355 A future Classic (2014)

355 A future Classic (2014)

Author
Discussion

Robert555

Original Poster:

4 posts

124 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
When the cars came out they were regarded as the first mass produced Ferrari you could use everyday. That means most cars were indeed used and very few were mothballed in anticipation of journalistic enthusiasm some 20 years later. A common problem was broken speedo's and some cars would have been run off the clock for many miles. The cars were pretty robust but there is a long list of common expensive problems that need attention such as exhaust manifolds, exhaust by pass valves, buttress paint repairs, F1 actuators etc. Its amazing how many sellers (often dealers) look at you blankly when you ask for documentation to support servicing and repairs.
Most cars will have multiple owners (7 or more is not uncommon). Many cars will be crashed and repaired. That's not to say written off but they sure aren't perfect.
To service the car properly you need to drop the engine out to access all moving parts. Some independent dealers found a way of bending or disconnecting the air conditioning pipes to fit a cam belt without the need to drop the engine out thus saving customers money. Not sure what Ferrari would say about that but I expect it would not be highly regarded.
So if you are buying because you think the car will go up in value in the next few years make sure its low owners, verifiable low mileage and kept by a garage queen with all the correct paperwork. GTB and red and manual will be best. If its not then its still going to be the best car you ever owned but don't get caught up in the hype and overpay for it. Most honest cars will have high mileage (over 50k) and a high number of owners and acceptable service histories. Methodically and with a good mechanic and deep pockets you can sort all problems.If you read the classifieds every car is a future classic and you know simply can't be the case. Perhaps I should add that I accept in another 20 years any old 355 with be so rare that regardless of its provenance it will command a strong price but still maintain the types of increase currently being suggested are for very few cars.

BruceC

373 posts

246 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
Ok Robert cannot argue with any of that,

My car is a 1999 Berlinetta rosso with black. 8700 miles F1. Complete service history , not a service missing and all Franchise dealers. The car has had three owners. I have owned the car a year and the condition is pretty much perfect. New tyres, 85% left on clutch, new battery.

So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? today
So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? 2020
So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? 2050

Assume mileage 750 pa

Schnellmann

1,893 posts

211 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
BruceC said:
Ok Robert cannot argue with any of that,

My car is a 1999 Berlinetta rosso with black. 8700 miles F1. Complete service history , not a service missing and all Franchise dealers. The car has had three owners. I have owned the car a year and the condition is pretty much perfect. New tyres, 85% left on clutch, new battery.

So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? today
So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? 2020
So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? 2050

Assume mileage 750 pa
What is the point of buying, storing, insuring and servicing a car and only driving it 750 miles PA? If you want to make money over 20 or 30 years buy a house or invest in the stock market.

BruceC

373 posts

246 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
That wasn't the question grumpy

355spiderguy

1,476 posts

178 months

Monday 28th July 2014
quotequote all
Schnellmann said:
BruceC said:
Ok Robert cannot argue with any of that,

My car is a 1999 Berlinetta rosso with black. 8700 miles F1. Complete service history , not a service missing and all Franchise dealers. The car has had three owners. I have owned the car a year and the condition is pretty much perfect. New tyres, 85% left on clutch, new battery.

So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? today
So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? 2020
So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? 2050

Assume mileage 750 pa
What is the point of buying, storing, insuring and servicing a car and only driving it 750 miles PA? If you want to make money over 20 or 30 years buy a house or invest in the stock market.
Schnellmann, I am lucky enough to have investment properties and half a decent stock portfolio but I am unable to take either of them out for a blast early on a sunday morning!

as you already know, the F355 is such a pretty car with the best ever v8 howl and if it has been bought correctly should increase in value as a nice wee brucie bonus...

you don't have to rack up 10k miles a year to enjoy this car; I can pop into the garage for something and end up losing half an hour just admiring the lines...I fall into the low mileage use category also; I am just to busy to get lots of use out of it but I still relish having it...different folks and all that...

jw01

84 posts

140 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
I also don't do too many miles in mine but just enjoy the ownership experience! Small point on the cam belt change issue - I know of at least 2 Ferrari main dealers who now do engine in cam belt changes as the standard offering, realising, I suspect, that they can no longer rip owners off by charging large sums to change a belt!! (main dealers words, not mine!!)

Robert555

Original Poster:

4 posts

124 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
BruceC
Sounds like you have the right mix for investment. Must be better than any ISA! Conservatively
75K in 2020 and 150K in 2050. It must be a steady climber.
I suspect the people/dealers who make the markets will tell you more but I don't see it as a 250GTO (not this week anyway)


priley

505 posts

195 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
The 355's increase in value has essentially meant ownership for the last 6 years has cost nothing (assuming I sold it) which was definitely more luck than judgement on my behalf. It's such a lovely car though; engaging to drive and beautiful to behold. A keeper for sure. Here's a gratuitous pic after taking mine for its MOT this morning.



