Help, me again. Thinking about buying a 355

I should first point out that I drive a newer C5 Vette. I love it and the
power & control that it provides. Acceleration & lateral G's are
impressive. But, I am considering trading up (down ?) to a used Ferrari.

I have found a 1995 355 spider with 20 Some thousand miles on it here in
Michigan. About $10-15,000 more than the 328 I was looking at. @ $55,000.
So this cost would be about $ 70,000. It is mint, well cared for and
documented. There still may be room to bargain on the price.

I expect that maintenance costs are more costly than 328s. However, do the
costs make the car a non logical choice ? I make a comfortable living but I
am not rich by any standard. I Still have a mortgage, vehicle payments and
work needed on the house like most other people.

Im aware of the fact that most any Ferrari needs a 15,000 and 30,000 mile
tune up. How much do those cost ?
What other tune-ups may it need in between those mileage slots ?

I think the 355 styling is beautiful and I am falling in love with this car.

I have also read about some 355s catching on fire. Something to do with the
manifold heat and fuel lines being too close. What other problmes does this
car have ? Cracked Heads ?

Are these incidents occuring from days at the track or everyday normal
driving ?

My dream of owning a Ferrari is soooooooo close its nerve racking.

Any repsonses would be greatly appreciated. Especially from 355 owners.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff

P.S. Oh yeah, what with this toolkit that is mentioned in every Ferrari ad ?

[Fred Garvin]

Post by
I have also read about some 355s catching on fire. Something to do with the
manifold heat and fuel lines being too close.

The fires appear to be related to improper reconnection or replacement
of the fuel lines after a belt service.

Post by
What other problmes does this car have ? Cracked Heads ?

Heard of that, don't know of that.

Someone hear mentioned cracked headers, but that may be ass apocryphal
as substantive as well.


-

The difference between stupidity and genius is
that genius has its limits. - Albert Einstein

[Iain Miller]

Post by Fred Garvin

Post by
I have also read about some 355s catching on fire. Something to do with the
manifold heat and fuel lines being too close.

The fires appear to be related to improper reconnection or replacement
of the fuel lines after a belt service.

Post by
What other problmes does this car have ? Cracked Heads ?

Heard of that, don't know of that.
Someone hear mentioned cracked headers, but that may be ass apocryphal
as substantive as well.

More likely blown headers - and they do. In order to make the headers run
nice & hot to improve the gas flow Ferrari manufactured the headers out of
quite light weight tubing & then encased them in a heatshield stuffed with
some kind of wadding. Seems they made the tubing just a tad too light cos it
has a habit of blowing through - particularly on the middle two pipes on
each bank.

Early signs of a blown header are a fine white dust all over the engine bay
as the wadding gets blown out from within the heatshield.

Price of one new header is (I believe) about £1200 (call it $2100). Our
friends at QV London are repairing & remanufacturing 355 headers with
slightly heavier guage tube faster than you can say boo to a goose. Last
time I was in there they were just loading another 5 pairs onto the van to
go off & get the treatment. I believe they then sell them for around £450 a
side (call it $800).

There have been other issues of 355 engines with head problems and a few
that have thrown rods etc but these have mostly beeen "well used & abused".

I.

thanks for taking the time to reply

Post by Iain Miller

Post by Fred Garvin

Post by
I have also read about some 355s catching on fire. Something to do with the
manifold heat and fuel lines being too close.

The fires appear to be related to improper reconnection or replacement
of the fuel lines after a belt service.

Post by
What other problmes does this car have ? Cracked Heads ?

Heard of that, don't know of that.
Someone hear mentioned cracked headers, but that may be ass apocryphal
as substantive as well.

More likely blown headers - and they do. In order to make the headers run
nice & hot to improve the gas flow Ferrari manufactured the headers out of
quite light weight tubing & then encased them in a heatshield stuffed with
some kind of wadding. Seems they made the tubing just a tad too light cos
it has a habit of blowing through - particularly on the middle two pipes
on each bank.
Early signs of a blown header are a fine white dust all over the engine
bay as the wadding gets blown out from within the heatshield.
Price of one new header is (I believe) about £1200 (call it $2100). Our
friends at QV London are repairing & remanufacturing 355 headers with
slightly heavier guage tube faster than you can say boo to a goose. Last
time I was in there they were just loading another 5 pairs onto the van to
go off & get the treatment. I believe they then sell them for around £450
a side (call it $800).
There have been other issues of 355 engines with head problems and a few
that have thrown rods etc but these have mostly beeen "well used & abused".
I.

