Ok.
I guess it's time to get some dumb questions out of the way. My sincere appreciation to any and all who take the time to offer answers and explain some Ferrari issues to me. Here goes...
I am trying to figure out a good Ferrari to shop for for a first Ferrari. I certainly like the 360 Spiders. And, of course, it has been explained to me that there is no hope for getting in line for a F430. So...I'm thinking that maybe a 355 Spider might be a good bet.
I looked at one today; a '98 355 Belinetta with a little over 15,000 miles with an asking price of $84,900. The maintenance records show that both the 15,000 and 30,000 mile maintenance (and belt changes) have been performed.
To the questions:
Is a 355 a reasonably good first Ferrari? I hear they are fairly costly, maintenance-wide. True?
I've also heard that 1998 and later 355's are the preferred cars. (Something to do with a problem with the earlier cars). True?
Is the 355 a "civilized" car to drive? Or are there difficulties to be aware of?
This timing belt issue. Why belts? Why not a timing chain? (Sorry if that question has been beaten to death or is particularly dumb. But I just have to ask.)
Any Ferraris other that the 355 I should consider? I like open-top cars best.
How does one get oneself in line for getting the new cars as the come available? That is, how can a newbie learn to play that game...with success?
I guess it's time to get some dumb questions out of the way. My sincere appreciation to any and all who take the time to offer answers and explain some Ferrari issues to me. Here goes...
I am trying to figure out a good Ferrari to shop for for a first Ferrari. I certainly like the 360 Spiders. And, of course, it has been explained to me that there is no hope for getting in line for a F430. So...I'm thinking that maybe a 355 Spider might be a good bet.
I looked at one today; a '98 355 Belinetta with a little over 15,000 miles with an asking price of $84,900. The maintenance records show that both the 15,000 and 30,000 mile maintenance (and belt changes) have been performed.
To the questions:
Is a 355 a reasonably good first Ferrari? I hear they are fairly costly, maintenance-wide. True?
I've also heard that 1998 and later 355's are the preferred cars. (Something to do with a problem with the earlier cars). True?
Is the 355 a "civilized" car to drive? Or are there difficulties to be aware of?
This timing belt issue. Why belts? Why not a timing chain? (Sorry if that question has been beaten to death or is particularly dumb. But I just have to ask.)
Any Ferraris other that the 355 I should consider? I like open-top cars best.
How does one get oneself in line for getting the new cars as the come available? That is, how can a newbie learn to play that game...with success?