Moving rom a 911 to a 355, should I? Will it actually work?
Discussion
At the moment I've got a 997 C4S and i love it. The only thing is i fancy a bit of a change. I haven't been quite sure what to buy though, I've thought about an R8 or a 360 but i don't "love" them enough to sell my C4S.
Anyway I've always loved the 355, i know it looks a bit dated now, but that to me that is part of it's charm. I've been having a look at some of the ones for sale and one or two are pretty tempting.
I was hoping someone could answer some of the questions i have.
Firstly has anyone moved from a 997 to a 355? If so how did you find it? I would be driving it 3 or 4 times a week, nowhere massively far though. Could it be used for that?
I remember sitting in one in the Ferrari showroom years ago and I'm sure i remember the clutch being really heavy, but i mean like unbearably heavy. Is that true?
How is the rear view vision? It looks pretty poor from the pictures I've seen
I read a post on hear, about someone who bought one and had it resprayed a different colour, i would consider doing that if i could find the right car, but in the wrong colour. The only thing was a few people said it would devalue the car? Is that true and why?
I have seen some 355s for sale that say "factory sports exhaust", what is that? Does it make any difference?
How roomy is the cabin? It looks good enough in photos, but it's always difficult to tell.
Lastly, i was looking and i came across this http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/319425.htm
I know it's been for sale for quite a while, but why hasn't it sold, it seems to be a good example? Or does anyone know if has some hidden secrets?
Anyway, sorry about the million questions. All help is appreciated. Thanks
Anyway I've always loved the 355, i know it looks a bit dated now, but that to me that is part of it's charm. I've been having a look at some of the ones for sale and one or two are pretty tempting.
I was hoping someone could answer some of the questions i have.
Firstly has anyone moved from a 997 to a 355? If so how did you find it? I would be driving it 3 or 4 times a week, nowhere massively far though. Could it be used for that?
I remember sitting in one in the Ferrari showroom years ago and I'm sure i remember the clutch being really heavy, but i mean like unbearably heavy. Is that true?
How is the rear view vision? It looks pretty poor from the pictures I've seen
I read a post on hear, about someone who bought one and had it resprayed a different colour, i would consider doing that if i could find the right car, but in the wrong colour. The only thing was a few people said it would devalue the car? Is that true and why?
I have seen some 355s for sale that say "factory sports exhaust", what is that? Does it make any difference?
How roomy is the cabin? It looks good enough in photos, but it's always difficult to tell.
Lastly, i was looking and i came across this http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/319425.htm
I know it's been for sale for quite a while, but why hasn't it sold, it seems to be a good example? Or does anyone know if has some hidden secrets?
Anyway, sorry about the million questions. All help is appreciated. Thanks
Where's Phib when you want him! I think I remember him saying that he had a 997 before the 35 spider, if so, he will be able to give you some good info.
I have owned a couple of 355's and driven 964,993,996 and 997's. There quite different in my opinion. The 996 and 997 are very modern solid reliable usable cars. They,to me, are a bit like an expensive bmw.
The 355 has quite a large spacey cabin. Its interior is classic (no sat nav, phone, digital displays etc). IMO the 355 is a far better looking car than the porsches (but thats personal). There is a lot more passion and exclusivity to the ferrari. I had a 355 Berlinnetta which I used every day for a couple of months and it was totally reliable and very usable. The only problems really were safe places to leave it (fortunately I was going from my home to a separate bay in a very secure carpark). Fuel is as you would expect (very juicy in traffic). I found it very comfortable to drive in an everyday setting.
As for the black car you have found, I dont know anything about it, but it is definitely too expensive in this market. You can buy the best, most recent, red/crema spider for that close to that money.
I have owned a couple of 355's and driven 964,993,996 and 997's. There quite different in my opinion. The 996 and 997 are very modern solid reliable usable cars. They,to me, are a bit like an expensive bmw.
The 355 has quite a large spacey cabin. Its interior is classic (no sat nav, phone, digital displays etc). IMO the 355 is a far better looking car than the porsches (but thats personal). There is a lot more passion and exclusivity to the ferrari. I had a 355 Berlinnetta which I used every day for a couple of months and it was totally reliable and very usable. The only problems really were safe places to leave it (fortunately I was going from my home to a separate bay in a very secure carpark). Fuel is as you would expect (very juicy in traffic). I found it very comfortable to drive in an everyday setting.
