F355 Spider part 2...

F355 Spider part 2...

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red_slr

Original Poster:

18,177 posts

196 months

Thursday 7th August 2014
quotequote all
Following my thread from January (oh how I wish I had just bought one then!) my hunt for a Spider continues... part 1 is here http://tinyurl.com/m88gc8x

Been a busy summer with work but things are starting to calm down now and from the end of the month I will have a lot more time to actually view cars.

Prices have gone up 30% in 8 months... tbh I probably took my eye off the ball in March and its a shock to see the prices... so my next question is are we expecting prices to soften at all into the winter months? What are peoples thoughts on prices over the next 2-5 years? Hold station or carry on upwards? I see a car in the classifieds for £90k+...

Also, can anyone advise who is a good indi for inspection - esp Spider? Also what should I be paying for an inspection?

Any good UK based forums (other than PH obviously!) where I can get some good info?

Lastly, if anyone is considering selling a red spider with manual box please PM me!

I would also consider any manual red 355... depending on condition and history etc.

red_slr

Original Poster:

18,177 posts

196 months

Friday 8th August 2014
quotequote all
Oh and another question now I have been thinking on.
I have a timber garage (single skin) that's inside my units here at work. I am planning on keeping it in there.
Whats the best advice for storage over winter etc? Given I may well end up buying just as the summer ends it will probably end up parked till April.
Its not too damp in there - I kept my motorhome in there for 2 years with no issues. I could heat it if required. Its quite large at the moment - so I plan on adding a lowered roof inside as its the best part of 12 foot at the moment. Will drop it to 8 foot - other than that should I consider a carcoon?

BobTurner

398 posts

217 months

Friday 8th August 2014
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I bought mine at the end of last November, my feeling was that there was a definite softening of prices then - difficult to say whether the same will be true this year, things have obviously moved on a little (but I expect by not as much as you fear).

I think it was £300 (inc. the VAT) for an independent to give mine the once over with a short written report afterwards.

Store it over the winter? You say that now, but wait until there's a sunny day and you'll find an excuse to get it out; seems a waste otherwise and it will do it some good. If you are going to leave it standing for a while, get a battery charger (CTEK).

smile

red_slr

Original Poster:

18,177 posts

196 months

Friday 8th August 2014
quotequote all
Cheers!

When I say store I will be able to get the car out - but I am just thinking more about damp.
I am in a unit - its not a house so there is very little heat. We have seen -10c and below inside the unit!

priley

505 posts

195 months

Friday 8th August 2014
quotequote all
I'd say damp is more the concern rather temperature, a decent dehumidifier should take care of that. My car lives in a timber framed garage.

red_slr

Original Poster:

18,177 posts

196 months

Friday 8th August 2014
quotequote all
Ok, current plan is to get the garage sorted in the next couple of weeks as I want it ready.
Its a single skin but I could easily line it out to make it a bit more sealed. There is power and I have an internal side door from my office so can go in an inspect weekly etc over the winter months.

r111gts

43 posts

231 months

Friday 8th August 2014
quotequote all
Have you considered LHD? The difference in RHD and LHD values is greater than at any time I can remember in the past 8 years and is surely unjustified. Either way, I'm certain the gap will narrow again with, either right RHD cars falling back or LHD cars appreciating.

Check out this website,www.autoscout24.com, as a bell weather for what values our continental cousins attribute to various cars. V interesting. LHD 550s also seem extremely good value compared to RHD counterparts. Were I in the market for either, I don't think it would be prepared to pay the now very considerable RHD premium.

Food for thought anyway.

Edited by r111gts on Friday 8th August 21:14

red_slr

Original Poster:

18,177 posts

196 months

Friday 8th August 2014
quotequote all
TBH its not really on my radar no - fair comment and all though.