1997 Ferrari F355 Spyder from North America - Comments

I had full major service done, after the belt which drives the air conditioner let go. This was quite scary as the cockpit filled with black smoke - it turns out it was just the belt remnants burning on the engine.

However, the worse nightmare was the convertible top. It would routinely stick (both up and down) and often refuse to move at all. I had both regulators replaced (a Jaguar sourced part), then the entire rear piston mechanism, at a total cost of $6,000.00 The top broke again a couple weeks later (half-way open), I was forced to use the emergency ratchet tool (which only cranks on one side of the top, twisting it brutally. I wouldn't have even dared to do this had I know a replacement convertible top frame is over $30,000 if bent. That fix was less, but I had enough and traded it a month later.

Owning a 355 Spyder was my dream. I had previously owned a 1986 328gts which was largely trouble free. I had sold the car and bought a new 2002 996 cab; however, I found the cab a bit boring after the 328, which was half it's cost.

I was nearly in tears of joy upon picking up the 355 two years ago. Unfortunately, these quickly turned to a different kind of tears. Simply put, the convertible top was unliveable. I read another review with a similer experience and they made the comment that they just leave it down. That's great unless you take it to the shore and are subjected to heavy rains (and can't get the top up). When you drive a Ferrari, a certain amount of people will hate you and enjoy pointing and laughing as you either drive through the rain or struggle with the convertible top. In the end, despite a great engine and transmission and reliable starting, the car ruined more weekends than I care to recall and I traded it back in on another Porsche. I miss the sound and the stares, but the Porsche never misses a beat.

I would be curious what people's experience with the 348 and 360 spyder tops are. Are these better? I would love to get another one someday, but as I told a friend, a Ferrari is not a third car, it's a fourth one in addition to a more reliable sports car if you love to drive as much as I.

Hello, I own a 1955 F355 Spyder and I have experienced the same thing with that darn top. My is still stuck on the closed position at least. It will only go half way and then stop. I love this car and hate to get rid of her so I don't take the top down anymore. Best luck to your search for a new Ferrari. Regards, ED (Sacramento, California)

I just purchased a 1997 355 spider, and I have not experienced many problems as of yet with the top. I live in Chicago where it is essential that the top work correctly. Is there anything I can do to prevent this i.e. maybe bypassing the electronics and doing it manually if that is even possible. This is my first Ferrari cab, and I sure hope I do not encounter these problems for it will be my last.

Adam.

I have a 1995 Ferrari Sypder whose top has stopped working. I was given the same advice from the Ferrari Dealership, either leave the top down or look at an 18k expense for a new top. I am currently trying to find options to make it a manual top and would appreciate anyone's feedback.

I am shortly taking delivery of 1997 spider and the top,though a bit slow worked well at the garage. I have now read the comments on faulty tops and like previous correspondents I am now a bit anxious. Surely some faults can be be avoided with some sort of regular inspection/service of the mechanism? I live in the north east of England where frequent showers can be the norm.

I own a 1997 spider and at 110 mph the top came open bending it in half. Luckily I only owned it for two days and it was replaced by the dealer at a cost of £11000 pounds (the figure he told me) He also told me the 355 top is always going to cause you some problem and you have to live with it. My advise to others is DO NOT drive the car even at slow speeds if the roof does not shut properly as this was serious and could easily have caused an accident.

I just got the '97 355, shes awesome... The engine roar is everything... acceleration is good.. I have already run into to issues with the top. During the opening process the roof gets caught on the top of the seats. Has that happened to any one else. If so is there a fix?

Please let me know.

Jjannviriya@sbcglobal.net.

You guys must all have forgotten to read the manual because most of the problems with the top you have mentioned are from not having hydraulic fluid in the top. You don't run a car without oil, right. The fluid needs to be checked often and then it will work perfect. Ferrarichat has lots of info on how to check this for people who do not read the owners manual.

Mark

A very happy 355 owner who doesn't have any problems.

You're probably right, it's likely just a coincidence that all of these Ferrari owning posters are equally ignorant and neglectful with their $100k cars. Thank you for the clarification. The same is also likely the case with nearly 1/3 of the used ones I have seen for sale and an even higher percentage at the various club events I have attended. I am glad you are so intelligent as to both read the owners manual and maintain the proper fluids in your car. I'm sure it will continue to reward you with flawless service for years to come. BTW: Do you also check your engine oil?

As the original poster, I am just glad that I no longer own it. Enjoy checking your convertible top fluid. The Porsche I replaced the car with (I have actually since bought two, a GT-2 and a Cab for my wife) have provided us with the greatest reliability. The Porsche owners manual must be simple enough for even a guy like myself.

Enjoy checking your top fluid and consider yourself lucky, while you play roulette with every raising or lowering of your top, at which point, I can then refer you to the owners manual, then to get out your checkbook.