| Author | Message | ||
| Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
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I just got the "Ferrari 360 Modena" book from Automobilia, and there is a paragraph in the intro that I think summarizes the design aspect perfectly: "At first glance, the 360 Modena is disconcerting in the brashness of its design: for the first time in its history, Ferrari is presenting a model with a rather plastic, curvy front end, where the central grille is replaced by two lateral air intakes, designed to channel air to the underbody for aerodynamic purposes. Traditionalists may be disconcerted, but formal research must not be harnessed by cliche or preconception. The Cavallino firm - as Enzo Ferrari always proclaimed - must continually evolve in a quest for new levels of quality. The nose of the 360 Modena is modeled according to meet the demands or aerodynamics but to capture a sculptural identity that seems fully achieved. " In other words, DONT BE AFRAID TO CHANGE!! If you cling to the old, you die!! | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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I am so with you on the whole change thing. Every porsche that I see, regardless of the year, basically looks the same. That cold, no flare look. At least Ferrari tries new things all the time and keeps on the edge. They're all so beautiful anyway, they're Ferraris. What amazes me about the 308 is how amazing it was compared to its contemporaries. The 308 would rape the more average, and some of the not so average, cars of its day. Modern Ferraris aren't that far performance wise from more generic cars like a C5 Vette, especially a Z06. They had a great comparison in Road and Track a few months ago (called Battle of the Brands if I remember correctly) that put a whole bunch of cars out on the track. The $40G Vette wasn't that far from the 360 and beat the 550. No 1978-1985 Vette would beat a 308 on a race course (in acceleration possibly, but not in a race). I would still take a 360 in a second though if I wasn't a highschool student and had the money. It may not have some of the styling of the other cars, but it is still beautiful and is a great Ferrari. Its styling is shown more through its ability to perform than it is in sheer looks. | ||
| Ernesto Sgroi (T88power)
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Personally, I LOVE my 360's styling. I love it that Ferrari is not afraid to change the nose or other "classic" or "traditional" styling cues of their cars. Look at when the changed over from the 512 to the Testarossa. Completely different look, and almost nobody liked it. When you look at Porsche, for example, all their cars look and will look the same. Ferrari is a high performance company making high performance cars, and if somethink like changing the nose of a car make it more aerodynamic and faster, then they should do it. They SHOULD NOT be afraid to change. Regarding the improvements, when I drive a 355 after driving my 360, it feels like I am driving REALLY old machinery. The improvement is that big. | ||
| William Hubbell (Countachxx)
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I would take a 355 over a 360 for looks, but the 308 is even better looking than the 355. The 360 is just sort of wierd, not beautiful like a Ferrari ought to be. They say they based it on the 250LM which I also never liked that much. The Dino,308, 512BB, Testarossa, 512TR & M r all descended from the mighty 330P4 race car which was simply the most gorgeous car of all time I love the 308 for its looks but I also love my 512TR for its looks & its massive hp | ||
| Awang (Wang)
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How about the 355 guys? I think its a better looking car than the 360. But I agree with the rest of you that the 308/328 is a really classically good looking car. Yup I love my car.... | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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How many of you believe that the next generation 360 will have a different nose? I do. It still doesn't do it for me. I do believe in the aerodynamic qualities of it (its hard not to when THE design house spends millions of $ and thousands of hours in the wind tunnel). But I haven't read/heard one positive comment on the nose. I betcha it'll change next time around. | ||
| Paul308qv (Paul308qv)
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I have an 84 308QV and I just yesterday purchased a crunched 98 355 Challenge car to rebuild. I have to agree that there have been magnificent technological evolutions in Ferrari since my 308 and I am very impressed with the engineering. On the other hand, as I sit there in my garage and look at both, I still think the 308 is more beautiful and timeless. I will always be loyal to my QV. | ||
| Eric de Back (Eric328)
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I agree with all that a 308/328 is a better looking car. I always call mine a ballerina compared with the body builder lines of a 360. But the main difference I thought was the level of refinement (despite brute power) built into the 360. After getting back into my 328, I thought it was small, loose a just a bit rough around the edges. I was suprised about how I felt! Guess I won't be accepting too many joy rides in a modern Ferrari (only joking). Don't worry though: I still consider myself a very, very fortunate individual to own a Ferrari at all. Cheers, Eric | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
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Bret-I can't see myself ever getting rid of mine either. I have had it since august and the more I drive it the more I love it. Sometimes I just go out in the garage to look at it. In fact, I think I'll go have a look right now. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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I must say that I agree with you Fred. The 308 has lines that are unmatchable. It isn't the fastest anymore, but I don't care. I'm not in a race with anyone and if I wanted a quick car I would get a Cobra replica. There's a certain bond with a car that you can only get by working on it regularly, treating it like your child. Washing it everytime you drive it, changing the oils way before you need to. I would love to have a newer Ferrari someday, but alongside it I will always want to see my '85 308GTSqv. | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
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I have always thought that the 308 was the best looking Ferrari. And lucky for me the most affordable. The problem I guess is they aren't the fastest cars anymore. If money was no object I would go for a 288 GTO. The looks of a 308 and fast as hell. | ||
| Christiank (Christiank)
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A 360 is basically the same as a new M5 or new M3. Ever driven one of those? I did. They are all prefect, too perfect for me. | ||
| William Hubbell (Countachxx)
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Kenneth, I would highly suggest u get a 308 now while they r at give away prices  | ||
| Kenneth Butler (Mondialman)
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I grew up in love with the 308 series and in my mind Ferrari hasn't made a prettier car ever. I always wanted one as a child but now grown with 2 kids I compromised and got the 4 seats. Maybe when they're grown I'll buy what will be a very old 308 and fulfill the childhood dream. | ||
| BretM (Bretm)
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You can't deny the devastating performance of the 360 over any other naturally aspirated Ferrari V8, but for some reason it doesn't click with me like others do. Certain Ferraris are just amazing styling that I can't get over. Models that come to mind are 250GT TdF Scaglietti coupe, 355, I love the 308qv, F50, the new rosso concept, there are just some that are unforgettable. I'm sure we all have a list like this. It's odd how unlike most car companies, the newest, best performing Ferraris aren't always the prettiest in the line of models. It's like the new F1 car, the old one looked better but the new one is faster. When the 355 came out (even though I was only 11) I remember that it was out of this world. When the 360 came out a few years ago I was a little disappointed, especially how they cut out the GTS entirely. Regardless of our own aesthetic opinions, the 360 is one of the best balanced cars ever made and would obviously destroy any earlier models. The big jump in the last few years is because of the added computer aid in not only design but while the car is running. Look at C5 Corvettes, the put out almost 350 bhp and get 30 mpg on the highway. Computers are greatly improving cars, I just worry that in 20 years someone wont be able to own a classic 360 because the electronics that the car runs on are shot or no one can maintain them anymore. | ||
| Tenney (Tenney)
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They're both mid-engined V-8's, have two seats, a steering wheel, four tires and a few prancing horse emblems - here the similarities end. While there are things I like about both cars, the improvements made from '89 to '99 far surpass those from '79 to '89, IMO. The 328 (mine was an '86) is a nice car. The 360 is a Shifter Kart that sounds like an F1 car. Amazing. | ||
| William Hubbell (Countachxx)
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havent driven a 360 but I think my 308QV is Much better looking | ||
| Eric de Back (Eric328)
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I had the fortune this weekend to score a 15 minute drive in a 360. YES! What a drive. I cannot begin to describe the difference with my '89 328GTS! What a car! It's amazing what 10 years of development and 3 generations can do for a car! Has anyone else driven both a 328 and a 360? What did you tihnk? |