[phatdiablo]

Sorry if this has been bought up before but I am new to the site. hello all i am Pete.

I am looking to buy either a 355 or 360.

The biggest problem I have is that I love both cars.

Now the dilemma is I could afford the 355 now or if I wait a year I could get the 360.
Is it worth the wait?

What are the pros and cons of each car? Any owners please comment on past experiences.

I took a friends 348 for a nice drive and fell in love with the prancing horse. Currently driving an 02 Porsche so I am not shy of quick cars.

I would be inclined to go for the F1 shift over the stick, as I want to drive the car as much as possible.

Any help is appreciated. I’m pretty well asking for a comparison between the two so I can make my mind up.

oh yeh and also i am anoyed with myself as i have always been a lamborghini man untill i finally took the horse for a gallop. now im doomed.

Cheers Pete

 

[EBRINK]

phatdiablo wrote:

"I like Ferrari but i love Lamborghini"

and he is looking for a ferrari 355 or 360 to buy :nuts: I LOVE ferrari and DRIVE ferrari 8)

Lamborghini don't they make tractors? :ugh:

I am not a farmer so I drive ferrari :lol:
Please Pete you better change your signature then we can start giving you advice :wink:

 

[Azzurro California 575M]

I would go for the Ferrari 355 if I were you. The 355 and the 360 have similarly powerful engines. The 360 is more attractive, but you will pay for that. If you cannot really afford a car you should not consider buying it. If you aren't aware, the maintainence on Italian cars is quite expensive as well. I suggest that you start out with the 355 and you will find out that it is a very nimble car that will quench your thirst for a true Italian racer. There is a huge markup on 360s because they are in such high demand. I urge you to become part of the Ferrari family by making a smart educated purchase. See what others have to say as well. Welcome to the board!

 

[phatdiablo]

Lamborghini don't they make tractors? :ugh:

I am not a farmer so I drive ferrari :lol

HeHe thats true mr lambo started with tractors and air conditioners.
i really do love the cars but there is still no new lambos to use as frequent drivers. maybee the Gallardo but out of my price range. and forget a V12 Countach have you ever tried to push a clutch with two feet. :green:

the Diablo and Murciealago are nice but too pricey. hard to drive around the farm too :green: :green:

if i arent convinced i will just upgrade to the new Porsche turbo.

 

[355GTB]

If you love both cars then its an easy decision IMHO, the 355 hands down.

I recently bought a 95 355GTB and couldnt be happier with my choice. The 355 has alot of depreciation already in it when I bought. I paid 76.5k for mine. As opposed to 170k+ for a 360 GTB. I personally think its a no brainer. I like value per $$ in most things I buy and i think the 355 Berlinetta's are a great buy right now. Even more so the 95's IF you can find one that has had the valve guides replaced as well as a few other known problems taken care off.

Apart from the money issue I also like the styling much better of the 355 which I think is stunning especially in the yellow Berlinetta . No disrespect to 360 owners but the rounded styling does not do anything for me and it doesnt scream Ferrari like some of the older models. No doubt the 360 has a plusher interior and slightly better performance but not enough to justify an extra 100k IMO. Of course you will have better warranties etc! with a new 360 and that is worth something.

But if money's no object just go drive em' both and buy on gut feel. Either way you wont be dissapointed. Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

 

[EBRINK]

phatdiablo wrote

"I like Ferrari but i love Lamborghini, but i drive Porsche"

So what are you doing here ? :lol:
Yeah you changed your signature, but not good enough
Ferrari drivers don't advice porsche drivers :wink:
So try again diablo :roll:
[Maybe change your nickname at the same time] :wink:

 

[355GTB]

If you love both cars then its an easy decision IMHO, the 355 hands down.

I recently bought a 95 355GTB and couldnt be happier with my choice. The 355 has alot of depreciation already in it when I bought. I paid 76.5k for mine. As opposed to 170k+ for a 360 GTB. I personally think its a no brainer. I like value per $$ in most things I buy and i think the 355 Berlinetta's are a great buy right now. Even more so the 95's IF you can find one that has had the valve guides replaced as well as a few other known problems taken care off.

