Is This Ferrari 355 Spider A Better Car Than The Desirable Coupe?

This Ferrari 355 is not the most desirable spec at first glance, being a convertible and an automatic. But summer is finally on its way, so for this time of the year is this actually a great spec 355 to have?
If you want to buy this car you can contact Metin on his instagram account @m3tln
Check out Scott’s channel! / ratarossa

[@Ratarossa]

Thanks buddy, great video. Pleased you enjoyed the 355, they truly are one of Ferrari's greats. Have to admit seeing you top down making that V8 scream made me really miss the car. I've owned 4 of them over the years (all 3 model variants & Manual/F1) and it was hard to part with that, but as you mentioned it was for a great reason and the Boxer is a very decent substitute. P.S that 355 is totally factory standard, even the exhaust and already sounds superb but stick a Capristo on it and it takes that noise to the next level, there's not much that sounds better.

[@organiccold]

You right Scott, they sound amazing with the Capristo... Its out of this world :) and you left this one in a perfect state...but i think the BBi will sound like an F1 :)

[@Number27]

Glad you liked the video dude.. keep up the good work with the 512!

[@tberreth33]

The 355 sounds amazing! However, if I had chose it or the 512, there’s no question the 512BB would be the king. Or better yet have both lol!

[@devonmantimtim8263]

That is a lovely car

[@emerymiguel9922]

pro tip : watch series at Kaldrostream. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies lately.

[@MrRoyck10]

The 355 is stunningly beautiful Ferrari and the design language shows that evolution into the modern era of Ferrari just as the 993 is to the Porsche 911. Nice content Jack!

[@tuomasholo]

The sound is glorious.

[@pauln0371]

I drove a LHD manual 355 back in 2000 round Thruxton on a Ferrari experience day. Amazing car, but then I drove a LHD manual 360 Modena straight after it. That was another level I'm afraid.

[@Paul-fb1em]

It's really great to see you have so much fun driving that car. Brings a smile to the face.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Drove lovely that 355 but my life there are so many beeps!

[@Number27]

Yep.. way too many!!

[@bobmcl2406]

Alternate title: Jack really tries to convince himself that he doesn't want a manual.... 😉

[@dickononfilm]

Loved this vid Jack - best one yet!!!

[@_RicksGarage]

The 355 is my all time favourite Ferrari. Particularly the GTS model for me although I did drive a manual Berlinetta belonging to my uncle many years ago and loved it. Fantastic cars and this video really captures the sound and acceleration

[@russellclark1978]

The 355 is a very pretty car in coupe form but for me the Spider is gorgeous. Those lines, especially with the top down are glorious. Plus with the top down, you get the theatre, drama and that soundtrack which surely heightens the experience 😍. I would love to see one in your garage Jack! Cool video mate 👍

[@timgosling6189]

I don't know if it's the 5-valve head but the F355 and 360 both have that fantastic high-pitched sound. The standard exhaust is fine but a Capristo or Tubi do take them to another level again. The F1 box on the F355 was not the best as it came out of the factory, particularly in clutch actuation, but it can now be tweeked to F430 standard if someone knows what they're doing in the software. But I agree the manual is still a better drive overall. FYI the Valeo auto-clutch system was tried only on late model Mondial ts in the early '90s. Coupe or GTS v Spider? I'd go for the Spider every time. If you think the coupe sounds great, trust me that taking the roof off makes it sound like the second coming! Purists will say that it flexes more and is slower round a track but the flex is only there if you look for it and for the 99% of the time you're not on a track a Spider sounds soooo much better. Thank you for an unexpected 355 fix.

[@ClellBiggs]

One of the best sounding engines ever made.

[@psircos]

@8mins 50secs.....I rewound that bit maybe 5 times. Helped that I had my headphones on due to excessive child noise. What a machine that is. Absolutely stunning sound from that V8!! Gimme a shot of that please? 8500rpm all the way....

