RE: Ferrari F355: PH Heroes
Discussion
ghost83 said:
I’m gutted back in 2012 I had some money burning a hole in my pocket and could have got a lovely 355 for 32k or a Porsche 996 turbo for 19-20k
Wife then fell pregnant so we put the money into a house! Could have made 70k profit by the looks of how they’ve gone up in value
Don't be so hard on yourself. I sold a car for good money (which subsequently went stratospheric), but I put the money into real estate. I ended up making more on the real estate anyway.Wife then fell pregnant so we put the money into a house! Could have made 70k profit by the looks of how they’ve gone up in value
MY point being, you mentioned that you put the money into a house; surely you got to enjoy that along with your family, and along the way perhaps made some money too? 6 years of real estate capital appreciation is a great opportunity; I would say, look at the positives.
IMI A said:
Lovely. What are running costs like if you say cover 5000 miles a year with a couple of track days? Can they stand up to a track session - they're old cars now?
From memory when I did c. 10k miles a year in mine, it was in the 4k to 8k bracket. Long time ago though, so not completely certain. Stuff I remember - rebuilt the alternator, both exhaust manifolds, engine out service, 2 clutches (did lots of city driving as it was my daily), lots of rear tyres, removed the cats as they were done. Once I had rectified the initial problems, it was actually quite reasonable I think (and I only paid 33k for it, so even then it was one of the cheapest on the market). Working on it takes lots of hours though, so finding somebody with a decent hourly rate is key - at official dealer rates you will need a strong stomach
DanBMW said:
Harry_523 said:
As someone who was only 6 when these went out of production, and grew up with 360's, 430's etc as the "dream car", Im a little surprised at the seeming lack of progress between them and this one. A 50hp gain in ~15 years, same weight, same size, still option of manual or crap "F1" gearbox. I suppose the big gains where in reliability and build quality over the period before the 458 came along and redefined the super-sports car.
Id be interested to know why the 355 is considered so highly when manual 430's are about the same money these days (or were when I last checked...)
50hp gain? The 430 (depending on what website/magazine you read) is ~483 so 100 more than the 355.Id be interested to know why the 355 is considered so highly when manual 430's are about the same money these days (or were when I last checked...)
355 is still a lovely looking car.
easytiger123 said:
Has always been my favourite 'modern' Ferrari. Beautiful car which as others have said is obviously somewhat flawed, but despite that is still a thing of beauty. Remember seeing The Rock which featured a yellow convertible 355, which would be my perfect spec along with a manual gearbox.
There’s one just like that for sale in Dubai at the moment. $95,000https://dubai.dubizzle.com/motors/used-cars/ferrar...
MDL111 said:
Also keep in mind most 355s probably made more in the 330 to 350 (at best) Range
Spot-on - mine (a Rosso Corsa GTS, with Crema leather) made 348bhp - the early version (twin intake pipes) apparently made a bit more power than the later airbagged cars (2-into-1-into-2 intake pipes)It wasn't stupidly fast, but this meant that more of the power could be used more of the time.
However, for me, the greatest pleasure was the handling and the fact it was achingly pretty
Any excuse for a couple of photos - taken the evening before I sold it
(for just £47k.... 
)
PICT0032 by Nigel Ogram, on Flickr
PICT0055 by Nigel Ogram, on FlickrTristPerrin said:
I'm sure most have seen it but every time a 355 is mentioned I have to listen to this vid 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvAC6vaJHxU
My favourite "attainable" Ferrari.
This is the one I turn tohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvAC6vaJHxU
My favourite "attainable" Ferrari.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qSK1i5NSFk
big_rob_sydney said:
Don't be so hard on yourself. I sold a car for good money (which subsequently went stratospheric), but I put the money into real estate. I ended up making more on the real estate anyway.
MY point being, you mentioned that you put the money into a house; surely you got to enjoy that along with your family, and along the way perhaps made some money too? 6 years of real estate capital appreciation is a great opportunity; I would say, look at the positives.
