9elheven

Gee, I just love this kind of talk. I feel very fortunate to finally own a 993, and I'm learning to drive it a bit and am having fun with it, but I want you all to know that I am living vicariously through those of you with REALLY serious (and expensive) machines! Some of you with a couple of Italian mistresses: Ducatis, 360s, F355s, TRs, yowser! Keep the good times rolling. Oof!

Mark in Baltimore

Nice bike and nice garage, Randy.

grouchy

I remember reading earlier threads where the maintenance cost guideline was "a dollar a mile" on the Ferraris.

becker - 97'C4S

The F430 replacement for the 360 is due sometime next year that might
take the prices of the 355 a bit lower is the word. I know a bit on the service for the 360 the 15K/3yr belt-change service supposedely runs about 1.5K but the reply I get from owners that went thru it is it usually is around 6K and the F1 will add a bit more for the clutch as most need some service done to it. The F430 will have chains so the price for the 15K service might be lower.

AGC

Here is my 2 cents

I have owned both a 91 Testarossa and a 93 348 SS. They were great looking cars and man do they sound great, but as for their reliability, it's not that good. Let me start with the 348SS, it was a special series with only 100 built, it was great and the only problem I had with it was the alternator. The car drove great and was a beauty to look at, my targa top painted to match the car. Had the car for about two years and was a great car, but as many Fcar owners we tried hard to keep the miles down because of the resale value. OK now the Testarossa, this car was a nightmare to start with I spent about $10k when I bought the car just to get it right, even then it was not 100%. The car needed a major service and a whole lot of other things in the beginning to get it to run right. I owned the car for 1.5 year and of that I had it at home for only about 3 months, the rest of the time it was at the dealer getting worked on. So you have to do some serous research beefore buying one, I bought both the Fcars from authorized Ferrari dealership and one was great and the other was not so great. In the end I got a 96 993TT and couldn't be happier. But when I was heavy into the Fcars, I have heard great things about the 360 and the late 355. The only thing people told me was not to get the earlier model 355 or even 360, but I personally do not have any experience with owning either one. I have driven both and all I can say it once you drive one and listen to it, you will also be hooked. I almost got a 355 instead of the 993TT, but I remember the repair bills for the Testarossa and that made my decision easier.

Randy M

Thanks Mark

The painted floor has some bubbles in it but they aren't getting any worse thankfully.

And damnit it's starting to get cold so my days of riding are pretty much shot for a while.

Terry Adams

Before I ordered my current 993 in 1997, I remember reading an article in Forza Magazine about maintenance costs. I believe on the F355, but can't remember which issue.

Seems like maintenance was about 2.5X the 993. Not the appropriate vehicle for my high miles application.

I could see owning one in addition to, but not instead of, a 993. Especially if the 993 was a tt.

brian J

"$30k early in it's life for repairs?!!! Damn, that's what I was afraid of. I may just have to part with one of my 993's to get a Twin Turbo, less expensive and will kill a 355 in performance."

SuperGrass

Dont let the potential big bills scare you, you just need to buy right..it can be done with just a little bit of due diligence. yes, you will always spend more on maintenance with the Fcar, thats a given and a requirement of ownership but its so worth it (see pic below) As for The TT "killing the 355" in performance....the TT is faster but will not by any means stamp all over the 355..were talking 380hp V 400hp approx, not a huge difference. Have you driven a 355? Believe me the difference in hp is more than made up for in other areas of the 355 IMO. Its not all about absolute hp.

tdf360

Everyone I know that has done the 15k in a 360 has been in the $1500 - 2000 range, not that it can't go higher.

Gary

Arrwin

Uh oh....are we getting an addition to the garage.

supergrass

I may consider it in the future if they come down a little more. I think $50k for one with less than 20k miles would be real tempting. At the rate cars are depreciating, it won't be too long, and I think the 355 has a look that won't ever look old. Do any of you think the economy will change to where cars aren't depreciating as fast as they are now? Do you think the 993 will have a point that it bottoms out in value? I couldn't imagine a 993 that is not wrecked, regardless of miles, in good condition selling for less than $20k. Do you agree?

Traffic53

hey there sugargrass, i'm with you. when the 355 approaches the 50 grand mark- count me in. but we shant hold our breath. i think we'll have a tough time finding one for less than 70 for the next five years, maybe more. they only made about 10,000 of those world wide (in all it's variations). i suspect it's used value will stay pretty high. you might see the 348 in the 50 range soon- but they pretty much suck and remain high on the list of ferrari's poorest efforts.