| Author | Message | ||
| martin J weiner,M.D. (Mw360)
Member Username: Mw360 Post Number: 545 Registered: 5-2001 |
Arthur, Exactly what "fast Japanese car" does the 360 feel like?? Had a NSX had a '97 355 B and now a 360 modena.The NSX altho dependable was uninvolving and bland.The 360 has it all over the 355=in performance,handling,room,smoother gearbox Only the high pitched wail of the 355 wins out sound wise altho my '99 euro 360's exhaust sound is deeper and louder than more recent US 360's. | ||
| Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
Member Username: Caribe Post Number: 416 Registered: 2-2001 |
Allen, I am sorry but I am not very familiar with Porsche. The salesman said it was a '99 911. I new it was a Carrera because of the badge in the rear but I can't tell them apart. | ||
| Patrick (Patrickr)
Junior Member Username: Patrickr Post Number: 54 Registered: 4-2002 |
Well, when my car is in the shop (not an F-car), I usually go visit it. I always ask them to park it inside their service bay and will take my extra set of keys and hit the "Lock" button to see if I can see the lights flash... she gets lonely!  Patrick | ||
| L. Wayne Ausbrooks (Lwausbrooks)
Member Username: Lwausbrooks Post Number: 307 Registered: 8-2002 |
IMHO, the last of the really fun F-cars were the Daytona and 246 Dino. There's not really an exact point that the cars became more modernized or more Japanese-like. It was kind of a gradual process. Personally, I find the 308 GT4, while not nearly as fast, more fun to drive than, say, the 348. I've never driven a 355, but I have driven a 360 and find it less fun to drive than the 348. I guess if I were trying to be faster than everyone else (on a track, for example), I would much rather have a more modern car. They are also better for extended driving time, being more comfortable and more luxurious. On the other hand, if I were looking for a fun Sunday drive, the modern cars cannot compete with the sounds, smells, and feeling of driving a classic Ferrari at speed. Again, JMHO. | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
Junior Member Username: Tenney Post Number: 223 Registered: 2-2001 |
Jason, would say a 360 is basically a dynamically better 355. Don't have a ton of Japanese car experience and so can't generalize. But both 355/60 sound/shift/feel like Ferrari (Dino?) with more grip, brakes, power, torque and comfort (360, in particular) than prior F-Cars in the range. Both 355/60 are a more visceral drive than the 550, IMO. And that's not meant to sell the Maranello short, as it would be a fair pick as best all-around F-Car, I think. The last "raw" Ferrari (F40/50 aside) went away with the Boxer, IMO. | ||
| Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member Username: Originalsinner Post Number: 524 Registered: 5-2002 |
best thing to do when F car is in shop.Work,Work,Work.as much o.t. as you can handle. | ||
| arthur chambers (Art355)
Member Username: Art355 Post Number: 639 Registered: 6-2001 |
When the 355 is being serviced, I drive my gokart, drive my triumph bonneville, or fly the plane for pleasure. As to the difference between the 360 and the older Ferraris: the 360 feels like a very fast Japanese car, the 355 and to a greater extent the 348 are a lot less civilized, and in my opinion a lot more fun to drive. Art | ||
| Jason Biggs (Jason179)
New member Username: Jason179 Post Number: 37 Registered: 8-2002 |
Just a question on the 360..how would you guys compare a 355's overall driving experience to a 360..is it lacking as well? Or did it start with the 360? How about the 550M? Regards Jason | ||
| Allen Shelley (Allen_97_993)
New member Username: Allen_97_993 Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2002 |
Arnaldo...what kind of 911 did you drive? It sounds like it was a 996 version (1999 or greater). They certainly offer a very different driving experience than the 993 and earlier versions...the 996 performance may be superior, but the driving experience just isn't like the older versions. | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
Junior Member Username: Tenney Post Number: 222 Registered: 2-2001 |
No flame, L. Wayne. I've tried a 360 once or twice, also. In sport mode the suspension/steering firm up nicely and provide plenty of feedback. Will agree limits are a fair bit higher than the older cars. Another note re: old v. new. Modern tire technology is no small factor. Current sports cars of pretty much every make are rolling on tall rims with fairly low profile tires offering very little sidewall (and associated feedback). The old school F-cars were on relatively small (15" or so) wheels with plenty of compliant sidewall to communicate all sorts of stuff to the driver (both audibly and through seat 'o pants) at a more rational pace whether on the throttle, brakes or in a corner. | ||
| L. Wayne Ausbrooks (Lwausbrooks)
Member Username: Lwausbrooks Post Number: 306 Registered: 8-2002 |
Arnaldo, your description of the 911 (my daily driver) perfectly describes the way I feel about, not only my car, but most modern sports cars in general. Even the F 360 (I know I'm gonna upset some people here). These cars may be fast, but they require little driver involvement and isolate the driver from what's happening where the rubber meets the road. I know that's supposed to be progress (going 130mph but feels like 70mph) but I personally like older F cars where 100mph feels and sounds like you've died and gone to driving heaven. Anyway, enough of that. Flame away.... | ||
| Michael N. (Man90tr)
Member Username: Man90tr Post Number: 658 Registered: 4-2001 |
Great summary of the TR feeling. I have had that many times. I have lifted off the throttle above 100 not because of lack of room or lack of a clear road, it was because the car would start a growl and a launch that simply scares me sometimes. The TR does have something about it. | ||
| Arnaldo Torres (Caribe)
Member Username: Caribe Post Number: 415 Registered: 2-2001 |
My TR has been on the shop for two weeks waiting for parts. Hopefully, she will be back with me this weekend. Well, to workout the boredom I went car browsing today. Just to see what's new in the market, Z06, 350Z, MB SL500, etc. I drove past a Porsche dealer and decided to stop and check out the inventory. They had several used 911 Carreras, and this overly excited salesman wanted me to take one for a drive. It didn't take much arm twisting to get me going so there we went. First impression wasn't too bad although I have never been too much fun of the bug look. Anyway, the car was very clean and beautiful. Once we got to a clear straight road, I punched it. Floored that pedal off the line in first until it redlined, switched fast to second, redlined, and now to third. Didn't push it on the turns, so I can't comment about cornering which I wanted to try since I have heard so much about their cornering prowess, but it was too crowded. Anyway, just the acceleration sequence made me miss my TR greatly. Now I am really depressed! The 911 felt fast, but it didn't have the punch that I was expecting. My TR accelerates with such a rush that you feel like lifting the pedal off the gas afraid that you will start taking off from planet Earth. Now, that is power! I have seen the numbers on the 911s and although it might be fast, it doesn't feel like it is. The TR definitely has it beat on feeling and on the experience it provides, and of course the 911 sounded as good as my wife's Volvo. Gosh, when is my Italian babe getting home? Patience, yes... that's all I need. |