Taking the plunge... F 355.

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

I have pretty much decided to take the plunge. I am now looking for a black F355 spider with a manual box.

I saw one at the Barbican on Friday night and that just did it for me. No more umming! If I can find the right car, with the right history and at the right price, I am taking it!

Of course, finding the right car is crucial otherwise I will fall back on my other options (Porsche T or TVR).

Some last enquiries:

1. The right car is crucial, and therefore I would be grateful if anyone could suggest the best places to source Ferrari F355's apart from PH, Autotrader and eBay?

2. I read that David Yu remapped his ECU to get the best out of his Tubi - any info here?

3. Any particularily good insurers for London around?

4. I keep hearing the F355 is "slow" - what in the world is this about!!?

5. Verdi's warrantee or anything similar. Is this the thing to take out if you buy one? Does it cover enough?

Running costs be hanged, I am going to do this for as long as I can!

Edited by AdvocatusDiaboli on Monday 11th December 11:19

[tony h]

this is as good as a 355 gets ;
www.pistonheads.com/sales/118197.htm

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

tony h said:

this is as good as a 355 gets ;
www.pistonheads.com/sales/118197.htm

Thanks TH. Lovely, but the box is an F1... I am looking for a manual. It will take time to find the right car, but I am patient!

[tony h]

AdvocatusDiaboli said:

I have pretty much decided to take the plunge. I am now looking for a black F355 spider with a manual box.

I saw one at the Barbican on Friday night and that just did it for me. No more umming! If I can find the right car, with the right history and at the right price, I am taking it!

Of course, finding the right car is crucial otherwise I will fall back on my other options (Porsche T or TVR).

Some last enquiries:

1. The right car is crucial, and therefore I would be grateful if anyone could suggest the best places to source Ferrari F355's apart from PH, Autotrader and eBay?

2. I read that David Yu remapped his ECU to get the best out of his Tubi - any info here?

3. Any particularily good insurers for London around?

4. I keep hearing the F355 is "slow" - what in the world is this about!!?

5. Verdi's warrantee or anything similar. Is this the thing to take out if you buy one? Does it cover enough?

Running costs be hanged, I am going to do this for as long as I can!

Edited by AdvocatusDiaboli on Monday 11th December 11:19

1]Top Marques
2]Basher uprated ECU, might be worth a PM
3]Liverpool Victoria were very keen a few yrs ago now ball park.
Adrian Flux
Tel: [phone]
www.adrianflux.co.uk

Aon
Tel: [phone]
www.aonprivateclients.co.uk

Classicline Insurance
Tel: [phone]
www.classiclineinsurance.co.uk

Footman James
Tel: [phone]
www.footmanjames.co.uk

Heritage
Tel: [phone]
www.heritage-quote.co.uk

Liverpool Victoria
Tel: [phone]

Nowell & Richards
Tel: [phone]
www.nowellandrichards.co.uk

Performance Direct
Tel: [phone]
www.performancedirect.co.uk

RH Classic Insurance
Tel: [phone]
www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk

4]Slow compared to 360 ! Real world it's plenty quick enough tho TBF it will struggle vs Jap 4wd rockets
5]A PPI is essential before buying . Generally, after mkt warranties offer very poor value for money

[tony h]

DOH!
I would take GTS over Spider This looks nice


www.pistonheads.com/sales/104699.htm

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

Thank Tony. As always, a very useful post from you.

Do you still have your spider? I would dearly love to have an in-depth show and tell with an owner I can trust and who isn't trying to sell!

GTS... lovely car and very tempting. Am always open to them!

[tony h]

AdvocatusDiaboli said:

Thank Tony. As always, a very useful post from you.

Do you still have your spider? I would dearly love to have an in-depth show and tell with an owner I can trust and who isn't trying to sell!

GTS... lovely car and very tempting. Am always open to them!

Hi
no , it went in April and new owner is on here too ! What specifically do you need to know ? Have you checked Ric's site ? www.the355.com

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

Yes, have checked out the site... Nothing particular, its just always a good (and a pleasure) to talk to a well informed owner and get a proper low-down on the mundane and the not so mundane. Plus, anything for a free hoon...

[tony h]

AdvocatusDiaboli said:

Yes, have checked out the site... Nothing particular, its just always a good (and a pleasure) to talk to a well informed owner and get a proper low-down on the mundane and the not so mundane. Plus, anything for a free hoon...

feel free to ask away
Tony

[burriana]

tony h said:

Slow compared to 360 ! Real world it's plenty quick enough

At Bruntingthorpe I did back to back runs (literally out of one driver's seat straight into the other) in Hazey's 355 F1 and Rob Hudson's 360 F1 Modena.

