The latest FML values the Spider a bit higher than the other (more desirable) models: 355 BERLINETTA 52,887 355 GTS 56,153 355 SPIDER 59,422 These numbers should come as no surprise if you accept a common depreciation % across all models and knowledge that the Spider was initially the highest priced of the group (an assumption on my part). Whereas Spider resale values benefit from their initial higher sticker price, GTS benefit from their rarity. Rarity tends to trump most other factors in auto collecting (looking at you F40, F50, Enzo) so long-term I think GTS wins. In a related story, GTS is what I own.
F355 Berlinetta everytime. I love the profile of which the Spider does not have. I bought an Alfa Romeo Spider to fill that spot and think the Alfa Spider looks better than the coupe (GTV).
Owners of good 355s love them and owners of needy 355s loathe them. I owned a 95 B from 2000-2004 and it was exactly as descibed in previous threads - married to a bi-polar manic depressive super model with a coke habit. The car was great when I had it running perfectly, but it just never stayed that way for long. Still, it was addicitive and because it was my first Ferrari, I went along. By 2004, I had had enough and it drove me off Ferrari until about 2011! I decided to give Ferari another chance and today I own 4 great ones. Would I go back to a 355? You know what, I think I would try to draw a good apple out of the barrel sure. To me, each Ferrari has its own personality and they can be enjoyed together. Are they collectible? Sure, the good ones are! The Ferraris being left behind seem to be the 456 and the 348. 355 values appear steady and likely the good ones are not going to be released by their owners for peanuts.
I think that the idea that, in the future, cars with early onboard computers will be incapable of service is a fallacy. In the future, early computerized cars will be viewed as dinosaurs with extraordinarily simplistic computers, with technology that can easily be replaced with more modern solutions. That is already the case. An example -- 1984-1988 Corvettes and Aston Martin Lagondas from the 1970-1980s have "computerized" dashboards with primitive LED displays, which frequently fail over time. While it has become very difficult to find NOS dashboards to replace failed units, it is very easy to replace the original displays with small flatscreens and some simple software to provide the graphics. Another example is cars with early OBD-II software (early 1990s). At the time, the presence of that technology in a car was viewed as something that would prevent the car from being worked on by anyone other than the dealership, since the machinery to interact with the OBD-II software interface was prohibitively expensive. Over time, however, technology advanced to the point that you can buy an OBD-II scanner for less than $100 at your local auto parts store or online. The same will be true for the technology in current cars -- it's just software.
Buy what you like. Enjoy it. If the car appreciates in value than that is a bonus, and if it doesn't you still have something that makes you happy.
It's interesting to re read this thread that died in 2013 essentially, and now 7 years later compare the speculation to the reality. Those who held their 355s won. Sent from my SM-G981W using Tapatalk
What was the low tick for a 20k mile clean, documented, valves replaced, full tubi exhaust with headers, stickys taken care of, 95 red tan car? 55k?
Further up there's a dude saying he can't get 58 for his car...7 years makes adifference! Sent from my SM-G981W using Tapatalk
^I don't remember them being that inexpensive but not sure. I bought mine in late 2014 with 11k miles original headers needing sticky parts repaired for 69k.
My original 355 was a high miler with mid 60k miles and an F1. With a binder full of records and needing nothing I paid $40k at the time I guess somewhere around 2014-2015. I remember at that time nice ones were around 60-70. Investment wise they're still piss poor compared to pretty much any other asset class over that time frame though.
In 2011 I bought a mint Nero 17k mile '97 manual for $47.500 on eBay. I was the only bidder!! Back then the economy was still down, internet car buying hadn't really taken off yet, nobody especially cared about gated manuals, and the F355 was older but not yet classic.
So about doubled in 10 years. Not a great investment by any means compared to whats happened but nice keeping ownership cost down.