F355. Contents. F355 Buyer s Guide. Ferrari Life 1. A Rosso Corsa F355 GTB waiting to have fun on the racetrack where the car will become alive.

Transcription

1 F355 Buyer s Guide A Rosso Corsa F355 GTB waiting to have fun on the racetrack where the car will become alive. F355 Contents First Published November 2004 by Ferrari Life. Second Edition July guides@ferrarilife.com Copyright ONE Media, Inc All Rights Reserved. Author: William Taylor Editor: Andrew Naber Photos by: Bob Hagendijk Andrew Naber 3 Introduction & Model Information 8 Driving Impressions 10 Maintenance & Reliability 11 Pros & Cons 11 Quotes From Owners 12 Buying Tips 13 Ownership Expectations 13 Purchasing Options 15 Rating Chart Ferrari Life 1

2 Ferrari Buyer s Guides by Ferrari Life 2 Ferrari Life

3 F355 Buyer s Guide Model Information The F355 was first shown in mid 1993 in Belgium with sales starting in Europe in US sales followed in The initial launch car was the Berline a, followed shortly a er by the targa-roofed GTS, and finally the Spider. The F355 replaced the 348 in the Ferrari lineup and represented a much simpler, cleaner design than its predecessor. Both the Testarossa style cheese grater side strakes and grill work on the rear covering the lights were eliminated. The F355 addressed the perceived weaknesses of the 348 with improvements in both road handling and performance. Driving both models back-to-back will clearly demonstrate the differences. The F355 was positively received by both the press and those lucky enough to get their hands on the first production cars. Generally the F355 is regarded as being a quantum leap forward from the 348. It was universally praised for its clean lines, well appointed interior, and spine tingling performance driven by the mid mounted 40 valve V8. Borrowing technology from the F1 engines, the F355 engine sported five valves (3 inlet, 2 exhaust) per cylinder The F355 was the first Ferrari model to sell more than 10,000 units and also the first to carry the F1 transmission as an option. At launch, with 109bhp per liter, the Ferrari Life 3

4 Ferrari Buyer s Guides by Ferrari Life F355 engine had the highest specific output per liter of all normally aspirated production cars. Long term, the F355 is destined to be one of the all great classic V8 Ferraris. However, the large production number of 10,000 units will undoubtedly mean this model will never appreciate enormously when compared to earlier Ferraris. The basic mechanicals of the F355 are a mid engine configuration using a 90 degree V 8 dual overhead cam 3.5 liter dry sump engine. It is mated to a transverse mounted 6-speed manual gearbox with a dry single plate hydraulically activated clutch. To date, the F355 has been the only Ferrari road car to use 5 valves per cylinder. The F355 uses titanium alloy connecting rods and hydraulically adjusted tappets, again both firsts for a Ferrari road car. Maximum power at 8250 rpm is 375 hp which delivers a top speed of 183 mph. The engine song at the 8500 rpm red line can only come from a Ferrari. The chassis is welded tubular steel with a separate sub frame for the engine and rear suspension. The Pininfarina designed body utilizes both light aluminium and steel body panels. Suspension is independent unequal length wishbones front and rear, anti-roll bars, and electronic damping. Steering is via power rack-and-pinion. The brakes are massive ventilated drilled discs with ATE anti-locking braking and 4 piston aluminium callipers. For aggressive track driving, the ABS system can be turned off. These massive brakes can pull the F355 from 60 to 0 mph in less than 3 seconds. The damping management sys- 4 Ferrari Life