[@philippruest5577]

Magic! Rare pre 1995 1st series 355 (non-airbag, M2.7 & manual) are collectors' items, already hard to find.

[@richardcarter1000]

I managed to buy one 12 years ago. A pre airbag 94 manual. It's a wonderful thing, I could never sell.

[@philippruest5577]

@@richardcarter1000 Fantastic! I've a pre airbag manual 355 Berlinetta, for 21 years. 37000 km rosso corsa, black leather. Have to sell now, sadly.

[@richardcarter1000]

@@philippruest5577 be sad to let it go, but it's the one to have. Should be plenty keen to snap it up. A wonderful machine.

[@nigelbullock9039]

Cracking car... Even better as a coupe and a rhd. Great vlog jack. Could be time to sell the 308 when its finished..

[@raggedrascal5463]

Fantastic video Jack. I remember the first time I heard that 355 scream. I'd driven from near Belfast all the way to Tuscany on a holiday in my mk1 Punto. A visit to the Galleria Ferrari was, of course, essential, followed by lunch at the Cavallino restaurant. Lunch was rudely interrupted by the megaphone wail of V12s at 17,000 RPM - The F1 team were testing prior to the F1 at Monza. Having watched the F1 test from a bridge overlooking Fiorano, we returned to our car just in time to see a F355 in Giallo Fly, piloted by none other than Jean Alesi, leaving the test track and being driven away with extreme vigour. I will never forget that noise.

[@malcholden5357]

I had a Giallo F355. That engine is surely one of the best ever.

[@allysonhanks9159]

Hello Malc how are you doing

[@asdreww]

They sound absolutely amazing

[@rhettcorcoran2879]

Brilliant video, I’d live with an F1 box just for that glorious engine sound, fantastic.

[@autosportivobedford]

Love the sound of these ,

[@Vinttro]

Great video, and good luck with the rebuild.

[@Number27]

Thanks chap! You take care!

[@martinclapton2724]

Funny that you mentioned that it was almost like a motorbike engine. I heard through the grapevine ,that Ferrari got the 5 valve per cylinder technology from the designer of the Yamaha R1 motorbike , which I believed used the same set up. Nice vid once again!

[@RustyDog41]

I currently own a 355 Spider in manual and previously owned an F1 Berlinetta. I agree, the manual is better but F1 is not a deal breaker.

[@grayfool]

It does sound great. I would have the hard top too. I know this should never be mentioned, but there were full auto Ferrairs too. The 400 and 412, for instance. I actually liked the 400. I rowked for a guy who had one for a while and it was quite a nice GT car. Well, until his 16 year old daughter "borrowed" it and drove into the front of a bus.

[@ryanmccormick2150]

One of the best looking cars In my opinion and that sound! Back in 1999 my then boss had one of these and I got to travel from our Newcastle office to leeds in his 355 its was a very sort journey time wise😁, I was 18 years old and I was absolutely blown away by the whole experience of the car ill remember that trip until my dying day !

[@danieldravot341]

the whole experience

[@ryanmccormick2150]

@@danieldravot341 cheers 🤣👍

[@kev-the-windsurfer.]

"What a load of fun this car is, its ridiculous!!" Yes, that sums up my experience having a drive in a 355 with a F1 system.......That engine, that sound!! Yes, it has a very linear power band, which keeps going and going and going......... Nice review!!

[@paulgoyette8222]

Jack, trying to understand why people give the video a thumbs down... as always great video well done!

[@sportzntouring]

Oh my! That sound is amazing! 😍

[@busterboy7505]

Nice one Jack, you are a lucky lad to get to drive that Ferrari 355, but I didn’t see a tunnel ? ( bridge) maybe 🤔 lol.

[@richardsmith9509]

Jack, that F1 system is so similar to the BMW SMG box and they are WONDERFUL....Really !!!!

