355 Running cost?
Discussion
depending on what happens with regards to moving (house should really come first) I'm looking at selling both the M3's and buy a boaring diesel to get to work in which hopefully will leave me around £40K to spend on a car for the weekends.
As i see it theres no point in having a new car worth 40K ish for weekends as it will just devalue which has lead be to think my dream car ferrari 355 would be an option.
I spoken to a local Specialist who's warned me about the cost of belts every 3 years but other than this is there any major things to consider? obviously fuel and to a degree tyres will not be cheap but hopefully not to silly. I've had an insurance quote of £760 fully comp which is bugger all more than the M3, Might try and look into classic car insurance as it would be a second car.
is the semi auto gearbox reliable, I would prefer a manual but if the right car comes along with a semi auto then i would go for it. Having looked at the prices of the additional pumps etc on the M3 puts be off semi auto as i'm quite happy to use a gear stick.
Or does anyone else have any suggestions of what to buy? would prefer something devaluation proof and not to silly to run. looked at 911's but there just not a special as the ferrari. thought about maserati 3200 gt but heard the manual can have engine issues and the servicing is very expencive.
As i see it theres no point in having a new car worth 40K ish for weekends as it will just devalue which has lead be to think my dream car ferrari 355 would be an option.
I spoken to a local Specialist who's warned me about the cost of belts every 3 years but other than this is there any major things to consider? obviously fuel and to a degree tyres will not be cheap but hopefully not to silly. I've had an insurance quote of £760 fully comp which is bugger all more than the M3, Might try and look into classic car insurance as it would be a second car.
is the semi auto gearbox reliable, I would prefer a manual but if the right car comes along with a semi auto then i would go for it. Having looked at the prices of the additional pumps etc on the M3 puts be off semi auto as i'm quite happy to use a gear stick.
Or does anyone else have any suggestions of what to buy? would prefer something devaluation proof and not to silly to run. looked at 911's but there just not a special as the ferrari. thought about maserati 3200 gt but heard the manual can have engine issues and the servicing is very expencive.
F1 box is not terribly good in 355; it was ferraris first attempt. Can bee very expensive if it goes wrong and clutches dont last as long.
Watch out for exhaust by pass valves, manifolds and valve guide probs, if you buy a spider make sure the roof works.
Just sold mine but I had it two years and it was extremely reliable; other than a fuel injector and a oxygen sensor (not very expensive) it only needed routine servicing.
Tyres arent terribly expensive; fronts are 120 each and rears 180 each. For servicing ideas see www.grimaldiengineering.co.uk for ideas on cost.
Not that bad on petrol - surprisingly!!!!
Insurance through Michael Ward Associates was very cheap (£400 for the year fully comp(i'm 30))!!
Make sure you get a ferrari specialist to inspect before you buy one.
They are awesome cars!
Watch out for exhaust by pass valves, manifolds and valve guide probs, if you buy a spider make sure the roof works.
Just sold mine but I had it two years and it was extremely reliable; other than a fuel injector and a oxygen sensor (not very expensive) it only needed routine servicing.
Tyres arent terribly expensive; fronts are 120 each and rears 180 each. For servicing ideas see www.grimaldiengineering.co.uk for ideas on cost.
Not that bad on petrol - surprisingly!!!!
Insurance through Michael Ward Associates was very cheap (£400 for the year fully comp(i'm 30))!!
Make sure you get a ferrari specialist to inspect before you buy one.
They are awesome cars!
Cheers for the reply, Might try and give the F1 box a miss.
Servicing seams very reasonable. any idea what the cost of replacing manifolds or valve guides would be I'm not to fussed about £1k bill being possible but the thought of getting landed with a £5-10k bill would worry me, and in a way as put me of 996 911's which do seam to have issues with complete engine failures.
Whilst i know a complete engine failure would result in this sort of money i understand its very rare.
With regards to having the car checked over, I live close to Rosneath engineering in sussex, has anyone had any dealings with them, poped in last weekend and they seamed helpful despite my age (29) and really bad hangover!
Servicing seams very reasonable. any idea what the cost of replacing manifolds or valve guides would be I'm not to fussed about £1k bill being possible but the thought of getting landed with a £5-10k bill would worry me, and in a way as put me of 996 911's which do seam to have issues with complete engine failures.
Whilst i know a complete engine failure would result in this sort of money i understand its very rare.
With regards to having the car checked over, I live close to Rosneath engineering in sussex, has anyone had any dealings with them, poped in last weekend and they seamed helpful despite my age (29) and really bad hangover!
Edited by andye30m3 on Friday 22 February 15:51
yeah definately avoid the F1 box, They're not even that fast either. I wouldn't say its any quicker than a manual once you get used to them.
Cost haven't been too bad so far, its something I always worried about before buying. but once you have it, you wont care, and evrything will seem worth it.
Cost haven't been too bad so far, its something I always worried about before buying. but once you have it, you wont care, and evrything will seem worth it.
Get rebuilt manifolds from QV; £440 per side. They are meant to be better than originals and I dont think they have ever had one fail. I have had 355's for three years and never had one fail.
I have never known or heard of a complete engine failure. Engines and boxes are very strong.
Valve guides are expensive if you need them, I believe the job costs about 1500-2000 (independant specialist), but I have only ever heard of one set need doing, so it is something to check when purchasing but I wouldn't overly concern yourself.
Servicing is key, ad dont run the car when you think there is a problem. These are usually the reasons for big bills.
Parts can be reaonsonable, just check main dealer v Eurospares (Halstead) as it varies as to who is the cheapest.
Never dealt with Rosneath engineering in sussex.
I live near Rosneath and he used to look after a 308 GT4 I had a few years ago. I have only just bought a 355 and a big factor was knowing that I would have no qualms in getting Phil Stafford to look after it as he has excellent knowledge on all Ferraris (especially V8's and Dinos) and is a truly nice bloke! His web site is also worth a look as he gives some good general advice on various engines etc.
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