Friday 20th August 2010

PH Buying Guide: Ferrari F355

Access the PH community knowledge bank before taking the plunge...

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Introduction:
The Ferrari F355 was first shown to the world at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show and it immediately became the most desirable supercar this side of the McLaren F1. It went on sale shortly afterwards in Berlinetta coupe and GTS targa guises, with a full convertible Spider arriving a year later. Prices started at £83,031 at launch and production ran until 1999, when the car was replaced by the 360, which means the 355 is now relatively affordable by Ferrari standards.

In total, 11,522 355 models of all types were made, including 104 stripped-out and roll-caged Challenge race cars. This made the 355 the first Ferrari model to sell more than 10,000 units and 496 Berlinettas were sold in the UK, with 88 of those with the F1 gearbox. A further 434 GTS models went to UK customers (74 of them with an F1 transmission), while 454 Spiders were sold through Ferrari's UK agents (139 Spiders with the F1 gearbox). This ubiquity, in Ferrari terms, makes the F355 a popular entry point to the make.

Searc for Ferrari 355s here

Choosing the F355 as a first foray into Ferrari ownership need not be daunting. There are plenty to pick from and a number of dependable specialists.

However, any car capable of 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and 184mph needs careful consideration. So if you haven't got a decent contingency fund, you'd better make sure the family is up for missing out on the odd trip to Disneyland.

Meanwhile, before you dive in to fulfil your own Ferrari fantasy, check out what fellow PHers have to say about buying and owning these desirable machines.

Editor's note: We hope this new Ferrari F355 'knowledge bank' will attract contributions from current and past owners, and anyone who knows these cars well. If you have something to say that will help fellow PHers,please add your comments to the forum thread in the relevant sectionbelow.

We'd also love to illustrate this guide with photos of PHers' own cars, so please email contributions to [e-mail] - we're looking for complete cars from all angles, as well as 'detail' images that illustrate specific items discussed in these pages. Thanks, folks!

Ferrari F355 Buying Guide
Section Menu:
Introduction (viewing now)
Ferrari F355 - Powertrain
Ferrari F355 - Rolling chassis
Ferrari F355 - Body
Ferrari F355 - Interior
Ferrari F355 - General experiences

Searc for Ferrari 355s here

[4988cc]

Fascinating review and insight. Would dearly love to read a similar appraisal of the 550 some time

[BUG4LIFE]

I love the 355 so much it hurts!!!

[Liquid Knight]

If you open the engine cover and it says twin entry 3SGTE writen on it you're an idiot.

[obscene]

Liquid Knight said:

If you open the engine cover and it says twin entry 3SGTE writen on it you're an idiot.

Best looking and sounding car of all time IMO.

[Maseroop]

I remember having a 1:18 model of the 355 as a kid, was my dream car.

In my opinion, by far the prettiest modern Ferrari to date !!!

[joz8968]

Liquid Knight said:

If you open the engine cover and it says twin entry 3SGTE writen on it you're an idiot.

lol

[havoc]

Lovely idea.

Any plans to spread this out to other PH-style cars?
(and NO, I don't mean the MX-5! Well, not straight away... )

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Maseroop said:

I remember having a 1:18 model of the 355 as a kid, was my dream car.

In my opinion, by far the prettiest modern Ferrari to date !!!

+1

I also like the Ferrari Testarossa & F40!

[Liquid Knight]

Maseroop said:

I remember having a 1:18 model of the 355 as a kid, was my dream car.

In my opinion, by far the prettiest modern Ferrari to date !!!

The last Ferrari Ferrari built in my opinion. Since then it's been soccer player accessories and engineering exercises. Hopefully Ferrari will stop worrying about cheating at Formula 1 and start building drivers cars again.

[PompeyM3]

I'm taking this feature as a sign from above !!!

After much ummming and ahhhing these past few months on what to get next, my mind was more or less made up at Wilton House last weekend that I want to upgrade my Esprit to a 355. Now seeing this feature my decision is made.

Thanks for the info and I will be coming back to check on any tips any existing owners can point me to when going to look at cars.

[Chris-R]

havoc said:

Lovely idea.

Any plans to spread this out to other PH-style cars?
(and NO, I don't mean the MX-5! Well, not straight away... )

Glad you like it. We're definitely hoping to do more once we've learned a bit about how it's working format-wise, etc. (Don't be shy with any suggestions for improvements...)

And we won't do the MX-5 next, I promise!

[PompeyM3]

There's loads of great info here that could prove priceless when looking. I can see me coming back to this thread most of the weekend (with a break for Sunday Service of course).

Big round of applause for PH

[ex vtskid]

Really great interesting read, not that I'll be buying one anytime soon!

And this might be a bit of a dirty thing to say... but does anyone else prefer the 348?

[Fuelbrother DC]

PompeyM3 said:

I'm taking this feature as a sign from above !!!

After much ummming and ahhhing these past few months on what to get next, my mind was more or less made up at Wilton House last weekend that I want to upgrade my Esprit to a 355. Now seeing this feature my decision is made.

Thanks for the info and I will be coming back to check on any tips any existing owners can point me to when going to look at cars.

Upgrade your Esprit to an S4 with some decent exhaust, mate. Half the cost, less 'being a ferraristi', same fun.... eerrr, almost, that is.

...first post ever.

Edited by Fuelbrother DC on Friday 20th August 14:38

[Fuelbrother DC]

ex vtskid said:

Really great interesting read, not that I'll be buying one anytime soon!

And this might be a bit of a dirty thing to say... but does anyone else prefer the 348?

I do. Better tail-light design, for me. The 355 seems a bit bland in that respect.

[W111AAM]

Bit late for this!! I pick my 355 up tomorrow morning. So excited!!!!!!!!!

[joz8968]

- Pretty is fine.

- Aggressive (not pretty) 'form following function'... niiiiice:-




But I do agree that the F355 is one of the best proportioned, prettiest vehicles ever designed. It's so aesthetically 'right'.

Edited by joz8968 on Friday 20th August 16:00

[DrYazz]

Maseroop said:

I remember having a 1:18 model of the 355 as a kid, was my dream car.

In my opinion, by far the prettiest modern Ferrari to date !!!

Got both!

A 1:18 UT Berlinetta model, red with Beige interior.

A 1996 F355 Berlinetta - red with Beige leather.

[havoc]

ferrari spider said:

Ah why the hell not, any excuse

Has anyone NOT parked their car there?!?

[Pozzy]

Article said:

In total, 11,522 355 models of all types were made

I read this as 11.5 million models being made...