Discussion
355 is one of the best cars ever made IMO. I'm far from convinced about "investment" potential though. They are, IMO, simply part of the bubble that is currently out there.
It's slower than a 599 but not an uncomfortable place to be, and plenty quick enough IF you use the gearbox.
599s are lovely, but I think the performance envelope is big enough that you probably won't find yourself being able to explore it quite as often. It's also more "aggressive" than "pretty" in the looks department. Assuming I can stop spending money on the house and family I'd like one as my entry back to Ferrari I think.
For someone who's had neither I'd go with a 355 initially (manual Berlinetta), but would be very, very careful about what I bought at present. Condition is everything with 355s, and I suspect properly looked after cars are currently advertised for silly asking prices.
(Just looked at the classifieds - ha ha ha haaaaaa.....60k-100k+. Buy a 599 and wait for 355s to come back to sensible prices)
It's slower than a 599 but not an uncomfortable place to be, and plenty quick enough IF you use the gearbox.
599s are lovely, but I think the performance envelope is big enough that you probably won't find yourself being able to explore it quite as often. It's also more "aggressive" than "pretty" in the looks department. Assuming I can stop spending money on the house and family I'd like one as my entry back to Ferrari I think.
For someone who's had neither I'd go with a 355 initially (manual Berlinetta), but would be very, very careful about what I bought at present. Condition is everything with 355s, and I suspect properly looked after cars are currently advertised for silly asking prices.
(Just looked at the classifieds - ha ha ha haaaaaa.....60k-100k+. Buy a 599 and wait for 355s to come back to sensible prices)
andyleeds said:
hi everyone, was thinking about getting a 355 as enjoyable investment, but am now thinking about a 599 instead, what do we think? i like them both but i guess the driving experience is more comfortable in the 599 as ten years newer which appeals to my older self...
Very different cars. I've had a 599 & still have a 355 so hopefully I can help. The 355 has a much more "old school" driving style. it's also a more delicate car, just in terms of build quality etc. I would argue it's the last of the "old style" Ferraris in the sense that after the 355 the cars took a much more modern turn (electronics, easier to drive etc). It now has become a true classic Ferrari and in my experience gets more attention than it did when I bought it (April 2009 from memory). It really is better suited to being a weekend car though in my opinion. Condition is EVERYTHING. When I bought mine there were lots of cars that needed TLC so be careful. Definitely get them inspected. Check for sticky interior plastics, leather shrinking over instrument binnacle, corrosion on the buttress. All common problems and easily fixed but should be looked out for.
The 599 is a great car. the engine is just obscene. It's very comfortable but still pins you to the back of your seat if need be. Used mine as a daily driver, no problems with it. Would definitely have another one.
As for an investment, I think some 355s are overpriced (There was a low mileage car up at £200k which is just laughable) however I think the market has also woken up to them as a popular "classic" that, as I said earlier, is the last of the "old school" Ferraris but still fairly well built/reliable & consequently more usable. My feeling is that the days of them being £40-50K are long gone. The 599 I cannot see as an investment currently. Great car, no doubt about it, but the only reason they will go up is because people want them to. Which means that should the market drop/level out etc they would be one of the first to go. All my opinion of course.
lambo_xx said:
Very different cars. I've had a 599 & still have a 355 so hopefully I can help. The 355 has a much more "old school" driving style. it's also a more delicate car, just in terms of build quality etc. I would argue it's the last of the "old style" Ferraris in the sense that after the 355 the cars took a much more modern turn (electronics, easier to drive etc). It now has become a true classic Ferrari and in my experience gets more attention than it did when I bought it (April 2009 from memory). It really is better suited to being a weekend car though in my opinion.
Condition is EVERYTHING. When I bought mine there were lots of cars that needed TLC so be careful. Definitely get them inspected. Check for sticky interior plastics, leather shrinking over instrument binnacle, corrosion on the buttress. All common problems and easily fixed but should be looked out for.
The 599 is a great car. the engine is just obscene. It's very comfortable but still pins you to the back of your seat if need be. Used mine as a daily driver, no problems with it. Would definitely have another one.
As for an investment, I think some 355s are overpriced (There was a low mileage car up at £200k which is just laughable) however I think the market has also woken up to them as a popular "classic" that, as I said earlier, is the last of the "old school" Ferraris but still fairly well built/reliable & consequently more usable. My feeling is that the days of them being £40-50K are long gone. The 599 I cannot see as an investment currently. Great car, no doubt about it, but the only reason they will go up is because people want them to. Which means that should the market drop/level out etc they would be one of the first to go. All my opinion of course.
Great summary, agreed!Condition is EVERYTHING. When I bought mine there were lots of cars that needed TLC so be careful. Definitely get them inspected. Check for sticky interior plastics, leather shrinking over instrument binnacle, corrosion on the buttress. All common problems and easily fixed but should be looked out for.
The 599 is a great car. the engine is just obscene. It's very comfortable but still pins you to the back of your seat if need be. Used mine as a daily driver, no problems with it. Would definitely have another one.