As for the black car you have found, I dont know anything about it, but it is definitely too expensive in this market. You can buy the best, most recent, red/crema spider for that close to that money.
Hi There
Ive not owned a 997 s but a driven a couple extensively. The performance straight line will be pretty similar. I prefer the mid engine dynamics handling wise - for my limited driving ability the 355 is the easier car to drive fast well.
I never found the clutch heavy at all very easy to modulate. Im 6'2" largish build and i found the cabin particulaly light and airy with excellent visibility all round especially for the type of car it is.
Dont know about the colour change devaluing the car - alot of older Ferraris have had colour changes with no effect on values as long as its an authentic and correct colour for the age of the vehicle.
I used mine 2-4 times a week and tbh its a double edged sword as the more you use it the more reliable it will be but cost much more to run. If you intend to use infrequently buy a battery charger and make sure you take it out and get it warm at least once weekly. I bought mine after it had been stored for 12 months and had to sort out a variety of dried/perished seals that caused minor leaks. After that with the exception of the air con unit it performed faultlessly for 2 years. Its actually the most reliable car I ever had. Damn site better than the M3 that replaced it. For limited use budget 2-3k per year to feel safe but expect an occasional 4-5k bill if your unlucky. Didnt particulaly eat tyres and was very comfortable on long journeys x 2 le mans 300miles ish per tank of fuel.
My expeience was
4,500 for full belts, clutch, oil leak fix
1,200 to sort out common rust bubbles on rear butress joint with rear wing
1,200 for replacement air con unit beacuse a 5p retaining clip broke inside - its a sealed ubit
400 tyres
600 annual service
did 15k miles in 2 years
there was a challenge exhaust I thinks as an option which was also described as a sports exhaust - if your thinking exhaust change Capristo and Tubi are probably the best - have a look on youtube plenty of exhaust porn.
Overall best car ive owned and I hope to get one again when the 3 kiddies are a bit older.
Word of caution though mine was only 3 years old when I had it - they probably be a few dogs and rough with age examples out there. When they do go wrong always expect the bill to be large. However if im anything to go by you drive it listen to the exhaust and all sense and reason will go out of the window.
Id look at Nick Cartwright/Verdi/Hollingworth/Kent High Performance and Foskers ive visited them all and found them all very nice friendly people particulaly Nick Cartwright and Mike Wheeler who was at Talacrest at the time now at Hollingworth I think.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Ive not owned a 997 s but a driven a couple extensively. The performance straight line will be pretty similar. I prefer the mid engine dynamics handling wise - for my limited driving ability the 355 is the easier car to drive fast well.
I never found the clutch heavy at all very easy to modulate. Im 6'2" largish build and i found the cabin particulaly light and airy with excellent visibility all round especially for the type of car it is.
Dont know about the colour change devaluing the car - alot of older Ferraris have had colour changes with no effect on values as long as its an authentic and correct colour for the age of the vehicle.
I used mine 2-4 times a week and tbh its a double edged sword as the more you use it the more reliable it will be but cost much more to run. If you intend to use infrequently buy a battery charger and make sure you take it out and get it warm at least once weekly. I bought mine after it had been stored for 12 months and had to sort out a variety of dried/perished seals that caused minor leaks. After that with the exception of the air con unit it performed faultlessly for 2 years. Its actually the most reliable car I ever had. Damn site better than the M3 that replaced it. For limited use budget 2-3k per year to feel safe but expect an occasional 4-5k bill if your unlucky. Didnt particulaly eat tyres and was very comfortable on long journeys x 2 le mans 300miles ish per tank of fuel.
My expeience was
4,500 for full belts, clutch, oil leak fix
1,200 to sort out common rust bubbles on rear butress joint with rear wing
1,200 for replacement air con unit beacuse a 5p retaining clip broke inside - its a sealed ubit
400 tyres
600 annual service
did 15k miles in 2 years
there was a challenge exhaust I thinks as an option which was also described as a sports exhaust - if your thinking exhaust change Capristo and Tubi are probably the best - have a look on youtube plenty of exhaust porn.
Overall best car ive owned and I hope to get one again when the 3 kiddies are a bit older.
Word of caution though mine was only 3 years old when I had it - they probably be a few dogs and rough with age examples out there. When they do go wrong always expect the bill to be large. However if im anything to go by you drive it listen to the exhaust and all sense and reason will go out of the window.
