (Brembo rotors and Porterfield pads)
    Rebuilt the alternator
    Refinished the bumpers (I have all the pictures of this process to prove it was not wrecked, just painted to get rid of the rock chips.)
    Replaced the inner CV boots
    Installed new throttle cable (It was sticky, now it's not)

    April 2006 (27,8xx miles)
    New Michelin Pilot PS2's. Put 295's in the rear! Looks very cool.

    September 2002 (22,900 miles)
    Replaced valve guides with updated guides (very expensive job!)
    30k service: spark plugs, cam belts, filters, tensionors and bearings, spark plug wires.

    $13,800 has been spent on the car in the past 3 months. I have all of the receipts and records for this, plus all the records from the past. It has a great history of being serviced and maintained to the highest standards.

    Will having so much done to the car scare buyers? Should I discuss all of this in the ads I place or just say, "30k service done"? I'm afraid that some buyers might see the invoices for the past 4 months and think this Ferrari will cost a fortune to keep on the road. So how do I advertise this but no scare people away?

    I want to sell it quickly so I don't miss this 360 Spider. I know the prices are all over the place for 355's. I've seen from $55,000 to $85,000 for simular cars. I don't want to price it wrong or I may miss out on the 360.

    What's your thoughts on pricing this car? Since 1995-1997 have valve guide issues, I know having one that is corrected will help the value. But what's that worth over another 1995? Also, black is a tough color to sell when it seems everyone likes red Ferrari's. So do I discount it for that?

    Help me price it for a quick sale. Then also tell me what I could expect to get if I were to price it higher and take more time to sell it. I may be able to swing the 360 and sell the 355 in 2-3 months. I would be willing to do that if it means getting a lot more money.

    Thanks,

    - Bill
     
  2. Tomf-1

    Tomf-1 F1 Rookie

    Jan 17, 2004
    4,528
    Leawood KS/ South FL
    Full Name:
    Thomas
    as a point of reference, a fellow f-chatter (dave guy car) last week sold a his beautiful 95 355 spider red/tan, all service update, tubi, 16k....no story, no issue, extremely clean in/exterior for mid 70k (and it took him awhile).

    given the color combo and higher milage, if you want to price it for a quick sale, i'd say low 60's....with a little time and patience, you might get mid to upper 60's. good luck w/ your sale.
     
  3. tstafford

    tstafford Formula Junior

    Mar 4, 2006
    754
    Nashville
    Full Name:
    Tim
    I recently sold a '98 355 Spider for a '01 360 Spider so a similar situation I suppose. I'd think long and hard before you do this deal. Seems that you have a very well sorted 355GTB. The 360 is a superior car in all ways, but is it worth it?

    - Performance - not all that different.
    - Sound - 355 is better.
    - Interior - 360 is much, much better.
    - Styling - totally a personal judgment. (360 much better IMHO)
    - ASR on the 360 is a very nice feature
    - Top - I had issues with both the 355 and 360, but more so on the 360
    The list goes on and is covered in many/many threads.

    For me, it really came down to money. You are in a car that is probably near the bottom of the depreciation curve, you own it and you know it. 360 is coming down - fast lately. If you have the means to afford a $160K (or so) car w/o any issues then go for the 360. If it's a stretch (as it was for me), it can get uncomfortable. I was able to afford it - paid cash but felt bad having that kind of $$ tied up in the car. Again this is a personal thing but $160K is a TON of money.

    I ended up trading the 360 for a used 997S and have felt better ever since. I have not missed the car (although I tend to miss the 355 which I was comfortable with financially.) It just never seemed right to me to have so much tied up in a car.

    I suggest contemplating if you really want to do this given how good your car sounds.

    All that said, the 360 is very liquid asset as I can attest. I didn't get killed financially learning my lesson about my personal comfort zone and limits.

    Hope my story helps.

    Tim
     
  4. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Aug 27, 2005
    4,363
    VA
    Too bad it's a berlinetta, or you wouldn't be having this problem. I don't know... the grass is always greener, and it's a big chunk of money. But you only live once!

    Having a 355 with a Tubi and hyperflows (I can only image a C3 with test pipes), the sound is addictive. But I had the pleasure of driving a 360 spider with the factory sport exhaust, and it was really, really nice! Good luck - either way, you win!
     
  5. Bill2

    Bill2 Formula Junior

    Oct 4, 2004
    340
    GA
    Thanks Tim. I've running these and many more questions through my head, but I just can't get over how dang sexy the 360 spider looks.

    - Bill
     
  6. Bill2

    Bill2 Formula Junior

    Oct 4, 2004
    340
    GA
    Thanks, I have always liked the looks of the 360 Spiders, but after driving it this week, I'm sold. of course it will need an exuast.

    I'm not sure that it's worth $80,000 more than my 355, but I'm going to try and find out.

    - Bill
     
  7. Bill2

    Bill2 Formula Junior

    Oct 4, 2004
    340
    GA
    The 355 Spiders are hard to sell right now because there is at least a 6 to 1 ratio of Spiders vs GTB's for-sale. I have no idea why, but there are a lot of 355 Spiders for-sale.

