Ferrari F355 Buyer's Guide
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F355 Buyer’s Guide Ferrari F355 Buyer’s Guide Ferrari Contents TM F forum Ferrari F355 Buyerʼs Guide First Published November 2004 by Ferrari Forum. Revised & Updated May 2005 Introduction & Model Information 3 Phone (415) 216-8716 Email: [email protected] Driving Impressions 6 Copyright 2004 ALL RIGHTS Maintenance & Reliability 6 RESERVED. Author: William Taylor Pros & Cons 7 Editor: Andrew Naber Photos by: Dirk de Jager General Buying Tips 8 Bob Hagendijk Andrew Naber Ownership Expectations 9 Quotes From Owners 10 Purchasing Options 11 Ferrari Forum 1 Ferrari Forum - www.ferrariforum.com 2 Ferrari Forum F355 Buyer’s Guide Introduction & Model Information The F355 was first shown and spine tingling performance in mid 1993 in Belgium with driven by the mid mounted 40 sales starting in Europe in 1994. valve V8. Borrowing technology US sales followed in 1995. The from the F1 engines, the F355 initial launch car was the Berli- engine sported five values (3 ne�a, followed shortly a�er by inlet, 2 exhaust) per cylinder op- the Targa/GTS, and finally the posed to the standard 4 values (2 Spider. The F355 replaced the inlet, 2 exhaust). The extra valve 348 in the Ferrari line up and helped increase the power of the represented a much simpler, engine by allowing more air to cleaner design than it’s prede- be compressed. cessor. Both the Testarossa sytle The cabin of the F355 “cheese grater” side strakes and is bathed in leather, luxurious, grill work on the rear covering while remaining functional. The the lights were eliminated. The seats are supportive, and com- F355 addressed the preceived- fortable for drivers over 6’3” weaknesses of the 348 with while the driving position re- improvements in both road han- mains classic Italian, long arms, dling and performance. Driving short legs. The engine song at both models back to back will red line can only come from a clearly demonstrate the differ- Ferrari. ences. The F355 was positively In 1997, Ferrari intro- received by both the press and duced the F1 gearbox as an those lucky enough to get their option on the F355. The F1 gear hands on the first production box uses an electro-hydraulic cars. Generally the F355 is transmission with dual paddle regarded as being a quantum shi�ers behind the steering leap forward from the 348. The wheel rim. The F1 transmis- F355 was the first Ferrari model sion maintains the manual gear to sell more than 10,000 units box but replaces the manual and also the first to carry the F1 clutch with a electronic clutch transmission as an option. and a hydraulic shi� actuator. It The F355 is destined features four modes: Automatic, to be one of the all time great Normal, Sport, and Low Grip. classic V8 Ferrari’s. However, Air-conditioning, ABS, the large production number of adjustable dual mode suspen- 10,000 will undoubtably mean sion, and Connolly leather this model will never appreciate interior were standard. Airbags enormously when compared to were standard equipment on all earlier Ferraris. The F355 was US cars and European models as universally praised for its clean of 1996. lines, well appointed interior, Ferrari Forum 3 Ferrari Forum - www.ferrariforum.com Racing seats and direct, non power box question you first need to livering an extra 5-10 bhp, the 1995 assisted steering, were the only consider how you intend to use the model is the fastest of the F355s. It standard edition factory offered F355.. Having the F1 allows you is also the loudest. options. to focus your a�ention on steer- When searching for an F355 ing. Upshi�s are faster than you Market Data it is important to realize the dif- would achieve manually most of Due to the F430’s recent ferences between the models: GTB the time, downshi�s while braking introduction it is likely that the (Berline�a which is the hardtop are quicker than most mortals can prices of F355s will continue to fall coupe), GTS (removable targa top), execute unless you are king of heel for a couple of more years. For a and Spider. The GTB provides the and toe, can keep the car straight first time buyer this is great news maximum safety and stiffness of with one hand while braking hard, as the F355 delivers a great Ferrari a closed bodied coupe. Both the and working the gearbox. Net, net ownership experience. GTS and Spider are open bodies get the F1 if you like to drive really As of this writing (May, with potential trade offs in terms hard on curvy back roads or