Would you buy it?

Hi,
I'm in search of a 355F1GTS (yes I know, I should buy a gated one and I agree, but I have some trouble with my left leg, so that's gonna be an F1).

I know the best car is the one with perfect history with all bills, but I can't find one. Only 529 made.
But I found a car that might be interesting.

No history at all (or nearly), but the car was left at Ferrari official garage for 2 years where they spent more than 100 hours to fix it. That was in 2021.

Car is overpriced for the local market (I'm in France and fortunately prices are much better than in US) but the fact it was checked by Ferrari (more than 26000€ bills) and a perfect compression check (all cylinders at 12 bars) makes me want to buy it even if it is overpriced. (saw anothe one that sold in 2 days for 10 000€ less but with cream interior)

What do you think: is the refurbushing by Ferrari + perfect compression is enough to buy this car ?

The only question is about the manifolds. I don't know how much kms they have and if they need to be changed.

 

Welcome - no history is usually a no-go but what did the big bill include - a major service with cam belts for example ? If not then budget an immediate eur 10000 if there is no evidence of it which at least would begin a proper service history

Can you find out where the last owner had previous services done and talk to them too

The 355 is better looking but could a 360 with F1 also fulfil your desire ?

 

Big service included mainly cam belts, clutch, hydraulic actuator, spark plugs, oil, both radiators, gas pump, rear shock absorbers, 4x tires etc...

I've got the information from the garage were they worked on the car.
They kept the car 2 years! The car was neglected at arrival by previous owner, but I don't know how it was.

The 355 is the only Ferrari I would like to own.

 

348&355 are great cars to own as far as the garage saying the car was neglected is a little concerning does he mean in maintenance, body or the way it was driven just because the car shows good compression and a major service was just done really is only a small part of a bigger picture having another shop do a full PPI would be the first step

I’m todays market no matter where you are you will be paying a premium which is ok with me but the car should be close, match or exceed the price being asked

Be patient don’t let the “rush of buying the car get in front of your common sense”

Like others here have said so many times —- there is nothing more expensive then a cheap Ferrari —— do your homework on the car even though these cars are not being made anymore and there is a full range of good and bad to be purchased it’s up to you. Cars with good pedigree cost a lot more and ones with questionable past can end up costing you more in the long run

Good luck and hope all works out for you



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I agree, but this one is not cheap.

What I see, is that this car has a perfect compression and an official Ferrari garage (one of the main one here) took care of everything needed on this car only few kms from now.
So there should be no expenses until the next service.
This is why I feel this car is interesting, even with no history and overpriced.

Would I find another GTS F1 like this? Maybe, maybe not...

Look at this:
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not sure many engines are that good...

 

Lol yes you are right it’s not a cheap one——

still another look at it “PPI” would make me more at ease and will not hurt —
plus it starts building up a history of the car so if or when the cars moves on the new buyer has something to base his/her justification for paying the price you will be asking


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Yes a PPI is an excellent idea.

 

Did they do a bottom end reseal/motor mounts? What’s the story w exhaust- headers + cats? A lot of things can pop up not directly related to cams and typical f1 failure points that can cost you additional $ that might not be covered in a traditional major.

 

They did something about sealing some motor leak, otherwise I don't know about the cat and headers, but the muffler is brand new.
F1 actuator has been changed.

 

Something is strange though.
Here is the valve cover 500kms after the vermiculate paint has been done at Ferrari's:

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Doesn't feel right to me. Or is it?

 

That’s not right. Depends how they did it; for best results it should be powder coated; that will last years.

you mentioned it’s overpriced; not unusual for a ferrari dealer!!! What warranty are they offering with the car? If they are offering a warranty, that might compensate for the high price?

 

This car isn't for sale at Ferrari now.
The car was sold in april 2021 from them to a buyer that didn't use the car and sold it in sept 2021 to a car dealer, who sold it in october 2021 to another car dealer (the actual one).

Warranty is 3 months (on engine and gearbox only).

I really don't like this paint. I can't figure a vermiculate paint made at Ferrari's turning so bad after just 500kms.
Either the car has more km, or Ferrari did a really bad work,and it is not engaging for the rest of the work done on this car by them.

 

We need more pictures and an actual price.

Is there such a thing as CarFax in France? A clear one of those goes a long way.

Should you buy it? Dunno. I would. In fact, I am looking for a GTS (F1 or Manual) what color and what are they asking? Link?

 

Meh. That happens to all of them, Crinkle paint and some sand paper and it's fixed. Minor.

 

After only 500 kms? Why painting them if it is the case?

 

Perhaps. It wouldn't bother me in the least.

Are you suggesting the mileage is inaccurate?

 

Might be. I don't know.
I'm surprised that the paint is in this condition after only 500km, but I never had a Ferrari before.
So if people tells me it is normal, I'll believe it, if not, I'll be worried about the car.

right side:
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It looks like the job was performed poorly, or was done many years ago?

 

It has been done 4 years ago.
But since, the car is supposed to have only +500 kilometers

 

Not concerning in and of itself- as noted this does not impact the performance of the car and is purely cosmetic. It does create some questions around the quality and age of the previous major, Mine and most I have seen still look new after 4+yrs! Get a PPI from an independent source and let us know how that goes

 

Of course it's not ideal. It looks like crap actually. But for, me I wouldn't care one inch.

Have more pictures of the car, interior, underneath & engine bay? That's the stuff that actually matters.

 

I don't care either, except it gives me doubts on this car. Otherwise it looks great on pictures from outside or inside.

I just dont like the story: X owners in Germany> France= 4 owners + stayed during 5 years at Ferrari's were they spent + 25000€ to fix it (why? I couldn't get the answer). Then since sold to one owner that didn't drive it, and to 2 garages in less than a year.

That's not the typical historic you're after...

 

There's no correct answer the internet is going to be able to give you about this car's true condition. It needs a PPI from an independent shop. If you're serious about the car, get a PPI.

 

I do compression and leak down test, if the engine's good everything else you can pretty much fix yourself.

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It just hits me that the major I thought was made in 2021 was actually made in Jan 2018. So a new one is needed.
I know it could wait a couple of years more, but I don't think it is a good gamble for a car supposed to be driven 500kms during this time.
Another reason to pass regarding the price: 78 000€ for a 75 000kms car by the way (about 87 500$ for a 47 000 miles).
I think I'll pass...

PS: thanks for the tip of the "leak-down test" I'll think of it for the next one.