360 / 430

Your answer is 360... unless you want to pay an extra $50k, good luck finding a 430 3 pedal... the rub is if you're used to all the power of the M5 and GTR the 360 will seem "underpowered".

Though you're sure about the costs of owning one? With 360's belt change 3-5 years and misc costs... buying a Ferrari is the cheap part. Owning it is another. In general the less expensive the 360, the more work its going to need. Be handy or have the $$$ to throw at it.

 

430: +83 HP, better interior, chains instead of belts (lower maintenance costs)
360: Arguably better looking, less expensive

 

+1

 

30-40K is the difference on the buy between the two cars, the 430 is more car no doubt, just not sure it's $35K more car.

The HP is noticeable, but not almost 100 hp noticeable IMO. The biggest difference in the two machines is the better F1 in the 430, it's almost worth the price of admission, almost. If your quest is for three pedals that point is moot. 360 sounds better with a proper exhaust, 430 stock exhaust sounds better than a stock 360.

In the end you will spend less on maintenance with the 430, but you can service a 360 for a long long time with $30K+.

 

+1. Also, the 430 has an e-differential, which helps put down the power better coming out of turns.

 

You can find these answers by searching the site. There are several detailed posts on the topic. One of the best answers on the board is if you can't afford a good Ferrari you definitely can't afford a bad one. Buy a quality 360 and you can do a lot of the maintenance yourself and keep it in trouble free shape. An added benefit is you would have the pleasure of learning your way around your car. Fluid changes are the bulk of the maintenance so if you can flush brake fluid and coolant and change the oil you would be in good shape.

 

If you do not do the work yourself and put weekend miles on her, I think $2.5 to 3K a year on average is about right. That would cover a belt change every three-four years and other misc. services.

You could cut that back if you can do some of the work yourself. There are plenty of DIY threads here.

 

360/430 which one to get? (Simplified IMHO)
1) Cant afford the 35K more for a 430? buy the best 360 you can find.
360 is an awesome machine anyone would be proud to own! Requires much more in maintenance costs, belt adjustments, repairs etc.

F430 35K upgrade includes:
1) 90 HP, who doesnt like more HP?
2) Awesome interior (the 80's called and wants the360 interior back)
3) All new engine design (not a messaged 360 engine)
4) Upgrade Ride, Handling, shifting and reliability (big items in my book)
5) E-Diff rear end, steering wheel adjustable Handling modes etc
6) More aggressive looks, upgrade wheels and tires, headlights, rear end.
7) 70% new parts over the 360, improvements to Alarm, electrical and stock sound.
by my unoffical seat of the pants from reading FChat 360 issues are 10/1 over F430.
Last but not least F430 costs more because it is newer & better and will be worth 35 K more when you sell it compared to the 360 (IMHO) Market agrees also.
Good luck and enjoy the search!

 

So if we assume a 430 costs 40k more. Invest that 40k at 10% return gives 4k a year for maintenance.


Question is: have a 430 or a 360 that is basically maintained for free.

The extra purchase price actually makes the 430 more expensive to run if you look at it that way.

Not that much faster and IMO 360 better looking. 430 possibly going to depreciate more too.

430 has better interior but who cares - it's a sports car not a Lexus

 

There's the issue. Nice car but looks are subjective. I'm not a carbon fiber junkie. I prefer the aluminum interior (homage to the first aluminum ferrari? Maybe)
And $35k more expensive? Quick ebay BIN asking prices $60-80k for coupe Modena, $120-150 for 430.. that's a lot more for a comparable condition 430 than 35k!

As far as 10-1 number... exclude oil changes and belt change questions.. and you'll find about the same number of questions. 430 owners don't do their own maintenance in general. Once this starts you'll see the numbers equalize (basically once they get out of the garage).

The one rub with 430 ownership IMHO is when things go wrong, esp. as you see now with the eDiff, you're getting stuck with a $10k+ bill. Nobody is rebuilding the eDiff yet to my knowledge (reading here) and its been a replacement part repair. Absent of insurance.. when things go, they go very expensively. Same thing happened with the 360.

 

i've had the 360 for 4 yrs and now the 430. Speaking from my exp, the 430 is a better car. That's why it is newer and more exp. The people who argue that 360 is a better car r nuts or justifying the fact they cant afford the 430. When i had the 360 I had same thoughts as well, but once i got 430 now i think the 430 looks better then the 360. 360 has a classic look and the 430 has a modern sporty look. I prefer the modern now. Had a ton of maintenance issues with the 360, so far nothing with the 430 in one yr ownership. So I conclude that 430's are much more reliable as well too. It should be for a 50K upgrade. One upside was the 360 was a bit more raw, but i had many upgrades in the car too. I wouldn't mind having another 360 but only when im ready to deal with the headaches too. I might go for a 575 before a 360 again. I have many other friends with the same maintenance stories with their 360's too.

 

Aside from looks, the 430 is a better car all around. It is a personal call whether the improvements are worth the cost.

 

Depends on your definition of high miles. Usually, high mile cars(40k+) will be sorted thus have less issues . Entry fee is less also.

Being handy means you can do most repairs.

I have 60k+ no regrets and would do it again.

Aside from windscreen , I've spent 11k in 4 years of ownership including tires

 

That is about on track. I tell people it averages $3K per year, not including tires, gas, insurance. Plus there is the potential for a random $10K bill. It may never happen but it could and you have to be able to pay it (you don't have to like it). I think you can hit these numbers using a good indi mechanic, not DIY. DIY you can save maybe up to 1/3 of that but probably not much more.

 

I'd say a belt change is going to run around 3-4K. Of course, you can reduce that if you do it yourself.

 

My advice is to look at the MOST EXPENSIVE car of each that you are interested in. If you can afford that one, not the lowest priced one, then you are ready to proceed. If you are using the lowest price example of a model to "fool yourself" that you are OK you are making a very large mistake.

The best 360 is at least 50K less than the best 430 perhaps a bit more (a Ferrari bit, you know... ~5-~10K more!) definitely NOT less! Anyone that suggests otherwise is just not thinking clearly IMO.


NOTE TO SELF: I keep meaning to add some of this wisdom to the sticky at the top!

 

Ferrari ownership is a lot of fun, and for most people a dream come true. The thing that you need to do is take the advice of people on this sight, and know price of admission just starts with the purchase price. Ferraris are fantastic but can be very expensive to own, even the most reliable ones. I owned a 550 for a brief minute, and it's widely known to be one of the most reliable Ferraris, and after full PPI and a month of ownership my water pump failed and a 4K repair bill later it was ready to go again. It's just part of the game, just know that going in and be ok with it, and ownership will be fantastic. Good luck with whichever model you choose.

 

Kevin has it right. Buying and owning are two very different things. Owning the car is not inexpensive.

 

+1