Discussion
Currently contemplating the possibility of selling my 355GTS for a 458. The 458 would ideally be a Spider too (which would unfortunately mean selling my 400i too).
I've had the 355 for 15 years and have covered 15k of its 36k miles. It's completely sorted; I have receipts for £60k of maintenance during my ownership alone and it's just back from a £6.5k cambelt (etc) service.
My main question is would I regret this? Is the 355 a more visceral experience? I'm already pretty convinced it sounds better (mine has a Capristo) having had a drive out with a 458 owner last year. I just thought the running costs might be lower on the 458 along with it feeling a little more robust and useable? I guess this feeling is compounded by my other cars (Dino Spider/308GTB) being old too.
Anyone done this? Or able to offer any thoughts?
Thanks.
I've had the 355 for 15 years and have covered 15k of its 36k miles. It's completely sorted; I have receipts for £60k of maintenance during my ownership alone and it's just back from a £6.5k cambelt (etc) service.
My main question is would I regret this? Is the 355 a more visceral experience? I'm already pretty convinced it sounds better (mine has a Capristo) having had a drive out with a 458 owner last year. I just thought the running costs might be lower on the 458 along with it feeling a little more robust and useable? I guess this feeling is compounded by my other cars (Dino Spider/308GTB) being old too.
Anyone done this? Or able to offer any thoughts?
Thanks.
I've had 2 355's (GTS and spider) in the past and have owned my 458 Spider for 10 years from new. Very different cars, the 458 performance is incredible and certainly for mine totally reliable in 10 Years, 30k miles, it's quite a step up in usability and a bit Jekyll and Hyde, can easily tour in it including long motorway trips and on the otherside significantly quick through the twisties
I truly loved my 355 F1 Spider and do follow the market as I'd like to buy it or another one at some point, 355 definitely sounds better and arguably prettier too
I truly loved my 355 F1 Spider and do follow the market as I'd like to buy it or another one at some point, 355 definitely sounds better and arguably prettier too
You will regret it. I regret selling my berlinetta.
The F355 sounds way better than the 458 and it’s a significantly smaller car with more pliant suspension which makes it much easier to drive on narrow roads. The F355 can be fun at license retaining speeds but the 458’s performance very quickly puts you into license losing territory. However, that performance is visceral. Everything about the 458 is focused on helping you to go crazy fast (if you want to). The F355 feels leisurely in comparison and you have to work at it to go fast.
I’m not sure if the 458’s running costs will be any lower. In the three years I ran my F355, the only non-scheduled expense was for a duff spark plug. The 458 adds expensive consumables such as CCBs and the gearbox costs a lot more to rebuild than the F355’s (and a DCT rebuild is a racing certainty due to sensor failures). The only saving grace of the 458 on the cost front is that you aren’t stung for the cambelt service every three to five years.
Is your GTS manual or F1? While the DCT is a marvel, it sacrifices some of the engagement that the F1 provided in the F355.
The F355 sounds way better than the 458 and it’s a significantly smaller car with more pliant suspension which makes it much easier to drive on narrow roads. The F355 can be fun at license retaining speeds but the 458’s performance very quickly puts you into license losing territory. However, that performance is visceral. Everything about the 458 is focused on helping you to go crazy fast (if you want to). The F355 feels leisurely in comparison and you have to work at it to go fast.
I’m not sure if the 458’s running costs will be any lower. In the three years I ran my F355, the only non-scheduled expense was for a duff spark plug. The 458 adds expensive consumables such as CCBs and the gearbox costs a lot more to rebuild than the F355’s (and a DCT rebuild is a racing certainty due to sensor failures). The only saving grace of the 458 on the cost front is that you aren’t stung for the cambelt service every three to five years.
Is your GTS manual or F1? While the DCT is a marvel, it sacrifices some of the engagement that the F1 provided in the F355.
Thanks all for the responses. Much appreciated. My car is a ‘95 manual.
And yes, I imagine the 458’s performance to be another league but it was more its usability. I guess part of what got me thinking was seeing Chris’s Harris’ recent euro trip in his 458 and I just don’t think I’d feel as confident doing the same in the 355. But perhaps it’s all just me overthinking it all!
And I think I’d miss the noise and manual shift of the 355. Plus it has a lot of sentimental value.
So perhaps I’ll enjoy it for another year. And my wife wants us to do the NC500!
