Discussion
The Challenge is probably too hard-core for me, so I am probably looking at one of the more standard models. Is it the case that the Berlinetta is considered more desirable than the S? There may be something wrong with me, because I think the non-challenge rear looks nicer than the grilled panel.
As per MDL111, I would expect, based on rarity alone, that Asprey or Serie Fioranos are the ones to seek out. The rarest non-limited version are the F1 GTS cars based on production numbers alone.
Carbon seats are seen as desirable and so is the Fiorano handling pack (as distinct from Serie Fiorano). Early non-airbag cars also have a following but I hear that there are spare parts availability issues for the Motronic 2.7.
So it’s a complicated situation as some of the desirable options are mutually exclusive with no clear answer to where the market will go.
Ongoing maintenance will be costly as things like belts will need changing regardless of the mileage. If you’re planning to collect, 360CS or 430 Scuds may be a better bet.
Carbon seats are seen as desirable and so is the Fiorano handling pack (as distinct from Serie Fiorano). Early non-airbag cars also have a following but I hear that there are spare parts availability issues for the Motronic 2.7.
So it’s a complicated situation as some of the desirable options are mutually exclusive with no clear answer to where the market will go.
Ongoing maintenance will be costly as things like belts will need changing regardless of the mileage. If you’re planning to collect, 360CS or 430 Scuds may be a better bet.
The Challenge is probably too hard-core for me, so I am probably looking at one of the more standard models. Is it the case that the Berlinetta is considered more desirable than the S? There may be something wrong with me, because I think the non-challenge rear looks nicer than the grilled panel.
Thrust Tyrone said:
If buying a 355 for the purposes of collecting as well as enjoying.
What do you mean by "collecting".?If you are buying it to 'enjoy', you'll have to (theoretically
) not worry about adding miles and killing value and getting stonechips etc. If by "collecting" you mean "investment" then you'll want an ornament that you're afreaid to take out.ex-devonpaul said:
What do you mean by "collecting".?
If you are buying it to 'enjoy', you'll have to (theoretically ) not worry about adding miles and killing value and getting stonechips etc. If by "collecting" you mean "investment" then you'll want an ornament that you're afreaid to take out.
I’m not precious, I’ll do about 1500 miles a year (no track days and no ragging it), so I don’t want a museum piece. But if I’m going to do some miles, I’d still be keen to see it grow in value. If you are buying it to 'enjoy', you'll have to (theoretically
) not worry about adding miles and killing value and getting stonechips etc. If by "collecting" you mean "investment" then you'll want an ornament that you're afreaid to take out.Thrust Tyrone said:
I’m not precious, I’ll do about 1500 miles a year (no track days and no ragging it), so I don’t want a museum piece. But if I’m going to do some miles, I’d still be keen to see it grow in value.
In which case, buy the car you want, in the spec you want and in the best condition possible for your budget. Any money you (might) make on price rises could easily be swallowed up by buying a ‘collectible’ car in poor condition. These cars are a more than a quarter of a century old. Condition is everything.
Thanks. My budget is flexible - I was wondering if there are any specific traits that make any particular 355 more enduring than others (manual or F1/colour/pre-airbag etc) and I tend to buy early cars (purity of the line etc). I have looked at quite a few so far and although I like them all, I’m conscious that I don’t know what I don’t know.
Thrust Tyrone said:
Thanks. My budget is flexible - I was wondering if there are any specific traits that make any particular 355 more enduring than others (manual or F1/colour/pre-airbag etc) and I tend to buy early cars (purity of the line etc). I have looked at quite a few so far and although I like them all, I’m conscious that I don’t know what I don’t know.
Then look for a car with carbon seats and Fiorano handling pack. Let the Spyder/GTB/GTS Manual/F1 decision take care of itself as you really can’t go wrong with any of them as they all have pros and cons. There is no obvious winner. I agree - but on condition given age and maintenance cost of them.
Don’t be distracted by mileage - they are probably all clocked. I remember once driving to Folkestone and at some point my Speedo stopped working (so no mileage added). About 50 miles later it suddenly worked again - I figured quite a few people probably disconnected the sensor prior to their annual Europe trip ….
While I would have never considered an F1 car in the past, I have kind of warmed to them now - first of its kind (at least at Ferrari).
I have only driven/owned a Berlinetta but if I were to buy another one I would probably look for a GTS (or possibly even Spider)
Don’t be distracted by mileage - they are probably all clocked. I remember once driving to Folkestone and at some point my Speedo stopped working (so no mileage added). About 50 miles later it suddenly worked again - I figured quite a few people probably disconnected the sensor prior to their annual Europe trip ….
While I would have never considered an F1 car in the past, I have kind of warmed to them now - first of its kind (at least at Ferrari).
I have only driven/owned a Berlinetta but if I were to buy another one I would probably look for a GTS (or possibly even Spider)
I have an F355 spider ( manual rosso corsa/crema) which I love but I think a common opinion is that the GTS is the most desirable, particularly non-red and with the fancy carbon seats (which are very rare).