on the 2005) the prices of the F355 are still of body stiffness and water leaks. track. holding firm with the lows around However, the upsides are sun and The classic manual gated $65,000 (30,000 + miles) for a GTB wind in the hair driving experi- gearbox is a special experience. and the highs over $110,000 for ence. O�en the Spiders will com- With it you feel more ‘’connected”, low mileage late model Spiders. mand a slightly higher price, and but driving real fast on windy In general, Spiders will command tend to offer be�er appreciation roads can be a humbling experi- a premium vs. the GTB/GTS of potential over the long term. You ence. Taking care of that stick about $5,000. In cases of cars being will also enjoy the 8 cylinder sym- requires skill, coordination, and “bargin” priced, make sure you phony more in the GTS and Spider. concentration. Having said that, have it throughly checked out by a If you are looking for performance running the stick gives you the qualified Ferrari mechanic before and drivability the Berline�a is the beautiful clanking sound as you making any offers be�er choice and safer on a race move through the gears. This If you are reading this ar- track. somehow heightens the “connect- ticle in early 2005, I would recom- Another difference to con- edness” of the whole experience. mend waiting a few more months sider is the transmission. All the There is much more foot work before buying a F355. With the models were available with either involved but for some that is the F430 coming out a number of 360 the F1 or the 6 speed manual. The fun of the manual. Modena owners will be trading F1 was first used in the F355 it Very few major changes up to this car. In turn, quite a few has had more reliability issues were made to the F355 during its F355 owners will likely be picking whereas the F1 transmission on the 6 year production run. The main up the 360s being put back onto 360 Modena and 575M has been changes between the model years the market. When this happens proven to be more realible. The are: the price of 360s will likely rise for F1 transmission on the F355 uses a 1995 - Dual airflow system, OBD I six months before leveling. As this hydraulic clutch, not a torque con- 1996-1997 - Single airflow system, is happening, expect F355 prices to verter. In stop and go traffic, this OBD II, 2nd generation brakes & begin to fall. does result in the clutch heating up headers and wearing quickly. 1998-1999 - 3rd generation brakes To really answer the gear- With the dual airflow system de- F355 GTB F355 GTS F355 Spider 4 Ferrari Forum F355 Buyer’s Guide GTB Specifications Number Made 3928 Manual 1042 F1 Engine Type V8 Engine Displacement 3496 cc Bore & Stroke 85mm x 77mm Engine Description Rear-mounted, longitudinal 90 degree V8, light alloy cylinder block and head Power 380 bhp Torque 268 lbs/ft Transmission Dry twin-plate clutch, 6-speed gearbox + reverse, ZF limited-slip differential Chassis Steel monococque and tubular rear sub-frame Front Suspension Double wishbones, coil springs and gas dampers Rear Suspension Double wishbones, coil springs and gas dampers Brakes Ventilated discs, 4-pot callipers, dual high-press Length 425 cm Width 190 cm Height 117 cm Wheelbase 245 cm Acceleration 0-60 mph 4.7 sec Top Speed 295 km/h GTS Specifications Number Made 2048 Manual 529 F1 Power 380 Spider Specifications Number Made 2664 Manual 1053 F1 Power 380 Ferrari Forum 5 Ferrari Forum - www.ferrariforum.com Driving Impressions The F355 is one of the most well rounded Ferrari’s ever pro- duced. 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. The thro�le response is immediate and will give you a good shove back against the seat. Plenty of power is available across the range and the F355 will pull easily away in 2nd gear from a dead stop. Un- like earlier Ferrari’s, second gear is available shortly a�er start up. With a redline at 8500 rpms, one of the joys of driving a F355 is the engine noise. A low rumble Above: Single airflow system on a 1998 F355 engine at 2000 rpms, it starts screaming Below: Dual airflow system from a 1995 F355 engine at 4000 rpms, and near the redline sounds like it belongs in a F1. Turn the key and you know you are strapped to an amazing machine. The only negatives are that at very high speed, the front end can feel light, and the windshield can be prone to fogging in heavy rain. The handling is sure, with the 225/40 ZR 18 Front and 265/40 ZR 18 Rear PZeros providing excellent control and surprising li�le road noise.