F355 Advice

[R11ysf]

I have a friend very seriously interested in getting an F355 spider. I've already given him some info models, years etc and the most important piece of advice about getting a thorough inspection.

Firstly, from reading various posts if you need an inspection in or close to London is Karl at Verdi the man?

Secondly, buying private versus a dealer. A dealer he has spoken to offers a 3 month warranty and then you are on your own, having looked through the classifieds there does seems to be a big difference between dealer mark up and private, so presuming a comprehensive inspection is done and compression/leakdown test carried out is the saving of private worth the risk?

With this in mind what does anyone think of the following and do they know any of the cars?

Dealer
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1749756.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771052.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1484916.htm

vs Private
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1796932.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1742019.htm Is the mileage here a big issue?

Or does anyone know of any cars at any other dealers / private that are for sale, he wants red or yellow preferably.

Many thanks for any advice that can be given.

[jdw1234]

I have an extremely nice F355 Spider, 1997, 38k with capristo level 1 system and full service history with all invoices to match up the mileage.

It is the yellow one at Verdi's on SOR.

http://www.verdi-ferrari.com/product_list.php?id=5...

[lambo_xx]

R11ysf said:

I have a friend very seriously interested in getting an F355 spider. I've already given him some info models, years etc and the most important piece of advice about getting a thorough inspection.

Firstly, from reading various posts if you need an inspection in or close to London is Karl at Verdi the man?

Secondly, buying private versus a dealer. A dealer he has spoken to offers a 3 month warranty and then you are on your own, having looked through the classifieds there does seems to be a big difference between dealer mark up and private, so presuming a comprehensive inspection is done and compression/leakdown test carried out is the saving of private worth the risk?

With this in mind what does anyone think of the following and do they know any of the cars?

Dealer
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1749756.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771052.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1484916.htm

vs Private
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1796932.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1742019.htm Is the mileage here a big issue?

Or does anyone know of any cars at any other dealers / private that are for sale, he wants red or yellow preferably.

Many thanks for any advice that can be given.

Don't be put off a private car just because you can't get a warranty with it. As long as you carry out all the proper inspections etc it should be fine.
As for the cars you mentioned, haven't ever dealt with the first dealer so can’t help there.
I bought my 355 from Nick Cartwright and can highly recommend him. His preparation is second to none and I would highly recommend him. He isn't cheap, but I personally feel he is worth the extra money.
As for the third car you mentioned, I think it's been for sale for a while, although someone would have to clarify for me. I've never bought a car from Verdi, although I did enquire 4 or 5 times about a car they had for sale and they never got back to me . Saying that though everyone I speak to raves about them.

As for the two private cars, I don't know either of those I’m afraid. I notice you’ve got a mixture of manual and F1 cars, does your friend have a preference for which he would prefer? If he hasn't driven an F1 I would suggest he does because it's quite different to the manual. Also, being 13 or so years old some people find the technology a bit "slow". So as I said he may want to test drive one first.

Hope that helps.

[R11ysf]

Thanks for the reply, I think my friend is looking for a manual, I probably should have used this http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1627788.htm as a better example of the private vs dealer comparison.

Where are the places to look apart from the classifieds and autotrader? Is there a ferrari central sales place?

[F355GTS]

R11ysf said:

I have a friend very seriously interested in getting an F355 spider. I've already given him some info models, years etc and the most important piece of advice about getting a thorough inspection.

Firstly, from reading various posts if you need an inspection in or close to London is Karl at Verdi the man?

Secondly, buying private versus a dealer. A dealer he has spoken to offers a 3 month warranty and then you are on your own, having looked through the classifieds there does seems to be a big difference between dealer mark up and private, so presuming a comprehensive inspection is done and compression/leakdown test carried out is the saving of private worth the risk?

With this in mind what does anyone think of the following and do they know any of the cars?

Dealer
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1749756.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771052.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1484916.htm

vs Private
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1796932.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1742019.htm Is the mileage here a big issue?

Or does anyone know of any cars at any other dealers / private that are for sale, he wants red or yellow preferably.

Many thanks for any advice that can be given.

I'd put price to one side, you have to look at condition, these cars need attention to keep them looking good and up to scratch, that's outside of a service history, sadly the reality is that many are neglected. I looked at a 355 Spider for a friend recently, IIRC it was up for £35k which sounded a keen price but for the bits we found it needed at least £7k spending on it and that was before a PPI found anything underneath or sorting the roof problem that developed while we were there.

Tell your friend to go and see a few across the price range both private and dealer to get an idea of what's out there

[R11ysf]

F355GTS said:

R11ysf said:

I have a friend very seriously interested in getting an F355 spider. I've already given him some info models, years etc and the most important piece of advice about getting a thorough inspection.

Firstly, from reading various posts if you need an inspection in or close to London is Karl at Verdi the man?

Secondly, buying private versus a dealer. A dealer he has spoken to offers a 3 month warranty and then you are on your own, having looked through the classifieds there does seems to be a big difference between dealer mark up and private, so presuming a comprehensive inspection is done and compression/leakdown test carried out is the saving of private worth the risk?

With this in mind what does anyone think of the following and do they know any of the cars?

Dealer
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1749756.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771052.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1484916.htm

vs Private
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1796932.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1742019.htm Is the mileage here a big issue?

Or does anyone know of any cars at any other dealers / private that are for sale, he wants red or yellow preferably.

Many thanks for any advice that can be given.