[James]

I've owned & maintained my '95 F355 for 5.5yrs now. I've been thru annual
oil changes (~$300 USD), brakes (~$800 for rear only), rear wheel bearing
(~$1100 including installation), 15K service (~$6K), new catalyst due to
cracked header (~$1500 -- Ferrari covered the new header), a set of tires
(~$1100), rear shocks & CV boot covers (~$4K), etc. All of that being said,
I consider the $/mile driven that I've spent to be a bargain. If properly
maintained, 355's are fairly bullet-proof. I've tracked mine many times &
never had any issues (maybe I'm just not pushing it enough!).

The 328's a beautiful car & would make an excellent choice. Personally, I'd
go ahead & spring for the 355. Just be sure & verify the maintenance
records.

Oh yeah, the toolkit is simply that -- a toolkit that comes in the "trunk".
Not much to it really, but important to have.

Good luck with your quest/purchase.

Regards,
James

Post by
I should first point out that I drive a newer C5 Vette. I love it and the
power & control that it provides. Acceleration & lateral G's are
impressive. But, I am considering trading up (down ?) to a used Ferrari.
I have found a 1995 355 spider with 20 Some thousand miles on it here in
So this cost would be about $ 70,000. It is mint, well cared for and
documented. There still may be room to bargain on the price.
I expect that maintenance costs are more costly than 328s. However, do the
costs make the car a non logical choice ? I make a comfortable living but I
am not rich by any standard. I Still have a mortgage, vehicle payments and
work needed on the house like most other people.
Im aware of the fact that most any Ferrari needs a 15,000 and 30,000 mile
tune up. How much do those cost ?
What other tune-ups may it need in between those mileage slots ?
I think the 355 styling is beautiful and I am falling in love with this car.
I have also read about some 355s catching on fire. Something to do with the
manifold heat and fuel lines being too close. What other problmes does this
car have ? Cracked Heads ?
Are these incidents occuring from days at the track or everyday normal
driving ?
My dream of owning a Ferrari is soooooooo close its nerve racking.
Any repsonses would be greatly appreciated. Especially from 355 owners.
Thanks in advance,
Jeff
P.S. Oh yeah, what with this toolkit that is mentioned in every Ferrari ad ?

Thanks for the info.
Tires and oil change prices are kindof expected. Brakes high but I
understand.

But 15K over 5 years sounds quite expensive.

Wheel bearing
Catalyst
Header
Shocks
CV boot covers

Is this normal for Ferrari upkeep ? Perhaps the 328 does make more sense for
me now.

How many miles per year are you putting on your 355 ?

Thanks Again

Jeff

Post by James
I've owned & maintained my '95 F355 for 5.5yrs now. I've been thru annual
oil changes (~$300 USD), brakes (~$800 for rear only), rear wheel bearing
(~$1100 including installation), 15K service (~$6K), new catalyst due to
cracked header (~$1500 -- Ferrari covered the new header), a set of tires
(~$1100), rear shocks & CV boot covers (~$4K), etc. All of that being said,
I consider the $/mile driven that I've spent to be a bargain. If properly
maintained, 355's are fairly bullet-proof. I've tracked mine many times &
never had any issues (maybe I'm just not pushing it enough!).
The 328's a beautiful car & would make an excellent choice. Personally, I'd
go ahead & spring for the 355. Just be sure & verify the maintenance
records.
Oh yeah, the toolkit is simply that -- a toolkit that comes in the "trunk".
Not much to it really, but important to have.
Good luck with your quest/purchase.
Regards,
James

Post by
I should first point out that I drive a newer C5 Vette. I love it and the
power & control that it provides. Acceleration & lateral G's are
impressive. But, I am considering trading up (down ?) to a used Ferrari.
I have found a 1995 355 spider with 20 Some thousand miles on it here in

$55,000.

Post by
So this cost would be about $ 70,000. It is mint, well cared for and
documented. There still may be room to bargain on the price.
I expect that maintenance costs are more costly than 328s. However, do the
costs make the car a non logical choice ? I make a comfortable living
but

I

Post by
am not rich by any standard. I Still have a mortgage, vehicle payments

and

Post by
work needed on the house like most other people.
Im aware of the fact that most any Ferrari needs a 15,000 and 30,000 mile
tune up. How much do those cost ?
What other tune-ups may it need in between those mileage slots ?
I think the 355 styling is beautiful and I am falling in love with this

car.

Post by
I have also read about some 355s catching on fire. Something to do with

the

Post by
manifold heat and fuel lines being too close. What other problmes does

this

Post by
car have ? Cracked Heads ?
Are these incidents occuring from days at the track or everyday normal
driving ?
My dream of owning a Ferrari is soooooooo close its nerve racking.
Any repsonses would be greatly appreciated. Especially from 355 owners.
Thanks in advance,
Jeff
P.S. Oh yeah, what with this toolkit that is mentioned in every Ferrari
ad

?

