A few F355 questions

[r8_1ndy]

Hi i'm looking to jump from a porsche 911 996 c2 to a f355 spider (as a second car)...just need as much information to make me feel more assured into purchasing it and so as to not get cold feet and buy a porshce 911 turbo instead.

1)Do they all come with traction control?
2)What are they like to drive in slippery conditions (preferably compared to the porsche 996 c2 if anyone can compare.)
3)What are the average running costs and service costs per year? (again if can be, compared to the porsche.)
4)What is the best method to get the car checked out if buying privately?
5)Costs of parts if they go wrong e.g. manifolds, ecu's, clutch, etc...?
6)Any helpful things to look out for that you recommend i should?

Thanking you all in advance!!

[ferrarispider]

You will get quick answers if ya ask ya question here www.fcars.net But i am sure others will answer here anyway. But i find the responce a little slow.

[tony h]

www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34059&highlight=355+buying+guide

[tony h]

This may help when deciding between 355 and 911 Turbo. Eric recently got out of 355 for 993 TT...

www.zindagi.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1005

[Kurgen_]

Judging by most of your questions, I would opt for the TT.

I had a 355 spider a few years ago, and once the novelty wore.. found the car a total pain in the ass.

Upsides were..

1) Wow.. I own a Ferrari (1st owner of my car was F.1 driver Mika Salo)
2) Noise
3) Noise with roof down
4) Errr

Downsides..

1) Can't leave car anywhere for fear of Chav attack ( mine was red)
2) Resentment from other drivers
3) Ground clearance, forget speed humps
4) My roof leaked in heavy rain
5) Maintenance costs
6) Fragile build quality

If you buy one, have the view to own it, have done it , sell it... get a TT or an RS like me

Rob

[ferrarispider]

Kurgen_ said:

Judging by most of your questions, I would opt for the TT. I had a 355 spider a few years ago, and once the novelty wore.. found the car a total pain in the ass. Upsides were.. 1) Wow.. I own a Ferrari (1st owner of my car was F.1 driver Mika Salo) 2) Noise 3) Noise with roof down 4) Errr Downsides.. 1) Can't leave car anywhere for fear of Chav attack ( mine was red) 2) Resentment from other drivers 3) Ground clearance, forget speed humps 4) My roof leaked in heavy rain 5) Maintenance costs 6) Fragile build quality If you buy one, have the view to own it, have done it , sell it... get a TT or an RS like me Rob

LOL! Yea we beleve ya,LOL!

[jasonh]

Kurgen_ said:

Downsides.. 1) Can't leave car anywhere for fear of Chav attack ( mine was red) 2) Resentment from other drivers 3) Ground clearance, forget speed humps 4) My roof leaked in heavy rain 5) Maintenance costs 6) Fragile build quality If you buy one, have the view to own it, have done it , sell it... get a TT or an RS like me Rob

I don't have a Spider but do have a GTB, also in Red

so far,

I've left it in multi-story car parks, in London (side of road) and so far no issues
Never had any resentment from other drivers other than one white van man who told me my car was sh1te! Like he knew what he was talking about... Have had lots of smiling people, thumbs up and I've been in loads of camera shots!
Car takes speed humps much, much better than I anticipated - no problems and where I live is surrounded by them.
Don't have roof issues ;-)
Maintenance costs? Been fine - no complaints
Fragile Build Quality? I must have bought a good one ;-) It's been driven in all weather, long and short trips - never missed a beat (apart from batteries in my immobiliser KeyFobs, luckily Karl reminded me I was being stupid and made me replace the batteries - he's a genius, it's worked fine since ;-) )

It's a joy to own and drive, feels good sitting in it, in my garage with the engine off!

[stuh]

jasonh said:

Kurgen_ said: Downsides.. 1) Can't leave car anywhere for fear of Chav attack ( mine was red) 2) Resentment from other drivers 3) Ground clearance, forget speed humps 4) My roof leaked in heavy rain 5) Maintenance costs 6) Fragile build quality If you buy one, have the view to own it, have done it , sell it... get a TT or an RS like me Rob I don't have a Spider but do have a GTB, also in Red so far, I've left it in multi-story car parks, in London (side of road) and so far no issues Never had any resentment from other drivers other than one white van man who told me my car was sh1te! Like he knew what he was talking about... Have had lots of smiling people, thumbs up and I've been in loads of camera shots! Car takes speed humps much, much better than I anticipated - no problems and where I live is surrounded by them. Don't have roof issues ;-) Maintenance costs? Been fine - no complaints Fragile Build Quality? I must have bought a good one ;-) It's been driven in all weather, long and short trips - never missed a beat (apart from batteries in my immobiliser KeyFobs, luckily Karl reminded me I was being stupid and made me replace the batteries - he's a genius, it's worked fine since ;-) ) It's a joy to own and drive, feels good sitting in it, in my garage with the engine off!

Sounds about right to me

Must confess i was expecting a negative reaction from other drivers, but have been very pleasantly surprised. Regularly get the "gun it" gesture from other drivers, and happy to oblige my dropping a cog or two so they can savour the Capristo