Hey gang. I have a 355 that I am considering getting rid of. It just seems everyday something small is wrong with it and it's been driving me crazy.


I'm considering a 997 c2s 6 speed to replace it. Currently own a cayenne s and would love to have a second p in the garage. Would really like a 997 turbo, that would be a stretch of the wallet. A 996tt is really of no interest to me.

The 911 has similar power, more comfortable, seems more reliable, cheaper to maintain. I could probably get into the 911 for no money

No I'm torn. Logic and my wallet (and even my girl friend) say go for the pcar, But my emotions are telling me to keep the Ferrari.

I'm sure there are some here that have made this leap. Would love to hear your input.

Other cars I am considering: jaguar xk r, Aston v8, even throwing around the idea of a z06.

I love going on long drives. This will definitely be a touring cAr whichever I get.

 

I have always wanted a Ferrari also but since there is not a dealer with in 465 miles from Memphis I went the Porsche Route. I still want a Ferrari but have decided to wait until the new models that have DCT and no timing belts are older and more reasonable to buy. I am guessing maybe in 5 years I will be able to buy a 5 year old 458 or Cali with less than 15k miles for around 125K+/- then I might jump into a F car and if the cost to keep running get to high I will be able to unload without taking a 125K bath.

Nothing sounds better than a Ferrari that is my main complaint about Porsche they drive like a sports car but the sound is lacking.

 

Truth. I have a cat less tubi system in the f355. Nothing sounds like it.

 

How's the 355 as a daily driver? Do you ever worry about parking? I would love to get into a F430 in a few years if I don't go the 991 route once I'm in my 40s but the one thing I love about the C2S is it's functionality as a DD. I take her to the mall, to Sam's Club, to dinner without fuss. There's a lot of 911s around here so mine doesn't stick out. I guess my 2 main concerns with an F-car are functionality as a DD and maintenance costs which depending on the source can be astronomic or not much more than a 911.

Have you thought about the V10 R8? Seems like this would be a decent blend between sports car and daily driver .

BTW, I can hear my boy's California from a block away, the exhaust note is intoxicating.

 

I think you'll have a real good sense after test driving a 911 whether it will make you happy, but my guess is coming from a Ferrari, it won't, at least without, for starters, a modded exhaust. Not sure what your budget is or how serious you are about getting a GT, but why not check out the F430. Like Surfah, i've been thinking about that as my next car (though I'd have to move out of the city first). Seems like $130k-150k gets you one that's very clean, under 10k miles. And it has timing chains, not belts, and it doesn't require engine out to get to them. Clutch is still probably only good for around 10k miles I'm told.

 

355 is pretty comfortable believe it or not. In the summer, I drive it almost daily. I'm never worried about parking it anywhere.

It does get a ton of attention, which I really don't like (one of the reasons I want to get rid of it). I know there are more powerful, more comfortable cars out there, but driving it is almost a religious experience. I love going on empty back roads, through the mountains, etc where its just me, my lady and the car. I hate driving on the highway with people wanting race, people tailgating, and people almost hitting you bc they are trying to take a pic.

 

If you don't mind me asking, how's the annual maintenance cost? Any truth to the $3K oil change? I already feel like I'm getting ganked with my $500-800 annual servicing.

 

Curious---what specifically is going wrong with your 355. Spider ? Coupe ? Year ?

 

Maybe he needs a 360 Challenge Stradale to quench his thirst?

 

2nd. The 355 is probably the best sounding Ferrari of all time.

 

Annual service is easy diy...filters, oil, fluids... 500$ or less diy. I think the Indy I used to go to Charges 800-1200 for the yearly service. The belt service the expensive one. 10 hrs of labor to get the motor in and out, + $1500-2000 in basic parts for the service, then add in a few 'while your in there's and it's easy to rack up a $10k service. Valve guides are notorious In These cars. A head rebuild is 12k from an indy. Also the headers are know to wear out. Another 5k

 

I would do the 430 but the maintenance is the killer, They all seem to have low miles as they don't want to pay for the maintenance.I read that if you keep the tranny out of auto the clutch will last longer. I want a car i can drive all the time and not worry that my 10k service is almost due.
Audi I would never buy, same for the Jag and Austin
I would guess insurance on the Ferrari is also more then the Porsche

 

See if you can find a new GTS to test drive. I believe if I was stepping out of a red-headed Italian, I'd want something substantial under my butt.

 

there is a used GTS on ebay right now with 260 miles..2 weeks old they paid 125 for it,,first listing when it ended only made it to 101k.ouch!!
its re listed again.
I think GT is better buy

 

In 1996 I test drove both a 355 and a 993 Turbo . Hands down I picked the Porsche . That was then and now the newer Porsche would win my vote as well.

If you really want more of an edgy feel in a Porsche you might want to test drive a Gt3 . It will outhandle the 355, is faster than the 355 , more comfortable than the 355 , more reliable than the 355 , easier to repair than the 355 , and in every way the better car . Plus with the aerokit .. it's even prettier than the 355 and I usually think Ferarri has the looks .

Otherwise the transition to a regular 997S might seem too simple and you only get one chance to get it right without having to pay more to trade the car in and swap.

Good luck .