And yes, I imagine the 458’s performance to be another league but it was more its usability. I guess part of what got me thinking was seeing Chris’s Harris’ recent euro trip in his 458 and I just don’t think I’d feel as confident doing the same in the 355. But perhaps it’s all just me overthinking it all!
And I think I’d miss the noise and manual shift of the 355. Plus it has a lot of sentimental value.
So perhaps I’ll enjoy it for another year. And my wife wants us to do the NC500!
priley said:
I guess part of what got me thinking was seeing Chris’s Harris’ recent euro trip in his 458 and I just don’t think I’d feel as confident doing the same in the 355. But perhaps it’s all just me overthinking it all!
I've done European trips in my 355, including back to the factory, a couple of weeks touring Tuscany, Le Mans including camping gear... the car can do it and you shouldn't have any worries if you keep on top of maintenance and have applied all the permanent fixes for common issues.priley said:
Thanks all for the responses. Much appreciated. My car is a ‘95 manual.
And yes, I imagine the 458’s performance to be another league but it was more its usability. I guess part of what got me thinking was seeing Chris’s Harris’ recent euro trip in his 458 and I just don’t think I’d feel as confident doing the same in the 355. But perhaps it’s all just me overthinking it all!
And I think I’d miss the noise and manual shift of the 355. Plus it has a lot of sentimental value.
So perhaps I’ll enjoy it for another year. And my wife wants us to do the NC500!
Sounds like you got a keeper there,the 355 and the wife . And yes, I imagine the 458’s performance to be another league but it was more its usability. I guess part of what got me thinking was seeing Chris’s Harris’ recent euro trip in his 458 and I just don’t think I’d feel as confident doing the same in the 355. But perhaps it’s all just me overthinking it all!
And I think I’d miss the noise and manual shift of the 355. Plus it has a lot of sentimental value.
So perhaps I’ll enjoy it for another year. And my wife wants us to do the NC500!
My ex-wife wouldn't even go for a short trip to Bournemouth ,
Probably why she's my ex
Has she got a single sister by any chance ,
I’ve had a 355 & 308 and have recently acquired a 458 Spider. I think it all depends upon what you’d like to use the car for. If you’re doing only c.1k miles pa, I’d keep the 355. The 458 is basically a ‘modern’ car and very easy to live with (comparatively). It is easy to do longer journeys and use it more regularly. If you want to swap for a car you’ll use more, the 458 is a good choice.
I think they are chalk and cheese there is such a big gap between them.
The thought of giving up a well sorted car that you know is hard.
I’ve have a 458 and only briefly driven a 355, but it was a poster and a truly gorgeous car. But I imagine it’s a bit like me considering swapping my 87 911 for a modern Porsche. Could never do it, the moderns just aren’t the same.
The obvious answer is to get a 458 as well.
The thought of giving up a well sorted car that you know is hard.
I’ve have a 458 and only briefly driven a 355, but it was a poster and a truly gorgeous car. But I imagine it’s a bit like me considering swapping my 87 911 for a modern Porsche. Could never do it, the moderns just aren’t the same.
The obvious answer is to get a 458 as well.
Thanks again all. Yes, 15k in as many years! Shameful. However my fun miles are spread between other cars too; my Fiat Dino has done the same 1k average in its ten years back on the road. I need to do some road trips!
Anyway, yes, I think it may have been a Winter wobble; looking at videos and not driving the car. I'm sure once I get a back out in it I'll wonder what I was thinking. So yes, the 355, probably a keeper, and the wife definitely. And sorry Ratrod no sisters!
Anyway, yes, I think it may have been a Winter wobble; looking at videos and not driving the car. I'm sure once I get a back out in it I'll wonder what I was thinking. So yes, the 355, probably a keeper, and the wife definitely. And sorry Ratrod no sisters!
I think that is a good decision. I went from 355 Spider to 458 coupe. The 458 is the “better” car, but I felt the 355 was the better Ferrari. Also felt that over the longer term, all in running costs would be more palatable on a 355 - though I understand that some specific parts are very expensive now/ NLA
I sold my 458 and kept the 355 spider. 355 is a more involved driving experience and sounds better.
I’m not saying I wouldn’t buy another 458 but the 355 is a keeper.
458 is epic on track, feels less ‘fragile’ and is an easier car to live with but for some reason feels less special than a 355. Already you’re seeing 355s starting to overtake some 458s on price.
I’m not saying I wouldn’t buy another 458 but the 355 is a keeper.
