Ferrari Mailing List: Re: 355 Advice

[clyderomero (clyderomero]

I drive my car every month
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-----Original Message-----
From: "Ferrarisimo [at] Comcast.net" <Ferrarisimo [at] comcast.net>

Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:39:32 
To: <clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net>
Cc: The FerrariList<ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Subject: Re: [Ferrari] 355 Advice


i wouldn't test it by going seven years!

S
On Jul 29, 2008, at 6:37 PM, clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net wrote:

> Not according to my 512 book
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Ferrarisimo [at] Comcast.net" <Ferrarisimo [at] comcast.net>
>
> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:57:09
> To: <clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net>
> Cc: The FerrariList<ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
> Subject: Re: [Ferrari] 355 Advice
>
>
> Clyde -
>
> All the cars are miles or years - generally 5 years.
>
> The rubber wears out and/or distorts at the tensioner - especially if
> the car sits often.
>
> Scottie
>
>
> On Jul 29, 2008, at 5:54 PM, clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net wrote:
>
>> Hey charles never heard of a time limit on the belts only a mileage
>> number
>> The 512   TR. Only uses miles
>> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: David Thursby <david [at] thethursbys.net>
>>
>> Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:35:55
>> To: clyde<clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net>
>> Cc: The FerrariList<ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Ferrari] 355 Advice
>>
>>
>> Too much $$$
>>
>> Didn't we have an email a while ago about a yellow 360M, no damage,
>> but
>> no garage queen either, that sold for 72K? Same email talked about a
>> white 355 spider for $44K.
>>
>> Dave.
>>
>> LarryT wrote:
>>> Here's a little 360 Fixer-Upper
>>> http://www.alltypeauto.com/index.php?category=&make=Ferrari&model=&srt=make+ASC&p=5&submit=Search
>>>
>>> You may need to widen your email to get the link all on one line.
>>> It's a
>>> 360 with some damage - they still wat $77k for it --
>>>
>>> There's a number of places like this with a variety of cars - some
>>> more
>>> damaged, some less.
>>>
>>> Larry T (66 MGB, 74 911, 91 300D)
>>> www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts
>>> Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil
>>> PORSCHE POSTERS!  youroil.net
>>> 800-583-8601
>>> Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Charles Perry" <charles [at] carolina-sound.com>
>>> To: "Larry Turner" <l02turner [at] comcast.net>
>>> Cc: "The FerrariList" <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 2:07 PM
>>> Subject: [Ferrari] 355 Advice
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Pierre -
>>>>
>>>> I have a 98 F355 spider which I've owned since 2002. I love the
>>>> car, but
>>>> have had all but one of the 355's famous issues and one that was
>>>> my own
>>>> fault. Overall it is a great car, but like all Ferraris, some
>>>> development work was left to the owners. Knowing the issues will
>>>> help
>>>> you see how much previous owners have done and how much you may
>>>> have to
>>>> do.
>>>>
>>>> 1995 cars are slightly more powerful than newer units due to the
>>>> change
>>>> in Bosch fuel injection systems that started in 1996. Some early
>>>> cars
>>>> have had problems with valve guides wearing prematurely, which
>>>> causes a
>>>> variety of problems. I don't think anyone has ever pinned down a
>>>> year or
>>>> VIN range where this occurred, and there are some people with
>>>> early cars
>>>> who have never had the problem and some people with later cars
>>>> that had
>>>> it. We all strongly recommend a pre-purchase inspection (PPI), and
>>>> it is
>>>> worth the extra money to pay for compression and leakdown tests to
>>>> look
>>>> for this problem.
>>>>
>>>> 355s also have a habit of melting their exhaust manifolds. They
>>>> are made
>>>> out of a cheap, thin steel and some have postulated that if the
>>>> catalytic converters get clogged, the additional heat burns the the
>>>> manifold. The manifolds can be replaced, rebuilt with better
>>>> materials,
>>>> or upgraded to higher end versions like Tubi. I would recommend
>>>> one of
>>>> the two later options if your car hasn't already had the issue
>>>> fixed.
>>>> Fixing cost is $1500-$3000 depending on solution.
>>>>
