I just bought a '97 black/tan spider a couple of weeks ago. Paid slightly more for it but got the major with belts included in the price since it was due, not because of miles but yearwise. To me it feels very important to follow the servicebook maintenance schedules, especially since it's been done so far in the cars history. Beltchange every three years is whats being suggested no matter how much it's been driven and my car is in pieces as we speak. I went to inspect the parts and car and was very pleased with the overall shape of things except for the cats which needed to be adressed. As for the belts they look like new and one can really question the need for replacement, especially since the guys at the shop said that they'd never heard of a f355 belt actually breaking under any condition. But as I said, it feels like you are not only paying top kronors ($) for just a car, but also for the servicebook, should the time arrive to sell it one day. I don't know if I am making sense here but this is how I feel about it. Ask me again when I've had it for a year and we'll see

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As for the cats we have a company here in Sweden who actually cut them apart and refit them, not with cheramic, but metal interior which is supposed to last a lot longer and even enhance performance.This process comes out cheaper (little over a $1100 a piece) than simply buying a new set and being faced with the same problem again further down the road. Manifolds, luckily on my car, was in good condition. A friend had a new set manufactured out of stainless steel. Great sound at quite some cost. I think he paid somewhere in the vicinity of $15000 for both sides.
So, if your car has new cats, manifold, tubi exhaust already fitted it really sounds like a good deal if the PPI checks out ok. To me it even sounds 'cheap' I must admit, but then again I might be biased with Swedish prices which definitely seem to be higher, even this time of the year with winter and all. Check history and as mentioned before, read the buyers guide. If you decide on a f355 I think you will be pleased. I know I am exstatic :rofl: