Hello, Always been my dream to own a Ferrari and with the price of the 355's getting into the $50's it seems like that or even an early 360 could be a reality in the next 5 years (wish it was sooner). Im sure this has been asked before but what kind of maintenace costs would a 355 or 360 require for a car driven 5-7000 miles per year? That is my fear that I could afford the car but not afford to keep it if it needs $15-20k services regularly.

 

I don't own a 355 or 360, but for what it's worth, my mechanic calls the 355 'the widow maker' for its high maintenance costs. The three times I have taken my F430 to him (annual fluid change, accessory install, brake bleed for track prep), there was a different 355 on a lift with its engine completely pulled out for repairs. That's megabucks. 360's I believe are a little more reliable with a major belt service which runs 5-8k I believe every 3 yrs.

F430's on the other hand are built like tanks and require only a fluid change every year. Obviously there are outliers to every model, but if you can afford a modern Ferrari (F430 or later), that is the best way to avoid maintenance costs.

In the end, if you buy an early model, you will likely pay in maintenance costs. If you buy a late model, you will pay in depreciation, with minimal maintenance costs. My F430 was about ($900) for the annual and that has been it for the last 12 months.

 

So I wonder what an early 430 will bring in a few years from now? I know of a few at local dealers but they are still $130-150k which is not in my price range. At $900/year per year your maintenance costs aren't any worse than the average BMW, Jag, Audi, etc (well nearly) which is a surprise. What are the major services on the 430?

 

Just fluid change (transmission, coolant, brake, oil). I have an '05 and that's all my indi guy told me I needed on a year to year basis. Obviously as it gets much older, some wear and tear items may wear out. Brakes pads are probably 1-2k. Rotors around 7-10k. Not sure of what other items may need to be replaced. But not having a rubber belt like the 360's makes it a relatively cheap car to maintain.

Of course if something should go wrong with the engine or you get some sort of mechanical bug, it can cost upwards of $10k+. It's just a risk you have to be aware of and ready for should it come up. I have heard of one 90k mile F430 and was told no major issues.

 

There's a 430 on Autotrader right now with 85k miles. $7 - 10k for rotors seems crazy, do these cars come with carbon-ceramic brakes standard?

 

CCB was an option from 05-07. Standard from 07 on, which you'll see reflected in the premium for 07+ cars. Hey, $7-10k is nothing if you consider CCB rotors are $20k just for parts! CCB however should 'last forever' if you don't track it.

The sweet spot right now for '05 coupes are 10-15k miles for ~$110-115k. Just make sure they have daytona seats and are your typical colors if you are at all concerned with resale. They don't call red 'resale red' for nothing.

 

go to know, since Im a part of the Ferrari family now....

 

F430's are some of the best well built ferrari's ever..

 

348's and 355's have very high maintenance costs, engine must come out for cambelt changes. Cost 8-10k every 3-5 years, depending on how **** you are.

360's are the best value right now, or a 575m. 575's can go 5 years on a belt change, and they have depreciated more than 50% down from 240k retail.

360's have cam belt changes, cost $1400 to 2k every 3-5 years, depending on the dealer. Other costs would be oil changes every year, $300-400, every other year full fluid change including brake, coolant and transmission at $1k. Get on Ferrarilife.com or Ferrarichat.com and they have some pretty good lists of the worst case scenarios of major repair issues. For a 360, shoot for a 2002, as it comes with the newer TCU computer that can be adjusted for better shifting and driveability.

 

A 355 is a truly awesome car to own if you buy a well sorted and well maintained car. Your best source of info on the F355 would be Ferrarichat.com. There are some very well documented and very expensive issues that 355 are know for. To name a few, headers, cats and valve guides, but, because of their age, many cars have had these problems taken care of by now. You must get a PPI by someone who is very familiar with the 355.
My regular maintenance cost are as follows: Yearly recommended service consisting of oil change, brake and clutch flush $900 to 1k. Engine out service every 3-5 years $6-7K. My last one was $6,200. I would stay away from the F1 cars. The 355 was the first Ferrari to have it and repairs can be costly. If you can swing the costs, go for it! The 355 runs, drives and sounds like no other V8 Ferrari.