1997 Ferrari F355 GTS from UK and Ireland - Comments

I got some dead flies on the front!

For me, nothing comes closer to motoring perfection than ANYTHING with a Cavallino Rampante attached.

And before you all leap to the defence of Porsche, McLaren, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, et al, it's got nothing to do with who's faster, handles better or looks sexier. When you are LUCKY enough to be able to own something in this league it's raw emotion that shakes your hand as you're writing out the cheque.

It is wonderful to see a Ferrari owner who has an interest in the car, and an understanding of the Ferrari phenomenon. Too often, rich and arrogant people with limited driving skill and a fat wallet purchase a Ferrari and then whinge about the costs, problems, upkeep et al. Ferrari's can be difficult to live with, but if you do not smile with every stab of the throttle, sell it to someone who will. My Ferrari 275 GTB costs a fortune to maintain, is almost un-insurable, doesn't handle or brake like my Porsche, but is still an inspirational car to own. Revving the V12 sends a shiver down the spine as clearly as if it had been drawn with an ice cube. If you want to impress your friends, and you feel you must buy a Ferrari then

1. Don't whinge that it can be tempremental

2. Learn how to drive the thing

3. Love the car, love the history, love the passion. Otherwise, buy a Porsche, or a Lamborghini, or a Lotus and discuss how lovely the colour is. Nice to see a true 'tifosi'

Un-insurable agreed! I'm 21 and have a '92 348. I HAVE to have a tracker, advanced driving course certificate and cap it at 8000 miles at most. Still, insurance is still silly money, but the car only cost £34,000, less than the price of a Merc SLK230... no comparison.

How much was your insurance?

Erm...£1600, but it's kind of a "how long is a piece of string" question 'cos unless your circumstances are EXACTLY the same as mine you could end up paying anything from £1000 to £un-insurable.

Hustle a bit and get a traders policy, I drive my 348, 911sc, Triumph GT6, and my missus is named and drives her Citroen Picasso on it - all for £1500.

Sure, Ferrari passion is good. I'd love to buy one after I graduate from college. I will make enough money to buy one, but that doesn't mean I'll be a dumb consumer. What I mean is, if the a car costs as much as a middle-class American home, "reliability" should be a standard.

The shape of the car alone was enough to make me stop a long a long time to admire it... I drive a Porsche boxster which is a great car really, but there is nothing like a F355 to make heads turn!...at least mine did.

I am looking to purchase a f355. Can anyone tell me what to look for as far as body problems etc.

Rick.

I'm a young person that has what most people would consider an "unhealthy" obsession for cars. To me a Ferrari is a symbol of greatness and it is my dream to own one, they turn heads like no other.. mine included!...i have been know to go into a near trance like state when a Ferrari goes past... my brothers friend has a yellow 355 and its amazing... i see someone here is 21 with a 348!, if anyone has a good job suggestion that might enable me to buy a Ferrari...i'd be most grateful!

Okay all you dreamers out there. I was privilages to be able to be a passenger of 355 GTS a few years back. Was owned by a Video Games outlet owner and was bloody quick.

For £100,000 which it cost him problems like speedo not working, passenger seatbelt not working!! and one of the pop up lights refusing to return to its depths is not what you expect for 100k.

It may be the passion of the car, but I would rather a more refined well put together supercar than one which is put together by chimps! like Porsche.

I'm 30 with 7 yrs no claims bonus (NCB). I own a BMW m3 smg convertible (1999 T reg E36). I work for a insurance company, if you live in the uk it is impossible to insure that Ferrari for £1600 unless you have been added under a older person policy with a lot of NCB. The cheapist you could possibly insure that car on your own with 4.5 yrs NCB living in the best insurance location in the UK is £3894.33 (I've checked). I pay £1200 for my car. I'm not in any way envious, I came on this site to find information on a 400i as I am looking to by one.

I've had my 355GTS for 3 years now. Silver with red. Looks like a spaceship. I almost sold it recently, as it hardly ever gets driven and my wife nagged me to sell it. In the end I couldn't get myself to part with it. Every time I open the garage door when I arrive home and I see it there it sends chills down my spine. Just the anticipation of waiting for the perfect day to take it for a fast run through the hills makes owning it worthwhile. At speed on an winding road it's awesome, especially with the top off. We recently went to Tasmania, where the roads are empty and sensational. 240kmh straights and 190kmh corners. What more can you want. But it is expensive to maintain. However as Randolph Hearst once said, "if you have to ask how much it costs to run, you can't afford it". Oh and one other thing. Owning a Ferrari allows you the pleasure of a guided tour through the factory when you are in Italy. That in itself is worth the ownership. Sure I'd love a 360. More usable every day, but the 355 is superb. Top Gear mag rated it their number one car of all time several years ago (the 360 was at no 6), so it has a certain something about it. And every one should own a Ferrari at least once in their lives. Who said that?

When I was 12 years old, I saw my first real life Ferrari. It was a Black 328. Pure and simply, it was gorgeous. Totally hooked, I spent the next 25 years just dreaming. Last year the dream came true. I bought a 355 GTS with some money my late father left me. Every time I even sit in the car, I am humbled. I feel alive when I drive her (I call her Rosie). I am grateful for being given the chance of ownership, but it came at a personal price that makes it all the more valuable to me. I will never part with her. The money I spend on her is insignificant compared to the pleasure she brings. Yes, heads turn. People point, but if they want a closer look, I'm happy to indulge anyone who has the time. If I could give any of you one small piece of advice, it is this. - Do it, we live once!

Thank you god for enzo. he gave me the 355. dose anybody out there think that the 355 is it. its just it. not the 360 or 430. the 355. its the nuts. boy when you stick a tubi on it. the sound is f1. 360 sounds like a cat in a scrap. and a bit of japanese throwen in. thank you god. thank you. thank you. its in my blood. the 355 is in my blood. I kiss it. i hug it. I will never sell it. boy its the nuts. and I have had all the others. but thay don't come close to the 355. god bless it. and all that drive in her.

I don`t know about " it`s the nuts" - but you`ve convinced that you`re nuts! Amen.