F355 Curiosity Q
Discussion
Is it right that a 355 has the same 0-60 time as a Diablo?
Having never been in a fast car, do you think I would be pleased with a 355 after 16 years of anticipation?
See, the first Ferrari I get I intend to drive into the ground
I just dont want to waste a huge chunk of money on getting a newer model only to see it depreciate like a sinking ship.
Having never been in a fast car, do you think I would be pleased with a 355 after 16 years of anticipation?
See, the first Ferrari I get I intend to drive into the ground
I just dont want to waste a huge chunk of money on getting a newer model only to see it depreciate like a sinking ship.Lumping loads of miles on a 355 will kill it on a financial basis........way to go is buy a cheaper 355 with say 40K miles on it rather than a low miler which you will pay a premium for.0-100 time around 10 seconds IIRC.these are intoxicating cars and not just about speed, its the sound smell and feel good factor they bring, and they are very rewarding to drive quickly.
If you have wanted a Ferrari for 16yrs, you won't be pleased with a 355. You'll be over the frickin moon, wonder why it couldn't have happened sooner, your jaw will ache through grinning and you will most likely wet your pants every time you're out in it!
It's not the quickest thing ever invented, but definitely a fast car, and as mentioned the whole experience of the thing is hard to describe and do justice.
Forget 0-60 times etc. They're largely meaningless in real word driving as half a second here or there is hard to notice by mere mortals.
Buy one, fit a decent exhaust (Tubi/Capristo etc), take it by the scruff of the neck and really drive it (the gearbox being a key part of this) and it will be rare that you find any greater pleasure out of driving.
It's not the quickest thing ever invented, but definitely a fast car, and as mentioned the whole experience of the thing is hard to describe and do justice.
Forget 0-60 times etc. They're largely meaningless in real word driving as half a second here or there is hard to notice by mere mortals.
Buy one, fit a decent exhaust (Tubi/Capristo etc), take it by the scruff of the neck and really drive it (the gearbox being a key part of this) and it will be rare that you find any greater pleasure out of driving.
alanc5 said:
Is it right that a 355 has the same 0-60 time as a Diablo?
Having never been in a fast car, do you think I would be pleased with a 355 after 16 years of anticipation?
See, the first Ferrari I get I intend to drive into the ground
Diablo is much quicker owing to hugh torque. Much more of an event to drive too (I have been fortunate enough to have owned both). A bit to big for this country though. 355 more polished.
Craig
I own a 328 after wanting one for 25 years, and Murph completely summed up the ownership experience. I always have this huge grin on my face when driving, and often go out to the garage just to sit and stare at it.
Whilst it is not the quickest car from 0 - 60, it is such great fun round the country lanes. If all you are interested in is a quick 0 - 60 car then perhaps the Ferrari is not the car to get. How about a Caterham R500, 0 - 60 in 3.2 IIRC.
Whilst it is not the quickest car from 0 - 60, it is such great fun round the country lanes. If all you are interested in is a quick 0 - 60 car then perhaps the Ferrari is not the car to get. How about a Caterham R500, 0 - 60 in 3.2 IIRC.
Not sure you would buy a 355 for just for its speed, it is a very very quick car, but i deal with jap cars on a daily basis that are much quicker and cheaper.
The point of a 355 is the entire package, the Handling, the engine, the soul of the thing.
if you want ultimate speed, buy an Ultima.
The point of a 355 is the entire package, the Handling, the engine, the soul of the thing.
if you want ultimate speed, buy an Ultima.
Thank you all, its not really a question of speed its just this niggling thought that Ferrari's aren't everything I've imagined them to be. It could be nerves as I get closer to one 
I've always been the type to stop traffic and point at ANY Ferrari and wonder why the whole world doesn't stop to admire one as it prowls down the road! There's also this need for it to be capable though, I guess, its really the only thing in life I've ever really aspired to. I would hate to be let down.
I suppose I should just shup up and wait and see. I'm just so excited, this is the year!
I've always been the type to stop traffic and point at ANY Ferrari and wonder why the whole world doesn't stop to admire one as it prowls down the road! There's also this need for it to be capable though, I guess, its really the only thing in life I've ever really aspired to. I would hate to be let down.
I suppose I should just shup up and wait and see. I'm just so excited, this is the year!
It's just a car. There are good cars and there are better cars, but none are perfect.
The 355 is regarded my many as being the best Fez to roll off the Maranello production line in the last decade, but I think I've learnt enough to know that ultimate dreams are rarely fulfilled.