Oh yeah my house is doing well and i bought it cheap anyway so I’m over 100k in equity on that BUT I’d have still liked to have got a 355 had some fun and then made a profit!MY point being, you mentioned that you put the money into a house; surely you got to enjoy that along with your family, and along the way perhaps made some money too? 6 years of real estate capital appreciation is a great opportunity; I would say, look at the positives.
Like a lot of other, major regrets not buying one when they were around the bottom of the market.
Looked at a yellow manual F355 spider when we were thinking of replacing the Lotus Evora, although would have ideally wanted a F355 Berlinetta with Capristo or Tubi exhausts. However it was not to be due to the concern over the maintenance costs at the time, especially as the 964 Targa was bleeding us dry on that front.
Can't complain as we changed to a 987 Spyder instead, but definitely not as pretty as a F355.
George
Looked at a yellow manual F355 spider when we were thinking of replacing the Lotus Evora, although would have ideally wanted a F355 Berlinetta with Capristo or Tubi exhausts. However it was not to be due to the concern over the maintenance costs at the time, especially as the 964 Targa was bleeding us dry on that front.
Can't complain as we changed to a 987 Spyder instead, but definitely not as pretty as a F355.
George
Went to do a car inspection for a client and whilst there I noticed that they had an immaculate Rosso/Crema 355 GTB nestled between a Veyron and a Koenigsegg. It was absolutely perfect and seeing it actually made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on stalks. Needless to say I could not have cared less for the cars parked either side. I felt like Nicholas Cage in Gone in 60 Seconds where he spots Eleanor for the first time. Magical.
Regarding running costs, they are expensive cars to run. A lot of owners have not expended the necessary funds over the years hence there are a lot of ‘not very good’ ones out there. That’s why it took me two years to find a good ‘un.
Cam belts are supposed to be changed every three years but on low annual mileage that can be easily extended to five years. Most indies quote around £1800 for a major service including cam belt change but once the engine is out then there is always an abundance of things to put right on a 20 plus year old car and the cost is usually nearer £4k for a sorted car (the cost of simple but genuine Ferrari parts such as washers and gaskets is ‘eye-watering’). Always have an engine out cam belt change and get the tensioner bearings changed as well and the valve timing set up ‘just so’. Then you will liberate the full number of horses rather than the reduced number often quoted. Average annual servicing between cam belt changes will run at between £1k and £2k so budget for an overall average servicing cost of up to £2.5k.
The above costs are for a sorted car. There are a number of problems to be avoided. Very early cars were plagued with chocolate valve guides but the vast majority have all been sorted out by now - always, always have a compression test and leak down test performed on the vehicle before buying. In fact, always, always have a thorough PPI performed by an independent specialist before buying. The headers are not of the greatest quality and can blow which is very expensive to sort out. Keeping the exhaust system including bypass valve in tip-top working order will help avoid this issue and will also allow the engine to both breath more easily and sound ‘lovely’. Aftermarket exhaust systems also help reduce back pressure and enable all those horses to be released.
There are other unavoidable costs. On the GTS and Berlinetta the joint between the buttresses and rear bodywork always corrodes. It seems impossible to stop this so body work and paintwork is required in these areas on a regular (5 to 10 year) cycle. Body shop costs for this work vary enormously! As I stated previously the soft feel rubberised coatings always deteriorate over time to a sticky goo (even on more modern Ferraris). The cost of rectification of this is minimal if you DIY - a lot of time, elbow grease and a few cans of Plasti-dip can do a relatively good job - or shelling out close to £2k can get someone else to do a more professional job or shipping the bits to the States for the best possible permanent fix will set you back somewhere around £4k.
Finally, these are 20 plus year old cars and some spares are getting a bit thin on the ground these days and are expensive (even second hand) when you do find them.
Not a car for the faint of heart,
Cam belts are supposed to be changed every three years but on low annual mileage that can be easily extended to five years. Most indies quote around £1800 for a major service including cam belt change but once the engine is out then there is always an abundance of things to put right on a 20 plus year old car and the cost is usually nearer £4k for a sorted car (the cost of simple but genuine Ferrari parts such as washers and gaskets is ‘eye-watering’). Always have an engine out cam belt change and get the tensioner bearings changed as well and the valve timing set up ‘just so’. Then you will liberate the full number of horses rather than the reduced number often quoted. Average annual servicing between cam belt changes will run at between £1k and £2k so budget for an overall average servicing cost of up to £2.5k.
