There is plenty of power on tap
in the F355, and it does come on very quickly. To add, if you
are not used to driving something with this much power, it can
bite you. It is predictable and communicates what is happening
very well, but for the driver that only occasionally gets to drive
this kind of machine, that communication can be hard to pick up
on. Kind of like learning a language that you have always heard
but never really understood. The Goodyear Fiorano tires grip amazingly
well and the suspension was capable and took the corners with
ease. There was very very little noticeable body roll...(of course
a ride in an F50 on a race track will make you notice ANY body
roll or sway afterwards) I never even took the time to notice
or care if the car was in the sport or normal suspension setting.
So that said. It definitely felt like it handled well.
| Although I couldn't really
tell you about at the limit feel, only on the road. And I
don't mean really ripping it around like I was driving like
I stole it. I mean from the point of view that I owned or
wanted to own this car. Too often do I find that a great car
on paper turns out to be the total opposite in the real world.
We casually concluded our drive and after some spirited shifts
and sprints to the posted speed limit from lower speeds, we
drove the red beast back to her stable. I took note that we
had consumed well over a quarter tank in a relatively short
distance. And the engine was definitely hot, because we could
feel the heat just burning our backs, all the while remaining
constant and stead fast. The gauges never faltered and the
A/C blew cold the whole time we wanted it to...even under
WOT applications. |
|
I was truly impressed! This was
a car that was my dream car for so long, ever since I first saw
pictures in an import magazine about six years ago. I had always
heard that previous Ferraris were notorious for being garage queens
and having boughts with month long labor intensive repairs. Such
is the reputation of just about any exotic car for that matter.
Well let me tell you something, this thing is definitely a daily
driver. From talking to owners and friends at the dealers, it
has been unanimously concluded that the Ferrari F355 is a useable
exotic sports car. I have to agree at least on the driving side.
 |
Remember though that this
is still a Ferrari, and that stereotypes do exist because
there is always some truth to them. The Ferrari F355 will
run your maintenance and repair bills (provided you need
some) way up. But then again so will any Ferrari. But
with proper care and regular maintenance I believe it
to be just as reliable as any other sports car. That definitely
means you can't buy it and baby it though.
|
This is a thoroughbred and needs
to be run like one. Out of respect for the machine and those that
can't afford it. If you get it...DRIVE IT!!! A good Ferrari dealer
will tell you, "Hey this is still just a car, it won't break if
you go over speed bumps or let kids ride in it. It is a Ferrari.
Drive it like one"
Although the F355 we drove was
a 1995 model and for power reasons is the pick of the litter,
it is usually not recommended as a good year to buy. Yes it is
cheaper than the other years, but there are some significant drawbacks
for the first production year run of just about any automobile.
There isn't too much data on what problems lurk, but here is a
short list of what to look for:
- Oxygen Sensors in earlier cars
- Cylinder Liners
- Valve Guides
- Exhaust manifold failure
- Leaky intake manifold
- Leaky clutch slave cylinders
- Tires often last only between
3000 and 6000 miles
- Fuel lines not replaced
under recall
- Steering rack mounts (potential
to crack)
- Missing maintenance
and warranty record
In all if you are shopping for
a used Ferrari, the F355 is one to look at. Reasonably comfortable
for me...and I stand six feet and am medium build...so I guess
that puts us at an average middle ground for the human form. There
is enough headroom, although I think anyone over 6'3" might be
a little cramped...but then again...it depends on the person looking
into the car.
| The Ferrari F355
can be used everyday, considering that you take care of it.
Price is a bit of an issue, but then again if you are in the
market for a Ferrari of this caliber then you are probably
prepared to make that check out. ^_^ The earlier cars, despite
their small differences are usually shied away from. There
are a few red flags to watch out for, but in all you get a
hell of a car for the money. After all there is 50 years of
heritage, and that super exciting sound that tells you that
you are in something special. I know this was one test drive
that will stick with me for a lifetime...and when I get my
own...so will the car!!! |
|
^
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