5 tem has two driver selectable options, Normal and Sport. The cabin of the F355 is bathed in leather, luxurious, while remaining functional. The seats are supportive, and comfortable for drivers over 6 3. The driving position remains the classic Italian approach of long arms and short legs, which takes some adjustment for those unfamiliar with Italian autos. A good size trunk is provided in the nose with limited additional storage space in the cabin behind the seats (on the GTS, this is where the roof panel sits when removed). The fuel cap is mounted on the right rear quarter panel and feeds a 88 litre tank. In 1997, Ferrari introduced the F1 gearbox as an option on the F355. The F1 gear box uses an electro-hydraulic transmission with dual paddle F355 Buyer s Guide shi ers behind the steering wheel rim. The F1 transmission maintains the manual gear box but replaces the manual clutch with a hydraulic clutch capable of swapping gears in 150 ms. It features four modes: Automatic, Normal, Sport, and Low Grip. Air-conditioning, ABS, adjustable dual mode suspension, and Connolly leather interior were standard on all F355s. Airbags were standard equip- Ferrari Life 5

6 Ferrari Buyer s Guides by Ferrari Life General Brakes: Engine Type: S p e c i f i c a t i o n s Number Made: F355 GTB: 4,970 F355 GTS: 2,577 F355 Spider: 3,717 Chassis: Displacement: Bore & Stroke: Ferrari Life s Rating: F 129 B: Mid-mounted 90 V8, light alloy cylinder block and head 3,496 cc Compression Ratio: 11:1 Valve Train: Power: Torque: Suspension Front: Rear: Dimensions Length: Width: Height: Wheelbase: Front/Rear Track: Weight: Ventilated Disc, 4 piston calipers, dual high-press Steel monococque and tubular rear subframe Transmission: Dry twin-plate clutch, 6-speed gearbox + reverse, ZF limited-slip differential Performance Acceleration: Top Speed: 85 x 77 mm DOHC, 5 valves/cylinder 380 8,200 rpms 360 5,800 rpms Independent double wishbones, coil springs and gas dampers Independent double wishbones, coil springs and gas dampers 4,250 mm 1,900 mm 1,170 mm 2,450 mm 1,514/1,615 mm 1,430 kg 0-60 mph 4.7 seconds 183 mph F Stars F355 F1 4 Stars ment on all US cars and European models as of Other factory offered options included: racing seats (GTB & GTS only), direct, non power assisted steering, Challenge grille, painted brake calipers, Scuderia wing shields, and a fi ed luggage set. The key differences between the three F355 body styles are: GTB (Berline a closed hard top), GTS (removable targa top), and Spider (convertible). The GTB provides the best handling due to the stiffness of the closed bodied coupe. Both the GTS and Spider are open bodies with trade offs in terms of body stiffness and added potential for water leaks. However, the upsides are the sun and wind in the hair driving experience. O en the Spiders will command a slightly higher price, and per Ferrari history over the long term tend to offer be er appreciation potential. You will also enjoy the 8 cylinder symphony more in the open body versions. For track use, the Berline a is the best choice. One other key decision point is the transmission. All the models were available with either the F1 or the 6 speed manual. The F1 was first used in the F355 it has had more reliability issues than the version later fi ed to the 360 Modena, 430, and 575M. The F1 transmission on the F355 uses a hydraulic clutch, not a torque converter. In stop and go traffic, this does result in the clutch heating up and wearing quickly. Regarding the gearbox options, the F1 transmission allows you to focus your a ention on speed and balance. Up shi s are faster than you would achieve manually, downshi s while braking are quicker. Net, net get the F1 if you like to drive really hard on curvy back roads 6 Ferrari Life

7 F355 Buyer s Guide Blu F355 GTB in Japan Silver F355 GTS in The Netherlands Yellow F355 Spider in Malaysia or on the track. The classic manual gated gearbox is a special experience. With it you will feel more connected, but driving hard on curvy roads can be a humbling experience. Taking care of that stick requires skill, coordination, and concentration. Running the stick gives you the beautiful clanking sound of metal on metal as you move through the gears. This somehow heightens the connectedness of the whole experience. For the traditional Ferrarista, this is food for the soul. There is much more skilled foot work involved, but for many this is a core part of the Ferrari piloting experience. Very few major changes were made to the F355 during its 6 year production run. The main changes between the model years are: Dual airflow system, OBD I, Bosch Motronic 2.7 Engine Management System Single airflow system, OBD II, 2nd generation brakes & headers, Bosch Motronic 5.2 Engine Management System, Airbags rd generation brakes The dual airflow system, which was only fi ed to 1995 model year F355s, produces an extra 5-10 bhp. The 1995 model is the fastest of the F355s and also the loudest (95 models are rated 380 bhp, are rated at 375 Ferrari Life 7

