I'm interested in owning a 355...
Discussion
Hello all.
I've not really ventured into this forum before, so I thought I may aswell pop in, say hello and see if I can get a few questions answered.
As with most of you, a Ferrari has always been on my list of cars to own. I was still at school when the 355 was first shown in 1994 and ever since then I thought it was the best looking car to come out of Maranello bar none and I've lusted over them ever since!
Anyway, I am now lucky enough to have a job that puts me in a position to buy one of these awesome beasties. I actually have a list of all time favourite cars that I am looking at, I've already looked at a few but none of them have ticked all the boxes.
The more I look, the more I want one. There are a few knocking about for sale at the moment and obviously I want to buy the best I can.
(I expect almost everybody says this, but I want one in Rosso Corsa, Crema hide and Rosso carpets with the factory Suderia shields on the wings and of course the manual gearbox...)
What I wanted to know was, is there any difference between the older '94 and '95 cars and the later ones? Other than the addition of airbags? I've always like the Targa topped GTS (I expect from watching too much Magnum PI as a child) but I wanted to know if having a Targa top affects the handling compared to the Berlinetta as the roof has been chopped out?
I have many more questions, but just wanted to start off lightly...
Cheers.
Rob
I've not really ventured into this forum before, so I thought I may aswell pop in, say hello and see if I can get a few questions answered.
As with most of you, a Ferrari has always been on my list of cars to own. I was still at school when the 355 was first shown in 1994 and ever since then I thought it was the best looking car to come out of Maranello bar none and I've lusted over them ever since!
Anyway, I am now lucky enough to have a job that puts me in a position to buy one of these awesome beasties. I actually have a list of all time favourite cars that I am looking at, I've already looked at a few but none of them have ticked all the boxes.
The more I look, the more I want one. There are a few knocking about for sale at the moment and obviously I want to buy the best I can.
(I expect almost everybody says this, but I want one in Rosso Corsa, Crema hide and Rosso carpets with the factory Suderia shields on the wings and of course the manual gearbox...)
What I wanted to know was, is there any difference between the older '94 and '95 cars and the later ones? Other than the addition of airbags? I've always like the Targa topped GTS (I expect from watching too much Magnum PI as a child) but I wanted to know if having a Targa top affects the handling compared to the Berlinetta as the roof has been chopped out?
I have many more questions, but just wanted to start off lightly...
Cheers.
Rob
there's a great buyers guide on the355.com which I followed closely when shopping around (http://www.the355.com/mambo/content/blogsection/8/27/).
pre-airbag models are alledgedly marginally more powerful but the flipside is they can have the weaker bronze valve guides which can allow oil to leak - causing low oil and BANG. apparently keeping an eye on the oil levels can avoid this expensive outcome though.
i've had mine 2 weeks now and am absolutely loving it. i've done 2000 trouble-free miles down to Dijon and back so far thanks to the excellent prep-work of Nick Cartwrights in Matlock. I personally wouldn't buy privately having seen how much effort a decent specialist puts into prepping the car prior to sale.
i've spent 3 years shopping around for the right model - i'm far from an expert but can offer advice based on personal experience.
Jonny
pre-airbag models are alledgedly marginally more powerful but the flipside is they can have the weaker bronze valve guides which can allow oil to leak - causing low oil and BANG. apparently keeping an eye on the oil levels can avoid this expensive outcome though.
i've had mine 2 weeks now and am absolutely loving it. i've done 2000 trouble-free miles down to Dijon and back so far thanks to the excellent prep-work of Nick Cartwrights in Matlock. I personally wouldn't buy privately having seen how much effort a decent specialist puts into prepping the car prior to sale.
i've spent 3 years shopping around for the right model - i'm far from an expert but can offer advice based on personal experience.
Jonny
spoke to quite a few places (private and trade) before buying mine. Nick Cartrights were the best all-round by some margin. http://www.nickcartwright.com/
They've got a rosso/crema one in stock at the moment at strong money (3800 miles though!) but I know for definite it would be as good as you will find.
No affiliation to them BTW - just a (very) satisfied customer after 3 years of hunting for the right car.
Jonny
They've got a rosso/crema one in stock at the moment at strong money (3800 miles though!) but I know for definite it would be as good as you will find.
