The F1 GTS: rarity made (slightly) more accessible
Ferrari introduced the F1 paddle-shift to the F355 in mid-1997 and the GTS quickly followed — every F1 GTS is by definition a 5.2 Motronic car from the second half of production. The combination of a rare body style with the more affordable transmission choice gives the F1 GTS a distinct place in the market: rarer than any F1 Berlinetta, more accessible than a manual GTS.
On the live market F1 GTSes typically trade below equivalent manual GTSes but above equivalent F1 Berlinettas. Supply is thin in absolute terms — the GTS was the lowest-volume road-going variant — so the pool of available F1 GTSes is small in any given week.
Buying checks on an F1 GTS
All the standard F355 buying notes apply. Specific to the F1 system: actuator pump pressure, pump cycle time and current clutch wear (F1 clutches wear faster than manual clutches in traffic). Specific to the GTS: the targa roof panel originality and fit, plus the rear-deck stowage clips.
OBD-II diagnostics are available on every F1 GTS, which makes routine fault finding faster and cheaper than on the earliest 2.7 Motronic manual cars. A documented service history is the single most valuable accessory on any F355 — F1 GTS included.