| Author |
Message |
William Blankson (Wwwwbc2cabcom)
New member
Username: Wwwwbc2cabcom
Post Number: 8
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 4:45 pm: | |
Well, I run an Audi A4 110 TDI SE as a daily car - it is reliable, does 50mpg (fuel cost in the UK is expensive) and definitely attracts far less attention in my line of business as an IT Consultant - clients do not query too often my fees! The Audi also looks presentable. We also run a family car - Mercs A-Class that may change to an M-Class or a Cayenne.
I have a 964RS which is currently being race prepared hopefully to enter competition for year '03/'04. Changes being carried out are really to satisfy safety rules and some minor engine upgrade.
So a 4th car is really for the weekend or track days and for that I am looking at a driver�s car. I had considered a TVR Tuscan S, 996 GT3, 993RS, �02 996 C4 Cab or a RUF built Boxster but an F355 attracts me more than those above. The Spider seems a better buy although I did look at the GTS - I want to replace the C2 Cab with a drop-top sports car that can handle.
An F360 Spider F1 would be great but waiting for over 2 years sounds very painful to - just can't do it nor would I pay the premium being demanded now especially as the F355s are seeming like good buys and judging by the responses I have back from this forum, it is definitely a drivers car.
I have driven an F355 Spider but non-F1 briefly for an hour or so and it was very addictive. Loved everything about it - handling, steering, looks, exhaust note etc but I opted for the C2 Cab at the time because of the extra token rear seats. The truth is I could live with a 2-seater as a weekender. So I am really revisiting old grounds as I am upgrading the weekend car again.
A 550 is too heavy IMO and I guess would not be as nimble as an F355. In regards to keeping the C2 Cab, well there is no need to do so as it now feels underpowered.
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Ron Thomas (Ronsupercar)
Junior Member
Username: Ronsupercar
Post Number: 64
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 4:14 pm: | |
William, how can you come to a Ferrari Chat room to ask our opinion weather you should keep with Porsche or get a Ferrari..
We will always say get the Ferrari and jion the Family...
One thing I feel you should keep in mind is that your Porsche (great car ofcourse) was not only built for speed and great handling, it is also a wonderful daily driver.
The earlier Ferraris demanded to be driven at a higher RPM..
THe F355's were the start of the changes to become a bit more user friendly.. These 95 and up Ferraris can now be driven in traffic without problems..
THe F355 spyder are more affordable than a F360 spyder. I'm not an expert, but I would recommend a 360 coupe as a first time Ferrari.. You get the benefit of great handling, ultiamte speed, and a Ferrari as a excellent daily driver |
Mark Freeman (Mrpc12)
New member
Username: Mrpc12
Post Number: 46
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 3:36 pm: | |
I agree with Mr. Doody. I don't know your exact situation but if you have the capability I would keep the 996 and get a 355 in addition.
I have a 550 Maranello and a 2001 996 Cab. I really love both cars. The Porsche is a much better daily driver though. Plus it doesn't grab as much attention as the Ferrari and sometimes that's what you want.
If you could only have one car though I would opt for the 360 over the 355 then. I think it would be more livable for a daily driver. Just because it's newer technology.
But it my opinion by adding a 355 to your fleet you would have the best of both worlds. |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Junior Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 195
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 1:51 pm: | |
at the risk of raising hackles, the performance can't really be compared. i seem to keep one coupe and one drop-top, and the first item on the drop-top BPC isn't performance.
the 996TT is stellar. it out-accelerates, out-manoeuvers (sp), and out-handless the 355 every day of the week and twice on sunday. it's a wonderful wonderful car. as ferris would say "if you have the means, i highly suggest picking one up". it's my daily driver and it's just stellar. i'm a very lucky guy!
on the 996 C2 Cab side, it's not much of a comparison to the 355. those 996s are well underpowered.
doody. |
William Blankson (Wwwwbc2cabcom)
New member
Username: Wwwwbc2cabcom
Post Number: 6
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 11:51 am: | |
Doody,
I notice you also have a 996TT and offcourse the F355 Spider - performance must be similar although I suspect the 996TT is the more comfortable of the two. Atleast you can comment from genuine experience and your points about the speedo thing is re-assuring.
I think I will go for the F355 Spider F1 instead of another 996 Cab. My purchase would be from main dealer - hopefully should prove a pleasant experience.
Thx for your input. |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Junior Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 194
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 6:36 am: | |
William:
My F355 Spider replaced a 996 C2 Cab. I'm guessing that my experiences with my 996 were similar to yours - though I didn't go down the modifciations path, but seriously considered it. I very much enjoyed my 996 - they are GREAT cars. And a C2 Cab is way less expensive than a 355 Spider.
In the end, it is really a wholly subjective decision. Buying a Ferrari has nothing (nothing) to do with numbers or tests or whatever.
The whole speedo thing is not common and that idiot dealer in TX is being a moron trying to downplay a 44K mile car. You want to find a car with a service history and CARFAX data. You'll be able to spot any such abuse.
Also feel free to email if I can be helpful.
Good luck!
Doody. |
William Blankson (Wwwwbc2cabcom)
New member
Username: Wwwwbc2cabcom
Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 17, 2002 - 3:12 am: | |
Mitch Alsup - I can relate to your friends changes to his car. I must admit that was the main attraction for buying the 996. I owned a 2.5ltr Boxster prior to the 996 and found I did not need to change anything other than upgrade the wheels from 17" to 18". The handling was superb but car just lacked BHP power hence the 996 purchase. The Boxster S is still underpowered IMO. Thx for your input.