>>>> 355s have the rubbery coating on many interior surfaces (door  
>>>> pulls,
>>>> switch trim, AC vent trim, steering console surround, emergency
>>>> brake
>>>> surround, center console) which turns to a disgusting sticky goo
>>>> over
>>>> time. No idea what triggers it - some have postulated sun exposure
>>>> or
>>>> cleaning chemicals. Solutions are to replace the items ($$$), or to
>>>> chemically strip them down to plain plastic ($), or to upgrade
>>>> them to
>>>> something like carbon fiber ($$$).
>>>>
>>>> 355s tend to have shrinkage in the dash leather over time, usually
>>>> starting with the airbag cover on the passenger side, and then the
>>>> instrument cluster. Leather wear on the driver's bolster is
>>>> common, as
>>>> is road rash on the door intakes and behind the wheels where the
>>>> body
>>>> work sticks out. This is cosmetic, so you may not care but it can
>>>> be a
>>>> negotiating point if your car has the issue.
>>>>
>>>> You mentioned a berlinetta, so I won't bore you with the
>>>> convertible top
>>>> issues on a spider.
>>>>
>>>> Routine maintenance isn't bad except for the 30k/5 year service
>>>> where
>>>> the engine is pulled to do the timing belts. This is crucial and
>>>> it is
>>>> urgent that you respect the time limit - not just the mileage
>>>> limit like
>>>> all salesman will tell you is fine. I did drag my service out to 6
>>>> years, and I did break a timing belt, and I paid a painful engine
>>>> rebuild price as a result. My fault, but don't skimp on scheduled
>>>> maintenance as it only gets more expensive if you wait. This  
>>>> service
>>>> will run you anywhere from $3500 with a good independent mechanic
>>>> and
>>>> minimal replacement to $8-10k from a dealer with "while we're in
>>>> there"
>>>> stuff.
>>>>
>>>> Transmission is a personal choice. This was the debut of the F1
>>>> paddle
>>>> shift. Some love it, some don't. It is an early system, so  
>>>> certainly
>>>> slower and more clunky than current systems with potentially high
>>>> repair
>>>> bills for things like the F1 hydraulic pump or actuators. I bought
>>>> the
>>>> 6-speed because I like the involvement and because I believe it
>>>> will be
>>>> easier/cheaper to service over the long run, but try both if you
>>>> can.
>>>>
>>>> As Clyde says, prices are low on these. I see most Berlinetta's
>>>> offered
>>>> in the $60k-$70k range and depending on the dealer or owner, it is
>>>> not
>>>> unusual to get 10-30% off asking prices depending on how crazy the
>>>> offerer priced it to begin with. As a general rule, aftermarket
>>>> equipment devalues a Ferrari, so if your car has a big stereo or
>>>> phat
>>>> chromed rims or some such thing, negotiate against that, even if  
>>>> you
>>>> like them.
>>>>
>>>> My insurance in the states is about $800/year under a collector car
>>>> policy with generous useage limits.
>>>>
>>>> I don't want to scare you off as these are really fun cars (any
>>>> Ferrari), but they are very much NOT Lexus/Toyota as far as build
>>>> quality and reliability, so the more you go in eyes open, the more
>>>> enjoyable your Ferrari experience will be. There are huge assets
>>>> here
>>>> and at www.ferrarichat.com if you want to investigate further, or I
>>>> would be happy to talk to you further.
>>>>
>>>> Most important shopping tip is what Clyde already told you - buy
>>>> with
>>>> your head, not with your heart. It's easy to get carried away  
>>>> with a
>>>> gleaming Ferrari in front of you, but if the car doesn't have
>>>> maintenance records and obvious signs of previous care (original
>>>> books,
>>>> tools, etc), then wait. There is always another car, especially  
>>>> with
>>>> modern Ferraris.
>>>>
>>>> Good luck!
>>>>
>>>> -- charles
>>>> -- 98 F355 Spider
>>>> -- 87 Testarossa
>>>> -- 99 Diablo
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: bouaze pierre [mailto:pbouaze [at] hotmail.com]
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10:12 AM
>>>> To: Charles Perry
>>>> Cc: The FerrariList
>>>> Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Ferrari Digest, Vol 24, Issue 38
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> hello all,
>>>>
>>>> I am looking to buy a ferrari 355 berlinetta, pref a 98 or 99 in  
>>>> the
>>>> next year. Can anyone help with general info (insurance, service
>>>> schedule, etc)  for a first time ferrari buyer??? just want to do
>>>> some
>>>> research before i lose my virginity. Any info is appreciated
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
>>
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>