What's the best Ferrari to start the 360 Modena or the 550/575 Maranello?

Drive both, and see which car you like the best, both are very different. I personally would go for the 360, 6 speed.

 

+1

 

coupe or spider?

Coupe: I'd go 575
Open top: 550 Barchetta

360 vs 575 is red wine / white wine. what are you eating?

If you like tight mountain roads... 360
if you like a powerful touring gt to devour the main roads... 575

 

One (the 360) is a sports car.

The other (550/575) is a GT.

What floats your boat?

Dale

 

That is the ONLY way to go, isnt it?

 

FWIW, I went 550. I live in big sweeper country....always loved the GT's.

 

Zarns- Welcome to FChat and I hope you pick up your first Ferrari and hang out here with us. Both cars are contemporaries and offer different driving experiences, as you have heard. Prices are similar, also. The Maranellos probably are a bit less expensive to operate and have more acceleration, but are not as light-weight handling as the 360s. A big 360 advantage is the availability of a really usable Spider for a reasonable amount of money. Plus the Coupes and Spiders are both really gorgeous. The Maranellos are traditional and extremely attractive Ferraris with excellent daily driver and long distance drive capabilities. Much more capable GTs in the Daytona mold.

All that said, I chose an F1 575M, so you know where my loyalties lie.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Welcome to FChat. You may want to look the the 360 section and the 550/575 section for additional information. What ever you decide, do a PPI. Good luck with your purchase.

 

I've got a 360 and it was/is my first Ferrari. I tend to look at things from a cash-on-cash depreciation perspective and I really found myself leaning towards a 550 until I found a smoking deal on a 6-speed Modena.

A 1999 Ferrari Maranello had an MSRP of $199K (or there very close) while a 360 was just shy of $150,000. Today, a 25K mile example of either- they can both be had for between $65,000 to $75,000. That means that the 550 has taken a steeper depreciation curve, and in my experience that levels out as they fall in to the hands of people who really, REALLY want a Ferrari but haven't the means to buy one new.

Drive both, they are two different creatures. I think that if I would have stayed objective about my usage and intended owning pattern, I would have purchased the 550. Hindsight being 20/20 I cannot imagine enjoying the 550 like I have enjoyed the 360.

 

Welcome. I reckon you should drive both and then decide, me I would probably take the 360 as its more racey..

 

Yes, drive them. That is best. You will be amazed at the difference. The V-12 has a lot of torque. The V-8 is rev happy and try a F-1 there for sure.

Welcome and good luck.

Enjoy your shopping.

 

I had narrowed the choice for my first Ferrari down to these as well...interesting how folks migrate towards the same models, isn't it?

My Take:

At my age (39), I wanted the enjoy a true mid engine sports car while I can still easily get in and out of the thing without hurting my back . Of course both 360 / (550/575) are beautiful, but clearly different. The 550/575 is probably a better "deal" right now as it has eaten more depreciation.

In the end, I decided to go with a 6 speed 360 - and for my first I wanted peace of mind and purchased a Ferrari Approved Pre-Owned, so yes, I paid a premium, but have a warranty for a year, the option to extend and an open line to a great service manager.

Do you research, take your time and when the dust settles, you will know you made the correct choice for yourself.

 

What would Jesus do?

 

What he said.

I would probably vote 360 with a manual gearbox, just because it's the sports car and prices are very attractive now.

 

I grappled with that same question and decided on the 575. V-12. Nothing else sounds, feels or performs like it! I love my 575! If you really wanted a spyder, then I would go 360 or 430.

 

What would Scooby do?

 

Drive a 250GTO, 288GTO or F40!!

 

"or"? I think you mean "and." He'd drive all three at the same time. It's all about the trinity.

 

What would I do?

Hmmm, tough call as I have ridden in a 360F1 but not in the GT's. I love the lines of the GT cars, but the best analogy here was probably Red wine or White. They are both good depending upon your personality.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

MB