No affiliation to them BTW - just a (very) satisfied customer after 3 years of hunting for the right car.
Jonny
I remember a few years ago seeing a Sierra RS500 on a '51' Plate. Turns out that it had been in storage and never registered. It was literally in showroom condition.
I've had a look through the links you gave me, the buyers guide is really helpful, especially the links to the sites regarding the valve guide issues.
I've had a look through the links you gave me, the buyers guide is really helpful, especially the links to the sites regarding the valve guide issues.
bob1179 said:
Hello all.
I've not really ventured into this forum before, so I thought I may aswell pop in, say hello and see if I can get a few questions answered.
As with most of you, a Ferrari has always been on my list of cars to own. I was still at school when the 355 was first shown in 1994 and ever since then I thought it was the best looking car to come out of Maranello bar none and I've lusted over them ever since!
Anyway, I am now lucky enough to have a job that puts me in a position to buy one of these awesome beasties. I actually have a list of all time favourite cars that I am looking at, I've already looked at a few but none of them have ticked all the boxes.
The more I look, the more I want one. There are a few knocking about for sale at the moment and obviously I want to buy the best I can.
(I expect almost everybody says this, but I want one in Rosso Corsa, Crema hide and Rosso carpets with the factory Suderia shields on the wings and of course the manual gearbox...)
What I wanted to know was, is there any difference between the older '94 and '95 cars and the later ones? Other than the addition of airbags? I've always like the Targa topped GTS (I expect from watching too much Magnum PI as a child) but I wanted to know if having a Targa top affects the handling compared to the Berlinetta as the roof has been chopped out?
I have many more questions, but just wanted to start off lightly...
Cheers.
Rob
Who cares about cost, sell the house, the family, your clothes, all your other personal belongings. You wont regret it.I've not really ventured into this forum before, so I thought I may aswell pop in, say hello and see if I can get a few questions answered.
As with most of you, a Ferrari has always been on my list of cars to own. I was still at school when the 355 was first shown in 1994 and ever since then I thought it was the best looking car to come out of Maranello bar none and I've lusted over them ever since!
Anyway, I am now lucky enough to have a job that puts me in a position to buy one of these awesome beasties. I actually have a list of all time favourite cars that I am looking at, I've already looked at a few but none of them have ticked all the boxes.
The more I look, the more I want one. There are a few knocking about for sale at the moment and obviously I want to buy the best I can.
(I expect almost everybody says this, but I want one in Rosso Corsa, Crema hide and Rosso carpets with the factory Suderia shields on the wings and of course the manual gearbox...)
What I wanted to know was, is there any difference between the older '94 and '95 cars and the later ones? Other than the addition of airbags? I've always like the Targa topped GTS (I expect from watching too much Magnum PI as a child) but I wanted to know if having a Targa top affects the handling compared to the Berlinetta as the roof has been chopped out?
I have many more questions, but just wanted to start off lightly...
Cheers.
Rob
And go for the manual gearbox definately, its very good in the 355 compared to most supercars, the F1 box however is a little jerky and slow in my opinon.
Then go for either the berlinetta or spider, the targa top seems to spoil the roof line, again my opinon for what its worth.
Jonty355 said:
Who cares about cost, sell the house, the family, your clothes, all your other personal belongings. You wont regret it.
And go for the manual gearbox definately, its very good in the 355 compared to most supercars, the F1 box however is a little jerky and slow in my opinon.
Then go for either the berlinetta or spider, the targa top seems to spoil the roof line, again my opinon for what its worth.
I've been looking through all the classifieds over the past few days and I've now got my heart set on a Berlinetta. Sex on wheels.And go for the manual gearbox definately, its very good in the 355 compared to most supercars, the F1 box however is a little jerky and slow in my opinon.
Then go for either the berlinetta or spider, the targa top seems to spoil the roof line, again my opinon for what its worth.
What are these cars like in the wet? Obviously, it won't be an everyday car, but as we live in the UK and you always end up getting caught in the rain at least sometime, I just wondered what they were like if you do get caught in the rain.