I'd put price to one side, you have to look at condition, these cars need attention to keep them looking good and up to scratch, that's outside of a service history, sadly the reality is that many are neglected. I looked at a 355 Spider for a friend recently, IIRC it was up for £35k which sounded a keen price but for the bits we found it needed at least £7k spending on it and that was before a PPI found anything underneath or sorting the roof problem that developed while we were there.

Tell your friend to go and see a few across the price range both private and dealer to get an idea of what's out there

Thanks very much for this. When you say the one you looked at needed 7k worth of work on it what sort of things were they? For a non-355 owner and knowing little about them how can I advise him other than getting a PPI done?? 6 or 7 PPIs could start to get very expensive.

Many thanks Rhys.

[Cactussed]

I would second the above advice. Full history simply means that someone has changed the oil and filter (or at least paid someone who says they've done it). It doesn't tell you what (if anything) else has been done to the car.

If you pay Ferrari prices, then you can rack up a £7k bill without even trying if you buy a car that needs a bit of work. If you buy a dog and you're not handy with a spanner, then the bills can be significantly larger. With that caveat aside, if you buy a good car with recorded work and drive and service it regularly, then they are good, reliable cars. There are two camps on this, but my 2c is not to be put off by cars with higher mileage (indeed, ones that have been regularly used and maintained will be a better bet IMHO) and also don't be put off by cars that have had work done by the owner, so long as its documented properly. Photos, receipts etc.

There's a list of common issues with the 355, nearly all of which are minor in nature and can be rectified. Bear in mind they are ALL older cars now and will need regular wear and tear items fixing so again, be aware.

You can take my car by way of example (and I've said this countless times). I do most work myself and I've replaced nearly everything I can find mechanically or fixed whatever as and when it arose. Its been a fairly comprehensive list and I bought my car with full history. The front of my car si covered in stone chips and the wheels are slightly kerbed, however I doubt you'd find too many that have had more time and work lavished on them, so don't be fooled just by a pretty coat of paint and some stamps in a book...

[F355GTS]

R11ysf said:

F355GTS said:

R11ysf said:

I have a friend very seriously interested in getting an F355 spider. I've already given him some info models, years etc and the most important piece of advice about getting a thorough inspection.

Firstly, from reading various posts if you need an inspection in or close to London is Karl at Verdi the man?

Secondly, buying private versus a dealer. A dealer he has spoken to offers a 3 month warranty and then you are on your own, having looked through the classifieds there does seems to be a big difference between dealer mark up and private, so presuming a comprehensive inspection is done and compression/leakdown test carried out is the saving of private worth the risk?

With this in mind what does anyone think of the following and do they know any of the cars?

Dealer
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1749756.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1771052.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1484916.htm

vs Private
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1796932.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1742019.htm Is the mileage here a big issue?

Or does anyone know of any cars at any other dealers / private that are for sale, he wants red or yellow preferably.

Many thanks for any advice that can be given.

I'd put price to one side, you have to look at condition, these cars need attention to keep them looking good and up to scratch, that's outside of a service history, sadly the reality is that many are neglected. I looked at a 355 Spider for a friend recently, IIRC it was up for £35k which sounded a keen price but for the bits we found it needed at least £7k spending on it and that was before a PPI found anything underneath or sorting the roof problem that developed while we were there.

Tell your friend to go and see a few across the price range both private and dealer to get an idea of what's out there

Thanks very much for this. When you say the one you looked at needed 7k worth of work on it what sort of things were they? For a non-355 owner and knowing little about them how can I advise him other than getting a PPI done?? 6 or 7 PPIs could start to get very expensive.

Many thanks Rhys.

Rhys

From memory it included but was not limited to

Major service inc belts
2 x cat converters
n/s manifold
4 x tyres
1 set brake discs
f&r brake pads

[phib]

I looked at 23 before I bought mine there is a big condition range of out there.

Quite often you pay for what you get having said that some "dealers" seem to make a mockery of this and try to charge top money for tat.

I bought mine privatley as it was the best car available at the time after a very through inspection.

And lastly ignore the numbers on the clock they really are irrelevant as so many have been clocked, tampered, unplugged etc etc

I would buy on condition, history ( not just pieces of paper or stamps) talk to the previous owners garages that have serviced them etc

It is a very small world for good 355's

Phib

[golfer99]

Try Simon Furlonger in Ashford I have bought 3 cars there . They are very helpful and very good

[Bebs]

Cactussed said:

so don't be fooled just by a pretty coat of paint and some stamps in a book...

Well said that man!

[Redwing]

I have always used the Ferrari Centre and have never been disappointed........I bought my last one from them without seeing it.......professional no nonsense approach!

[Mario149]

Well, FWIW, my 2p worth as a new 355 owner who bought recently:

For me it was all about what work I could see that had been done to the car recently, plus a half decent history (although stamps in the book, as has been pointed out, are largely meaningless, there are several people here who have found that service items such as fuel filters, brake fluid etc have not been done, even when serviced by reputable indies). Mileage was largely irrelevant to me as I was limited to higher mileage cars due to my budget, plus my intention to do a lot of miles myself.

I would have treated any sale from a non-ferrari-specialist as effectively a private sale risk wise, I believe that if you have a decent car, you should easily be able to SOR it or sell it outright to a specialist. If they don't want your car, there's a reason. I bought from Rardley and have been very pleased with the service I have received so far. I still got it inspected mind and accordingly had a few minor things that cropped up sorted for the sale price, thus the inspection more than paid for itself.