8 Ferrari Buyer s Guides by Ferrari Life bhp). While today these tend to be the least expensive F355s due to age and depreciation, given the extra power, more elegant non-airbag steering wheel, and more powerful soundtrack, over the long term they may well mirror the rise of the early fiberglass 308 GTBs and command a premium vs. other later F355s. For the last 100 units, Ferrari created a special edition Series Fiorano Spider. All cars came with a quicker steering rack, lower sports suspension, increased track, drilled and ventilated discs, competition brake pads, and a stiffer anti-roll bar. Due to the F430 s recent introduction, it is likely that the prices of F355s will continue to fall for a couple of more years. For a first time buyer this is great news as the F355 delivers an excellent first Ferrari ownership experience at a reasonable cost. Driving Impressions The F355 is one of the most well rounded Ferraris ever produced. It is docile and drivable in traffic while having plenty of grunt to make the hair stand on the back of your neck on the highway. Sliding into the driver s seat for the first time, you realize just how close to the road you are. The doors are large and wide which makes entry and exit fairly easy. The skill is in learning how to stretch across the wide sill to drop yourself into the bucket seat at the same time you slide your legs under the steering wheel. Turn the ignition key to the start position, and all 8 cylinders will immediately fire up and hold at high idle of around 2000 rpms while the emission control system warms up. A er a minute or two, the idle should drop to a more normal 1000 rpms. At this stage you can begin to move off, but as per all Ferraris, it is better to allow the engine to fully warm up before pushing much past 3000 rpms. Once on the open road, you can begin to stretch the F355 s legs, the thro le response is immediate and will give you a good shove back against the seat. When first engaging the thro le, you need to apply a bit more pressure on the initial pick up, once engaged movement is smooth all the way to the floor. Plenty of power is available across the range and the F355 will pull easily away in 2nd gear from a dead stop. Unlike earlier Ferraris, second gear is available shortly a er start up. The clutch is nicely weighted and the engagement point precise. The pedals allow for easy heeling toeing and a dead pedal is fixed off to the le and is a convenient place to rest your le foot when it is not being called to action. With a redline at 8500 RPM, one of the joys of driving a F355 is the engine noise. A low rumble at 2000rpm, it starts screaming at 4000rpm, and near the redline it sounds like it belongs in a F1. It is very hard to confuse a F355 at full thro le for anything else. Put the top down and this is the best soundtrack available anywhere. The only negatives to really pushing it are that at very high speed, the front end can feel light. The handling is sure, with the 225/40 ZR 18 Front and 265/40 ZR 18 Rear PZeros providing excellent control and surprising little road noise. It turns on rails when driven hard, with plenty of warning before the front and back ends reverse themselves. It is a car that wants you to toss it about on a great mountain road. It always feels well planted on the tarmac. The steering is light and does take some ge ing used to as feedback is a bit remote. Giving it a bit more weight is about the only thing I would ask Ferrari to change on the F355. The windshield is racked sharply back which reinforces the very low to the ground feeling and it can be prone to fogging in heavy rain. The seats are comfortable for driving for long journeys. On the track and driving with gusto on a coastal road, you will quickly notice the seats are firm with excellent side lumbar support. The driving position is comfortable for taller drivers and long journeys. It is a car you can sit in comfortably for hours on end. Drop it into 6th gear and you can hold it around the speed limit for hours on end. Despite the engine being right behind your head, cabin noise is quite acceptable and conversations can be easily undertaken. Drop a few clogs and punch the accelerator and the F355 transforms for being a GT to a sharp edged sports car. Living With a F355 Overall the F355 is a very easy Ferrari to live with, it has a few quirks but once you learn to accept these, life together is a pleasure. The first thing you need to get used to as a F355 owner is the camera phone. Today they are everywhere and you will find quite a few pointed your way every time you drive on the highway or through town. Life will be more pleasant if you take it as a compliment, not an invasion of privacy. The second thing you learn is to keep the ba ery 8 Ferrari Life