As for an investment, I think some 355s are overpriced (There was a low mileage car up at £200k which is just laughable) however I think the market has also woken up to them as a popular "classic" that, as I said earlier, is the last of the "old school" Ferraris but still fairly well built/reliable & consequently more usable. My feeling is that the days of them being £40-50K are long gone. The 599 I cannot see as an investment currently. Great car, no doubt about it, but the only reason they will go up is because people want them to. Which means that should the market drop/level out etc they would be one of the first to go. All my opinion of course.
Zadkiel said:
Great summary, agreed!
Agree. Excellent summary. If you can afford either, it must come down to personal preference and not much else.
For me the 355 is much better looking and much better sounding.
But the 599 has much better performance and is much more modern, comfortable, and presumably reliable.
And it is a V12, if that matters to you.
Either way, wonderful cars!
This thread makes me chuckle a bit, in a good way! I sold my 54k mile 355 Spider for ~£28K privately in Oct 2012 (having been offered £18K p/x 
). Love the fact that 355 and 599 are now even vaguely in the same price range....how times change!
355s are fab, and as far as driving experience and learning the car, I would guess more enjoyable on the road despite things like the stupid driving position, sticky throttle etc. I spent a little time in a 599 and enjoyed it immensely, but I would always feel slightly frustrated at not being able to remotely use the 599's performance if I was after a sports car experience. Would happily have one if I was after a V12 GT monster though and hopefully will at some stage.
Final thought, given the increasing age of 355s, I think you'd prob spend less on servicing a 599, as much as I love them, 355s are somewhat delicate on average.
). Love the fact that 355 and 599 are now even vaguely in the same price range....how times change!355s are fab, and as far as driving experience and learning the car, I would guess more enjoyable on the road despite things like the stupid driving position, sticky throttle etc. I spent a little time in a 599 and enjoyed it immensely, but I would always feel slightly frustrated at not being able to remotely use the 599's performance if I was after a sports car experience. Would happily have one if I was after a V12 GT monster though and hopefully will at some stage.
Final thought, given the increasing age of 355s, I think you'd prob spend less on servicing a 599, as much as I love them, 355s are somewhat delicate on average.
Mario149 said:
Final thought, given the increasing age of 355s, I think you'd prob spend less on servicing a 599, as much as I love them, 355s are somewhat delicate on average.
I think 4/5k for the 599 to keep it tip top. I drove my 599 in the Picos de Europa, and it gives nothing away to the 430's and 360's i was with.baypond said:
I think 4/5k for the 599 to keep it tip top.
I think you could easily spend that, but overall, the older car from days of more shonky build quality is likely to cost you more on averagebaypond said:
I drove my 599 in the Picos de Europa, and it gives nothing away to the 430's and 360's i was with.
Kinda my point 
Big 1.7 tonne car keeping up with more nimble cars weighing 250kg+ less. It's clearly a monster, but maybe it'd be more fun in the twisties if you were in a smaller, lighter less powerful car that you had to work harder.Don't get me wrong, I loved my 355 and I'd love a 599 one day, but they're very different beasts.
I have this to offer (in a rather cumbersome way).
If its something to just drive for a while and punt on, then I'd get the 599 for all the reasons stated. Its will be more modern, reliable and usable. you will enjoy owning it for the period you have it, and not many people can say they own(ed) a V12 Ferrari.
The 355 is 20 years old and will need more maintenance, simply because of the age of perishables. eg, Unless all the rubber components have been replaced, they will be tired and worn. Think engine hoses, suspension bushes, window seals, all the belts and bearings. Ditto all the other areas which have been mentioned. You get the picture. Its really nothing catastrophic or beyond repair, but unless you are a competent DIY or have a large slush fund, then the ongoing spend is likely to be more (unless you pay up for one that's already been done).
For me, the 355 offers a usable performance envelope but also the ability to keep and tinker for many years to come. I can drop the engine myself in 5-6 hours (depending on beer intake) and I enjoy doing it. The 599 doesn't have that option or appeal for me really. I intend to keep the 355 for many more years and gradually pull it to bits and put it back together like new. That's half the appeal of owning a (one day) vintage Ferrari.
All just my 2c obviously.
If its something to just drive for a while and punt on, then I'd get the 599 for all the reasons stated. Its will be more modern, reliable and usable. you will enjoy owning it for the period you have it, and not many people can say they own(ed) a V12 Ferrari.
The 355 is 20 years old and will need more maintenance, simply because of the age of perishables. eg, Unless all the rubber components have been replaced, they will be tired and worn. Think engine hoses, suspension bushes, window seals, all the belts and bearings. Ditto all the other areas which have been mentioned. You get the picture. Its really nothing catastrophic or beyond repair, but unless you are a competent DIY or have a large slush fund, then the ongoing spend is likely to be more (unless you pay up for one that's already been done).
For me, the 355 offers a usable performance envelope but also the ability to keep and tinker for many years to come. I can drop the engine myself in 5-6 hours (depending on beer intake) and I enjoy doing it. The 599 doesn't have that option or appeal for me really. I intend to keep the 355 for many more years and gradually pull it to bits and put it back together like new. That's half the appeal of owning a (one day) vintage Ferrari.
All just my 2c obviously.
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