Mitchell, Kenny & wm hart - Cost differences are noticeable admittedly IF I went F360 I will have to go on waiting-list...a minus point hence the F355 consideration. Test-driving the F360 Spider is impossible as they are not readily hence I am trying this board for some insight. The F355 is my #1 option by 60%.
I have posted concerns about the speedos being easily disconnected on Ferraris and that low mileage cars are not all they are promoted as being - any further thoughts anyone? I must admit that would be the very reason why I would wait for a new F360 Spider or just forget the whole Ferrari purchase.
Mark Izzo - 996s are great cars. Unfortunately PAG seem to build them more for comfort. Change the suspension and fit wider track tyres upfront and be prepared to be surprised - relaibility has never been an issue, as you may be well aware. The Ferrari exhaust note however is hard to replicate - very unique and addictive, bit like the TVR exhaust note...masculine!
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Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
New member
Username: Mitch_alsup
Post Number: 50
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 3:20 pm: | |
A true story:
I bought a 95 F355 last year, a few months later a friend bought an 02 C2 911. We started racing at about the same time. In the course of 5 events:
F355: no visible wear to the fronts, 1 set of rears, 2/3 a set of brake pads.
911C2: stiffer sway bars, new shocks: then the entire european sport suspension package; 5 sets of tires (the first 2 because there is so much understeer in the 02 911 that you can't ballance the car with power: the next 3 due to spins); 2 sets of brake pads. Several alignments. With all the upgrades he put into the 911, he could have bought an early model F355.
We run within 1 sec of each other, he is more than likely a better driver than I. The F355 is an excellent dance partner on the road courses, giving all the feedback a driver wants to understand the physics of drifing a car through a 120 MPH bend wide open throttle.
Standard equiptment on either Ferrari: Dry sump with oil cooler--no oil pressure loss in turns--no cooking of the oil, transmission and differential coolers, air ducts to the front brakes, (near) perfect suspension geometries, well sorted shocks, (real) magnesium wheels. And finally, and engine that revs to 8500 at red-line with velocity stacks, headers, 5 valves/cylinder, and a sound to die for--stock. |
wm hart (Whart)
Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 285
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 3:06 pm: | |
Why don't you drive both cars? Is the 360 spider a realistic choice, given the premium being charged for those cars? (as Kenny points out, they are not price comparable). On the f1 thing, some people swear by it; i had a 355 gts with F1 and found it uninvolving for street driving; for the track its a different story. These days, for not much more than the price of a 355 spider, you could be driving a Maranello, which is a whole lot more car, classic v12, big torque. You may, however, want the more nimble, lithe feel of the 8 cyl. cars. Compared to a P car, i just don't know. The P turbo is the only one to buy in my book, but i'm not a P car owner. I have a friend who ran Algar Ferrari for years, by the name of Frank Donatoni, who now runs a P car dealership. If you want some straight talk about the comparative merits of the cars, call'em 610 886 1000. Still, there is no substitute for driving 'em, keeping in mind that as you get more used to each car, the one that is most appealing to drive at first may not be the best car for you, after you dig deeper into the car. |
Kenny Herman (Kennyh)
Junior Member
Username: Kennyh
Post Number: 249
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 1:59 pm: | |
There is a huge price difference in the 355 Spyder and the 360 spyder (if that matters). Generally, you can find a 355 for well under 140k while the minimum for a 360 spyder considering you don't have a spot on the 6 year wait list, is about 240k.
I personally love the 355, its just a more beautiful car to me. |
Mark Izzo (Tdf355)
New member
Username: Tdf355
Post Number: 15
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 1:37 pm: | |
Buy the 355 and you'll forget you ever owned the 996. Trust me!! |
Mitchell L. Davidson (Jussumfastgi)
Junior Member
Username: Jussumfastgi
Post Number: 81
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 1:32 pm: | |
Drive both.
IMO:
The 355 sounds better than the 360
The 355 looks better than the 360
More people will recognize it as a Ferrari
The 360 is faster than the 355
The 360 handles better than the 355
The 360 is the newest model (if you care)
BOTH will be much better than your P car.
Seems like we are getting alot of this question these days. ;) |
William Blankson (Wwwwbc2cabcom)
New member
Username: Wwwwbc2cabcom
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 1:29 pm: | |
Hi All,
I am primarily a Porsche man however I have come to a crossroad - should I upgrade my current '99 996 C2 Cab to an '02 C4 Cab or go for an F355 or F360 Spider? I like look of F355 but F360 is new but is it better?
As I am new to Ferrari, this would be my first purchase, I want to know which is the better drivers car F355 or F360 Spider? I have driven an F355, non-F1, before and liked it very much.
I would definitely be buying an F1 spec however is the F360 Spider a better handling/driving experience.
I also need to know about traits of both cars - like my '99 996 Cab in stock form was a real disappointment so I changed suspension for more sporting type, changed wheels & tire sizes to wider track 18" and fitted proper exhaust for some GRUNTTT.
So which is better drivers� car F355 or F360 Spider? Which would be easier to live with as a weekender/track day car?
Any answers would be appreciated.
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