1998 Ferrari F355 Spider

Description

It's safe to say that the Ferrari F355 was the first Italian supercar to recognize the impact of the Acura NSX. No longer were Ferraris permitted to be uncomfortable, unreliable, and awkward, they had to actually be fully functional automobiles. But that isn't to say that this gorgeous and unusual 1998 F355 Spider isn't 100% Italian magic, because it is still the kind of car that makes grown men weak in the knees.

Are you bored with bright red Ferraris? This Dark Green Metallic Spider makes a compelling case for a more subtle approach. That doesn't mean it doesn't look exotic, because anything shaped like this is guaranteed to be an eyeball magnet, but if you want to stand out in a sea of eyeball magnets, it pays to be a little different. It's a clean, aggressive design that has aged quite well, and I think that we've seen the bottom of the market now with these cars only on the way up from here. The paint quality was, of course, excellent back when the car was new and it shows only minor signs of use today-not perfect, but certainly good enough to convince people that this car might have cost a lot more than it does. And while it may seem funny on such an iconic car with an original sticker price of over $138,000, those big Ferrari emblems on the front fenders were an extra-cost option.

The tan leather interior is the right choice with the green paint in an open car, staying cooler than black and offering a classic contrast that'll never go out of style. It's important to note that Ferraris and other hand-built automobiles use softer leather inside, so while it's gorgeous and beautifully stitched, it also shows more wear than the heavily treated stuff we're used to in our daily drivers. All the black plastic driver-operation pieces have been recently refinished, rectifying one of the more common issues with these cars. Creature comforts include features like power windows and locks, power seats, and a great-sounding AM/FM/cassette/CD/iPod stereo system. The black canvas top neatly replicates the coupe's profile when it's up and hides under a matching tan boot when it's down. There's not a lot of space in the forward trunk, but it does include matching luggage and a Ferrari car cover.

The 3.5-liter DOHC V8 is an absolute gem of an engine. Willing to rev to a scintillating 8000 RPM with the most seductive howl this side of the Sirens, it'll also slog through rush hour traffic without complaint. As with any vintage Ferrari, service is perhaps the most critical aspect of ownership, and this one runs and drives the way it should with paperwork to back it up. Thanks to fuel injection and modern electronics, it just works the way any car would, albeit with a far greater performance envelope. Running it through all six gears is a mechanical symphony that can't be replicated anywhere else and with the mid-engine design, handling is sublime. 18-inch factory alloys are fitted with staggered 225/40/18 front and 265/40/18 rear Bridgestone performance radials with lots of life left in them.

Documented with maintenance receipts, original window sticker, and other paperwork, this is a late-model Ferrari that you can buy with confidence and enjoy without worries. Call today!