Id look at Nick Cartwright/Verdi/Hollingworth/Kent High Performance and Foskers ive visited them all and found them all very nice friendly people particulaly Nick Cartwright and Mike Wheeler who was at Talacrest at the time now at Hollingworth I think.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Here I am !!!! Hope you are well Chris the 355 is still going great just about to be zymoled again !! Still love it and wont be selling ever just adding.
Chris is right I had 997 4s cab before the 355 as well as a 996,993 and a 968
They are very very different but both apeal to similar people, infact as soon as I can I am looking to buy a 9974s cab to add to the 355 and 2.7rs as my daily driver.
However there is no way I could use my 355 like any of my porsches, a few things to think about. Ground clearance is non existant and certainly wont get over speed bumps or at least you have to make thee passenger get out ( as chris will testify !!) I have titanium sliders on mine and they always catch.
I wouldnt leave it any where for risk of damage and that probably why mine is in the excellent condition that it is its all about the cars history. Mine was fully checked out when I bought it. However its well worth meeting the previous owner if you can so you can see how it has been looked after before mine was cherished to say the least !!!
So to answer some questions
Firstly I looked at about 25 over a two year period trying to find a good one most were absolute tat !! Poor service history, rust, badly maintained, or needed so much work to put back to decent condition ( circa 15+k)
You really need to drive a few as they are all very very different depending on how they have been looked after. Some feel like a 1970’s fiat rattles, no power and just feel really really cheap. I drove a couple that I wouldn’t have taken over 50mph let alone 150mph !!
I ended up buying the best one I could which was chris 355’s which I have been really happy with.
The clutch is pretty light on mine and on most of the ones I looked at should be however if its badly adjusted or near the end it will be heavy. Mine is slightly heavier than the 997 but much lighter than the 993 and 968 probably similar to the 996
Rear vis :Its not great certainly not as good as the 997 but not too bad its quite awkward to park but fine for just driving about the gts is much better than my spider.
Factory sports exhaust, I am not sure there actually ever was one !! Mine has a challenge system on it which is a copy of the original 355 race car system. All the exhaust systems are so different I would probably say that its only worth paying a premium for a tubi or capristo
Re colour change : I really wouldn’t do it it will effect value so much due to people being suspicious with the exception of the exhaust the cars re sell much easier if standard
Re space inside its pretty good I certainly feel it has as much or if not more spacious feel than my 997.
Lastly if you have anymore questions drop me a line and I will drop you my mobile no. if you want to have a chat
I really would buy the best you can and look at loads before making a descision
Phib
Chris hope you are well, have you bought a new toy yet ?
Chris is right I had 997 4s cab before the 355 as well as a 996,993 and a 968
They are very very different but both apeal to similar people, infact as soon as I can I am looking to buy a 9974s cab to add to the 355 and 2.7rs as my daily driver.
However there is no way I could use my 355 like any of my porsches, a few things to think about. Ground clearance is non existant and certainly wont get over speed bumps or at least you have to make thee passenger get out ( as chris will testify !!) I have titanium sliders on mine and they always catch.
I wouldnt leave it any where for risk of damage and that probably why mine is in the excellent condition that it is its all about the cars history. Mine was fully checked out when I bought it. However its well worth meeting the previous owner if you can so you can see how it has been looked after before mine was cherished to say the least !!!
So to answer some questions
Firstly I looked at about 25 over a two year period trying to find a good one most were absolute tat !! Poor service history, rust, badly maintained, or needed so much work to put back to decent condition ( circa 15+k)
You really need to drive a few as they are all very very different depending on how they have been looked after. Some feel like a 1970’s fiat rattles, no power and just feel really really cheap. I drove a couple that I wouldn’t have taken over 50mph let alone 150mph !!
I ended up buying the best one I could which was chris 355’s which I have been really happy with.
The clutch is pretty light on mine and on most of the ones I looked at should be however if its badly adjusted or near the end it will be heavy. Mine is slightly heavier than the 997 but much lighter than the 993 and 968 probably similar to the 996
Rear vis :Its not great certainly not as good as the 997 but not too bad its quite awkward to park but fine for just driving about the gts is much better than my spider.
