355 - initial thoughts & inspection recommendations please..
Discussion
OK - firstly a big thankyou to Ben at Hilton & Moss for his time today when I popped over to see this - http://www.castlesportscars.co.uk/used-cars/view/4... To the uninitiated (that'll be me) the car looked in very good shape, a couple of minor bits to be sorted but otherwise all good. Belts done last year and also recently serviced. No sign of a new clutch though at 36k which concerns me a little. Test drive went well, the offset driving position felt odd but is something that would quickly become comfy. The steering wheel felt like something out of a bus though 
It felt more planted than my T350 in the bends, though not as quick and certainly not anywhere near as punishing as my current car in terms of acceleration. The TVR also feels more alive on the road, very sketchy but you do feel more a part of the car - however, thats after 3 years and 16000 miles getting used to it.
Noise also was not a patch on mine, it has a Tubi on it but Cats still in - wasn't as piercing as I was expecting, that said still a very pleasant sound. On that subject, no sign of replaced CATS or manifolds which I believe are weak points on these cars - anyone know an easy way to tell if they're good or potentially on their way out?
The interior is not a patch on my T350, though then again not many cars this side of 100k can match TVR for their interior designs IMHO. Everything worked though and there weren't that many squeaks or rattles. However, it did feel a little more delicate than my current car, again, not a big concern and nothing I haven't heard before. Thats said though the interior looked in remarkably good condition for a near 15 year old car.
Does anyone know a company nearish to Stansted that can offer a thorough pre-purchase inspection of the car? If all checks out and nothing is required then I'm 95% certain I've just driven my next car. Different to the TVR for sure, in a good or bad way? The jury is still out but I think I may need to find out for sure.
It felt more planted than my T350 in the bends, though not as quick and certainly not anywhere near as punishing as my current car in terms of acceleration. The TVR also feels more alive on the road, very sketchy but you do feel more a part of the car - however, thats after 3 years and 16000 miles getting used to it.
Noise also was not a patch on mine, it has a Tubi on it but Cats still in - wasn't as piercing as I was expecting, that said still a very pleasant sound. On that subject, no sign of replaced CATS or manifolds which I believe are weak points on these cars - anyone know an easy way to tell if they're good or potentially on their way out?
The interior is not a patch on my T350, though then again not many cars this side of 100k can match TVR for their interior designs IMHO. Everything worked though and there weren't that many squeaks or rattles. However, it did feel a little more delicate than my current car, again, not a big concern and nothing I haven't heard before. Thats said though the interior looked in remarkably good condition for a near 15 year old car.
Does anyone know a company nearish to Stansted that can offer a thorough pre-purchase inspection of the car? If all checks out and nothing is required then I'm 95% certain I've just driven my next car. Different to the TVR for sure, in a good or bad way? The jury is still out but I think I may need to find out for sure.
Another recommendation for Grimaldi Engineering in Halstead - well respected indie on here
Here's some buyer guides:
http://www.the355.com/mambo/content/blogsection/8/...
http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2229...
http://www.walkersport.co.uk/ferrari-355-buying-gu...
Other common 355 issues to look out for from personal experience when looking:
Delamination of the windscreen - check for a milky colour to edges, particularly bottom corners
Original wheel inserts can crack - Hill Engineering do superior replacements
Rear buttresses need repainting every once in a while, where small cracks appear
Internal black trim pieces can turn become sticky and untidy - but they can be refurbished
Check that the fuel block recall was done - think recall was in 2009/10
You should get a red master key fob and 2 sets of black key fobs - check they all work
Check the tool kit for completeness and that it is the correct 355 leather tool bag if you want a complete original car
Hope it all goes well with the purchase - lovely looking car in black
Here's some buyer guides:
http://www.the355.com/mambo/content/blogsection/8/...
http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2229...
http://www.walkersport.co.uk/ferrari-355-buying-gu...
Other common 355 issues to look out for from personal experience when looking:
Delamination of the windscreen - check for a milky colour to edges, particularly bottom corners
Original wheel inserts can crack - Hill Engineering do superior replacements
Rear buttresses need repainting every once in a while, where small cracks appear
Internal black trim pieces can turn become sticky and untidy - but they can be refurbished
Check that the fuel block recall was done - think recall was in 2009/10
You should get a red master key fob and 2 sets of black key fobs - check they all work
Check the tool kit for completeness and that it is the correct 355 leather tool bag if you want a complete original car
Hope it all goes well with the purchase - lovely looking car in black
Yet another recommendation for rob at Grimaldi, he did mine years ago really really thorough.
To your other points it should be loud not sure about tubi's though, mine has a challenge system and is much louder than my griff 500 with a decat and sports exhaust.
Re speed doubt you would find half the speed on a tesd drive, you find most of the power above 5500 revs, a good one will still crack 180.
Still my favourite car bare none at the moment 4 years in, have it inspected and go for it if rob says it's a good one.
Phib
To your other points it should be loud not sure about tubi's though, mine has a challenge system and is much louder than my griff 500 with a decat and sports exhaust.
Re speed doubt you would find half the speed on a tesd drive, you find most of the power above 5500 revs, a good one will still crack 180.
Still my favourite car bare none at the moment 4 years in, have it inspected and go for it if rob says it's a good one.
Phib
Thankyou to all for your advice. My decision though really surprised me as following my test drive on Saturday and a very workable deal agreed with Ben I was adament I'd be swapping. But, stepping back into my TVR the car just felt 'alive' in a way the 355 didn't. I can't describe exactly why but I couldn't bring myself to part with the T350 just yet - I'm sure some of you guys will know what I mean when I say some cars just become a part of you.
As such, for now at least I'll be remaining a bystander in the Ferrari community
As such, for now at least I'll be remaining a bystander in the Ferrari community
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