that's like asking M3 or C2... different cars

As for the original OP's question, 996 GT3 or 997 GT3..whichever comes first.

 

I'll congtrats as long as you had it checked out first. I have been hanging out with the Ferrarri club and there are good reasons why the F355 resale values are really low. The early cars (95-97) have brass valve guides (the 456GT has the same issue). Ferrari fixed the issue for the last 2 years of production. The problem is the valve guides start wearing out at 30,000 miles (faster if you track it). They can be replaced, but the going rate to pull, tear down and rebuild the engine is $13,000. Always be weary of a cheap 95-96 F355 with 30K miles on it.

The other major problem with all F355s is the exhaust manifolds melt. The question isn't if, it is when. I talked to one person who had another factory set put on when the first set failed and the second set failed less than 15,000 miles later. Fortunately, there are aftermarket replacements that are shielded to fix the problem. They even add a few extra ponies in the process. Unfortunately, they run at least $4,800 a set plus installation. Since learning this, I have eliminated any thought of an F355 from my mind...but an F360 has neither of these issues...

As long as you already have the heads rebuilt and new manifolds, congrats! It's a great car and should be very reliable. Otherwise, best of luck.

 

In 2 years, a 997 GT3 (CPO car, let someone else take the depreciation hit). Make mine Meteor Grey or GT Silver...

 

+1

 

Turbo Cabriolet. Year around goodness for me .

Of course if life sends me a twist...
Then it's a Subaru Legacy.

thanks,
Amir

 

Wow, no one mentioned the Aston Martin Vantage V8? That's my target next car. Of course, it's a constantly moving target...

I did test drive the AMV8 a couple of months ago. It reminded me a lot of my Z06 Corvette; even though it is smaller than the 911 it feels bigger (and heavier). The interior is naturally much much better than any plasticar and much nicer than on the 911, the seats are awesome and everything just feels right to me. You can't see the front of the car, forget looking out the back, but it has a strong V8 and a nice (albeit heavy) shifter and a very progressive clutch that I instantly fell in love with. Nice ride and awesome handling, low road noise. It's got one of those valves in the exhaust that opens up under heavy throttle. Ooooooooooooooooh baby!

Anyway, I need for some of you guys to go buy the AM and drive it for a few years, take that big depreciation hit and then sell it to me. Just PM me when you're ready.

Thanks!


Michael

 

Masserati Quattroporte hands down next car for me in 2 years. The wife next summer is a 1999 360 modena. I really miss having a 4 door. But I am keeping her G wagon and the 996. I am just adding the family....

 

Been driving over 40 years, owned most all of my dream cars and had the most awsome motorcycles that could be built or bought. My wife has her favorites in the garage currently, a Boxster and a Lexus RX400h.

My last dream car was a Silver 996 Cabriolet with silver console and Sports Seat backs, grey top, full leather, Carbon Fiber Shifter and Brake, PSE and HID Litronics. This took me 15 months to find in mint condition with no issues and a 1700 mile drive to get it home. It's been in the garage nearly 4 years and has been a wonderful car.

My daily driver is a '99 metallic light brown Jeep Cherokee. I lifted it 3.5" and put 31" BFG A/T agressive tires and offroad wheels on it. It sports a roof rack that holds the spare and additional lighting for wilderness excursions. With just over 60K miles it still looks and drives new. The Grin Factor pretty much equals the 996.

For fun I have a Turquoise and Cream Heritage Softail, lowered, stripped of windshield, bags, passenger seat, passing lights, signals, etc. Hotrodded motor, loud pipes, upgraded suspension. A hoot to ride when not feeling in a hurry. My Buell S1, stripped, lightened, and built motor will satisfy my need for speed if riding in the canyons or attacking the twisties.

If I need a track day, I can dust off my GSXR 750 Superbike, fit some fresh slicks and see if I still have the strength to push start it. If not I can use the lighter and smaller Honda MT125R Roadracer.

Just to look at, I have my '65 Harley 1200 Panhead and '71 FLH ElectraGlide, and for works in progress a heavily customized '94 Fatboy, 91 ElectraGlide FLHS and a '48 FL Panhead. I'm in no hurry to get these projects finished as they are rainy day time and space fillers.

As you can see, sometimes I feel overwhelmed when it comes to vehicles and at present I feel the need for less not more. Did I mention I have a Ford F150? and a Yamaha YSR50? Anyway my very next vehicle could be a Subaru Outback. Its the only thing that comes to mind but I'm surpressing the urge.

 

08 - 997 - TT on order - Black on Black - When I retire I plan on Getting the F430, drove it once and wanted to steal it. Too dam Sexy......

 

... 997 GT3 - for me the next logical step after my 996 C2; I see so many of these nice cars at DE events.

 

Right now I've got an '04 M3 w/ BBSs and a '99 Jeep Cherokee so both inline-6s. I absolutely love the Cherokee for its rugged good looks and legendary tranny/engine combo.

Next car would likely be some sort of 911. Most likely a nicely optioned 997S with the aerokit lowered on some OZ/BBS/Work wheels.

 

next Porsche? GT3
Next Car? not sure

 

Gee difficult, so little money so many cars! I guess if I am dreaming an Austin V8, when I wake up a regular Porsche is about the best I can do without going into debt and no car is worth that.

 

I've read more posts about the 355 on ferrari chat than any sane man would ever read. There are a ton of opinions on this issue, but I think the consensus is roughly explained in This Thread .

Bottom line, you have to do a PPI and check compression, but the odds of running into the valve guide problem do not appear to be as widespread as you state. It seems in some ways not dissimilar to the RMS issue with 996 which was overblown at first before all the facts came out. Although of course, if it does happen on the 996 it is a < 1K fix versus a > 10k fix on a ferrari, but I guess you have to factor that in when you buy it. I plan to keep at least a 10K reserve for year one, once I finally pull the trigger.

 

I'm looking to get an old volvo 740 turbo wagon or 2005 or later Subaru Outback XT, and a Porsche 550 beck spyder.