Constructive feedback on my classified ad please

[Zippee]

My 350 is in the classifieds as I'm feeling a desire to try a much slower Italian for a while. Any chance of some feedback on the ad and pics please? I've uploaded some more pics so if you see the fuzzy ones please imagine them crystal clear instead. Obviously I can't link to it but it's the silver targa currently top of the ads.

[alex_gray255]

You thinking of getting an Italian Horsey, Tony, or something else?

[Zippee]

alex_gray255 said:

You thinking of getting an Italian Horsey, Tony, or something else?

Hi Alex
Might be.....
Possibly taking a trip to see Ben at Castle on Saturday lets put it that way Though compared to the speed of the TVR it's more of a pony

[alex_gray255]

Some of the pics are a little dark and could do with a lighting/colour boost to resolve.

Description looks fine - a few minor english improvements but something major.

[alex_gray255]

Ah, yes, if it is the one I think it is as Castle, that is older and slower than yours

But still looks very nice.

[Quentin1]

This will be very hard next year....


...when you try to find a similar conditioned T350.


There are cars I would swap the T350 for, but not that one. You pays your money, bu I feel you will regret it very soon.

[Zippee]

Quentin1 said:

There are cars I would swap the T350 for, but not that one. You pays your money, bu I feel you will regret it very soon.

If I don't do it I'll never know - end of the day it's a Ferrari, a car thats been a poster fascination for me since I was a child and IMHO the 355 is the prettiest shape they've ever made. I'm going to have a look this weekend and try it properly - if I really don't like it then the 350 stays, simple as that.
However, I have one other wildcard, a Maser Grandsport and again I need to try one.

[Mattt]

I've been thinking the same lately, where to head onto next - not looking to buy at the moment as I won't use it, but been thinking about various extremes - and what I really want/need from the car.

I've considered options like the F360/Gallardo/V8V and they look to be a good option because of what they are, but I believe they'd probably be slower cross country than the T350 due to the size etc - but great posing value...

Then at the other end I've considered Atoms/Xbow/R500 etc, which would be great for driving and trackdays, but you can't exactly take the OH to a fancy restaurant in one...

Ideally you need both options, plus a daily, but that's not too practical!

I think you'll be disappointed with the performance of the F355, lovely cars externally & internally however. Although it would be even more of an event to drive than the Tiv...

I think an 'event' is what I look for really, when I bought the T350 I set out to buy a Noble 3R, which is undoubtedly the quicker car but as an all-round 'event' the T350 won it for me.

[alex_gray255]

Just a thought, after you have tried out the Ferrari at Castle, pop into Bespoke and try out some of the Nobles they have there.

Never driven a Noble so don't know what they are like, but they have both the look and more power than the F355. Good comparison point.

[Mattt]

Would put the Noble in the same league as the F355 personally.

Noble gives a good drive, no denying it - but a shoddy build, and poor interior balances that out.

[alex_gray255]

Mattt said:

Would put the Noble in the same league as the F355 personally.

Noble gives a good drive, no denying it - but a shoddy build, and poor interior balances that out.

I'll take your word for it. I know very little about them other than what they look like and what I've been told

[Diablos-666]

F355 is an awesome looking car. Would I prefer one over a T350...

erm YES!

Good luck sir. Please post back on here how the test drive goes.

[gilbo]

Chucking my 2p in....... I sold my last T350 to buy a 355. I bought a late 355 spider manual with the 5.2 motronic management and level 1 full capristo exhaust. It was/still is near concours condition. I kept it less than 6 months! It was just not what I'd hoped it would be. The sound was amazing but performance and handling were not a patch on the TVR. If you want to pose it'll tick the boxes but if you want to drive I had more fun in many 'lesser' cars.

[Zippee]

Thanks for the feedback, it's always interesting to hear from those who have done the same thing I'm planning. Did you end up going back to a TVR?
My 2nd choice, and again I'll be trying to find one this weekend to drive, is a Maser Gransport. I need to try both soonish as if they really don't feel right I'll remove my 350 from sale.

[gilbo]

I bought a GT3. I looked at at T350's again but I've had 2 so fancied a change. I still look at the classifieds and still think they are one of the best cars ever built. They are arguably the prettiest. On track they are so much fun too. I'm sure I'll own another one day. I've also got a soft spot for the Gran Sport. I've owned a 3200gt manual which was everything I'd imagined it'd be.....including bloody expensive to run! Ferrari running costs for sure. That said Terry Keys Motorsport told me the Gran Sport is pretty much a Ferrari in drag and is about as fast as you can go for the money....gorgeous looking to boot! I've scratched the prancing horse itch and happy I have. Sometimes you've just got to do it!

[Diablos-666]

Hi Gilbo How much did the 355 cost you in the 6 months you had it?

[gilbo]

When I bought it part of the deal was to include a major service and cambelt so it actually cost me nothing to own. I actually sold it at a small profit but that was purely because I bought the right car to start with. If you buy unwisely I do know they can be a struggle to shift.

[Zippee]

Diablos-666 said:

F355 is an awesome looking car. Would I prefer one over a T350...

erm YES!

Good luck sir. Please post back on here how the test drive goes.

My thoughts - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... - initial thoughts & inspection recommendations please..

[Diablos-666]

Is this the first 355 you have driven?

If it is I think you should test drive some others just to see how they compare.

I noticed in your post that you do compare the prancing horse with your TVR quite a lot and it most cases the TVR wins.

As long as you appreciate the fezza for what it is then you would have made the right choice but if deep down you're after performance then you might feel a little underwhelmed after the "honeymoon" period is over?

Are you sure you want an open top 355 instead of the coupe? I'm not sure but the coupe might be slightly lighter and stiffer and maybe better round the twisty's?

I also think you're right to be concerned with the clutch and exhaust manifold. Maybe try and get those done as part of the deal?

Tell us how you felt driving the fezza? Dream come true? Butterflies? Slightly underwhelmed?

[Mattt]

Diablos-666 said:

I noticed in your post that you do compare the prancing horse with your TVR quite a lot and it most cases the TVR wins.

That's what came through for me.