[@ferrariguy8278]

I'll have to go back and look through more of your videos! I see you got the same feel from the 355 I did (compared to the still brilliant but more ragged edged 348).

[@amphilbey]

Lovely car, nice work. When you mentioned the Mondial clutchless box brought back memories of the awful Saab Sensonic system, it had no creep unlike an automatic so hill starts were a case of revving the engine to try and find the biting point and avoid rolling back into car behind

[@mrscottlaurie]

had a manual spider and a manual gtb, gtb much more solid feel, spider nice with roof down but lacks the ridigity of the modern boxster feel etc. sound is excellent, decat or tubi good, my spider had a capristo and the shrill was amazing, drove the F1 and was suprised how ok it was, 355 still an amazing looking car but values went silly, 360 all round better car (had a manual and F1 coupe), less hassle with belts, much more torque, easier to get in and out of without the wide sill and more comfy, still have the amazing sound especially with tubi or capristo and generally £20k less than a good 355, really need both to tick all the boxes,

[@minatormyth]

I have had my manual spider for 15 years. Still love it as much as I have ever done. You would have seen/ heard my capristo spider on youtube, it is quite notorious and one of the original systems 😁 Great video, thanks 🤗

[@mohamedelyaouti2051]

Dude i remember that video when I was a kid it's like on of the best videos even though it's old. But that's irrelevant. Good video!

[@grahamnutt8958]

If only your 308 sounded this good ... I can't comment on the transmission having never had a chance to try it out 🤔. Your 😁😁😁 told me everything I needed to know here and it's a definite top 10 for looks imo. Snared by the Spyders web 🕷🕸 - credit to @SportZn Touring for that quote lol. Great review 👍

[@sportzntouring]

😂😂😂

[@sainta2667]

Had the same car - blue interior , had good times with it , since then the Maserati 4200 , a manual Coupe and a Spyder Cambio.. (F1) - amazing cars

[@rotht1951]

Yes, completely agree. Spider F1 is the best variation of the 355. I know, I know some of you are stuck in the 70's . 😀

[@iankirwan8156]

My dream car, thank you for making this video

[@chuckhpnwx]

Have always loved these.

[@richardcarter1000]

Wonderful. All F355s are great. I've run my early manual for over 12 years now. The noise, the feeling, no driver aids, you can even switch off the ABS. Very, very special. One of the greatest Ferraris.

[@gerrycooper56]

If it’s like the 360 engine max horsepower is at max revs. If you have the car in sport mode while city driving the clutch does engage more fiercely but this prolongs clutch life - less time slipping.

[@MLC...]

Oh that sound! Intoxicating to say the least.

[@Gozar111]

Beautiful car. Would love to see one on the channel.

[@jimcear1766]

I had my 360 TCU, transmission control unit , reflashed by a well known shop/individual in France. All I can say is it was transformational over the original software . Best dollars ever spent on the 360. Perhaps the 355 can be done as well if you feel it’s needed.

[@ianhoyle8459]

The engine sounds ace, I prefer the sound of the F1/paddle shifters than the drawn out manual gear change on a high reving sports car. As you already mentioned to some extent Jack perhaps it is also similar to the sound of a quick shifter on a big bore sports bike. Your voice audio was effectively done.

[@thomasfrank280]

Ah this car! It was my search for 355 videos that took me to Ratarossa's channel and then among the Ferrari videos that started popping up in my list, there was this guy who bravely bought a 308 sight unseen.......

[@leearblaster8127]

It has to be said it's a master piece what a beautiful thing , and I I can only think of one other Ferrari that's on par with the sound , 360 challenge but the 355 has got to be my all time car what a machine they are 👌

[@Joey4420]

Oh what a lovely sound the 355 makes.