Apart from the money issue I also like the styling much better of the 355 which I think is stunning especially in the yellow Berlinetta . No disrespect to 360 owners but the rounded styling does not do anything for me and it doesnt scream Ferrari like some of the older models. No doubt the 360 has a plusher interior and slightly better performance but not enough to justify an extra 100k IMO. Of course you will have better warranties etc! with a new 360 and that is worth something.

But if money's no object just go drive em' both and buy on gut feel. Either way you wont be dissapointed. Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

 

[phatdiablo]

well Ebrink how about this Sig.

thanks 355gtb i really apreciate it i have considered the cost factor and well its definately a large descision. but like i said i could get a 355 now (well soon) or wait a year or so to get a second hand 360. just a matter of convincing the wife to let me spend more money :green:

i also thought about a 512tr or testarossa but dont like the idea of driving a v12 to often. i would rather get the v12 when i buy a Lambo or if the price is low in 10 yrs a Vanquish would be nice. Any opinions on the v12 family. its interesting that theres not an affordable (meaning 360 price) rear engine v12 ferrari on the market except the enzo, and i know about the 550 and 575 but i dont think i would step up there.

i want too much lucky i started young :nuts:

 

[EBRINK]

phatdiablo wrote:

"I Like Ferrari But I Love Ferrari, And I Will Soon Drive Ferrari" "But Just Never A 328gts"

Never a 328GTS
And now you want me to give you advice?
Try again phatdiablo, what were you thinking when you thought about your nickname :ugh:

 

[Andrew]

Enought talk of the signature, lets stay on topic.

To answer your question it depends in my opinion on which F355 your choosing. If you choose the F355 F1 I wouldn't do it as this will bring you problems. I would personally choose the 360 as it is more refined but the above comments are true, the F355 will satisfy the desire. Plus you'll more than likely end up with the classic gated shifter.

 

[phatdiablo]

Enought talk of the signature, lets stay on topic.

To answer your question it depends in my opinion on which F355 your choosing. .

i am hoping to aquire the F355 gts with F1 shifter red duco over tan interior
OR the 360 (standard???) with F1 shifter black duco red interior.

granted the 360 is 100k AUD more and i respect the 355 will satisfy my urges however i am quite happy to wait an extra year if the 360 is worth it. i am yet to see this. i will hope to drive both very soon if i can find the combinations somewhere in Australia. as i said i have driven a friends 348 and what i have seen is very similar to a 355. i really do like the styling of the 360. first look i hated the 360 but now it seems to have matured nicely and i like it alot.

descisions to be made ha:

 

[Dj Dirk]

welcome phatdiablo

adelaide has good wheater right?
that would be an easy choice for me then
a 355 Spider

and if you ever decide togo for a V12 wich isn't a ferrari
then take a Murcie or a Vanquish

 

[Quaid]

I have to agree with DJ Dirk. The 355 is the best choice because of the bang for your buck and the sheer beauty of the car – in my mind the most beautiful modern Ferrari.

Whilst I love the grass engine cover on the 360, the setup of the engine means you really have to thrash it constantly to get the best from it.
I have a 355 Spider and would hearitly recommend it, though there is scuttle shake over rough surfaces which was unexpected. That'll teach me to test drive it on only smooth roads.

If you live in a sunny part of the world, there is no better car.

 

[krasnavian]

I followed a black 360 Spider on the 101 this afternoon and I have to say that few other cars have the curves, the sounds and the performance in such delightful abundance!

