Test drove an F355 today

[Soren Lorenson]

Gated shifter. Berlinetta, red and tan.
Gorgeous car.

I was hoping to dislike something about. Instead I spent the rest of the day day-dreaming about it.

[HardDrive]

Why? Why must you post things like this? *sigh*

[masraum]

Wait! All that you're giving us is "I liked it"? Come on, you've got to give us more than that.

[Soren Lorenson]

OK - it was freaking amazing! Gorgeous. Fit like a glove, The seat was perfectly supportive, the steering wheel the absolute right size and thickness, perfect response. A beautiful deep burble. Actually easy to jump in and drive.

The shifter took a few glances down (2nd to 3rd took some mental effort to move it over) but the snick sound and faint click was so sweet. The clutch picked up so quickly (I managed not to stall her though). But much easier to shift than a 915 and the clutch wasn't heavy.

I was worried about doing something stupid and ending up on Jalopnik or something so I took it really easy, almost too easy so when I shifted into 3rd it wanted more throttle. No stereo, didn't care.

I really really want her.

[Baz]

That's funny you should mention the shifting.......

I drove one too several years ago - an friend who is an architect owns one and 'forced' me to take it for a spin. I was really worried about screwing something up while shifting. His wasn't gated either.

That car turned so sweetly around corners....whew......

[porsche4life]

I was expecting a post about Mikes car lol!

[manbridge 74]

Exhaust manifolds are made of pasta!!

Cool car though..

[Soren Lorenson]

Haha I meant Ferrari 355 (not F355) of course. Oops.

[Jeff Alton]

Beautiful car, my favourite mid engine Ferrari. Budget plenty for maintenance though...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Awesome cars. The time to buy one was 2-3 years ago, they are going up in a hurry.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Awesome cars. The time to buy one was 2-3 years ago, they are going up in a hurry.

Yep. Three years ago there were plenty of 355's for sale in the $70 range, with only a few over six-futures. Now, 30K mile shaky maintenance history cars are $70K, with most nice ones over six figures (always a day late and a dollar short ).

I owned a 360 for a short time a decade ago. Went to an Orange County Ferrari Owners Club meeting with my wife. We stayed about 20 minutes. My wife made a great observation..."Yuk, sell this thing. Porsche owners buy Porsches because the love driving them. Ferrari owners buy Ferraris for the impression it makes on others".

[Fast Freddy 944]

Hey its Italian, what can I say! Fantastico!Now when you drive the mighty 288 gto, let me know!
Ciao!

[Soren Lorenson]

Originally Posted by Craig T

Yep. Three years ago there were plenty of 355's for sale in the $70 range, with only a few over six-futures. Now, 30K mile shaky maintenance history cars are $70K, with most nice ones over six figures (always a day late and a dollar short ).

I owned a 360 for a short time a decade ago. Went to an Orange County Ferrari Owners Club meeting with my wife. We stayed about 20 minutes. My wife made a great observation..."Yuk, sell this thing. Porsche owners buy Porsches because the love driving them. Ferrari owners buy Ferraris for the impression it makes on others".

Yep, true. The flappy paddle ones and 'verts can still be had for $70s around here.
I'm more scared of the maintenance than the initial price. Need a lot of appreciation to cover engine out services.

A lot of the Ferrari guys around here race or track them. I'm sure plenty buy them for show, but they've also got yachts and jets for that, not "cheap" old cars.

Regardless, I'm smitten.

[Jeff Alton]

Step up to a 360. Bit more initial buy in, but far reduced maintenance costs.... Better car, though not as pretty (IMO).

Cheers

[patz]

5k A YEAR for maintenance. Ferrari F355 Buyer's Guide: What You Need to Know – Feature – Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog

[MRM]

Originally Posted by patz

5k A YEAR for maintenance. Ferrari F355 Buyer's Guide: What You Need to Know – Feature – Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog

I drove an Audi RS6 as a daily driver for about four years. I WISH it cost only $5,000 a year in maintenance. It was so expensive I finally dumped it on a trade in for a BMW 535. It was such a maintenance hog that it completely spoiled me to the entire Audi brand. That and the dealership constantly treating me like I was stupid. Which I guess I was for suffering through owning an RS6. But I'll never own another Audi and I feel prepared to own a Ferrari when the time comes.

[doug_porsche]

Originally Posted by Craig T

... My wife made a great observation..."Yuk, sell this thing. Porsche owners buy Porsches because the love driving them. Ferrari owners buy Ferraris for the impression it makes on others".

The really sad part is...

The 355 is a really nice car to drive.
I dont like the engine out maintenance cost, but it is a really nice driving car!

[tabs]

Originally Posted by MRM

I drove an Audi RS6 as a daily driver for about four years. I WISH it cost only $5,000 a year in maintenance. It was so expensive I finally dumped it on a trade in for a BMW 535. It was such a maintenance hog that it completely spoiled me to the entire Audi brand. That and the dealership constantly treating me like I was stupid. Which I guess I was for suffering through owning an RS6. But I'll never own another Audi and I feel prepared to own a Ferrari when the time comes.

You do know that u are fk ing insane.

[Soren Lorenson]

Originally Posted by Jeff Alton

Step up to a 360. Bit more initial buy in, but far reduced maintenance costs.... Better car, though not as pretty (IMO).

Cheers

Right, better but with age certainly not as pretty. Why must the expensive, high maintenance things be so beautiful?

[Jeff Alton]

It is what it is... as they say.

To me , the 355 is one of my Fave Ferrari designs. The 360 is more about function over form. Technically, it is a great design. Full undertray aero etc, but it leaves something to be desired. Ferrari is an emotional brand, but it took them a very long time to marry the emotion with the technical requirements. Hence why you have a beautiful car like a F355 that maintenance wise is a disaster and borderline joke...