9 charged. Once the ba ery goes dead, ge ing it charged again involves either accessing the ba ery compartment which is positioned in front of the right front wheel, or removing the right side heat panel in the engine compartment to access the charging points. Either way, it is much more complicated than a aching a charger directly to a normally more easily accessible ba ery. The other complication is that once the ba ery goes dead, the engine management system losses all its parameters and will need to be reset. One of the best investments a new owner can make is to have a ba ery conditioner fi ed. Part of any F355 experience is having to deal with the slow down 1-4 or slow down 5-8 warning light on the dashboard. If you own a F355 for a couple of years, chances are something will trigger it to go off. Possible causes are faulty heat sensors on the catalytic converters, blown catalytic converters, or even a bad spark plug. The first two will likely involve a trip to your local dealer to correct. On occasion an electrical fault can trigger it. Once the fault has been triggered, you need to reset the engine management system or the warning will return shortly a er each time you start the car. While very li le of the engine maintenance can be done by an owner due to the modern diagnostic system needed, the F355 does need a fair amount of body and cabin maintenance to be kept in top condition. The paint work is quite fragile and stone chips are an unfortunate fact of life. Regular washing and polishing are needed to keep it in perfect condition. The leather is very high quality and quite so. With the quality comes an increased need for care. By feeding it every couple of months, especially if you tend to drive with the top down or the windows open, the interior should stay in top condition. F355 Buyer s Guide The dash top also does not fare terribly well in bright sun light. Parking a F355 in the sun will result in the leather dash shrinking, requiring an expensive replacement. The center consul has a rubber coating on it that can also turn to goo if le for expended periods under the sun. This rubber coating also does not react well to Armoural or other similar plastic cleaners. Once to turns to mush, the only option is a rather expensive replacement. Other than the above things you need to be aware off, the F355 is a very easy car to live with. I have used it as a daily driver for several week periods quite a few times. It makes commuting almost fun. When stuck in traffic, it behaves the way you expect a modern luxury sports car to behave, and when the traffic opens up, pulling away from the rest of the crowd is almost too easy. Ferrari Life 9

10 Ferrari Buyer s Guides by Ferrari Life Maintenance & Reliability Common issues are few for the F355 as Ferrari had substantially improved the build quality and processes by its launch. In general, if you adhere to the factory recommended maintenance schedule, the F355 is very reliable for a Ferrari. On the negative side, very li le maintenance can be done by the owner due to the large amount of electronics in the car. Diagnosis needs to be done by the dealer s computer. One myth on the F355 is that the valve guides are a major problem and must be replaced. In reality, the problem occurred in 20% of the 1995 models and a small number of 97s and 98s. If a particular car did have a valve guide problem, as indicated by excessive oil consumption, it would be apparent almost immediately and at a maximum with the first 2 years of ownership. As a result, the problem would have had to have been fixed long ago. It is highly unlikely that you would find a F355 today with valve guide problems. A simple leak down test will confirm this. Several issues that seem to be fairly widespread are: Cracked Manifolds and cracked C-Pillars which are also prone to rust Catalytic converter failure Rust along the edges of the door sill plates Exhaust bypass valve failure Roofs on the Spiders have been known to malfunction Targa roofs on the GTS tend to develop leaks on the two front corners as the rubber seals deteriorate over time The clutch on the F1 gearbox is prone to wear rapidly in heavy traffic. Leather on dash is susceptible to shrinkage The ticking at idle can be an indication of cracked manifolds. If there is white residue on the exhaust tips, the catalytic converters will likely need replacing. Look carefully in good light for rust along the sill plate edges and the C-pillars. You should also run your fingers along the edges to feel for imperfections. Regarding the bypass valve failure, ra ling at idle is normally an indicator of a problem. For the above list the 1st four items are almost universal problems and will have to be addressed at some point in the F355 s life. Other potential issues: Retractable headlights can jam Coolant hose running behind the front luggage compartment can come loose, if it does, the contents of the system will empty into the luggage compartment Electric fans occasionally fail resulting in engine overheating Actuator failure on the electronic suspension Heater valve failure Paint chips in side air intake scoops and front bumper The fuel tank is pressurized, if you do not get a rush of air out of the tank when you remove the cap, there is a problem with the tank or fuel lines. Center consul paint contains rubber and can become sticky with age Check the underside tray for chips and cracks. The low ride height and speed bumps are a bad combination On the Spider, the hydraulic pump which raises the top, and the seat potentiometers both have a tendency to fail Left: This engine features the single air-flow with the Y-pipe. Earlier F355s had a dual air-flow which gave the car about 10 more horsepower. Right: The interior of the F355 F1. 10 Ferrari Life