Another question I wanted to ask is how do you guys find peoples reaction to your car? I've noticed that here in the UK there seems to be an element of jealousy towards people that have nice things. Over on the continent and farther afield I noticed only positive reactions, locals giving the thumbs up etc. Is it true that this is the case here? I don't care what people think about me, I do however worry about the more extreme elements you seem to find these days.
i got a grey one and so far have not had any "issues" with unwanted attention. you're right though - on the continent you get nothing but positive reactions whereas overhere there's a definite negative undertone to everyone who sees it.
I suspect a red/yellow car would attract significantly more attention - one of the reasons i wasn't interested in those colours.
in the wet? great fun - handling is simply beautiful - much like a grown-up lotus elise if you've ever driven one. int he dry though - once the car squats down and settles going into a corner you can *really* lean on it and apply loads of power and it just loads up nicely but you get *so* much feedback - absolutely sublime!
i'm properly in love with mine - exceeding all expectations currently and given i've wanted a ferrari since i was 8 - that's saying something!
Jonny
I suspect a red/yellow car would attract significantly more attention - one of the reasons i wasn't interested in those colours.
in the wet? great fun - handling is simply beautiful - much like a grown-up lotus elise if you've ever driven one. int he dry though - once the car squats down and settles going into a corner you can *really* lean on it and apply loads of power and it just loads up nicely but you get *so* much feedback - absolutely sublime!
i'm properly in love with mine - exceeding all expectations currently and given i've wanted a ferrari since i was 8 - that's saying something!
Jonny
I've not really thought about one in another colour other than Rosso Corsa to be honest, though saying that, there is a beautiful looking Berlinetta in Le Mans blue with the Crema interior. It really looks the part.
I still think my first Ferrari should be a red one though!
I like the comparison with the Elise, that is somthing I can relate to! I've yet to get behind the wheel of a 355, but it doesn't really matter. I still want one more than anything!
I still think my first Ferrari should be a red one though!
I like the comparison with the Elise, that is somthing I can relate to! I've yet to get behind the wheel of a 355, but it doesn't really matter. I still want one more than anything!
t me up into driving at 50mph for the rest of the journey in terrential rain!52 plate if it was the actual plate on the car would mean it had been stored for 3 years before registration. last uk cars were mid 99 and they were spiders, others were earlier. spider production continued in brief numbers after 360 started which the earliest are on 99 v plates. mine was on a 00 w plate but was lhd and one of the last few made.
bob1179 said:
I've not really thought about one in another colour other than Rosso Corsa to be honest, though saying that, there is a beautiful looking Berlinetta in Le Mans blue with the Crema interior. It really looks the part.
I still think my first Ferrari should be a red one though!
TDF Blue with biscuit leather - absolutely the best colour combo on a 355. Though I also like the gunmetal grey with mulberry leather.I still think my first Ferrari should be a red one though!
Cactussed - are you on about the 35k blue one advertised recently by a Bournemouth dealer on E-bay? Whats it like? Don't know why I'm asking as I can't afford it (yet!) just interested!
Providing work goes well I'm desperately hoping I can afford a 355 next year, initial budget was around 25-30 for another TVR but really hoping to have the extra 10k or so and get my dream car!
bob1179 said:
It is interesting to see the car on that plate, maybe it is just like that just to cover the original plate up?
Cactussed, what did you think of the blue car? Was it in nice shape or fairly well 'used'?
I went to see a car down in Bmth. Car was OK although interior was a bit flat. No receipts to back up service history. Was adverised with a Larini exhaust. Larini told them to take that off the advert as it was found to be false. Then advertised as having a Tubi. Tubi told them to remove that from the Advert too as it was also found to be false. If you get my meaning. Cactussed, what did you think of the blue car? Was it in nice shape or fairly well 'used'?
Pity.
Edited by Cactussed on Friday 11th July 07:38
What's the general consensus concerning the market for these at the moment?
After reading your comments about the blue car, which looks a beauty but seems a bit rough around the edges, are there quite a few dodgey and abused ones about or are they generally well looked after?
After reading your comments about the blue car, which looks a beauty but seems a bit rough around the edges, are there quite a few dodgey and abused ones about or are they generally well looked after?
Edited by bob1179 on Friday 11th July 11:00
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