Ferrari Mailing List: Re: 355 Advice

[LS (lashdeep]

Yep, the white 355 was a '95 B though...



----- Original Message ----
From: David Thursby <david [at] thethursbys.net>
To: LS <lashdeep [at] yahoo.com>
Cc: The FerrariList <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 4:35:55 PM
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
>>
>> _________________________________________________________________
>> To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, please visit:
>> http://lists.ferrarilist.com/mailman/options/ferrari/l02turner%40comcast.net
>>
>> Sponsored by BooyahMedia.com
>> and F1 Headlines
>> http://www.F1Headlines.com/ 
>>    
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, please visit:
> http://lists.ferrarilist.com/mailman/options/ferrari/david%40davidthursby.com
>
> Sponsored by BooyahMedia.com 
> and F1 Headlines
> http://www.F1Headlines.com/
>
>
>
>  


_________________________________________________________________
To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options, please visit:
http://lists.ferrarilist.com/mailman/options/ferrari/lashdeep%40yahoo.com

Sponsored by BooyahMedia.com 
and F1 Headlines
http://www.F1Headlines.com/