I'm sure it would be a joy to own, but if you get one thinking that it is the one singular thing that will make you deeply fulfilled I suggest you look outside of the sphere of cars.
The best thing you can do is arrange a test drive or a ride in one - whenever I've been in something exotic the experience has always been a bit less amazing than I envisaged it would be.
I think that above a certain level you're dealing with minor degress of being better - so much so that a Murcielago for example may not seem all that more special than a Gallardo, if you catch my drift.
My take on it anyway.
The 355 is regarded my many as being the best Fez to roll off the Maranello production line in the last decade, but I think I've learnt enough to know that ultimate dreams are rarely fulfilled.
I'm sure it would be a joy to own, but if you get one thinking that it is the one singular thing that will make you deeply fulfilled I suggest you look outside of the sphere of cars.
The best thing you can do is arrange a test drive or a ride in one - whenever I've been in something exotic the experience has always been a bit less amazing than I envisaged it would be.
I think that above a certain level you're dealing with minor degress of being better - so much so that a Murcielago for example may not seem all that more special than a Gallardo, if you catch my drift.
My take on it anyway.
alanc5 said:
Thank you all, its not really a question of speed its just this niggling thought that Ferrari's aren't everything I've imagined them to be. It could be nerves as I get closer to one
I bought a 355 earlier this year after being in the same situation as you. Like you it was the only item that I'd ever really aspired to.
It's the right thing to do...
jasonh said:
Thank you all, its not really a question of speed its just this niggling thought that Ferrari's aren't everything I've imagined them to be. It could be nerves as I get closer to one
I bought a 355 earlier this year after being in the same situation as you. Like you it was the only item that I'd ever really aspired to.
It's the right thing to do...
I was in the same position last May. Seconded...
D'you think I'd be happy going to an F355 from a TVR Cerbera? I mean, the 355 is slower but there's not really a lot in it. What annoys me about the TVR is:
1) there always seems to be something going wrong, or a new rattle or clonk that's appeared, even if it's been sitting in the garage, and
2) it's not very tractable at low revs, and sounds like a bag of nails when it's cold.
The F355 was supposed to be the first "everyday supercar" which sounds like what I want (although I won't use it "every day"). Or should I stick to a Honda NSX...?
1) there always seems to be something going wrong, or a new rattle or clonk that's appeared, even if it's been sitting in the garage, and
2) it's not very tractable at low revs, and sounds like a bag of nails when it's cold.
The F355 was supposed to be the first "everyday supercar" which sounds like what I want (although I won't use it "every day"). Or should I stick to a Honda NSX...?
carl_w said:
D'you think I'd be happy going to an F355 from a TVR Cerbera?
It really depends what you're after.
I would regard these as very different sorts of car in many (most) respects.
As for your questions...(1) they do go wrong. Most serious performance cars do. Whether it goes wrong more than a Cerbera depends on how good/bad the Cerbera and 355 you look at are relative to each other (e.g. are you comparing an angelic Cerbera with a demonic 355?)
(2) The 355 needs to be revved. You need to want to drive it (which IMO means wanting to stir the gear lever to get the very most out of it)
It does not, however, sound like a bag of nails. With a Tubi/Capristo/etc on it, it is hard to think of many automotive sounds that are better.
If you want tractable with rear seats, look elsewhere. If you want an awesome and engaging road car, the 355 may suit very well.
Deadlock - you need to start injecting Super Unleaded in your veins, not 95RON stuff, or LPG
Incidentally, I also have a Caterham (SLR type power). The 355 is one of very, very few cars that has a similar sort of visceral feel to it. I value this in a car very much.
Driving is such a dull experience if it doesn't involve all your senses, and most cars these days are extraordinarily dull - close your eyes and it's difficult to tell one from the other. Sit me in a 7 or a 355 and I could tell you exactly where I was blindfolded...
It's for this reason that I suspect my next cars will be classics.
murph7355 said:I have no problem with that, but I want it to pull cleanl. The Cerb is a bit lumpy at low revs -- it's not until 3000rpm plus that it really clears its throat.
(2) The 355 needs to be revved. You need to want to drive it (which IMO means wanting to stir the gear lever to get the very most out of it)
They pull cleanly enough, though beware sticky throttle actions.
These can make it a real pain in the arse to drive round town (coming off the throttle and then trying to get back onto it). It's a common problem as the linkage is a bit crap. The good news is they can be cleaned up nicely to get it back to being smooth once more.