458 is epic on track, feels less ‘fragile’ and is an easier car to live with but for some reason feels less special than a 355. Already you’re seeing 355s starting to overtake some 458s on price.
The 458 is one of the very few Ferrari I’d part with my/a 355for, that said it would be a tough decision indeed, the looks, sound and dare I say presence are with the 355.
In your case, after that amount of money put into it, I’d be keeping the 355, for the simple reason that if you do regret it, unless your able to jump back into your 355 then there’s a very good chance the replacement 355 wouldn’t be as sorted.
I’ve had my 355 about 5 years, done nearly 20k miles in that time, 10k of them were in a single year!
In your case, after that amount of money put into it, I’d be keeping the 355, for the simple reason that if you do regret it, unless your able to jump back into your 355 then there’s a very good chance the replacement 355 wouldn’t be as sorted.
I’ve had my 355 about 5 years, done nearly 20k miles in that time, 10k of them were in a single year!
Edited by 355spider on Friday 14th March 13:07
Edited by 355spider on Friday 14th March 13:16
I'm in a similar position.
I've had my 355 for nearly 16 years and have often thought of changing it for a 458 or a GT3.
Despite all those that bang on about running costs and mileage, there is something about these cars that makes it very hard to let them go!
(Everyone who knows, knows that the cars that have been used are the better ones and yet people seem to shy away from the higher mileage ones - You can't have it both ways!)
Edited to add: Priley, I'd keep it if I were you
I've had my 355 for nearly 16 years and have often thought of changing it for a 458 or a GT3.
Despite all those that bang on about running costs and mileage, there is something about these cars that makes it very hard to let them go!
(Everyone who knows, knows that the cars that have been used are the better ones and yet people seem to shy away from the higher mileage ones - You can't have it both ways!)
Edited to add: Priley, I'd keep it if I were you
Edited by Simmos on Friday 14th March 13:55
That's a tough decision. I'm not an owner but those are two of my favourite Ferrari's. If I owned a 355 I'm not sure I would ever sell it. I did sell my MR2 though eventually and I still miss it even though it was the right decision.
Good luck and I hope you are happy with whatever you do. Beautiful car you have. Actually while we are on the topic can we have a few more pics please?
Good luck and I hope you are happy with whatever you do. Beautiful car you have. Actually while we are on the topic can we have a few more pics please?
Edited by White-Noise on Friday 14th March 14:54
I am pretty sure that the recent Chris Harris video will have prices lifting all the way through the summer….
I too have been thinking long and hard about this. Whilst I love my 355 I am (probably entirely unduly) not entirely confident about road tripping it very far and hard and have been looking at a 458 spider or GT3 to do that job. The 355 has left me stranded a couple of times and that has shaken my confidence.
In the end I decided if that is going to happen it would only be by adding the 458 and not selling the 355. I say that knowing the values of 458s will no doubt rise and I will likely miss the boat. However ultimately : (1) I have spent a tonne of money on the 355. I say that not just from a sunken perspective but from the perspective that I now have a very very sorted car and I couldn’t vouch for others (2) I haven’t seen a 458 spec for sale I love. A cuio/tan alcantara and carbon seat interior seem pretty rare and likely v. expensive (3) My own car is a unique spec and again if I let it go I don’t think I’d find another spec I’d love as much.
I absolutely adore the 355 and think it is a stunner with one of the best noises of all time. It would be great to add another Luca/Pininfarina car but not at the expense of one of the absolute greats.
I too have been thinking long and hard about this. Whilst I love my 355 I am (probably entirely unduly) not entirely confident about road tripping it very far and hard and have been looking at a 458 spider or GT3 to do that job. The 355 has left me stranded a couple of times and that has shaken my confidence.
In the end I decided if that is going to happen it would only be by adding the 458 and not selling the 355. I say that knowing the values of 458s will no doubt rise and I will likely miss the boat. However ultimately : (1) I have spent a tonne of money on the 355. I say that not just from a sunken perspective but from the perspective that I now have a very very sorted car and I couldn’t vouch for others (2) I haven’t seen a 458 spec for sale I love. A cuio/tan alcantara and carbon seat interior seem pretty rare and likely v. expensive (3) My own car is a unique spec and again if I let it go I don’t think I’d find another spec I’d love as much.
I absolutely adore the 355 and think it is a stunner with one of the best noises of all time. It would be great to add another Luca/Pininfarina car but not at the expense of one of the absolute greats.
Edited by Notsureaboutthat on Friday 14th March 22:41
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