Ferrari 355 Spider vs 996 Convertible

the other day i was at the local dealer and they had a nice 95 ferrari spyder conertible for $79k with low mileage... very tempting (if i would be able to get a full warranty for it of course ) .. as i've always been a fan of the 355, even more than the modena (too refined for me) just curious as to anyone's experience with this car? since it's either this or an sl55 next for me as the next convertible toy, after the porsche warranty is up, i'm wondering what people's opinions are... anyone owned either and care to make comparisons vs the 996?

Funny you ask this, My insurance broker,,,,Had a 996 c4s cab, and sold it for a 98?? 355 spyder, he does not like this car and is looking to sell, its diffacult to sell, I think most people know how much this car can cost in maintance............And really its up to you

I hope you are talking about the Ferrari dealer that has the 95 355 and not a Ford dealer. Please Bob, use your cabeza this time.

lv, actually it was at the local hyundai dealer this time... as we all know, the quality of a used car depends on the used car dealer.. and with the hyundai 10 year 100,000 mile warranty on their cars, the ferrari must be reliable as heck one would think eh?

LOL

Glad to see there is humor (instead of bitterness) now in your tone Bob! Welcome to the boards. Now we can have fun. side note **time to ease up on Bob** As for the 355, have you driven it yet? Impressions? I would be interested to hear.

the 355 has that wonderful F1 whine... wonderful beware, the major services are pretty steep.

That is a beautiful whine! I have always considered a 355 as my choice in the Ferrari department but I just can't seem to ever get the triggered pulled on something like that. I can imagine the upkeep is just sky high. Can't justify that to the wifey.

I am in the process of selling my 328 GTS and my Dad still has a F355 Spider - so I have some experience with Ferraris. Since you seem to be a fan of a factory warranty the F355 is probably not a good move. Ferraris are great cars. A very different experience from a Porsche. Very raw, very loud [mechanically and exhaust], and very high profile. Lot's of fun to drive. But, they are expensive to keep running [just the routine stuff]. I'd recommend you find a very clean, well documented 355. There are plenty that have been ridden hard and put away wet - so you have to be pretty careful. Those will cost you a good bit of money to bring up to snuff, especially if you don't know what's been done to the car in the past. I have a file for every service ever completed on my 328 and it's 18 years old. Spend more in the beginning and you'll save a lot in the long run! Also, plan about $6500 for the belt service [which dealers are now recommending every 3 years - although we still do the previously recommended 5 years] and at least $1K for routine yearly servicings and fluids. Now, with that said, the F355 is an awesome car. Very different beast when compared to a 911. First is the sound. Ferrari's are definitely not quiet machines and the 355 has to be one of the best sounding cars out there - but for everyday driving it's a bit too much, in my opinion. The Porsche is much more refined [like an automobile] and the Ferrari is raw [like a racecar]. If your heart is set on a Ferrari [as mine was] I'd say get a 328 or go all the way to the 360. The 328 and 360 are much cheaper to service. The belt service cannot be done with the engine in the car on the Mondial T, 348, 355 or Testarossa - which dramatically increases expense. Since they drop the engine - generally the clutch is done at the same time - again increasing expense. The 348s are priced pretty attractively these days and the service expenses are helped by the much lower acquisition cost. However, they are not as loved by Ferrari purists for their cheaper build quality. Personally, I think they are great cars and you can find some pretty decent ones for a reasonable $$$. In fact, I'm considering one to replace my 328 [or a Viper or NSX, decisions!]. In terms of reliability, if taken care of the Ferrari is quite reliable. I'm not sure I'd put it up there with Porsche - and it definitely costs more to upkeep and more little issues will creep into the car. That's just a difference between an Italian car and a German one. My recommendation is figure out what you want to do with it first, then decide on the car. If it's a toy - I would tell say - go for the Ferrari. I would suggest, however, you budget closer to and potentially over $100K for a very clean, low mileage F355 Spider. Well kept, low-mileage, well documented Ferrari's [even older ones like the 308s and 328s] command a premium to market. Of course, you can buy a whole lot of Porsche for $100K and use it as a daily driver and spend next to nothing to keep it running.

how bout a GT3 bob.

i was looking at 355GTBs myself 3 months ago. I was scared off by the $12k 30K mile svc (yep gotta drop the engine to do anything) The interesting thing was that despite the fun/raw ride, i then tested an 02 nsx (w/ comptech exhaust) and i was grinning ear to ear...after that ride. Thats when i started looking into nsxs. If it werent for the bricklike depreciation of 996TT, i would be driving an 02 nsx red/red right now. Ahem dont diss the 360....too refine? or not ghetto enuff? Service is much easier and cheaper, more interior room (I'm 6'3") faster, better, stronger....all that ****. PLUS vastly improved coachwork. PS avoid 355 F1 trans like your fomoco popo.