YSE Car of the Week: Ferrari F355

Justin Crenshaw
by Justin Crenshaw

For about the price of a loaded BMW 335i, you can grab the ultimate evolution of the non-Ferrari Dino and its flying buttress styling. Your Shit Economy (YSE) Car of the Week: the Ferrari F355 Spider. Supercar? No, super-toy. Which means most pre-adored examples will likely have low mileage. Warning: as RF will tell you, the F355’s purchase price is only the price of entry; budget $3K a year for routine service, and $5K for leaks, rattles, malfunctions and/or rust (yes, rust). And set aside another $5K for REAL surprises. (To be on the safe side, double it.) As with any used car, have an independent, model-specific mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase. Drum roll please . . . For those of you who would be born again with that V8 screaming behind your head, this F355 drop top is yours for $48,599. Sure there are cheaper Ferraris out there, and this particular example could be a mechanical nest of vipers. But to quote Bob Dylan, true love tends to forget. Alternatively, insanity is its own reward.

Justin Crenshaw
Justin Crenshaw

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  • Samir Samir on Jun 21, 2009

    I don't even like this car in video games! But kudos on thinking outside the box.

  • Alexdi Alexdi on Jun 21, 2009

    "If you can't afford the best example of the breed, you definitely can't afford an example that's anything less."

  • Kurt. Kurt. on Jun 22, 2009

    @ MBella: "I wonder how much one of these would be to run for someone with some mechanical know how." Well, I suppose you could put a 4.3 Chevy V6 in it. It would be dead on reliable and still sexy, but then that's not the point of Ferrari ownership, is it really? Ferrari owners come in two catagories: Those that pour their heart and soul into their possession. They wash and polish it, have it repaired in hospital clean shops. Ogle it's every curve and nuance like a horney drunk in a strip bar. And those that can afford not to care.

  • 70 Chevelle SS454 70 Chevelle SS454 on Jun 22, 2009

    The F355 Spider is not that impressive. I used to have an SLK32 AMG and I raced a guy in one. Just annihilated him over and over. 0-60. Quarter mile. Twisties. You name it, that Ferrari was not that impressive. I think a Miata with a turbo kit could've taken him. Sure was pretty, though.

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