Looking for a replacement for my F355 - but which car?

[Bacchus]

Funny that you mention the 4200/Gransport, as I had been searching the classifieds for a Gransport before I found my 355...
I saw a Fujiwhite Gransport MC VIctory, I should have bought it, as they are very rare in that colour!

How are they in stop and go traffic? Did you put it in neutral on every occasion to save the clutch life? I imagine that
this procedure is very annoying?

[Zippee]

FezSpider said:

Never seen so much regrets In a single thread

At least they're regrets from owning one
My regret is agreeing an amazing deal on a black s plate 355 gts then deciding I preferred my TVR on the drive home and cancelled it. Made worse by the fact this was about 10 years ago and the 355 was 35k.

[Bacchus]

Zippee said:

FezSpider said:

Never seen so much regrets In a single thread

At least they're regrets from owning one
My regret is agreeing an amazing deal on a black s plate 355 gts then deciding I preferred my TVR on the drive home and cancelled it. Made worse by the fact this was about 10 years ago and the 355 was 35k.

7 years ago, I planned to have a look at a 355 the day before my girlfriend announced that she was pregnant, I cancelled the visit... (car was 38k€ red/black '95 2.7) the same year my car was purchased by its former owner for 60k€ ! He sold it two years later to me for 86k€

Happy that I have a daughter

[MaserCoupe]

Enjoyed mine for 6 plus years and 9000miles, loved my car, BUT no regrets in selling it, don’t miss the maintenance, miss the engine sound, don’t miss the fettling and the wheel refurbing, won’t miss the parts expense but miss the exhaust valve opening in the tunnel. Wont miss the manifolds do miss the sound, Won’t miss the cambelts, tensioner bearings etc, but miss the sound oh yeah did I mention the sound!?? Won’t miss the MOT’s on the emissions but they are Tubi’s ffs!! Will miss the open top full fat experience but won’t miss the hood mechanism, miss the look of it but don’t miss how the parts that you need are NLA! Miss the look of opening the hood but don’t miss valve stem wear! Yeah love it, especially when she squirts clutch fluid in winter when not being used. Miss you but don’t miss getting under you to fettle, love you but you are a challenging cow sometimes. Xxx oh and the sound! That 8500rpm through the tunnel...but glad in a way that you’re gone for another Italian!

[browngt3]

Bacchus said:

Good you mention that! What makes them dull? The qv engine? Is the driving feeling the same?

I had my eyes on this one as well :

https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/ferrari/308/1...

I got my QV about a year ago and it's far from dull! OK, it doesn't get the adrenalin pumping like my GT3 but we might expect that. Thing is these cars are such an occasion to drive they seem to just get better with age. The vintage feel and engaging primary controls, lovely steering feel are what sets them apart.

I tested a carb version back to back with mine and actually preferred the sound of the qv. I found it an altogether smoother drive, lighter clutch and better ride. However, like any car of this age I think it comes down to finding the right one. I might have just as easily bought a carb car had the right one come up

[Bacchus]

MaserCoupe said:

Enjoyed mine for 6 plus years and 9000miles, loved my car, BUT no regrets in selling it, don’t miss the maintenance, miss the engine sound, don’t miss the fettling and the wheel refurbing, won’t miss the parts expense but miss the exhaust valve opening in the tunnel. Wont miss the manifolds do miss the sound, Won’t miss the cambelts, tensioner bearings etc, but miss the sound oh yeah did I mention the sound!?? Won’t miss the MOT’s on the emissions but they are Tubi’s ffs!! Will miss the open top full fat experience but won’t miss the hood mechanism, miss the look of it but don’t miss how the parts that you need are NLA! Miss the look of opening the hood but don’t miss valve stem wear! Yeah love it, especially when she squirts clutch fluid in winter when not being used. Miss you but don’t miss getting under you to fettle, love you but you are a challenging cow sometimes. Xxx oh and the sound! That 8500rpm through the tunnel...but glad in a way that you’re gone for another Italian!

LOL exactly what I think! Your answer would make a great owners review!

[rat rod]

browngt3 said:

I got my QV about a year ago and it's far from dull! OK, it doesn't get the adrenalin pumping like my GT3 but we might expect that. Thing is these cars are such an occasion to drive they seem to just get better with age. The vintage feel and engaging primary controls, lovely steering feel are what sets them apart.

I tested a carb version back to back with mine and actually preferred the sound of the qv. I found it an altogether smoother drive, lighter clutch and better ride. However, like any car of this age I think it comes down to finding the right one. I might have just as easily bought a carb car had the right one come up

No you can't call a qv dull, far from it but just comparing it to the carburettor 308 just feels a little anaethetised but i do like a raw car

having owned several Caterhams the more commotion the better.

The qv may be be more practical depending on individual taste , the fuel injection is much smoother not giving that flat spot

from the Webbers that often gives you that spit back from the carbs that to me adds to the theatre.

Clutch's vary in weight dependind on wear ect but yes generally the qv clutch's are lighter .

If the qv is still on it's original TRX's the ride and handling will be ton's better than a carburettor 308 on it's old fashion narrow xwx's but if

fitted with the optional 16" Speedlines on P7's which were available on both models there won't be much in it to be honest.

My car runs on P7's on Compomotive split rims for road use on lowered up rated suspension which gives a much harsher ride


than either a standard 308 carb or qv.

By 1983 Ferrari got their act together and the build quality was much better than the earlier 308's but owning as many

Porsche's as Ferrari's still not up to the German standards.