11 F355 Buyer s Guide P r o s Classic design, with long term appreciation potential Great drivers car and not hard on the driver Reliable Great performance, and highly responsive Huge improvement on its predecessor Even has reasonable trunk space C o n s All maintenance done by the dealer Cambelts require expensive engine removal Still depreciating Exhaust system likely to need replacement Quotes from Owners Here are some quotes from Ferrari Life s F355 owners, recapping their experiences with their car. F355 GTB I used to own a 355B, great car I really recommend it. The speed bump issue is a tough one for the 355 as the front air spoiler under the car is fairly low to the ground so it s easy to hit. Most 355 s have some form of damage on this spoiler due to scraping so check out the underside of any car you consider purchasing. Over here in California, some cars have special skid pads added to the front underside of the 355 to avoid this damage. F355 GTS If I had had my practical shoes on, I would ve probably gone for the Berline a, for the sole reason that it doesn t sound too noisy when I m flooring the car at 3 times the national speed limit. The GTS on the other hand has the best of both worlds, with a roof which is easy enough to dispatch. If you do decide to get one, choose the one with the colour coded roof, it looks be er and you can tell yourself that it s a Berline a version whenever if you feel the need to. I have had a F355 GTS for two years. It is a great drivers car. No issues with body stiffness, but it does leak slightly on the front corners of the Targa roof panel. It is not an issue when moving but can be annoying if you get stuck in traffic in the rain. If you are buying for track use, go with the B, if for summer road use the GTS or Spider are more fun. F355 Spider Handling-wise the Spider is super sharp and corners flat, but don t believe any tales of a scuttle-free body because when you hit bumps mid corner you will feel the car shudder. The Berline a feels far stiffer in all conditions and is the superior driver s car especially on the track where you will really notice the difference. However......racing around is not the point of owning a 355 Spider. This is not a high-g car that you want to thrash. Maximum enjoyment comes from cruising, allowing people to see it, and racing off at medium speeds but at high revs so that you can enjoy the engine without your eyes watering in the headwind. Now regarding the Spider; the roof is not fully automatic. You have to slightly nudge the roof up a bit, until you hear a beep, and only then will you be able to bring the roof down with the motor. Fortunately bringing the roof up is a lot easier since it comes up all the way by its own, you only have to latch it in place; be wary though, the roof slams itself on the way in, so just put your hands above your head to slowly bring the roof in. I have heard of some faulty roofs for the Spider, but I m sure if you find one with a good owner, it should bring you some great motoring days for years to come. F355 F1 I never use the sports mode, ridiculously brutal. I very seldom use the auto mode either, except when I let someone drive the car for the first time. In the driving section, the only slight criticism would be that the thro le blip when downshi ing from 3rd to 2nd is a tad shy, but I am being picky. Now here comes the downside: bumper to bumper traffic, constant stop and go s, manoeuvring to park in tight spots. Simply said, you don t have control on the clutch, and the car seldom seems to guess what you are about to do (a flying start or just move a few feet). Clumsy, clunky, my worst time in the car has been a long traffic jam on a uphill highway. Ferrari Life 11