At the end of the straight through the lasers:
355 = 170mph (which really peed Hazey off as he'd only managed 168!)
360 = 172 mph

I wouldn't let the performance worry you

[navstar]

Hi, also just about to buy a 355 Spider, but looking at LHD cars around the 36k mark...are there any problems with owning a LHD car and then selling it down the line?

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

burriana said:

tony h said:

Slow compared to 360 ! Real world it's plenty quick enough

At Bruntingthorpe I did back to back runs (literally out of one driver's seat straight into the other) in Hazey's 355 F1 and Rob Hudson's 360 F1 Modena.

At the end of the straight through the lasers:
355 = 170mph (which really peed Hazey off as he'd only managed 168!)
360 = 172 mph

I wouldn't let the performance worry you

Whats the comparison between the two for "real world" mid range torque?

[MitchT]

Why not join the Prancing Horse Register (www.ferrariownersclub.co.uk/phr/index.asp) prior to becoming a fully paid-up Ferrari owner. That way you'll be able to make contact with all sorts of people who can help you to select the right car and look after it. Their newsletter has many fascinating articles in it and the Ferrari Owners' Club comes across as as a very helpful and enthusiastic bunch. I've been a PHR member for more years than I can remember and feel confident that I can tread successfully through the minefield that is used supercar buying when my times comes, thanks to the contacts I've made.

[tony h]

AdvocatusDiaboli said:

burriana said:

tony h said:

Slow compared to 360 ! Real world it's plenty quick enough

At Bruntingthorpe I did back to back runs (literally out of one driver's seat straight into the other) in Hazey's 355 F1 and Rob Hudson's 360 F1 Modena.

At the end of the straight through the lasers:
355 = 170mph (which really peed Hazey off as he'd only managed 168!)
360 = 172 mph

I wouldn't let the performance worry you

Whats the comparison between the two for "real world" mid range torque?

360 feels much stronger mid range. Would need to look at performance figs to compare tho

navstar said:

Hi, also just about to buy a 355 Spider, but looking at LHD cars around the 36k mark...are there any problems with owning a LHD car and then selling it down the line?

no prob at all.

[tony h]

few figs

355- 380 bhp, 0-60 mph = 4.6s, 0-100 mph=10.6s, 30-70 mph = 3.8s , top speed = 173 mph


360- 400 bhp , 0-60 mph = 4.2s, 0-100 mph = 8.8s, 30-70 mph = 3.3s , top speed = 184 mph

figs from Autocar

[chrisx666]

navstar said:

Hi, also just about to buy a 355 Spider, but looking at LHD cars around the 36k mark...are there any problems with owning a LHD car and then selling it down the line?

You pay a bit less when you buy and get a bit less when you sell, not an issue. You will be able to sell abroad too when the government finally 'bans' anything over 3 litres..

[james p]

AdvocatusDiaboli said:

Yes, have checked out the site... Nothing particular, its just always a good (and a pleasure) to talk to a well informed owner and get a proper low-down on the mundane and the not so mundane. Plus, anything for a free hoon...

If you find two equal cars, go for the one with the manifolds replaced [wincing at the thought of last years running costs].

Other small things 1) you will probably want to put in carbon door sills as the standard ones are useless and unattractive, 2) exhaust, if you want a cheaper alternative to a Tubi, Stainless Exhausts in Notts. are good, 3) Buy one, you will not regret it, your wallet might do but you are here but once!

[cayman-black]

i have a 360f1 and a friend of mine has 355, we drive them alot together round all types of roads and i would say they are quite close.depending on who was feeling the more racy on the day! this sunday his 355 seemed to fly, were as i was a bit more cautious. get the picture.

[sjw ferrari]

cayman-black said:

i have a 360f1 and a friend of mine has 355, we drive them alot together round all types of roads and i would say they are quite close.depending on who was feeling the more racy on the day! this sunday his 355 seemed to fly, were as i was a bit more cautious. get the picture.

good spin on sunday the 360 defo has the edge on a 355 under acceleration, was a bit slippy out there,its normally whom ever is bravist on that day, the 2 ferrari's on the road together cause quite a stir...

[tony h]

355 "feels" fast; it's shape is pure old skool Ferrari,it's perfectly proportioned, goes where you point it, sounds fantastic with after mkt exhaust and generally flatters drivers of all abilities.
Don't be under any illusion tho' . The 360 is light years ahead of it. Just MHO.