Just do your research first. I've been looking into a 348 or 355 for years. May be getting one soon. 355 is obviously better performance wise but it has very costly things that can break, and still has a ways to go in depreciation. I actually like the looks of the 348 better and it's simpler to work on. Still expensive though -- every 5 years you need to do a ~$7k service. That's in addition to an annual ~$1k fluid service.

Go to ferrarichat and read, read, read, read. Tons of info over there. Good luck!

p.s. I may be getting this soon:

 

I looked at that car and it is the definition of auction ****box. The interior is trashed (worn seats, rose colored???), aftermarket alarm, curbed wheels, most of the car has been repainted. It looks like Liberace took it the demolition derby then traded it in.

 

Is this referring to the 355 in the first post?

 

This same car was discussed on Ferrarichat. Seems the engine had problems, spun bearing maybe. The owner could pay, blah, blah. Do a search over there, it was just recently.

 

NOT a fan of that color. IMHO not the right color for a 355, maybe for a 550.

 

The essential elements of any Ferrari purchase are to do your homework.

Then examine the vehicle that interest you, and then have it checked.

Don't buy on emotion!

Ferrari's are not like Hondas. You need an experienced Ferrari mechanic, and those are not abundant.

Carfax's only tell part of the story. You need documentation of services done.

 

Hello:

I've been a Ferrari guy for the last 12 years - I would say the 355 is the car that made me consider a Porsche again.

Not to scare you but my worst maintenance bill was $13K for the 2nd major service at 49K miles (30K service + valve guides + O2 sensors + ECU(s) + thermocoupler + ...).

The car ran fine but while the engine was out the above was recommended.

I know this has probably been said many a time $60K +/- car - $150K car maintenance bills.

Best of luck!

 

Thanks for all the replies fellas.

I know i am not even close to getting involved in something like this - i mean, i even got a little weak in the knees when i had my Cayenne worked on

I do love the 355 and also the idea of owning a Ferrari - but i do realize that it is something i will have to wait a WHILE for. And while the price of the car is obtainable, the cost of ownership is out of my league at the moment.

I think this thread has solidified my choice to get the Nissan GTR when it arrives or continue shopping for the perfect 996TT or 997S (like Luis metioned).

Anyways, thanks for the imput.

 

It's a much safer bet!

 

Do it... Make sure PPI is good before buying.. But buy it... You'll be in love with the sound.. Trust me when I say..

 

Very nice car,i love the 355's,my uncle had a manual red convertible,and when he took me for a spin a few years ago,it was almost a religious experience, it still remains as one of the motoring highlights of my life!
As the good people on this board have said,do your homework and make sure it is a good one,as they are horrendously expensive to work on!