Factory sports exhaust, I am not sure there actually ever was one !! Mine has a challenge system on it which is a copy of the original 355 race car system. All the exhaust systems are so different I would probably say that its only worth paying a premium for a tubi or capristo
Re colour change : I really wouldn’t do it it will effect value so much due to people being suspicious with the exception of the exhaust the cars re sell much easier if standard
Re space inside its pretty good I certainly feel it has as much or if not more spacious feel than my 997.
Lastly if you have anymore questions drop me a line and I will drop you my mobile no. if you want to have a chat
I really would buy the best you can and look at loads before making a descision
Phib
Chris hope you are well, have you bought a new toy yet ?
Edited by phib on Saturday 10th January 10:28
Edited by phib on Saturday 10th January 10:46
Edited by phib on Saturday 10th January 11:01
Buy one. One of the best sports cars ever made.
Downsides? Steering's a bit light and they're a bit wide if you use them a lot in city centres/car parks. But that's it. They really are an excellent drive and the most wonderful ownership experience.
You have to keep on top of maintenance, but IME you have to do that with any fast car. Spend time finding a good car (there are a lot of dogs out there), get a good relationship with an indie servicing specialist and enjoy the car.
Oh, and on the exhaust I wouldn't pay a premium necessarily for a Tubi or Capristo, BUT they are worth having. Condition of the rest of the car is much more important (Tubi/Capristo is a known cost - circa 1.6k-2k, 60% of this if second hand. Fixing a more dubious condition car could be much more).
Downsides? Steering's a bit light and they're a bit wide if you use them a lot in city centres/car parks. But that's it. They really are an excellent drive and the most wonderful ownership experience.
You have to keep on top of maintenance, but IME you have to do that with any fast car. Spend time finding a good car (there are a lot of dogs out there), get a good relationship with an indie servicing specialist and enjoy the car.
Oh, and on the exhaust I wouldn't pay a premium necessarily for a Tubi or Capristo, BUT they are worth having. Condition of the rest of the car is much more important (Tubi/Capristo is a known cost - circa 1.6k-2k, 60% of this if second hand. Fixing a more dubious condition car could be much more).
a 355 will feel primitive but raw after having a 997, it just depends on how often you would have to use it ? will you have a 2nd daily user if yes then buy a ferrari, if no then i'd stick with the porsche. I would imagine a 355 to be good fun on a sunday afternoon, but not so much fun driving from work in traffic on a wet winters night
This time last year I sold an old 1993 911 turbo & was after a ferrari, I toyed with 355's but then ended up looking @ 360's & 550's as they were not much more money, ended up buying a 98 550- just so good value & still in my opion still look 100+k, hardly ever use it though.
This time last year I sold an old 1993 911 turbo & was after a ferrari, I toyed with 355's but then ended up looking @ 360's & 550's as they were not much more money, ended up buying a 98 550- just so good value & still in my opion still look 100+k, hardly ever use it though.
Ok thanks everyone for the help keep it coming. I've been having a look at all the usual places Verdi, Nick Cartwright etc and there doesn't appear to be any AMAZING examples out there. There was a great one for sale a few months ago, can't remember where, with only 9k on the clock. It was a 99 or 98 in Rosso corsa so gutted it's gone 
.
Anyway is it possible to get a Ferrari warranty on it?
What's the boot like in one compared to the 911? It looks about the same.
Thanks again, sorry for the endless questions
.Anyway is it possible to get a Ferrari warranty on it?
What's the boot like in one compared to the 911? It looks about the same.
Thanks again, sorry for the endless questions
One of the most perfect one owner since new 355 spiders that i know of that i think is for sale. Belongs to Spiderman (Clive) http://www.fcars.co.uk/forum/index.php
Edited by here on Tuesday 13th January 23:29
I have a 355 and I drove a 997 carrera 2S, and yeah its as quick, but you cant tell!
1st gear seemed very short too on the Porka, hit redline far too quickly. But there was no feel to it. Fantastic car because of the useablilty and performance, but at the same it its the Porkas biggest floor.... it was dull!!!
Get a 355... but however long you intend on keeping it, double it and add 5 years because you wont want to let it go.
1st gear seemed very short too on the Porka, hit redline far too quickly. But there was no feel to it. Fantastic car because of the useablilty and performance, but at the same it its the Porkas biggest floor.... it was dull!!!
Get a 355... but however long you intend on keeping it, double it and add 5 years because you wont want to let it go.
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