12 Ferrari Buyer s Guides by Ferrari Life F355 s engines are expensive to work on as the underbody panel has to be removed and the engine dropped from under the car as seen here. Buying Rules There are two distinct versions: US and Euro. Some European version F355s have been imported privately into the US and converted to meet US regulations. If you are considering buying a grey market car, it is strongly suggested that you check with Dick Merrit at the DOT in Washington DC to make sure the car has received all the proper releases. General Rules 1. Demand to see the Service book and Maintenance History file. Make sure you have solid answers to at any major holes in the history. If the car has been in an accident, ask to see the pictures documenting the repair work and talk to the garage who did it. If this information is not forthcoming, move on. 2. Get the car inspected by a Ferrari trained mechanic. He will find things you miss. Given the age and value of all F355s this is absolutely critical and will help you negotiate the purchase price with the seller. When looking at the PPI report, make sure engine compression is normal. Engine rebuilds are hugely expensive. Also check the body for filler, and under the car for oil and water leaks. Make sure the panel fit is good. 3. If the asking price is very low, there is a reason for it. If you can not get a good answer, move on. There are plenty of F355s on the market these days. 4. Never buy the first car you see, look and test drive several. Make sure that the synchromesh works on all gears and there is not excessive resistance on the accelerator pedal when first engaged. Take the car for a good solid test drive on several types of roads. Make sure everything works as it should with the engine properly warmed up and at speed. 5. Make sure the car has all the original Books, Tools, and Records. These are very expensive and difficult to replace later. Also check the condition of the alloy wheels, body trim, front nose for stone chips, and interior. Replacing or repairing all will cost several thousand dollars. 6. Talk to other owners; join FerrariLife.com. 7. Talk to the Mechanics that have historically serviced the car 12 Ferrari Life