[@Tracertme]

That transmission is the same as your Gransport Maserati. I put a Larini front to back whole exhaust system on my gransport and it was sensational, but not the same as that engine given Ferrari protect their sound, in the older cars, now they are much of a muchness and we have to settle for less with turbos and synthetic acoustics piped in. My neighbours loved me fortunately and I am sure they were exaggerating, but claimed they could hear me coming home from across the valley. I kept it for 8 years and it never let me down.

[@steffydog]

Banzaiiiiiiiiiiiiii, wahoooo, sounds AMAZING, cheers 🏁🏁🏁👍👍🏁🏁🏁

[@user-mg9he3qj3n]

Bloody hell Jack, you’ve got your smile back,I wonder why??? 🚒👍

[@Landshark928]

God! The 355 is such a beauty! Pls a 355 Berlinetta in nightblue and manual.....and tubi/capristo...

[@bakedbeanzontoast9078]

I agree Jack, I really like the 348, not many around, last time I saw one on the road was being overtaken by one in about 2009.👍🇬🇧

[@bretkaiser7355]

Good to hear from you, Jack. I see you are enjoying your springtime! Ever find out who hit your little car outside your house? Just curious. Cheers! Bret

[@Number27]

Unfortunately I never found out! Take care Bret!

[@n3307v]

Beautiful car. I've always thought the 348TS and 355GTS were two of the best-looking Ferraris made. I was considering a 355GTS F1 a few years back and I asked a Ferrari mechanic his opinion of the car. He asked me if I was rich. When I confirmed I was not, he told me to "run, not walk" away from any 355 with an F1 gearbox.

[@jasonforrester6522]

Had a Nick Cartwright 355 F1, not one issue. You buy these cars on condition and not the cheapest you can get into,. Like any classic really.

[@danielthomas8507]

i believe Yamaha played a part in the engine(5 valve's) so thats why it sounds like a motorbike i guess..excellent video mate...

[@patricedv]

One must admit that Ferrari manages to make their V8 engines sound just right. And God what a nice roads you have there in UK, nothing like that over here in Flanders. Thanks for sharing

[@unforgettablesketches2695]

Such an amazing car!!! Love the 355

[@frozenpete788]

The 355 is one of my favorites, if I had to buy one though, would be a super rare manual f430 spider .. ahh dreams :D

[@richardwollocombe6793]

Beautiful car, and that engine noise ❤️

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

7:18 reminds me of the Idroconvert transmission that was available on the Fiat 850.

[@S-Ltd1000]

F355 = perfection.

[@allysonhanks9159]

Hello John

[@realnutteruk1]

See also Citroen C-matic, about 30 years earlier!! (Robotised clutch activated by touching the gearstick)

[@geoffclarke8934]

Have driven a 355 and enjoyed it very much. The spider version is great though would only buy a manual. Gear change on a manual 355 is brilliant.

[@Murhamdilah]

I love the spyder open roof. I wish my nsx is a targa.

[@PaulDoldenDetails]

Oh Jack I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again the best looking and best sounding Ferrari ever made 😍😍😍😍

[@marceld6061]

Never have I been so early to one of your videos. Call me old fashioned (or a slow learner?) but I just can't wrap my head around paddle shifters. If there isn't a knob and a clutch pedal I tend to forget about them and think that I am driving an automatic... maybe I just need to drive a Ferrari ?? Yeah, that'll do it.

[@davelelonek5598]

When is the last time a Formula One car had a gated shifter? F1 is all about the advancement of technology

[@drphilgarner]

I also have a GranSport and for a weekend car you drive for pleasure the F1/cambiocorsa is fine, and can shift hard and fast in sport mode. The problem comes (and this is less of an issue for an obviously 3rd/4th car like a 355) when in traffic or parking. It is really awful and if you have any mechanical sympathy you can just wince as it slips the clutch when you are stuck in a traffic jam. Since these are daily drivers for almost no one now, I see this as less of a problem. Just been out for a drive in mine, felt great 👍

[@Number27]

Enjoy your GranSport Phil! Great looking cars with great engines though I didn’t really gel with mine.. thanks for watching

[@allysonhanks9159]

hello Phil, how are you doing. I hope you are safe and in good health. Looking for a new friend and i saw your pic here. I hope you don't mind thank you.