So if you find one that's a bit piggish when you're not giving it the concrete welly, it may be easily remedied.
Speed wise they're a bit slow under 3-4k revs when compared to how it picks up its skirts above that speed.
Get a test drive in one and see how you go...
PS Where are you based? I'm London based and happy to take you out to show you round a car and what you want to be looking for.
These can make it a real pain in the arse to drive round town (coming off the throttle and then trying to get back onto it). It's a common problem as the linkage is a bit crap. The good news is they can be cleaned up nicely to get it back to being smooth once more.
So if you find one that's a bit piggish when you're not giving it the concrete welly, it may be easily remedied.
Speed wise they're a bit slow under 3-4k revs when compared to how it picks up its skirts above that speed.
Get a test drive in one and see how you go...
PS Where are you based? I'm London based and happy to take you out to show you round a car and what you want to be looking for.
I went from a Cerbera 4.5 to a F355 spider...I went through the same questions as yourself..... the drop in power, extra cost, was reliability as much of an issue with a ferrari as with a TVR and if so when things went wrong was it going to cost me a fortune...
I have to say I went for it with my eyes wide open but after all the niggles with the cerbera I was happy with the switch.... I ahve had a few issues with the 355 , don't think that any perfomance car will have no issues....even porsche have issues...but in comparison the whole experience is far better than I experienced with TVR.....and the cost was actually not as spiteful.... in 10k miles in the cerbera i had had a new clutch (£1.2k) various electrical issues,oil pumup and air con system blew ..list goes on.... with 20k in the 355 i ahve had just one clutch, two manifolds and a head gasket (and clutch was £700)....
Depends what you want and waht you can afford. When I ahd the TVR I always said the 355 was pants - too slow etc.... without ever having driven one...I tempt you to try a fast test drive through the twisty lanes in a 355 to not fall in love with the experience....I love TVR's for waht they do - two fingers to the expensive sports car clan...but nowadays with second hand prices where they are 355's offer a hell of a lot for the moeny adn the entire package...performance, handling,reliabilty,prestige and that 'feel good 'factor alla dd up to a far far better expeerience in my humble view....
Always up for test drives - just bring your ear plugs...
Basher
www.theratpac.com
>> Edited by basher on Monday 11th April 09:11
I have to say I went for it with my eyes wide open but after all the niggles with the cerbera I was happy with the switch.... I ahve had a few issues with the 355 , don't think that any perfomance car will have no issues....even porsche have issues...but in comparison the whole experience is far better than I experienced with TVR.....and the cost was actually not as spiteful.... in 10k miles in the cerbera i had had a new clutch (£1.2k) various electrical issues,oil pumup and air con system blew ..list goes on.... with 20k in the 355 i ahve had just one clutch, two manifolds and a head gasket (and clutch was £700)....
Depends what you want and waht you can afford. When I ahd the TVR I always said the 355 was pants - too slow etc.... without ever having driven one...I tempt you to try a fast test drive through the twisty lanes in a 355 to not fall in love with the experience....I love TVR's for waht they do - two fingers to the expensive sports car clan...but nowadays with second hand prices where they are 355's offer a hell of a lot for the moeny adn the entire package...performance, handling,reliabilty,prestige and that 'feel good 'factor alla dd up to a far far better expeerience in my humble view....
Always up for test drives - just bring your ear plugs...
Basher
www.theratpac.com
>> Edited by basher on Monday 11th April 09:11
carl_w said:
D'you think I'd be happy going to an F355 from a TVR Cerbera? I mean, the 355 is slower but there's not really a lot in it. What annoys me about the TVR is:
1) there always seems to be something going wrong, or a new rattle or clonk that's appeared, even if it's been sitting in the garage, and
2) it's not very tractable at low revs, and sounds like a bag of nails when it's cold.
The F355 was supposed to be the first "everyday supercar" which sounds like what I want (although I won't use it "every day"). Or should I stick to a Honda NSX...?
I had a Cerbera before my 355.
No comparison, end of story I'm afraid.
You'd find it very difficult to throw a Cerb round like you can a 355
Don't get me wrong I loved my Cerbera - wouldn't go back though...
Thanks for all the assistance. LHD ones are certainly coming down in price these days (seen a couple around the £40k mark)
murph7355 said:I live in Bishop's Stortford, but I work in the West End so it's certainly a possibility.
PS Where are you based? I'm London based and happy to take you out to show you round a car and what you want to be looking for.
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