Best go and drive both if you can . Trouble is a short test drive on our congested roads doesn't always show the pro's and con's of either model.

.

Edited by rat rod on Wednesday 3rd March 20:10

[ric p]

Zippee said:

At least they're regrets from owning one
My regret is agreeing an amazing deal on a black s plate 355 gts then deciding I preferred my TVR on the drive home and cancelled it. Made worse by the fact this was about 10 years ago and the 355 was 35k.

Absolutely. Had a fantastic 7 years with mine. By an accident of timing paid £31k for a TdF blue and tan GTS manual with a Tubi. No regrets for owning but would love to have kept it forever.

But life it not like that, for us mere mortals at least. However better to have owned and used than never to have owned at all.

[ric p]

Bacchus said:

Funny that you mention the 4200/Gransport, as I had been searching the classifieds for a Gransport before I found my 355...
I saw a Fujiwhite Gransport MC VIctory, I should have bought it, as they are very rare in that colour!

How are they in stop and go traffic? Did you put it in neutral on every occasion to save the clutch life? I imagine that
this procedure is very annoying?

No issue in traffic, admittedly I didn’t live in a city. However plenty of trips to LM and other events that involved stop start traffic. Just a quick tap on both paddles for neutral as you coast to a stop. Less effort than a manual! I enjoyed the CC box, probably the period feel to it gave it character compared with the dsg ones of today.
Once the TVR is gone, I may look for a Gransport. They offer fantastic value with that engine and a lovely place to sit. And a great badge.

[sociopath]

I dont know why the OP is having any difficulty.

Apparently a 335d is the benchmark against which all other cars are measured, so surely he should get one of those ;-)

[Bacchus]

I'm going to test drive a 308, probably the grey one I showed earlier in this thread (as soon as this Corona st is "over", I don't really like the colour, but
I'm in love with its stance!
many 308 I see in the classifieds seem to sit higher in the front than normal, don't know the reason.

here is something for the former owners regretting selling I have never read such positive lines about a car!!
It's like a love letter.

[rat rod]

Bacchus said:

I'm going to test drive a 308, probably the grey one I showed earlier in this thread (as soon as this Corona st is "over", I don't really like the colour, but
I'm in love with its stance!
many 308 I see in the classifieds seem to sit higher in the front than normal, don't know the reason.

here is something for the former owners regretting selling I have never read such positive lines about a car!!
It's like a love letter.

Yes ,i've noticed that the gap between the wheelarch and tyre is way to much on some cars, not a good look ,obviously i haven't got that

problem with mine but if you found a car you really loved you can always fit a adjustable lowering kit and have it at the height you want .

My GTB is silver and like the GT4 suits the shape really well and unlike my black 430 always looks clean.
.

Edited by rat rod on Friday 5th March 10:26

[Bacchus]

here is one (of many) with that comic stance...

[Crazy4557]

That's what it should look like in the raised position if it had suspension lift both ends. Bizarre...

[anonymous-user]

I don't think there's anything unusual about that 308, for its era.

If you Google images of "Lotus Esprit side" the stance is much the same. Early Countachs too.

[rat rod]

One thing you have to be careful with is if a GTB/GTS has the optional deep front spoiler opposed to the standard one

and if the suspension is on the low side with no lift it is possible to damage it ,

Past caring with mine as it's bit of a old war horse but use to keep a touch up stick in other 308's as it was such a regular thing.

Edited by rat rod on Friday 5th March 19:27

[Candellara]

Bacchus said:

Gentlemen,

I feel that I need a change, before the F355 I had an Alfa Romeo 1750GTV which I loved... the Ferrari lacks the
oldtimer feel/smells, and it is too flashy for everyday use..

what would you buy?

some cars I like:
I thought about a Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 ? Apparently it is a pain in the ar.. to sell it ...
456GT?
308 GTB?
Lotus 340R?
Maserati? I love them... Ghiblis/Mistral/3500 are too expensive,

the problem is I don't want to spend more money than the value of the F355...

cheers

Yves

Lotus Exige S3. Supercar performance and more than you'd ever need on a UK road. Is an event every drive you drive it. Roof comes off. Excellent for track days without breaking the bank

[67Dino]

Hard to replace a 355. I swapped mine for a 456 which is a wonderful car but very expensive to run. Then moved to a modern California to do miles in. Then a Maserati Ghibli to be comfortable.

The 355 is a bit flashy but sooooo lovely to drive. I wouldn’t go older - my 328 felt old in comparison, a 308 would feel ancient.

Think you’ve got to get a 550 or 575 Maranello. Similar era, less flash (in a discrete colour).

Radical idea: Venturi?

Edited by 67Dino on Saturday 6th March 19:21

[rat rod]

67Dino said:

Hard to replace a 355. I swapped mine for a 456 which is a wonderful car but very expensive to run. Then moved to a modern California to do miles in. Then a Maserati Ghibli to be comfortable.

The 355 is a bit flashy but sooooo lovely to drive. I wouldn’t go older - my 328 felt old in comparison, a 308 would feel ancient.

Think you’ve got to get a 550 or 575 Maranello. Similar era, less flash (in a discrete colour).

Radical idea: Venturi?

Edited by 67Dino on Saturday 6th March 19:21

Had a bright yellow one of those some years ago, great car but nobody knew what it was. not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

Good thing is you won't see another one going the opposite way not even in France.

[Aprilia99]

if you have interest in getting back into a GTV, i have a lovely 1972 that i'm thinking about changing for a F355.