[@CAM792]

Good timing Jack, I was only talking to QV yesterday about the F1 versions. With prices as they are, it’s maybe my only choice, but I think I’ll have to hold out longer and go for a manual!

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

Looks like waiting didn’t pay off, regarding the prices 👀

[@CAM792]

@@kasimirdenhertog3516 Depends on how you look at it. Another Ferrari has cost me a fortune over the last year, so I’ve decided that you have to buy what you really want. Luckily the prices have gone up, so it’s not too bad currently. Nothing like spending money on a car you’ve paid a packet for and not really what you wanted right?

[@kasimirdenhertog3516]

@@CAM792 still, if the one you really want is a manual F355, and you've been on the fence for a few years, you'd wish you could've gone back in time to your past self and implore him to just do it 🙂

[@shankarbalan3813]

This is a very elegant looker and quite anonymous…especially in that Grigio Argento or similar shade…

[@Number27]

Yep!! I rather liked it!!

[@paulm114]

The 355 always was a great sounding car.

[@lucian6395]

If I was gonna buy a 355, I'd buy the best cheap nice one I could afford, but I would prefer a convertible or the targa just because, I wouldn't want to track it or anything, just use on the weekend

[@allysonhanks9159]

hello, how are you doing. I hope you are safe and in good health. Looking for a new friend and i saw your pic here. I hope you don't mind thank you.

[@stuarthicks2696]

Never tire of the 355’s engine wail.

[@paultaylor9652]

Now that is a beaut, dreams can come true on KZbin.

[@barryjackson8512]

Sound amazing

[@nathanpoole6281]

Great video of 355. I sold the car to Scott several years ago and would like to buy it back form the current owner and bring it back to California. If he ever wants to sell have him contact me

[@TheAussieRod]

The box suits the character

[@MrMarkcoopers]

I think the veleo system is an Alfa Romeo sella speed system. The adjustable suspension is also a Mondial 1st, then seen on the 550's and others.

[@kidoctane]

Not quite ..... the Selespeed system in the Alfa GTA is the same.

[@JDesena01]

Jack, love your videos! Suggestion: why not get your hands on a Corvette C6 ZO6 and rip up some asphalt with it? I guarantee you’ll come away impressed...

[@Number27]

Thanks buddy, would love to try one!

[@JDesena01]

@@Number27 There must be some way of getting access to one where you are. Any American auto import houses there?

[@davidstuart4915]

can fry their clutches during rapid sprints out of junctions from a standstill (I drove the Masi version - may just have needed adjusting / replacing?)

[@giovannigallo8429]

Another drive down Kentish Lane 👌🏻

[@davidorama6690]

There’s a charming old Top Gear Mondial automatic review floating around KZbin someplace... the main thrust of the review is that yes, women too can now drive Ferraris too.

[@Number27]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Sleepy.Time.]

my favorite modern era eight cylinder Ferrari

[@GenaF]

Hey Jack 🙋🏻‍♀️, You often mention cars you used to own. How about doing a video on all your past cars and your opinions of them? I for one would be really interested. /Gena

[@Number27]

Hey Gena.. there’s so many! I’ll keep it in mind!!

[@johnphaceas7434]

So how does that F1 trans go on hill starts? No-where near the same, but when my Alfa was in the workshop a while back, they gave me a loaner, an early 156 fitted with the first iteration of Alfa's selespeed transmission. Nearly rolled straight into the front of the car behind me while caught at traffic lights on a steep incline, when the lights turned green. Luckily he was sitting a ways back and I had time to yank the hand-brake. I never realised you basically had to left foot brake in the bloody thing if you weren't on level ground. I believe Saab's "Sensonic" trannies had a similar foible.