The above costs are for a sorted car. There are a number of problems to be avoided. Very early cars were plagued with chocolate valve guides but the vast majority have all been sorted out by now - always, always have a compression test and leak down test performed on the vehicle before buying. In fact, always, always have a thorough PPI performed by an independent specialist before buying. The headers are not of the greatest quality and can blow which is very expensive to sort out. Keeping the exhaust system including bypass valve in tip-top working order will help avoid this issue and will also allow the engine to both breath more easily and sound ‘lovely’. Aftermarket exhaust systems also help reduce back pressure and enable all those horses to be released.
There are other unavoidable costs. On the GTS and Berlinetta the joint between the buttresses and rear bodywork always corrodes. It seems impossible to stop this so body work and paintwork is required in these areas on a regular (5 to 10 year) cycle. Body shop costs for this work vary enormously! As I stated previously the soft feel rubberised coatings always deteriorate over time to a sticky goo (even on more modern Ferraris). The cost of rectification of this is minimal if you DIY - a lot of time, elbow grease and a few cans of Plasti-dip can do a relatively good job - or shelling out close to £2k can get someone else to do a more professional job or shipping the bits to the States for the best possible permanent fix will set you back somewhere around £4k.
Finally, these are 20 plus year old cars and some spares are getting a bit thin on the ground these days and are expensive (even second hand) when you do find them.
Not a car for the faint of heart,
I have driven the 355, 360 and 430 and owned the later two and would say that, to my eyes the 355 is definitely the looker but feels it’s age in many ways. The interior in particular has not aged well compared to the other two but that may not bother those looking for a car of that period. It is like a go cart to drive, making the others feel quite grown up, again personal preference comes into play. Whilst the engine is an incredible screamer, I would get frustrated with the lack of torque compared to the later models meaning that you really do have to rev it for it to feel properly rapid. In parts great fun and in parts wearing whereas the 430 just feels fast all the time and very serious when revved out (not a bad sound either!). I am delighted that the 355 is popular as I love seeing that wonderful shape on the roads but I was never convinced I could live with one.
A lot of what's in here is fairly accurate but there's also a lot of hearsay.
I've run mine for 11 years now and you need to remember that its a 20+ year old Italian car.... most jobs are quite approachable for a DIY (which I try and do) including the engine out. Whilst there you can easily replace all the bits like rubber hoses (now silicone in mine), re-core radiators (there are 4 including aircon), rad fans (two) etc etc. All the bushes will need doing. As will springs. Coil packs are consumables but cost £35 (its a Fiat part, or 10x that from Ferrari). you get the idea.
Clutches are relatively affordable as they're easy to access. Tyres aren't too bad either as they're modestly sized compared to modern stuff.
There's a buyers guide on PH in which I covered many of the usual foibles. As said, if you're enthusiastic then DIY is perfectly do-able. If you take it to a main dealer then it will cost you.
I've done lots of European and UK trips, including 2 weeks around Italy with the wife and its a surprisingly capable GT car if you pack sensibly.
If you're prepared to get your hands dirty and buy sensibly, they're great.
If you expect to buy a garage queen, run it daily and then pay the main dealer to fix what will undoubtedly need fixing (as on any 20yo car) then you won't enjoy the experience.
As has been said, if you want to drive it then ignore mileage and buy on evidence of maintenance, usage and upkeep. It'll be a far happier experience.
All just my 2c...
I've run mine for 11 years now and you need to remember that its a 20+ year old Italian car.... most jobs are quite approachable for a DIY (which I try and do) including the engine out. Whilst there you can easily replace all the bits like rubber hoses (now silicone in mine), re-core radiators (there are 4 including aircon), rad fans (two) etc etc. All the bushes will need doing. As will springs. Coil packs are consumables but cost £35 (its a Fiat part, or 10x that from Ferrari). you get the idea.