    If I had not just spent $13k the major service, engine detailing, new tires, manifolds, bumper respray, etc. I might take low 60's, but there is no way I can do that now. Heck, I may as well part the car out for that.

    - Bill
     
  8. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,595
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    Keep the 355.
     
  9. JSL

    JSL Formula 3

    Jan 5, 2002
    2,212
    California
    Full Name:
    J.S. Leonard
    People who quote low 60's are bottom fishing for themselves hoping someone will give their car away. Your car is worth at least 70K but I would look for more like 72-75K. Even this is a good value especially since you have the records and had the valves done. Don't give it away. You probably paid in the mid to high 70's and why would the value be any different now? Good luck.
     
  10. azcarguy

    azcarguy Formula Junior

    Nov 21, 2003
    455
    AZ
    Full Name:
    Marc

    His car is actually worth what someone will pay for it! How do I know? I'm one of the 355 spiders for sale at the moment and have gotten little play at $75K !! I am thinking of lowering it a bit and maybe going the EBay route, eventhough I have little patience for tirekickers and game players.

    Best of luck with your decision but I would keep the B if I were you. I'm selling to get into a CS or F-40 which are altogether different cars than my spider.
     
  11. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
    12,313
    At Sea Level
    I'm not in the market for a 360 or a 355 so I am about as impartial as it gets...

    The price MAY be different now due to pressure from above from falling 360 prices...
     
  12. 1Turbo

    1Turbo Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2005
    675
    LA$ VEGA$
    Full Name:
    Jimmy K

    AGREED !

    I would post an ad in FerrariAds with an asking price of $70K.If you do not receive a Serious Offer, what have you lost ?
    There is no way that this a Low 60Ks 355.Without the Fresh Major,Headers,Valve Guides,CAP etc then it would be.
     
  13. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,489
    Indian Wells, California
    Full Name:
    Jon
    I'm not buying or selling a 355 or 360, so I have no financial stake in this. So here goes:

    Based on what you've said (just spent $14K servicing the 355, owned it for 4 whole months...) I think you'll get killed financially on the selling side, and you're buying a 360 which is a depreciating, common car.

    I agree, a 360 Spider is a great-looking car. But if you want to go in that direction I'd list your 355 at a price you can accept, sell it in a way that won't have you kicking yourself, and then pick up a 360 in the fall when they've fallen even more.

    If the money doesn't matter to you, ignore my post.
     
  14. Bill2

    Bill2 Formula Junior

    Oct 4, 2004
    340
    GA
    Money matters of course, but no so much that I'll let it stand in the way of a 360 Spider. I may just keep the 355 for a few months and market it correctly instead of trying to sell it quick; which will result in too low of a sale price.

    I tell ya, the 360 Spider really got me. It's like a hot girl in high school feeling. I can't explain it, but I know I must have that Spider. I have always loved the 355's and never really cared much for the 360's. But once I drove it, I changed my mind. The car is so nice and really drives well. I wish it sounded more like the 355, but this is something I can overlook.

    Thanks everyone for the help.

    Bill
     
  15. Douge

    Douge Karting

    Apr 22, 2006
    67
    I have been shopping a bit and not to bust balls or insult anyone but mid 60's is pretty doable if you look around. E-car link has/had a nice 355B for 65K. I kind of agree with everyone else in that you might consider keeping it.
     
  16. 1Turbo

    1Turbo Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2005
    675
    LA$ VEGA$
    Full Name:
    Jimmy K
  17. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2001
    33,694
    Full Name:
    Joe Mansion
    Keep the 355 and get a 360 Spider next year or during the last winter months .
     
  18. BOBAER

    BOBAER Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2006
    261
    Jersey
    Full Name:
    Jon
    You know the grass is always greener, and sometimes the hunt and anticipaticon of your next move can drive you crazy.

    I think you need to take a deep breath, drive the 355 which in my opinion is an awsome looking and driving car, cool your jets for a while.

    I would be the 355 on the market at a price that you feel you can live with and if it sells, it sells. If it does not sell right away, than I would not force the issue, as I also think that the 360 market has come down and will continue to do so for the next 12-18 month and then maybe settle down.

    At that point, you will be close to next summer and will be able to hopefully get your price for the 355 ( as i feel that price has bottomed out) and possible save 10-20k on a 360 as the price continues to fall.

    Paitence is a virtual that few of us Ferrari owners have.
     
  19. BOBAER

    BOBAER Formula Junior

    Jun 6, 2006
    261
    Jersey
    Full Name:
    Jon
    sorry for the typos, that was virtue.
     
  20. Jerrari

    Jerrari F1 Veteran

    Jul 24, 2001
    5,465
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Jerry Wiersma
    I agree. Why lose $5,000-$10,000 by selling the 355 in a fire sale and then buying a car that is rapidly (or at least somewhat rapidly) depreciating? You can probably get the same car for $10,000 less next year, so that is $20,000 that this will cost you doing this now vs. next year. I don't know you but I would hate to see you do this move. There are always TONS of 360's for sale and will be again next year. Having said that, I'll give you $60,000 for the 355 right now...j/k!!
     

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