[@markonmotoring]

The 355 is technically a big advancement over the 348. That said I really like the 348.. The Testarrosa side slats but in a softer, rounder body shell.

[@scottwaszak698]

Greatest sounding Ferrari road car ever.

[@scpromark]

Awesome. Do clean that lens though pleeease. Don’t know how you got the vocal sound quality so good in an open top car, share your secret.

[@Number27]

Lapel Mic on lowest gain setting!

[@organiccold]

Ahh the 355.. oh MY GOD a 355 i love it so much, for me the best sounding Ferrari ever, and wirth a Capristo Exhaust sounds even better. What a car :) Gate 6 kit from the Normal Guy Super Car will convert it in a manual lol

[@lebojay]

You had a GranSport before? I sometimes think of trading my 996 for one. Thoughts? Only the Mondial was available with that weird clutchless gated shifter: touch the shifter and the computer declutches for you. Porsche offered something similar at one time, which they called Sportomatic. Ferrari’s 1980s GTs were available with a conventional automatic. Another interesting detail: the 355 had some mid-life mechanical and electronic improvements. ALL 355 Spiders are of the later, (ostensibly) more reliable variety.

[@lebojay]

Thanks for the love, Jack, but please answer my GranSport question. I adore my 996 but lust after these low-priced Ferrari-engined sirens. What do I do!?

[@richardcovello5367]

A friend let me drive his manual shift 355 spider. Great top down motoring, but it did not appear to accelerate any quicker, or be any faster than my 308 GT4. I did have it up to 135mph in a few places, including a couple of sweepers, and there were lots of opportunities to chuck it about in the 50-90mph twisties. I did notice the ride was smoother, and handled everything better, but was it actually better? Or just more sophisticated?

[@richardcovello5367]

One big plus I forgot to mention for the 355 was It drank less than 1/2 what my 308 would have consumed on the same roads at the same speeds.

[@TimsEnthusiastGarage]

I love the 355 spider. I think I like it more than the coupe. It’s so gorgeous

[@nathanbenich9204]

Nice car! Cheers!;)

[@CherylCold]

Sounds glorious, would suit an armrest.

[@AlfaGTA156]

I’m sure the selespeed transmission in the Alfa Romeo 147GTA and 156GTA is derived from the 355

[@catsaretasty]

Your head looks almost above the windshield 😂your eyes are looking at the sun visors

[@1SaG]

I've driven a few of these automated manuals (Maserati GranTurismo, BMW M6, BMW M5 and a few more) and I didn't like any of them. From what I remember, what I hated most was actually living with the transmission... stop/start traffic, parking, three point turns, etc. There's probably a reason why nobody (AFAIK) still offers those transmissions these days.. :D Besides that: I've never understood why anyone (besides drivers with physical impairments) would want a sports-car and then throw in an automatic, no matter if it's a torque-converter, automated manual or a dual clutch. If you want that sort of thing, why not buy a Merc SL or some other grand tourer? An auto fits the character of those cars way better IMO than that of a, say, Ferrari 355/360 or Porsche 911. Plus: On a Ferrari from that period you'd lose that gorgeous gated shifter if you went for the insanely overpriced "F1"-option - and why would anyone want to lose that thing?

[@rezaq1]

Jack if you’re after a F355 my brother has a LHD coupe in Giallo he’s selling. Only 30k on clock, huge history and it’s MINT. F1 trans. Based in London. Late on aswell on an S reg.

[@Number27]

Thanks but not in a position to buy right now!

[@rezaq1]

@@Number27 no worries Jack. He’s had it almost 4 years now. Hardly uses the thing lol.

[@morbsgti20vt83]

I wonder if the 355 F1 could be converted to a manual like they do on BMW M3 smg? Wouldn't really know if that would make sense financially over just buying a manual in the first place as I don't really follow these cars.

[@davidstuart4915]

would like to drive one of these a couple if times a year :)