 

[phatdiablo]

welcome phatdiablo

adelaide has good wheater right?
that would be an easy choice for me then
a 355 Spider

and if you ever decide togo for a V12 wich isn't a ferrari
then take a Murcie or a Vanquish

DJ Dirk i think we will get on just right, a murcie or vanquish is exactly what i would love to own. adelaide is at the bottom of australia in the south which means we have reasonable weather very sunny in the summer and balmy bright winters not too many rainy days.

i think i will opt for a f355. red over tan with the stick not F1 as i have spoken to various people and through this site have found out the 355 f1 has many problems.

i would like the one with the roof panel that is removable not the full convertable i believe this is the GTS. i also found the local dealer for ferraris in adelaide www.prestigeformula.com.au (<<<- Enzo please use in dealers database.) i hope to go there in the next week or so and see the cars up close.

a further queston to you guys. if the dealer has only one car that suits my requirements and has full books and service history is it advised to buy it. OR did you guys test drive more than one of the same model. i have heard that its not too easy to testdrive these machines. im just curious if you bought the first one you drove????

Cheers
-Pete

 

[Dj Dirk]

i'd go for a 355 Spider either yellow or dark blue :green:
if the dealer has a car in that suits your requirements AND is for the rest fully in order (service history,...) and price is good THEN JUMP ON IT AND DON'T LET IT GO.
i don't know how big the market in australia is, but i believe its already limited since you have RHD's overthere.


Oh on the V12's
the Vanquish get's my favour :wink:
2 weeks ago i saw an amazing dark blue one at the belgian importer :green:

 

[phatdiablo]

yeh we drive RHD although im not sure about a limited market as japan is the same and that is certianly a big market so we do get plenty of fine vehicles i just think the demand is limited which creates the higher price.

i agree DJ DIRK my ultimate supercar is the Murcielago but ultimate luxury sports is definately the Vanquish Silver over red interior. i have only ever seen a vanquish convertable wierd green colour i do have to say it looked very appaling and i diddnt like it at all.

also DJ Dirk (or anyone else) do you know where i can find some photos of a ferrari 333sp??? It has to be my ultimate favourite racing ferrari but i can never find and respectable immages.

Cheers
-Pete

 

[ze_shark]

I don't think you could ever get disappointed by a 355, it's a fantastic car. Stunning noise
There is a little although not outstanding difference in overall performance between the 355 and the 360, but I would not make this a criterion for decision.
F1 vs stick, matter of preference AND usage purpose.
Esthetics of the 360 are more controversial than the 355, and the 360 is not available as a GTS. Interior of the 360 is more modern, but there are still a few questionable design 'features' such the silver console, aircon controls and door speaker housings which look plain cheap.

Things to remember though is that:
- the 355 still has a few seminal reliability issues, such as the exhaust manifolds, C pillar base cracks or valve guides
- the 355 is more expensive to maintain as the 4y timing belts change requires the engine to be taken out while the 360 doesn't, significant difference in labour costs.

Now, one may argue that you can pay a lot of maintenance on a 355 with the depreciation budget of a 360.

 

[Stradale]

If you want just want to own a Ferrari, then get the F355 with manual gearbox. It's the best value for money Ferrari. If you want a Ferrari to drive and you enjoy fast driving, then go for the 360 Modena F1. There's no car that's as enjoyable as the 360 Modena.

I know, I owned a 328GTS, an F355 and a 360 Modena all at the same time. So I do take them out one after the other during the weekend, so I do get to experience and compare them back-to-back, so I know what I'm talking about.

I love to drive more than to own a car. So when a certain car gets rave reviews in all the car magazines, it is time for me to try it out. I sold the 328 GTS and replaced it with a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R. I then sold the F355 and replaced it with a Porsche GT3. So I had a few weekend cars to play around with. Sold the R34 and got a BMW X-5 4.4. Sold that too last year. Will be selling my Modena soon as my 360 Challenge Stradale will arrive in March. I'm a car nut.

So if you love to drive, get the 360 Modena. If you just want to own a Ferrari, get the F355.

BTW 99% of the Ferraris sold in Japan are LHD. It's the status symbol in Japan to have exotic cars in LHD. But Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia are all RHD. But for import into Australia, the Aussie authorities insist on Australian specs, so it's difficut and expensive (to comply) for used cars to be imported into Australia.