What is likely your next car...

[MarKoBrow]

Originally Posted by Jared at Pelican Parts

Listen to this man.

I am having a hard time understanding why he should stay clear of the 355. It's a great car that needs it's owner to pay attention to it's maintenance needs. I suspect all that run from the 355 have never owned one. Schumi I hope you close the deal and enjoy the new toy

[cairns]

Better to have owned a Ferrari and lost money than to have never owned a Ferrari.

I used to say that about the Jag.

[speeder]

There is quite the variety of budgets expressed here, from brand new 100k cars down to sht box projects. My next driver will probably be a nicer version of the MB C36 that I just bought. That thing is nearly a perfect dd and they are dirt cheap.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by MarKoBrow

I am having a hard time understanding why he should stay clear of the 355. It's a great car that needs it's owner to pay attention to it's maintenance needs. I suspect all that run from the 355 have never owned one. Schumi I hope you close the deal and enjoy the new toy

Now that's funny.
Motion had a 355 Stradale.

Here's one of his quotes about that car:

Personally, I wouldn't own a Ferrari without a manuf warranty. Ferrari spent in the neighborhood of $80,000 - $100,000 on warranty claims on my Stradale during the 2 years I owned it.

[sammyg2]

BTW IMO black wheels look like ass, especially on a luxury car.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

BTW IMO black wheels look like ass, especially on a luxury car.

Is that good or bad?

[speeder]

Touché.

[MarKoBrow]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

Now that's funny.
Motion had a 355 Stradale.

Here's one of his quotes about that car:

I have owned and enjoyed both the 348 and the 355 and both had there share of maintenance issues. I am talking from experience not hear-say. No such thing as a maintenance free Ferrari although I have not had one problem with my 360 since new, maybe it's a fluke or something.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

BTW IMO black wheels look like ass, especially on a luxury car.

I loved them on my 996.

[Schumi]

Well I went and looked at the 355. No go. It had a lot of small cosmetic flaws that I knew would be big bucks to get righted and the dealer wasn't moving on the price at all. So I walked.

There are other fish in the sea.

That's strike 2 for me, last week I went and looked at a Lotus that, in pictures, looked great but when I got there looked like it had been owned by a 16 year old girl that lived down a long gravel driveway. I'd never seen so many rock chips. Lots of small parts missing, seat slider broken, etc.

The dealer was shocked when I told him the car wasn't up to my standards. Offended almost. I told him he was charging over blue book and the car was far far under bluebook condition, and he was seemingly angry to hear this. Must been because he knew he was going to loose money on that one eventually to move it.

[speeder]

Good for you for being picky, it will pay off.

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by Schumi

Well I went and looked at the 355. No go. It had a lot of small cosmetic flaws

Sadly, I found the same when looking at 355s. They age quickly. The 360s I have looked at appear to be aging better, though they still have that tacky feel on some of their interior surfaces. Weird!

Why isn't any looking to buy a new BMW M1? I was chasing one on the hwy with the 930 and it was fast. They look a little odd, but should be a blast to own.

[speeder]

I think I want an e46 M3. What's the deal w/ SMG transmissions? Stay away or ok? They are quite a bit of car for the $$ if you don't require a "10" condition.

[porsche4life]

Why would you get an SMG, when the BMW 6spd shifts so nicely?

[gprsh924]

Arguably slightly less reliable than the 6spd, though the debates are endless on the forums.

Pretty fun to drive, but nothing beats a third pedal. Auto rev matching downshifts are fun. If you spend a lot of time in traffic, the auto mode is very convenient.

[TimT]

Cayman.... Exige..... Elise.....

what will be the deciding factor is the numbers...

Heck a nice 2002tii would be a good interim plaything R5?

[speeder]

Why would you get an SMG, when the BMW 6spd shifts so nicely?

Well, it seems like about half of the cars made were SMGs, so it definitely opens up the field quite a bit to include them. Normally, I would not even consider an automatic in that car but I know that the SMG is not a normal auto trans. It's a legitimate alternative for enthusiasts. I just have no idea how they drive or if they break expensively.

[sc_rufctr]

[porsche4life]

^^^^ Very good choice...

[Jeff Alton]

I am thinking about selling our Cayman S, but not sure what will replace it.... Would love an elise, nearly bought one instead of the Cayman, but the wife is too short to get a good driving position...

Not sure what I am going to get....