Edited by priley on Tuesday 29th July 13:46


Edited by priley on Tuesday 29th July 13:48

spice

632 posts

277 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all

Schnellmann

1,893 posts

211 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
BruceC said:
That wasn't the question grumpy
Apologies for being grumpy but it is this attitude of "cars as an investment" that is ruining the market for genuine enthusiasts that want to own and drive them. There are many cars that I would love to have owned (eg 246 or genuine 2.7 RS) that have become too expensive to justify the outlay.

I bought my 355 in Switzerland, knowing that I was leaving the country soon and was going to take a bath on selling it....but I had always wanted a 355 so did it anyway.

In my view there is a big difference between owning a car and not doing many miles, because other commitments or other cars mean the owner doesn't get enough time, and not doing miles just to ensure it remains low-mileage.

Asking how much your pristine example is going to be worth in the future just comes across as financial masturbation and a bit sad from my perspective but each to his own.

Schnellmann

1,893 posts

211 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
priley said:
The 355's increase in value has essentially meant ownership for the last 6 years has cost nothing (assuming I sold it) which was definitely more luck than judgement on my behalf. It's such a lovely car though; engaging to drive and beautiful to behold. A keeper for sure. Here's a gratuitous pic after taking mine for its MOT this morning.



Edited by priley on Tuesday 29th July 13:46


Edited by priley on Tuesday 29th July 13:48
Might be a gratuitous picture...but still a lovely picture too :-) feel free to post more!

BruceC

373 posts

246 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
quotequote all
well I am fortunate to own a 458 Spider - 6700 miles and the 355 berlinetta.

The 355 is just to marvel in its beauty but a dealer rang me today and suggested I sell for a huge amount so I am going to. It will help with the losses the 458 is generating and when ever I drive the beautiful 355 I wish I was driving the equally beautiful 458 I love the technology

So I only posted the value thing as a laugh tbh

Robert555

Original Poster:

4 posts

124 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
BruceC
Interested to know your opinion. Regardless of miles traveled what you think the average running costs are for keeping the 355 in "out of the box " condition per annum. Enthusiastic owners will always find a bit of servicing to be done or leather to be repaired etc. It all adds up.

roygarth

2,674 posts

255 months

Wednesday 30th July 2014
quotequote all
355spiderguy said:
Schnellmann said:
BruceC said:
Ok Robert cannot argue with any of that,

My car is a 1999 Berlinetta rosso with black. 8700 miles F1. Complete service history , not a service missing and all Franchise dealers. The car has had three owners. I have owned the car a year and the condition is pretty much perfect. New tyres, 85% left on clutch, new battery.

So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? today
So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? 2020
So lets play a PH game whats it worth?? 2050

Assume mileage 750 pa
What is the point of buying, storing, insuring and servicing a car and only driving it 750 miles PA? If you want to make money over 20 or 30 years buy a house or invest in the stock market.
Schnellmann, I am lucky enough to have investment properties and half a decent stock portfolio but I am unable to take either of them out for a blast early on a sunday morning!

as you already know, the F355 is such a pretty car with the best ever v8 howl and if it has been bought correctly should increase in value as a nice wee brucie bonus...

you don't have to rack up 10k miles a year to enjoy this car; I can pop into the garage for something and end up losing half an hour just admiring the lines...I fall into the low mileage use category also; I am just to busy to get lots of use out of it but I still relish having it...different folks and all that...
Well said.

DarkHorseTerence

583 posts

246 months

Thursday 31st July 2014
quotequote all
spice said:
gotta love this............stunning...

BruceC

373 posts

246 months

Friday 1st August 2014
quotequote all
Each to their own isn't it. I have only owned the car a year but I reckon upkeep circa £1k p.a plus petrol

I had a conversation with a dealer friend after this thread rang and the car is going sale or return next week after annual service at Lancasters and MOT so lets wait and see. If it sells I have a plan. if in 6 weeks it hasn't then home she comes

sng45

497 posts

183 months

Friday 1st August 2014
quotequote all
BruceC said:
Each to their own isn't it. I have only owned the car a year but I reckon upkeep circa £1k p.a plus petrol

I had a conversation with a dealer friend after this thread rang and the car is going sale or return next week after annual service at Lancasters and MOT so lets wait and see. If it sells I have a plan. if in 6 weeks it hasn't then home she comes
Is it a yellow GTS with 28,000 miles by any chance ?

spice

632 posts

277 months

Saturday 2nd August 2014
quotequote all
DarkHorseTerence said:
gotta love this............stunning...
Cheers DH only 17k miles , Blu La man 2 owners full FSH Meriiden, Sounds and drives wonderful , never gonna sell it

BruceC

373 posts

246 months

Saturday 2nd August 2014
quotequote all
No no Red black Berlinetta 1999 F1 8950 miles

FFSH all main dealer ,never missed one.Interesting history too

col68

253 posts

213 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
Probably one of the nicest cars for sale.

http://www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.php...