13 Ownership Expectations When you purchase a Ferrari, you are not buying a car but rather a work of engineering art and a piece of history. A Ferrari has a soul and character unique in the automotive world. A Ferrari comes filled with Italian passion, for both be er and occasionally worse. Driving a Ferrari is never boring. It is engaging. You are always involved and interacting with the car across a multitude of senses. While driving, this includes the constantly changing sound track as the engine moves through the rpm range, the heavy but exact clutch, and the metallic click with every gear change. There really is nothing else on the road that sounds like a Ferrari. Until you have driven one, it is impossible to appreciate the totality of the experience. It is this emotional link between car and owner that sets Ferrari s apart from other sports cars Two other cars that many first time Ferrari owners consider are Lamborghini and Porsche. Lamborghini has similar roots in the Modena area. It however does not have the racing heritage or, for the majority of its life, the single minded guidance of a brilliant owner. Lamborghini s ownership history has included everyone from Chrysler, an Indonesian Conglomerate, to Audi. This is reflected in the history of the models. Lamborghinis tend to be overly flamboyant, difficult to drive, and highly temperamental. Porsche, on the other hand, is efficient, reliable, and an engineering masterpiece. It is also highly predictable and a er a time, can be construed as boring. A Porsche does everything with extreme competence, to the extent that you begin to wonder if you, the driver, are really needed. The fact is Ferrari s are expensive to maintain and less reliable than many other cars. This is simply a small part of the deal that comes with being a member of the small and special club of Ferrari owners. The Porsche is a cold rationale machine, a Lamborghini is pure emotion, and a Ferrari gives you both. Purchasing Options In general most Ferrari Buyers purchase their cars at one of four channels: - Official Ferrari Dealers - Independent Specialist Dealers - Private Sellers - Auctions Each has it s own strengthens and weaknesses. In summary: Official Ferrari Dealers Purchasing through an official dealer will provide the most piece of mind when making the rather considerable investment in a Prancing Horse badged automobile. In almost all cases the car will come with some sort of warranty, a comprehensive service history, and a clean bill of health. All of this comes with a cost and you will likely pay a 10-20% premium vs. other options. One other limitation is that dealers normally only stock the current, plus 1-2 generations of prior models. As a result, dealers are really only an option for the modern (1990 s -) model enthusiast. Independent Specialist Independent Specialist can provide both outstanding service and a wide range of models to F355 Buyer s Guide choose from, covering all price ranges. Reputation is critical and so is doing your research on an Independent Specialist before writing out a check. Information and insights on different Specialists can be obtained both through your local Ferrari Owners Club members and via posts on the Ferrari Life. Like official dealers, many specialist can provide warranties (via 3rd parties) and on-going maintenance facilities. The quality of the maintenance for modern models can be on par with the official dealers as many independents employee Ferrari trained mechanics. For modern models though it is critical to confirm that the service center has the necessary diagnostic equipment and so ware (SD1 or SD2) for your model. For Classic and Vintage Ferrari s, independents many be your only, or best (for more recent models) option. Prices at Independent s should be 5-20% less than Official Dealers. In most countries, purchasing from either an Official Ferrari Dealer or an Independent Specialist will provide you with the strongest legal rights should anything go wrong. Private Sellers Caveat Emptor. Buying from a private seller is both the lowest cost and highest risk option. In all Ferrari purchases, a Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) by a specialist is recommended, in the case of a private purchase, it is critical. Purchasing well privately is both a ma er of form and substance. First the form which is mostly related to general appearance and presentation: - check the condition of the interior, is the leather conditioned and cleaned - pull up the mats, check the con- Ferrari Life 13

14 Ferrari Buyer s Guides by Ferrari Life dition of the under carpet - spray water on the car, make sure it beads up immediately - look in the engine bay - is the owner a member of the local Ferrari Owner s Club Positives on the above are an initial indication of a careful owner, but could also be the result of a pre-sale clean up. Then move onto the substance: - review the service records, a comprehensive file is always a good sign - check the history of the car, make sure it has always been well cared for - always check that the mileage on the odometer matches the other records - confirm that the seller is the car s owner and that the title is clear - spend time both test driving the car and talking to the owner. No car is perfect, does the owner point out both the good points of the car and the issues needing a ention? Buying from a private seller will provide both the lowest cost of acquisition and the highest risk should any major undisclosed issue emerge post purchase. Doing your homework properly is critical and in many cases it is a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both parties. Auctions As a very broad guideline, cars that appear at auction are either very high value recent models (example Enzo) or models no longer carried in the Official Dealer network. As per purchasing from a private seller, it is critical to do you homework ahead of time. All auction houses provide for pre-sale viewing but it is very unlikely that a PPI or test drive will be permi ed. Both need to be included in the buyers purchase risk consideration. Auction Houses act as agents on behalf of the sellers so your legal protection in many countries is not much greater than in the case of a private sale. On the positive side, auctions provide both the opportunity to acquire very rare, unique cars with important histories and other models at a potentially outstanding value. Many Independent Specialist a end auctions, it is critical that a private buyer understand the environment that he is competing in. Fee schedules differ significantly between the auction houses, so it is strongly advised that these be reviewed ahead of time. Currently the most famous Ferrari Auction is Bonhams December Auction in Gstaad, Swtizerland. Other well know auction houses include: Christies, R&M (North America), Barle Jackson (North America), Barons (UK), H&H (UK), Coys (UK), and Artcurial (France). 14 Ferrari Life