This paricular GTS is coming up for sale soon, it's an earlier Bosch Motronic 2.7 motor with the non-airbag steering wheel which again is preferred by many. It possibly also has a Capristo exhaust. Very expensive at £135000 but on paper one of the ones to have.
https://youtu.be/mty_YHz-oyc?si=U_-XoEwyLRVA4qPU
This paricular GTS is coming up for sale soon, it's an earlier Bosch Motronic 2.7 motor with the non-airbag steering wheel which again is preferred by many. It possibly also has a Capristo exhaust. Very expensive at £135000 but on paper one of the ones to have.
https://youtu.be/mty_YHz-oyc?si=U_-XoEwyLRVA4qPU
Edited by Katzenjammer on Saturday 10th May 21:03
Actually went to view one today - an F1 Spider. These have been a poster car for me, but, I can’t fit in them properly. The one I looked at also felt quite fragile (loose trim, creaky seat) - a bit like a TVR in terms of build quality. If I was shorter, I’d keep looking for a manual spider, but think I’ve got to rule them out on the driving position. Still, an incredibly special looking car!
OP: The GTBs with a manual box are generally the most sought-after (& expensive). As others have said, if you can find one with the carbon seats and/or FHP that would be a highly desirable car. Non-red seem to attract a higher price too. At this age however it is all about condition and history - there are many less-loved examples about.
I am not sure how much value appreciation good cars will see over the next 3-5 years however. Prices have already moved up and are basically in 430/458/488 territory. If you can find a car you like, for a reasonable price, buy it & enjoy. They are wonderful cars. It is unlikely to depreciate albeit maintenance is not nothing on even a good 355.
I am not sure how much value appreciation good cars will see over the next 3-5 years however. Prices have already moved up and are basically in 430/458/488 territory. If you can find a car you like, for a reasonable price, buy it & enjoy. They are wonderful cars. It is unlikely to depreciate albeit maintenance is not nothing on even a good 355.
Finding a factory fitted fiorano will be very hard. There were on 18 RHD and I believe only 4 GTB manuals (I have posted the numbers of each variant produced before but cant quite remember off the top of my head). Most were speced with F1 and I am not sure about finding one with sports seats as well.
There are however a few more that were speced with the fiorano kits later but you would need to make sure they have all the bits, but this spec does make a substantial difference to driving, especially the quick rack.
Parts would also be an issue for a fiorano car. The quick rack and Challenge ECU it runs on sport mode are unobtainable for any money so if something went wrong to these or any of the other specs it would be super hard to fix.
Although I think there is a premium in the fiorano spec, it is not at the level of the CS vs the 360 as it is less known given it was not a production run but an option for 1998/99 cars. I do think a CS is a likely better investment.
If you are looking for a 355 I think if you can get a good manual car with racing seats you would be on the money. As for GTB vs GTS and 2.7 vs 5.2 favorites do change but in the main it use to be GTBs and then GTS's were all the rage and the value. Now I think it may be moving more towards GTBs. Also for a very long time it was 2.7 as it had a bit more power and it was a more racing set up and they also had the non-airbag steering wheel. Now it seems to be more even. In this respect drive some and buy what you prefer.
The 355 for me is one of the pretyest Ferraris ever made and an absolute gem to drive.
There are however a few more that were speced with the fiorano kits later but you would need to make sure they have all the bits, but this spec does make a substantial difference to driving, especially the quick rack.
Parts would also be an issue for a fiorano car. The quick rack and Challenge ECU it runs on sport mode are unobtainable for any money so if something went wrong to these or any of the other specs it would be super hard to fix.
Although I think there is a premium in the fiorano spec, it is not at the level of the CS vs the 360 as it is less known given it was not a production run but an option for 1998/99 cars. I do think a CS is a likely better investment.
If you are looking for a 355 I think if you can get a good manual car with racing seats you would be on the money. As for GTB vs GTS and 2.7 vs 5.2 favorites do change but in the main it use to be GTBs and then GTS's were all the rage and the value. Now I think it may be moving more towards GTBs. Also for a very long time it was 2.7 as it had a bit more power and it was a more racing set up and they also had the non-airbag steering wheel. Now it seems to be more even. In this respect drive some and buy what you prefer.
The 355 for me is one of the pretyest Ferraris ever made and an absolute gem to drive.
ollyh1988 said:
Actually went to view one today - an F1 Spider. These have been a poster car for me, but, I can’t fit in them properly. The one I looked at also felt quite fragile (loose trim, creaky seat) - a bit like a TVR in terms of build quality. If I was shorter, I’d keep looking for a manual spider, but think I’ve got to rule them out on the driving position. Still, an incredibly special looking car!
I am 6'3 and fit fine in a hardtop (with a 100mm steering wheel spacer).Interesting that people are saying the GTS is the more desirable, going back 20 Years it was seen as the least desirable, not helped by Clarkson buying one and complaining about the buffeting and how it makes the seat belt flutter etc. I had a GTS and loved it but it does make the chassis a little floppy and the roof is heavy and annoyingly has to be turned 180 degrees to fit behind the seats
I also owned an F1 Spider, I loved that car and every mile I drove it, sure the gearbox seems slow and the chassis was probably even more floppy but it was just lovely, I'd buy it back in an instant
I also owned an F1 Spider, I loved that car and every mile I drove it, sure the gearbox seems slow and the chassis was probably even more floppy but it was just lovely, I'd buy it back in an instant
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