1. 1The CS is a track special, which is the point, so scrutinize track wear: carbon-ceramic brake condition, tire and clutch health, and any signs of heavy lapping or overheating. A Ferrari specialist pre-purchase inspection is essential.
2. 2It's an F1-only car, so check the single-clutch and its hydraulic pump closely, and remember the 360's cracked-exhaust-manifold and cam-belt service realities apply here too.
3. 3With about 1,288 built and no manual option, provenance and documentation matter. Confirm the build, options (Lexan windows, carbon), and a complete service history. Note the 1,288 total is widely repeated but never officially confirmed by Ferrari.
4. 4Challenge Stradales have unfortunately graduated into the collector realm, so finding a lower-priced driver example will be tough.
5. 5Verify the recalls specific to these cars: the 2003 power-steering hose campaign (NHTSA 04V294000), which could gradually cut steering assist, and the Challenge Stradale wheel securing/lug-bolt campaign (04V184000), where improperly made bolts could break. Both should be documented as completed.
6. 6It shares the 360's non-header wear items: fast-wearing front ball joints and rear tie rods (listen for a clunk over bumps), ignition-coil misfires that can stress the catalysts, and an alarm-siren internal battery that dies and can blow fuses feeding other systems. The variator issue does not apply here, as the CS uses the later revised part.

• 04V2940002003
  The hydraulic power-steering delivery hose could leak and gradually reduce steering assist; remedy replaced the delivery hoses.
• 04V1840002004
  Improperly manufactured wheel securing/lug bolts could break and cause loss of control; remedy replaced the bolts.

US NHTSA campaigns for this model. A listed campaign may not apply to a particular car, and may already have been remedied — check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.