15 F355 Buyer s Guide Judgments from The Ferrari Life Team: The following is nothing more than our opinions and should be taken as such. The ratings are meant to provide some guidance but please remember that markets have a logic unto themselves and every Ferrari is a great car in the eyes of its current owner. Rating are: Poor 0 Excellent 5. Appreciation Potential is based on Market Prices as of June R a t i n g s C h a r t Model Appreciation Potential # Produced (High to Low) Engine Sound Useability Maintenance Cost (Low to High Comments Dino 246 *** *** **** *** **** Will always be in demand, gorgeous, one of Pininfarina s best. A great drive. 308 GT4 ** * *** *** *** Beautiful under the skin 308 *** * **** ** *** Fiberglass models command a premium, great carb soundtrack 308i * * *** *** *** Entry level favorite, performance a bit strangled 308QV ** * *** **** *** The best of the 308s 328 ** * *** **** *** One of the best, potential classic Mondial 8 * * ** *** *** An acquired taste Mondial QV * * ** **** *** Improvements on the 8 Mondial 3.2 * * ** **** *** Even be er than the QV Mondial t * ** ** **** *** The Mondial to have, and the price will reflect this 348 * * **** *** **** A good buy at current prices, love it or hate it F355 * * **** **** **** Great, great sports car. One of Pininfarina s finest. 360 Modena * * **** ***** *** Even be er than the F GT4 BB **** ***** ***** ** ***** Best sounding Ferrari period. Very raw and a handful 512 BB *** **** ***** ** ***** Still raw. Skilled drivers only please. 512 BBi *** **** **** *** ***** More civilized than the 512 BB but still a handful Testarossa ** *** **** *** ***** The 80s, wide, loud and fast 512 TR ** *** **** *** ***** Improved TR F512 M ** **** **** *** ***** Last mid-engined 12 cylinder. Dated 80s car in the mid 90s 550 * ** *** ***** ***** Close to the perfect driving machine. Expense to run. 575 * ** *** ***** ***** We think the 550 is be er 365/400/412i * *** *** **** ***** Cheap to buy, expense to run. Rust prone. 456 GT ** ** ** ***** ***** The best 2+2 to ever come from Maranello. Very expense to run. 456M GT * *** ** ***** ***** Even be er. Very complex. Ferrari Life 15

16 Ferrari Buyer s Guides by Ferrari Life Comments on the Model Guide from The Ferrari Life Team: Below is a model guide chart to help you be er understand what models are available and in what configuration. This chart shows a number of cars that are not included in this current book. However, we do have information related to each of the models and to make is more understandable we have color coded the text. The models marked in red are also available at or online at Amazon.com. Any questions related to these Guides should be directed to guides@ferrarilife.com. The models marked in black do not currently have Guides available but will be made available on a case by case basis. Like the Vintage models we would like to encourage you to visit Ferrari Life if you are in the market for one of these cars and have questions. There are also a number of articles and information related to these models. Buying your first Ferrari can be a daunting task and we hope this will help you along the way. Following this chart you will find the 13 chapters related to each of the model highlighted in dark red. We wish you the best of luck in your search and hope to see you on Ferrari Life a er a successful purchase. Best Wishes, The Ferrari Life Team Seats & Engine 2 Seats 6 Cylinders 2 Seats 8 Cylinders 2 Seats 12 Cylinders 4 Seats (2+2) 8 Cylinders 4 Seats (2+2) 12 Cylinder M o d e l G u i d e Vintage (post 1960) Classic Modern Dino 206 Dino 246 Not available Not available GT 275 GTB/GTS 330 GTC/GTS 365 GTC/GTS 365 GTB/4 Daytona 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spider Not available 250 GTE 330 GT GT GTC/4 365 GT4 BB 512 BB/BBi Testarossa Dino 308 GT4 Mondial 8/QV & GT Supercar 250 GTO 288 GTO F F Modena F TR F512 M 550 Maranello 575 Maranello Mondial t 456 GT 456M GT 612 Scagle i F50 Enzo 16 Ferrari Life