I have been looking for a good used 01/02 996tt for about 3 months now. With winter coming and another year passing, I expect that if I keep looking I will find a good car at a good price. In looking at cars in the $55K - $60K range I came across a 95 Ferrari 355. I started looking in them by joining the Ferrarichat board and I am digging the looks of the 355 and even the 348ts. I know that those of you that own 996tt's love them, but wondered if you considered a Ferrari (or owned one previously) and why you would recommend the 996tt over a 94/95 Ferrari in the same price range?

I would use the car for weekend drives and for driving to work and back during the nice days (I am in Mass). I am not looking to track the car. Any feedback on this is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I have owned both 360/996tt, and if cost is your concern, you probably dont want to buy a high mileage, mid-90's fcar. Your yearly maintenance will not make you happy.

 

There is no way I would buy a 95' Ferrari over an 01' 996tt

Christian

 

love em but can't trust em...... the break and are quite ext to fix ..... not to mention your car carrier cost get a p car you'll love it

 

I was on fchat for a year while I looked for a 456. In the end, the total lack of DIY and the incredible cost of maintenance scared me away. C'mon, $800 for the window seal for ONE DOOR?!?!

Jeff

 

Yup, Annual cost to own per mile driven was what scared me to DEATH with Ferraris in general, and especially the 355 and 360 modena.

If you want to drive the car, and enjoy the car, do NOT get the Ferrari. If you want something to sit in the garage and bragg to your buddies about, and maybe put 2K miles per year on, get the Ferrari.

I love my Porsche and haven't looked back!
Mike

 

i have a 95 f355 and 03 911 TT. For everyday use the 911 is way better, more reliable and easier to service. The 355 has way more character and passion than the 911...it sounds incredible and its so unbelievably well balanced. The 911 is quicker and easier to modify. If ur buying an everyday car, go 911, if its a weekend toy, go 355. 348 isn't an option as far I'm concerned.

 

a $15K service @ 30k miles is all I would need to hear to stay away. I think Mikelly has it exactly right, beautiful to look at, brag to your friends etc, but they arent nearly as fast, drivable, or reliable.

 

thats not right, the major service is about $6,000 and its every 5 years. None of the services are $15,000, or atleast wide world of cars has been nice to me. they are $ to maintain, if money is an issue i would not even think about it. U really have to love the car to be happy with it. For me it was the ferrari i grew up and ill never sell it.

 

Eugenio's Ferrari Service in Glendora lists their major service for a 355 at $6095 or 6995 which includes a water pump. The major service should be done every 5 years or 20k miles. They say the 95-98 355s have inferior valve guides and need to be replaced. To replace them is 12995.00, but this also includes a major service. Higher mileage cars or cars with low compression may require bottom end work.
The minor service is 1795.00 and is required every 2.5 years or 10k miles.

 

yup that sounds right. i made sure to find a 355 that had the valve problem taken care of, lets me sleep a little better at night.

 

F355's have always been special to me.

It depends on you goals: These two cars are very different.
996TT you can build a supercar out of it if you like
355 you cannot
Do you intend to track the car or just drive it to Starbucks and be seen in it?

They are such different cars a person would need both to fill any kind of sports car
AND exclusivity needs. My 996TT is hardly exclusive but I like it better than all my
other Porsches combines because it can do so much.

MK

 

I stand corrected. Even 6K is a lot for me. All depends on what you want if for, the 996TT will never sound as good or get as much attention as that 355 thats for sure

 

woodster hit the nail on the head, its tough to choose between the two. The 911TT is the nice well rounded girl you wouldnt mind having kids with the. The 355 is the hot stripper you wanna be seen with at a party...does that make sense?

 

I still want to add a F355 to my garage one day, but the Porsche is almost 10 years newer (more modern) and much cheaper to keep. I'll add an F car one day when I have plenty of money to burn.