Clutches are relatively affordable as they're easy to access. Tyres aren't too bad either as they're modestly sized compared to modern stuff.
There's a buyers guide on PH in which I covered many of the usual foibles. As said, if you're enthusiastic then DIY is perfectly do-able. If you take it to a main dealer then it will cost you.
I've done lots of European and UK trips, including 2 weeks around Italy with the wife and its a surprisingly capable GT car if you pack sensibly.
If you're prepared to get your hands dirty and buy sensibly, they're great.
If you expect to buy a garage queen, run it daily and then pay the main dealer to fix what will undoubtedly need fixing (as on any 20yo car) then you won't enjoy the experience.
As has been said, if you want to drive it then ignore mileage and buy on evidence of maintenance, usage and upkeep. It'll be a far happier experience.
All just my 2c...
Adding to my previous posts, I still check the classifieds regularly and I will probably buy another one at some point .... still my favourite car ever. Might go for a Targa or Spyder this time though (or stretch to a 355 Challenge if I can ever find the money/they come down to saner price levels again)
Cactussed said:
A lot of what's in here is fairly accurate but there's also a lot of hearsay.
I've run mine for 11 years now and you need to remember that its a 20+ year old Italian car.... most jobs are quite approachable for a DIY (which I try and do) including the engine out. Whilst there you can easily replace all the bits like rubber hoses (now silicone in mine), re-core radiators (there are 4 including aircon), rad fans (two) etc etc. All the bushes will need doing. As will springs. Coil packs are consumables but cost £35 (its a Fiat part, or 10x that from Ferrari). you get the idea.
Clutches are relatively affordable as they're easy to access. Tyres aren't too bad either as they're modestly sized compared to modern stuff.
There's a buyers guide on PH in which I covered many of the usual foibles. As said, if you're enthusiastic then DIY is perfectly do-able. If you take it to a main dealer then it will cost you.
I've done lots of European and UK trips, including 2 weeks around Italy with the wife and its a surprisingly capable GT car if you pack sensibly.
If you're prepared to get your hands dirty and buy sensibly, they're great.
If you expect to buy a garage queen, run it daily and then pay the main dealer to fix what will undoubtedly need fixing (as on any 20yo car) then you won't enjoy the experience.
As has been said, if you want to drive it then ignore mileage and buy on evidence of maintenance, usage and upkeep. It'll be a far happier experience.
All just my 2c...
Agree with all this. There's also a difference between maintaining them well and maintaining them to concours standard; which is where a lot of the outrageous expense stories come from. A lot of the non-bespoke parts are shared with Fiat, Alfa etc or just standard Bosch bits. Good savings to be had there if you don't have to have the little horse printed on things.I've run mine for 11 years now and you need to remember that its a 20+ year old Italian car.... most jobs are quite approachable for a DIY (which I try and do) including the engine out. Whilst there you can easily replace all the bits like rubber hoses (now silicone in mine), re-core radiators (there are 4 including aircon), rad fans (two) etc etc. All the bushes will need doing. As will springs. Coil packs are consumables but cost £35 (its a Fiat part, or 10x that from Ferrari). you get the idea.
Clutches are relatively affordable as they're easy to access. Tyres aren't too bad either as they're modestly sized compared to modern stuff.
There's a buyers guide on PH in which I covered many of the usual foibles. As said, if you're enthusiastic then DIY is perfectly do-able. If you take it to a main dealer then it will cost you.
I've done lots of European and UK trips, including 2 weeks around Italy with the wife and its a surprisingly capable GT car if you pack sensibly.
If you're prepared to get your hands dirty and buy sensibly, they're great.
If you expect to buy a garage queen, run it daily and then pay the main dealer to fix what will undoubtedly need fixing (as on any 20yo car) then you won't enjoy the experience.
As has been said, if you want to drive it then ignore mileage and buy on evidence of maintenance, usage and upkeep. It'll be a far happier experience.
All just my 2c...
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