[Christine M. Thompson]

The 355 is expensive to maintain. The price on this one is a little low.
Do not by a 355 of this year, or before 97 without concrete receipts that
the valve sliders have been replaced. This can be a $12K-$19K service.
This is a well know problem with this model.

If you are just starting in Ferrari, a 328 is the place to start. Check
carfax, you must see the cars records, and if possible contact the service
agencies for an opinion. You must engage and independent Ferrari mechanic
to check out any Ferrari.

Ensure all the books, the jack, spare and toolkit are included. These are
very expensive if you have to get them yourself.

The 328 should cost approx $5000 for a 15K service, and approx 1200-1500 for
a 3K service. Ensure the clutch is good. They often need replacing in the
25 - 35K mileage range. Especially is the previous owner has had it on the
track..

Good Luck.

Keep Looking.

One last tip, if you state requires Smog, ensure the car meets the stats..

Post by
I should first point out that I drive a newer C5 Vette. I love it and the
power & control that it provides. Acceleration & lateral G's are
impressive. But, I am considering trading up (down ?) to a used Ferrari.
I have found a 1995 355 spider with 20 Some thousand miles on it here in
$55,000. So this cost would be about $ 70,000. It is mint, well cared for
and documented. There still may be room to bargain on the price.
I expect that maintenance costs are more costly than 328s. However, do the
costs make the car a non logical choice ? I make a comfortable living but
I am not rich by any standard. I Still have a mortgage, vehicle payments
and work needed on the house like most other people.
Im aware of the fact that most any Ferrari needs a 15,000 and 30,000 mile
tune up. How much do those cost ?
What other tune-ups may it need in between those mileage slots ?
I think the 355 styling is beautiful and I am falling in love with this car.
I have also read about some 355s catching on fire. Something to do with
the manifold heat and fuel lines being too close. What other problmes does
this car have ? Cracked Heads ?
Are these incidents occuring from days at the track or everyday normal
driving ?
My dream of owning a Ferrari is soooooooo close its nerve racking.
Any repsonses would be greatly appreciated. Especially from 355 owners.
Thanks in advance,
Jeff
P.S. Oh yeah, what with this toolkit that is mentioned in every Ferrari ad ?

Thanks for your reply. I did find a 328 GTS that I am now pursuing. I hope
it works out.

Im nervous and excited...... About to find out if replacing the newer C5
with an older 328 is worth it......

Post by Christine M. Thompson
The 355 is expensive to maintain. The price on this one is a little low.
Do not by a 355 of this year, or before 97 without concrete receipts that
the valve sliders have been replaced. This can be a $12K-$19K service.
This is a well know problem with this model.
If you are just starting in Ferrari, a 328 is the place to start. Check
carfax, you must see the cars records, and if possible contact the service
agencies for an opinion. You must engage and independent Ferrari mechanic
to check out any Ferrari.
Ensure all the books, the jack, spare and toolkit are included. These are
very expensive if you have to get them yourself.
The 328 should cost approx $5000 for a 15K service, and approx 1200-1500
for a 3K service. Ensure the clutch is good. They often need replacing
in the 25 - 35K mileage range. Especially is the previous owner has had
it on the track..
Good Luck.
Keep Looking.
One last tip, if you state requires Smog, ensure the car meets the stats..

Post by
I should first point out that I drive a newer C5 Vette. I love it and the
power & control that it provides. Acceleration & lateral G's are
impressive. But, I am considering trading up (down ?) to a used Ferrari.
I have found a 1995 355 spider with 20 Some thousand miles on it here in
$55,000. So this cost would be about $ 70,000. It is mint, well cared
for and documented. There still may be room to bargain on the price.
I expect that maintenance costs are more costly than 328s. However, do
the costs make the car a non logical choice ? I make a comfortable living
but I am not rich by any standard. I Still have a mortgage, vehicle
payments and work needed on the house like most other people.
Im aware of the fact that most any Ferrari needs a 15,000 and 30,000 mile
tune up. How much do those cost ?
What other tune-ups may it need in between those mileage slots ?
I think the 355 styling is beautiful and I am falling in love with this car.
I have also read about some 355s catching on fire. Something to do with
the manifold heat and fuel lines being too close. What other problmes
does this car have ? Cracked Heads ?
Are these incidents occuring from days at the track or everyday normal
driving ?
My dream of owning a Ferrari is soooooooo close its nerve racking.
Any repsonses would be greatly appreciated. Especially from 355 owners.
Thanks in advance,
Jeff
P.S. Oh yeah, what with this toolkit that is mentioned in every Ferrari ad ?